The second to last weekend of production. We’re going to condense the apartment scenes with TONI and MONTSE. We’re in Juan Jose’s apartment, and while it was a bit tricky finding the place, it took no time at all to turn his place upside down. All I know is that I’d periodically watch Juan Carlos disappear for a few seconds while he stepped outside and took a deep breath, counted to ten, and then came right back in smiling and refreshed. At least I’m pretty sure that’s all he was doing.
Let me set up the scenario: ALICIA had just jumped out of the shower, hair still wet and with a towel wrapped around her, leaving wet foot prints all over the house. And just to make sure that the water was completely visible to the camera, we decided to add a little extra. The only problem was that we forgot where exactly we’d added the extra water, and as we looked for it, it wasn’t just Mireia’s foot prints on the floor anymore.
The bedroom had been littered with female paraphernalia: panties, bras, dresses, socks, handkerchiefs…some of this stuff was even hanging on the bathroom faucet, and thrown on the floor. The kitchen was besieged, the dining area was littered with gelatin that Luis and Akira (the lighting department) had to use, and the terrace was, of course, turned into our craft service area. I’m not sure how he didn’t end the day screaming “this place is in ruins!”
Mireia walked around making sure her towel didn’t fall off. But really, why all the modesty? If ever there were a place where she could feel safe about her dropping the towel, it was here. She was amongst “girls”. The worst thing that could happen was that she’d drop the towel and we’d all run around the house yelling that she’d cut herself down there... (I have to admit that, that sounded much funnier in my head. )
We shot the scene in the messy room, and Mireia’s line was supposed to be (in a perfect Argentinian accent) “Oh, dear God.” Well, dear God indeed, because first we shot it and she kept saying it before she was even in the room. Then she was saying it a bit too late. Then we couldn’t understand what she was saying at all. And finally, it just wasn’t coming out with enough of an accent. Which in the end didn’t really matter, because we soon found out that the microphone wasn’t plugged in correctly and we’d have to reshoot everything anyway. Say it with me now: Oh, dear God!
We figured it was as good a time as any to take five, so we all decided to make our way over to the kitchen and find something to nibble on to help ease the tension. While there, Juan Carlos showed up from one of his endless runs to the store and started putting groceries away. Looking around as he did, he asked “What are you all doing in here? Are you shooting something in the dinning room? Do you have everything you need?” To which Giuseppe replied “We’re shooting a scene in the kitchen, baby, and you’re in our shot!” Laughter really is the best medicine.
We needed a coffee pot and we sent someone to get it at the strip mall down the street. Juan Carlos prepared a fabulous and finger licking lunch, so we decided to make him our own personal chef. He hasn’t accepted, yet, but we’re working on it.
After lunch we made our way over to TONI’s room where we were shooting the next scene, and where he’d be chatting and cruising profiles online (from a previously selected set, of course). The camera was set up outside and the mic was inside the room, with TONI at his desk. We also needed a few off-screen voices, so like Babeth did for Lola’s scene, we all hit the floor. Babeth and Mireia were hidden behind the door, which really made them sound off screen. I was stretched out on the floor and holding the mic. Just then, Babeth asked “Should I close the door all the way?”, and Giuseppe answered “no, leave it open all the way.” All the way open and right smack into my head! Ouch.
When Toni Duque arrived (aka Mr. Ed), Iván Bertrán was out getting something to eat because of his whole gluten free diet, so he missed out on his highly anticipated arrival. When he got back, we informed him that he had a special guest waiting for him in the bathroom who needed his expert hands for full body make-up. When he saw who it was, and completely in the nude – I might add, he was left with little recourse other than to bow in reverence and offer a genuine “It’s a pleasure to meet you” as he extended his hand and shook Mr. Ed’s disco stick. We expected nothing less, of course.
Toni Duque spent most of the afternoon with a hand towel draped over said disco stick , while waiting for his scene. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone receiving so much applause, being so closely followed, or needing that many takes to make a pot of coffee. But I will say that I was a bit parched after all of that, and could’ve really used a sip.
The evening crept up on us as we filmed the last scene of the day. TONI was at his desk chatting, and the girls flirting on the couch at the start of what could be a beautiful friendship, as Claude Rains would say. We’ll see how this all ends tomorrow.Cenzo Álvarez De Haro - Translated and adapted by: Norman Giovanni Zelaya