Day Eight
It happens sooner or later on every shoot.
The long hours, the pressure from production to finish the day and stay on time and on budget...people start to lose their patience, and they get cranky.
It happened today. Were tired, and, were all trying to make a bigger movie than the budget will allow, so I think everyone is feeling the pressure, and cracks are beginning to show.
Fortunately, everyone seems to understand that were all cranky, and why were cranky, and we havent turned on each other, yet. Its the time when please and thank you go a very long way to keep us all sane, and everyone seems to be aware of that.
It really says a lot about the cool people on this crew and in this cast, that even though were wiped out, and the production has set some very tough expectations for us (13 pages today!)were all still playing on the same team.
So even though were all in danger of reaching Donner Party status, the work hasnt suffered, and everyone remains supportive of each other, which is cool. Weve even managed to work some cannibal humor into the day to lighten the mood.
I like feeling like Im on a team, and that Im part of something much larger than myself. On days like today, that camaraderie is really tested. Fortunately, as far as I can tell, were passing the test.
The scenes today were mostly between me and Maureen, and our long personal history is adding this great extra dimension to our performances. We have this great trust in each other, and weve been allowed by the director to improvise a bit within the scenes, so they have this great natural, conversational quality which I hope translates into the final product.
On the way home, I pulled into my neighborhood, which is swarming with children and their parents, trick-or-treating. I drove slowly towards my house, smiling and waving at numerous Spider Men, Buzz Light Years, and a few vampires.
When I got to my house, I felt really sad...Nolan and Ryan had already carved their jack o lanterns, and they were out trick-or-treating...but my insanely cool wife hadnt carved hers, yet...because she was waiting for me. As soon as they get back, the carving will begin.
Happy Halloween, everybody!
Comments
happy halloween!
Posted by: lyn | October 31, 2002 8:14 PM
Rock on. I'm so glad you're having fun with all the people there, even when you're cranky...but...avoid the Donner Party business.
And Happy Halloween! Did you dress up? I was a carhop.
Posted by: Clara | October 31, 2002 8:15 PM
Have a Happy Halloween, Wil!
Enjoy it like a kid and eat lots of candy. :P
Posted by: MagikSpork | October 31, 2002 8:15 PM
Keep the pumpkin handy.
If the director or other actors start to really bug you, nothing will releive the stress better than a jack-o-lantern to the head! :)
Posted by: Robb | October 31, 2002 8:16 PM
Everyone gets cranky when they work together for an extended period of time...I think there's something to be said about major pressure. Be it actors or contractors---trying to work within a budget is pressure.
Plus, then to come home and update your page on Halloween night? You so crazy.
If Donner Party status is reached...use hot sauce.
Posted by: Sally | October 31, 2002 8:19 PM
Happy Halloween to you and your family, Wil! Hope it was s-p-o-o-k-y. :)
Posted by: Lisa J. | October 31, 2002 8:27 PM
Happy Hallowe'en! My stepdad sets up a PA and a microphone and sits inside the house with his synthesizer making spooky noises. I go out as DEATH and give out the candy. We actually scared away more bigger kids than the little'uns.
Keep truckin' on the set. The Posse is rootin' for you, per usual + extra Oomph since ya'lls be getting cranky.
Posted by: Reena | October 31, 2002 8:34 PM
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM ME AND MY MAN TO THE WHEATON FAMILY! May your evening be filled with spooks and goblins, haha.
Posted by: Marie | October 31, 2002 8:35 PM
Happy Halloween, Wil! :)
Posted by: Jay | October 31, 2002 8:49 PM
Its cool that everyone is still working together and not at each others throats with all the stress!
Have fun carving the pumpkin tonight with the mrs. ;)
Posted by: NephraTari | October 31, 2002 8:49 PM
Sounds like you'd better start taking Worchestershire sauce with you to the set; it will help spice up some techie's arm. You'll thank me later.
Posted by: Topeka Lee | October 31, 2002 8:50 PM
Happy Halloween, From where it is 12 degrees out.
