Daily shooting diary - Day 11: PATRON SAINT OF FILMING

We decided we were up for a challenge today. We were going to roll in the middle of full pandemonium, and not care about the crowds anywhere. It was a nice day and we were ready to bring it on.

Manuel Tello came out to meet us. He’d just flown in from Madrid to shoot his scene tomorrow. Today we were shooting all the exterior shots between Xavi and Eider (GISELA in the series): shots of them coming out of a movie, walking along the beach…you know, all very romantic stuff.

Our first setback was from the theatre chain who objected to us filming in front of their property. Then the audio wasn’t coming in clear at all. I mean, not even remotely. We were even picking up the music from the mall, and you could barely understand any of the dialogue. The wind wasn’t doing us any favours either.

We asked a few tourists if we could use the bench they were using that faced the beach, but even the mic’s windscreen didn’t help reduce the noise. We were even picking up the clattering of dishes from the restaurant next door.

We decided to find a different location, but the local authorities had other ideas. The sun was quickly fading and we didn’t have any lighting equipment with us.

While we’d been up for a challenge, it seemed like the day had definitely thwarted our plan to come out victorious. Assessing the situation, we decided to try again sometime during the week.

Faced with starting work on tomorrow’s shoot, we decided the best thing to do was to find the nearest bar and just laugh our asses off. And laugh we did. At everything.

Cenzo Álvarez De Haro - Translated and adapted by: Norman Giovanni Zelaya

GAYXAMPLE - Trailer 3 English

Daily shooting diary - Day 10: WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE IT?

The interesting thing about today’s shoot wasn’t so much the shoot itself, but collateral damage stories behind it. So for now I’ll just say that we shot all the exteriors and finished up at Casa Billy.

We were at the apartment in Poble Nou so Anna and Marcus could get into make-up. Iván Bertrán was once again on board and we had a full make-up department. Catalina was our newest addition to the cast, and she has some delicious dialogue full of memorable one-liners.

It’s Sunday and it’s starting to get hot. People have suddenly realized that Barcelona has a beach. There are plenty of kids at play, running around giggling and carefree, as the city buses steadily drop people off, and pick them back up, on their way to God knows where. A helicopter patrols the beach as the ad on its side reminds us to buy sunscreen. Yes, all the things that make shooting exterior shots such a wonderful experience; especially for the sound department.

Today was just not our day. Anna once again left Poble Nou dressed up like a bad floral arrangement had thrown up on her. But she was working that tired dress, heels, jewels and newly reconstructed face for all they were worth. Just then something catches her eye and asks “Is that my bike? Son of a b!@*h, it is my bike!” Before we knew it, heels and jewelry were flying every which way, as Anna chased down the would-be thief, and starts to pummel him once she catches up to him. We weren’t all exactly sure what was going on but we started chasing right after her, in part because it seemed like the thing to do, and also because we wanted to know what the hell was going on.

Iván got there first and bear hugged the man, squeezing his wrists as hard as he could and then, as if tapping primal rage, let out a roaring “arrrrghhh” right in the man’s ear. When we all go there, we were able to stop Anna from giving this man a total face reconstruction without any of the make-up department’s help, and instead just exchanged some non too pleasant words with the man.

Giuseppe astutely pointed out that the neighborhood wasn’t what it used to be. He recalled that just this week he’d stepped out of his apartment and looked up and down the street wondering where his motorcycle had gone.

Once the adrenaline had worn off, all that was left was to laugh our collective asses off. I mean, where the hell did Iván get all strength, and what the hell was that scream of his? “Gluten free diet my ass” Babeth said.  “I’m guessing that boy’s been getting some protein in his diet.”

As we all laughed, Marcus watched from his V.I.P box on the balcony.

When the fun was over we once again set to the task at hand, and started rolling. Well, us and everyone else.  Nearby neighbors took the time to water down their front porch,  yell clear across the street that someone was shooting a movie just across the way and that maybe they should try and be extras. Yeah, there’s a thought.  They were very nice, even stopping us to tell us how much they loved having us shoot on their block.  Just a joy, I tell you. And, of course, just when you think nothing else can go wrong… it does.  That Murphy and his damn law.  Anna had no sooner uttered the words “All we need is for a damn marathon to come running through here”  than low and behold: Bam! We had one. A stream  of cyclists descended upon us at that very moment and we had to stop rolling for a good while. When they all cleared out, and we set up again thinking nothing else could go wrong a helicopter was nice enough to hover over us as Josep delivered his lines. Testing the fates yet again as he left, Josep turned to the sky and yelled “ is there anything else?” – and without missing a beat, and as if saying “Why, yes. Yes, there is”, the church bells started ringing, signaling the end of mass.  Giorgio noted that the priest must’ve known we were shooting a gay show in the neighborhood and…well, the statement continued, but I’d rather not repeat it here.

