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01/26/2006: "Movies and Memories"

We're getting some new channels on our TV service, and this morning one of them played an old mini series called Beulah Land. I watched for about half an hour, and it was like walking into a time machine. I worked on the show as an assistant auditor. We shot it in Mississippi (Natchez, mostly) with a touch of Louisiana.

I was there almost 4 months. I was 25, it was a bitch of a show, with hundreds of extras and tons of sets and it was made in 1980 (before computers, for the most part). Jonathan Frakes (Riker on Star Trek: Next Generation) Leslie-Ann Warren, Don Johnson, Madelyn Stowe and a gazillion other actors. We all got to know each other very well. I went on my first trip to Mardis Gras during that shoot, and while I remember a few things, a lot more is a blur. Lots o' drinking. Lots o' partying. It makes me tired just remembering. I hardly slept for 4 months. We played poker. We cooked meals in popcorn poppers and hibachis. We froze our asses off when we shot all night. Most of us got pneumonia at one time or another, and some of us got sent home. I met one of my closest friends on the set, and had some, uh, interesting experiences with men. hehe.

I used my experiences on that shoot to write the first book I ever sold. It was called Special Effects, and it was published by Meteor. (First line, first book, first paragraph had a huge typo, which wasn't my error, but that's another story). I remember making out with the special effects guy in the fake slave shacks while the rest of the crew was shooting just down the hill. I remember one of the crew guys who I barely, barely knew who came to my room one night and asked me to marry him!!!!

I also remember being forced to dress in costume and be an extra, even though I didn't want to because I hate being on camera. I'm in there somewhere, scowling.

It's just such an odd experience to see such a vivid part of my past come to life. Every scene brought more memories, and a wee bit of nostalgia.

I'd love to work on another movie. I enjoyed the process so much. And now that I'm not struggling to become a producer, it would be a lot more fun. Hm.

Replies: 5 Comments

on Thursday, January 26th, Jordan said

I have a really good friend who is a producer. He said working in the biz has turned him into an SOB. My brother-in-law is a director. He's done a feature and has another in the works, but mainly shoots high end commercials. I've been on a video shoot, but no movie sets. I think movie making is something you either have a passion for or you don't. There is no in between.

on Thursday, January 26th, Jo said

It's true, Jordan. I'm a much happier, better person for not being in that business. What I miss is the day-to-day on the set. Screwing around with the cast and crew. Oh, and post production. I loved that.

on Thursday, January 26th, Eve said

Yeah, but wow what an experience!

on Friday, January 27th, Jeanne Ketterer said

My father worked in live television for 30-some years and now my brother's closely approaching 30. Both loved the high energy of the talent but it gets old. Real old. Where Jo found the daily stuff interesting, being a member of the crew can be grinding after a long while. The glam is long gone. I try to remember this as I stand in line at Harris Teeter writing bits and pieces on scraps of paper ...

Jeanne

on Friday, January 27th, Jo said

Eve, it was a hell of an experience. I learned so much, and got to travel and meet amazing people.

And Jeanne, I'm sure it would have gotten more mundane if I'd continued. But I still love the smell of cameras rolling in the morning.