I am eating Cracker Jack for dinner!
Posted by: Keith in Montana | October 31, 2002 8:53 PM
Happy Halloween to All!
Thanks for sticking to the blog Wil, the tenacity is great!
Yay Mrs. Wheaton for waiting for her husband. I love stories about the two of you as a couple, and all the nicle little things that you do for each other. It's kinda inspiring, you know?
Later!
Boo!
(did I skeer ya?)
Posted by: Drakensykh | October 31, 2002 8:59 PM
Oooooh, I was number 13, and it's Friday here in EST, and at Wil's it's still Hallow's Eve.
Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha! Spoooky!
Posted by: Drakensykh | October 31, 2002 9:01 PM
You have a great wife, Wil, hold on to her.
Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Miki | October 31, 2002 9:08 PM
Everyone remember that old Jack Handey thing?
"Sometimes when I feel like killing someone, I do a little trick to calm myself down. I'll go over to the persons house and ring the doorbell. When the person comes to the door, I'm gone, but you know what I've left on the porch? A jack-o-lantern with a knife stuck in the side of it's head with a note that says "You." After that I usually feel a lot better, and no harm done."
I've been to the site of the Donner Party cabin. It can be a creepy place.
Posted by: Tim Woolery | October 31, 2002 9:10 PM
My finger keeps popping out of it's socket.
Posted by: Jeffery Borchert | October 31, 2002 9:17 PM
Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Patrick | October 31, 2002 9:20 PM
Art imitates life imitates life making art.
Use it.
Posted by: Cherish | October 31, 2002 9:24 PM
Happy Haloween Wil... tonight was the first time i went trick-or-treating in years, twas fun.. i went as a stoner (myself hehe =)... good luck with the film dude!
Posted by: E | October 31, 2002 9:56 PM
I hope Wil, his family and all of you had a safe and wonderful Halloween! :)
Posted by: Angelwwolf | October 31, 2002 9:58 PM
Carving that punkin' ... did some of that myself tonight. We also went to a community bonfire put on by the fire department, which featured a brass band, food, and fireworks. Not a bad way to spend Halloween as a 30-something adult.
Posted by: synchronicity | October 31, 2002 10:02 PM
I really like hearing about you & Anne. It's so refreshing to see a couple that are making "it" work. Maybe she could write an entry sometime? Then we could meet her.
I haven't carved a pu'nkin for a couple years now. It was always a favorite activity when I was little.
Now I'm looking forward to seeing this movie (if I can get my hands on a copy) to see you & your friend working together. It sounds like you're both having a great time, even if everyone's getting a little crabby.
Posted by: Sunidesus | October 31, 2002 10:17 PM
trick-or-treat Wil...
and... Thank you
Posted by: wade art | October 31, 2002 10:40 PM
Happy halloween everyone. If you're looking for ideas on what to do next year, here's what I did. It's not too scary or anything, but it's still kinda fun for me anyway.
I hung up a sheet on the porch, kinda loose though so it would flap in the wind, and set up my projector in the office so that it shines out the window onto the sheet. Then I hook up a video camera to my video input, point it at a flickering jack o' lantern and run effectv.
If you've got a video4linux compatible capture card, check out effectv.sf.net -- it's pretty dang cool.
Posted by: nitrogen | October 31, 2002 10:46 PM
I wish we had the same Halloween spirit in our neighborhood...we were out for at least an hour and only found two people offering candy. What's up with that?!?
Posted by: Heather | October 31, 2002 10:54 PM
-- Happy Halloween Dude!!!----
Good to know where you priorities are when it come to the family--- Hope the kids got some cool CANDY!!!!!!
Posted by: Andie-Gypsy_girl | November 1, 2002 2:08 AM
Rock on!
Posted by: Pastor | November 1, 2002 4:09 AM
Wait a second, it's not four a.m., it's after twelve p.m.... here in London.... hmmmm
Posted by: pastor | November 1, 2002 4:12 AM
"Still no sign of the end. How long is it?"