Once the odyssey of Poble Nou was over, we headed over to Casa Billy. Anna needed to have her make-up reapplied, and we joked about whether or not she wanted her son to join the Legion of Christ. We had a little fun with the blonde wig Josep had to wear, and when Iván tried it on and looked at himself in the mirror, he turned to Anna and declared “Dear God, I’m Jesus Christ himself. Anna, come to your savior.”

The actors also liked to have a little fun at their own expense. Like this conversation between Josep and Iván, after Josep has his make-up applied.

“Damn, I’m handsome” he says, as we all eye him up and down.

“Yeah, whatever.” Iván replies. “We’ll just leave this for the making of video and title it ‘I don’t have a grandmother.’ “

“But I really don’t have a grand mother” Josep says.

“Oh, no.” I say, never missing an opportunity to chime in.

We got through all the dialogue, making sure we covered all the…say it with me now…angles and reverse angles. We even got Giorgio to climb up later for a sort of panning crane shot. We also watched Giuseppe step in to a scene and tweak it with Josep, and got into it so much that at one point he started cheering Josep on with “Oh, yes, that’s right. Yes, Yes, Bravo, big boy…more. I love it.” He was so enthusiastic in fact, that Babeth came back into the room to find out what exactly was going on. And really, you have to admit that for a crew filming a gay series full of gay actors and crewmembers, she shouldn’t have been surprised if she’d found something. We’d really showed some self-restraint up to that point.

Cenzo Álvarez De Haro - Translated and adapted by: Norman Giovanni Zelaya

Daily shooting diary - Day 9: DUSTING FOR PRINTS

Barcelona. Saturday. 9 am. There’s been a crime committed at knife point outside our shooting location. When forensics arrive they immediately set off to the task at hand, dusting for prints and analyzing any possible trace of dna on the scene: doors, sidewalk, hub caps, it’s all analyzed. They bag and number all the evidence, turning the scene of the crime into a giant lab experiment: “Which way did the perp run? Did the body fall here? Yes, they’d definitely come out of the bar, turned and were then stabbed. There was a struggle by the cars, and they must’ve been stabbed around here.” They point at a spot on the ground. “The perp must’ve run in that direction while the victim fell against the car and then the ground.”

I’m not describing a scene from our shoot. This was actually happening outside of the GLBT centre, where our character TONI works. Today he will receive a visit of “somebody” (secret…) and the actual centre staff will be used as extras, headed by their very own president Antonio Guirardo.

As far as production logistics are concerned, I’m happy to announce that our favorite coffee maker has a new spill proof top (although I personally question the need of a top that doesn’t spill).

Babeth, on wardrobe detail, is rummaging through a bag full of t-shirts, looking for Josep coming-out-to-his-parents scene. “Oh, perfect!” she proclaims, and pulls out a white t-shirt. Yes, he’s our little angel.

I went inside and found a spot next to the coffee pot, cup-cakes, croissants and a nicotine fix. When Babeth was finished with wardrobe, Ruth, helped her with make-up duties on the actors. We tested out the mics with the steadi-cam, and even did a little test run with it to try and synch up the camera movement with the pacing of the actors as the walked and delivered dialogue.  One quick pan of the awareness fliers on the table and we were ready to roll, and we did. It was perfect.

We went to have lunch at Marquette. Later on that afternoon we’d be shooting at Casa Billy, a beautifully restored 19^th century building that was now a B&B, that would be the shot as LLUÍS’ parents (NURIA and FRANCESC) house. Anna and Marcus would be waiting for us there.

We decorated LLUÍS’s room in a sort of impersonal way, except for the Madonna and Gaga posters that really needed to be on his walls (Josep loved Gaga’s poster so much that he insisted on taking it home for himself). Josep also brought over some pictures from when he was a kid, and Babeth and Milca placed a picture the three of them had taken together some days before, in a nice frame. Those, coupled with the really bright, festive flower arrangement, were the main focal points of the room.

One of our main challenges for the scene was Anna’s make-up, because we had to age her to be old enough to play LLUÍS’s mother, NURIA. Luckily, Ruth, worked her magic with the silicone and make-up, to transform Anna. It was really quite impressive.

While all of this was going on, the rest of us were busy shooting a scene in LLUÍS’ room. In this scene he’s supposed to be apartment hunting online, and Josep, being the computer geek that he is, had mocked up a few apartment ads on a completely fake website. I’m not sure how he didn’t get any hits or emails asking for more info, because the site was that good.

