let's talk about stress

boy can I tell you the stories.

The Production Designer saved by sorry stressed butt today by initiating a run to the Cop Prop Shop, a prop house run out of the home and garage of a lovely couple from New Jersey who were so gracious to us. Armed with cups of coffee and a yellow legal pad, we made a shopping list, fine-tuned it thanks to lack of budget and walked out of there an hour later with everything we needed. Even worse though, she had to spot me some of her budget to cover everything. I am so embarassed. I told people I would go under budget and I would have if the film did not get shoved around so much, we didn't recast, I had adequate contact information and kept better track of all my money and better contact with the whole crew. It is a two-way street. I am learning. I must exercise forgiveness for myself... and everyone else.

In the broad scheme of things: it really isn't that big of a deal.

Self Storage is not the end of the world.

Now the only costume I have left to worry about is the shirt I am making The Penniless Writer. That's it! (Poor guy. I hope he does not find this blog for a while. I can't imagine how it would be to read about how what was a fun story has become an agent of stress for the people making it, though I guess that is to be expected at any rate. Still. I feel horrible about it myself.)

Time spent with the Production Designer was great and much needed. I was reminded that before we did all this movie crap, we were friends. We danced together, laughed and swam and joked and picked on each other. We were normal. Now we are THE ART DEPARTMENT HEADS. What in the flip. She's not even really my boss. We both feel we have learned a lot from this past weekend and vow to be more on top of it this next weekend. Saturday we have 20 set ups, Sunday we have 30. This weekend is going to be hell. Lady Producer is working on finding us a second makeup artist since we will have a full cast and I'm still worried about it. The last thing I want is for the production to be held up for makeup and wardrobe. I would be mortified.

After family dinner for two hours with half of the "Still" crew, Key Grip and I went to the Self Storage Dept head meeting for two more hours. Now let's talk about stress. I can't even convey how badly my head hurts right now. I am trying to shrug off the mistakes. I am trying to release the anger. I am trying to refresh my mind. I am trying to finalize my vision. I am trying to keep on the same page as everyone else. I am trying (god, desperately trying) not to panic.