"That's a rather personal question sir."
"You stupid git. I meant how long has it been on this movie set? You've destroyed the atmosphere now."
"I'm sorry"
"Shut up. Start again."
"STILL no sign of the end. How long is it?"
"33 days sir."
"Thirty-three days?"
"We can't go on much longer ... I didn't think I destroyed the atmosphere."
"Shut up."
"Well, I don't think I did."
"'Course you did."
Posted by: tj | November 1, 2002 4:18 AM
Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Nadia | November 1, 2002 4:44 AM
I only had 10 customers last night :( I didn't even wear my wizards hat, since there was only a knock at the door once every half hour. Sad, but now....
I'm swimmin' in chocolate bars!!! woo hoo!!
Hey Wil, when my drama-guy used to think that we were approaching hate time, he'd let us bitch at each other in a debate forum, or he'd make us lay down and roll on top of each other 'til we laughed so hard we were friends again....whichever you prefer...
Posted by: tanyak | November 1, 2002 5:31 AM
Happy Halloween to you, too, Wil! I'm sure those pumpkins look awesome. :-) I saw about half a dozen Spider-Men last night at a fall festival I went to...it was so cute!
Posted by: Robyn | November 1, 2002 5:55 AM
Happy Halloween!
Well, sorry i'm late, but i hope everyone had one. So was the cannibal humor made because it's halloween?
Posted by: Loyal Monkey #24601 --- Ryan_W | November 1, 2002 6:57 AM
hey wil, did you notice that your last two posts, from the last 2 days were both posted at exactly 8:11pm?
pretty nifty....
Posted by: drew | November 1, 2002 7:24 AM
I felt like I got the dregs of the trick-or-treaters... kids with Hefty bags and very little in the way of actual costume. I draw the line at no costume, though. OK, maybe I would give them one piece of candy. A kind I don't like - maybe I should keep that really cheap-ass bubblegum around just in case. You know, the kind that looks like it might be taffy or some actual good candy but then turns out to be gum? Anyone?
Posted by: SuperJen | November 1, 2002 7:31 AM
suck on my chocolate salty balls
donner party
hmmm...
ydwk. dth. yshtm,byd. anity,ydwk.
Posted by: drow | November 1, 2002 7:37 AM
Plans for Day of the Dead?
Posted by: ze-mag | November 1, 2002 8:12 AM
Aaaaawwwwww!!!
Happy Halloween Wil, Anne, Nolan, and Ryan.
Posted by: Brock | November 1, 2002 8:27 AM
The coolest costume I saw by far was in the October 31st Issue of "Foxtrot"...if you haven't seen it, check out this link:
http://www.ucomics.com/foxtrot/2002/10/31/
He went as the Blue Screen of Death....you gotta love it!
Posted by: kcflatlander | November 1, 2002 8:54 AM
wil.
why didn't you say anything about River Phoenix? you were his friend, and he died, and i think a few words in honor of him wouldn't have done you harm. it's not fair, because he doesn't deserve to be forgotten. do you really just see him as a junkie? then i feel sorry for you.
Posted by: Adi | November 1, 2002 9:36 AM
HUH??..No food here.
Posted by: bluecat/redblanket | November 1, 2002 10:14 AM
Hey Wil,
I haven't posted in a while, but I think that you are an incredibly talented guy (and lucky, too), and I think that it's awesome how you are managing to balance your work and home lives. That ability doesn't come easily to as many people as you might think. I really wish that I'd gotten more of an opportunity to talk with you that night after your show/talk at the Pasadena Con Sat night... maybe someday, huh?
Take care! Terry :-)
Posted by: Terry | November 1, 2002 11:03 AM
Adi, you are a complete troll, that is a horrible thing to say. If you knew anything about Wil, You would already know that Wil did NOT see River as just a junkie, and that he cares and is a good person. I'm sure he hasnt forgotten but is focused on the good things going on in his life at the moment.
