as if the run up to the festive period hadn’t been weird enough already…
The confusion about the lorry crash/my “lomo” photography sorted itself out. In the end the driver of the lorry admitted he had been reading a novel at the wheel while driving. Lunatic. I got my passport back and headed for the airport, after a truly amazing meal with Birju and the boys. Birju’s father is 102 and has 8 sisters.
So I’m on my way to CSIA and expecting to board a flight back home to the UK and 4Creative and all my delayed Christmas shopping when a call comes through. In LA a stills shoot is happening for Glee – big new US show – and Brett and the team want me out there. Why me? I don’t know. It was one of those ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!??? moments. They were serious. Flights changed. Airport staff annoyed. Bags very nearly lost in mayhem.
I met the actor from Hornblower (quite a nice bloke) then got a free upgrade because the lady at check in thought I looked like her brother.
Anyhow, to cut a long story a bit shorter, many hours later I get off the plane at LAX and am greeted by Alice and Olivia and photographer Art Streiber. They have come in Art’s Chevvy Impala low rider and I am briefed on shoot on way to studio.
I will post shots when I can. The weather is a bit average here. Met a guy called Rich Martin who is a sound designer, composer, musician who Alice has used before and has brought out here so that the “shoot can inspire a musical interpretation of the visuals, or EAR-CON”. Rich is mainly spending most of the time riding a BMX around set but he’s also been noodling about on an old ukulele – some super interesting stuff. This morning we sang Extreme’s More Than Words as the sun came up over the lot and it was a cool moment. Alice and Olivia had their hands full with managing the Glee cast and writers/producers so sadly couldn’t be involved but I am told they have excellent singing voices.
We ate dinner last night at Myagi’s, which local fixer Rob tells us is one of the most exclusive joints in Hollywood.
Hello all who are reading. Thank you to everyone who helped me in India and Mum and Dad I will be back soon I promise!!
More soon.
The lucky-as-hell Intern.
16
Dec 09
I love LA and Rich Martin and Glee
07
Dec 09
New Friends
Here are some pictures. The sweetshop owner is called Birju. This is the guy who found himself in the middle of the lorry crash but who emerged with a smile on his face. Kindly and miraculously he has also offered to put me up in his apartment while this whole mess gets sorted. It is unclear at this point whether the authorities are keeping me around as a witness to the accident or because they think I somehow caused it. Yes, I was near (but not IN) the middle of the road taking shots on my “lomo” when it happened but the driving was pretty crazy anyway. The other photo is of Birju’s neighbour’s textile factory. His name is Kabir and yesterday he let me sweep up the entire shop floor. More shots to follow. The team back home are encouraging me to shoot as much as I can
and there will no doubt be plenty of visual texture to add to the India campaign.
I believe the rest of the shoot is going OK, somewhere else. I have missed out in one way, but in another I find myself to be incredibly lucky. This morning I watched a monkey jump up and down on an awning as if it were a trampoline. He looked over at me and made a gesture as if to say: What? Then carried on.
The (sunburnt) INTERN
Birju
04
Dec 09
Help, MIlk, Crash
Thank you Tom/Brett/Molly for your calls and the instructions and for wiring the money out. You’ve saved my life but as I say I’m not sure when I am going to be able to make it back. The consulate still have my passport and for now I am staying put. Still, and you’ve got to look on the bright side, it’s warm and things are more or less OK. For anyone else reading this, I am still in India having been separated from the main crew after a mix up in Mumbai city centre caused by (of course) a giant milk transporter crashing into a sweet shop at what seemed like their equivalent of oxford circus. To add insult to injury I hate milk and gag whenever I see it and there was loads of it all over the place and in the heat it was rank.
Anyway, I will be staying put until monday
at least. For some reason the police thought I was in some way involved. Anyhow. Here I am. I missed the shoot. But I suppose it is cool!
I met a man two hours ago who could imitate voices perfectly. I got him to speak to my mum on the phone.
Bye for now. It’s hot.
THE INTERN (ATIONAL)
02
Dec 09
MUMBAI, LOST, PLEASE READ
I have arrived in Mumbai and have been separated from the main production team. It is very exciting and yet slightly daunting.
Will post shots when I can. Ed/Molly/Leo/Emily, if you are reading this can you call me on my UK mobile please as a matter of urgency.
The Intern