Wil I am glad that you are hanging in there on the set. I am sure that having you around will make it easier for everyone to get through the long days. Lots of love and good humor mojo!
Posted by: AngelGypsy | November 1, 2002 11:58 AM
Happy Halloween Wil! I took my daughter out trick or treating down our dead-end street and she had filled her bucket after only about 6 houses! We don't get many trick-or-treaters so everyone is generous. After that we drove over to my Grandma's house and on the way there I saw at least 10 teens walking around with bags and pillowcases and NO costume whatsoever. WTF?! If they came to my house that way they'd get nothin'. I'd rather see the kids that go through the neighborhood once, change costumes, and go around again. Keep up the hard work on the set!!
Posted by: Fishonabike | November 1, 2002 1:04 PM
i agree totally with that, Adi
Posted by: Ashley | November 1, 2002 1:29 PM
ashley, please do not feed the troll.
Posted by: drow | November 1, 2002 1:36 PM
Ack!! Now I see what my post has wrought! Sorry.
/me sulks away.
Posted by: Eric | November 1, 2002 2:03 PM
Wil,
Never posted a note here before, but I wanted to take a couple of seconds to say good luck and that's awesome that Anne waited for you. Hope your Halloween went well.
Take care,
Dustin (reformed ww as wesley basher)
Posted by: Dustin | November 1, 2002 3:34 PM
What do you mean feed the troll, DROLL? She has a point, Will should say SOMETHING...I'm not agreeing with her though about Wil thinking that River was that terrible, but stil... They made an awsome movie together.
Posted by: Ashley | November 1, 2002 3:41 PM
Ashley/Adi--has it occurred to either of you that the death of a friend is very personal? One of my closest friends died on July 17th. That doesn't mean I have any obligation to mention it in *my* online journal every year. And I wouldn't want to. Just because Wil's a celebrity and River Phoenix was a celebrity doesn't mean Wil is any more obligated to share his *personal* feelings on the subject than anyone else. People are people, and private is private. If you think someone ought to say something about River Phoenix, say it yourself.
Posted by: Clara | November 1, 2002 3:47 PM
Okay your wife is awsome. I loved that she waited for you.
Posted by: Mike E | November 1, 2002 3:57 PM
Six more days till Halloween, Halloween....Silver Shamrock.
This year's Halloween was pretty cool & there were a lot more trick or treaters than last year.
Maybe I should have rented out your horror movie the Curse to really give me a sacre. My friend Stevil mentioned you were in a "not one of the better" tales from the Crypt repeat a couple of days ago. Damn, I'm sorry I missed that one.
Posted by: RetroRandy | November 1, 2002 3:58 PM
Clara-
There is no need to get all excited! Jeez! I'm not saying that Wil should confess how's he's feeling, and tell us everything. All i'm saing is that he can just say it's his 9th Death Anniversary. Period. That is all. I'm not asking for a full-blown party. And i know it's personal. It's very personal. Just thought you should hear what i mean before you have a fit.
p.s i'm truely sorry about your friend
Posted by: Ashley | November 1, 2002 4:04 PM
I am feeling that Wil is not obligated to say anything about River or post anything due to the events that occurred nine years ago.I am sure that Wil does not feel as though he was a junkie. Wil gave tribute to River by doing a voice documentary and I believe that was love enough for River..Wil shares alot with us...be happy about that and dont spoil that for everyone.Due to the events of such tragedy and the fact that Wil shares so many other things(that he does not have to do)is more than enough for me! I know there is a such thing as freedom of speech..But there is also a thing called tact and respecting others.So show the man respect or dont post at all! Need I say more?
Posted by: Candace(also a River Fan) | November 1, 2002 7:07 PM
look people, there is no need to get angry here or start calling people by names (troll?! what are you for christ sake?!!!) i was just saying what i was feeling- and it was not a disrespect ok? i do respect Wil but it hurt me that he didn't even mention it and like Ashley said he didn't have to gush here or anything, just bring it up! god knows he talks about stuff way more personal than that!! my comment about what he thinks about River was written due to previous references he made about him! (like why on the "stand by me" DVD special he didn't talk like everyone else?) which led me to believe he was being cinical about River just like he is about many other things. THATS JUST ME and there is a thing called freedom of speech so you don't have to get worked up or start talking like uncivilized people ok?! and Wil- thanks a lot for your comment on that one.
Posted by: Adi | November 2, 2002 4:22 AM
Good job at saying that, Adi. And i never said that Wil had to say anything personal about River! Everyone seems to think that it has to be personal! And it doesn't! That is not went i meant at all. I'm just saying he could of said a little something to show us he still remembers. Hey, maybe Wil doesn't even remember, who knows. And i am not putting Wil down in anyway! I totally love Wil, okay?! Jeez. Maybe next year, the big TEN years of River's death will be different.
Posted by: Ashley | November 2, 2002 4:41 PM
R.I.P.
River Phoenix
August 23rd 1970- October 31st 1993
*Fallen but never forgotten*
*only the good die young*
we miss and love you River we will never forget you!
Posted by: Maureen, Mel, n Jess | November 2, 2002 8:17 PM
Hi Adi!
Sorry,
I read your post and found it absolutely unfair what you said to Wil Wheaton. I am a big admirer of River Phoenix and have been fan of him since over 12 years. I see no necessary and responsibilities for Wil or other celebrities to mention River esp. on his anniversary. They donīt have any obligations. Sometimes we donīt need to put it in words that we donīt forget River, we love him and bla bla bla... you know, itīs a heart thing. Do you ever read John Frusciante and Flea ( the best pals of River) say anything on Riverīs anniversary? Do you see Joaquin, Summer, Rain.. saying to the public I miss you, brother or even mention Riverīs name on this day??? No. see? Hereīs Wil Wheatonīs daily journal and I think we shouldnīt ask why he wrote this and not that! Íf he feels he wanna share his thoughts about something or someone in public, he will do that. And if not, I donīt see any point why people should ask him. And btw, Wil and River did make Stand by me together long time ago but it doesnīt mean that they still had any friendships with each other after the film.River is important in your and my heart but it doesnīt mean that he had to be important in other heartsīs too.
Bye,
Deb!
" Run to rescue with love and peace will follow "
Posted by: D! | November 4, 2002 1:55 AM
Thank you DEB! I agree....geesh..after all that we said you would have thought it would have sunk in that Wil is not obligated to say or do anything...he shares enuff with us already... :) love ya Wil!
Posted by: Candace(also a river fan) | November 5, 2002 2:59 PM
I agree with Adi, but i dont think its unfair of Wil if he at least thought of River you know? cause all you fans if you remember from back in January Wil was doing a biography on River and he said he was crying cause he got really upset about River, which shows that Wil still cares and as for you Deb Joaquin probably did say stuff to the public, i mean how would you know did you read every single magazine out there? no. so dont make judgements before you know the facts, thanks.
Posted by: Maureen (biggest River fan) | November 5, 2002 5:29 PM
umm .. i love STAND BY ME SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!! ND IM THE BIGGEST FAN OK ?? HEHEHE -- WELL ... IM NOT GONNA AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH NEONE CUZ I HAVE MY OWN FEELINGS .. BUH BYE ND HAVE A NICE DAY! =)
Posted by: alex | January 31, 2003 10:04 PM
hey guys...hey Wil...
I know i'm pretty late on posting this but I think River was a great person and Wil and River had a great friendship when they were young...did you hear the line in Stand By Me *'Friends come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant'* well maybe thats the case...i mean like yes they were gonna be friends forever but maybe Wil does not want to bring that up...not out of spite. Wil i think your a great person you have had the best out of your life so far and i hope you enjoy the rest of it! all the best! R.I.P River
Love and peace
Bianca
xXx
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