As soon as Marcus arrived we sent him off to wardrobe and had him turned him into a Papa , after we’d turned Anna into a flower arrangement, and Josep into a little angel.

Marcus didn’t have all of his dialogue memorized, so Babeth came to the rescue like she had when Lola couldn’t moan for herself, and hid behind a chair to feed Marcus his lines.

We had a problem with the camera dolly, so we had to improvise a little. In the end it was all down to blocking and dialogue. I can’t stress enough how important it’s been to have such creative liberties on this project, because it’s really stepped up the quality of our shoot. It’s a shame that Anna’s role isn’t bigger, but we will take what we can get.

Cenzo Álvarez De Haro - Translated and adapted by: Norman Giovanni Zelaya

GAYXAMPLE - Trailer 2 English

Daily shooting diary - Day 8: CAMEOS, SWEAT, AND TEARS

OK, it’s official. I’ve decided to make my debut in Gayxample. OMG, right? Hold the applause. It’s almost as exciting as a new Kylie video. I can hardly believe it myself. I have to confess that I was really against it when I was first approached about it. I wouldn’t even hear of it. I didn’t even know what they wanted me to do because even they didn’t know what they wanted me to do. I may be a writer, but one still has their image to maintain. So naturally, when I finally decided to take the plunge and let the acting bug nibble at me, I went with what I know best: Me. I picked out my scene and we shot it today. Prepping for it was hard, but I was a trooper and really went for it. I was ready and willing for Iván (Bertán, of course) to work his magic on me and the Samsonite size bags under my eyes. I had faith in him, and I knew there was no challenge too hard for the man. In fact, the harder the  better, was his motto. Words to live by.

We are once again at Iurantia (I love this place), filming a scene where MONTSE and ALICIA meet. While I’m not here in an official capacity (just as a casual observer. I mean, who doesn’t like to watch, right? In a professional setting, of course) I did take the opportunity to welcome our newest and third make-up artist, Ruth, into the fold. It’s really the beginning of the end for her,  because we’ve just professed our eternal love for one another, and all the hell and damnation that it entails.

Laia also decided to join the rest of us, and the staff of Iurantia, to serve as extras for this shot. Toni, on the other hand, was still holding out on us, and Babeth and Mireia didn’t disappoint.

The shoot was a breeze and we were finished right on schedule. In the process we happened to discover the sprinkler system Mireia was passing off as her eyes. That girl could let the waterworks rip on cue.  No picture of a clubbed baby seal could’ve made this woman’s mascara trail down her cheeks like remnants of a scorched soul, quite the way she did on her own. The image still burned into my eyes. They were both spectacular.

Keeping up with the schedule, we said goodbye to the girls (even Milca) and we went to the now infamous Poble Nou apartment. Evidence of yesterdays party still lingered, and since we had to clean up anyway, we figured we’d take advantage of it and shoot a scene between ÁLEX and XAVI.

Rafa also showed up,  even thought a) he wasn’t scheduled until later, and b) like any good diva, announced he couldn’t stay past 6 P.M.

Milca entrusted me with the taking the stills for the shoot, and I started playing around with the camera and taking some crazy shots, which I’m sure will probably never make the light of day unless someone can figure out what I was pointing at.

The important thing to note; however, is that the scenes between ÁLEX and XAVI went off without a hitch, and every angle was covered and shot (again, because you know we love those reverse angles).

During this whole thing, Rafa decided he would take a quick cat nap on the set where he’d be shooting his next scene. It was apropos if you considered that the scene called for him to wake up from a nap, make his way to the bathroom in his undies (the boy must think we only cast him for his body, which couldn’t be further from the truth) and get back into bed.

When Kikko and Xavi’s scene was wrapped, Giuseppe said it was time to wake Rafa , for which Iván Bertrán practically leaped out of his chair to volunteer.

-- I’ll wake sleeping beauty for you with a kiss, or a light touch up here and there, since that’s really what I know how to do best. – the eager beaver announced.

Once we’d shot the undie scene, Biken showed up, who had a sex scene to shoot with him. Only a few of us were lucky enough to watch those two in action, particularly how Biken was able to get Rafa as hot and bothered as he did. Even Kikko hadn’t been able to bring this side out of him. Biken worked that boy over so good (quite on purpose, he later confessed) he was making things grow that should be growing, and taking this shoot right into  “speciality”  theatre screenings only, if you know what I mean.

Amidst all this fooling around, we did shoot one of the most intense and emotional scenes to date. Kikko asked for a few moments alone to prepare, and Rafa was able to emote enough emotion to bring out Kikko’s most intense and powerful performance. I’m not sure if it had anything to do with this being the last scene that Rafa and Kikko would have together, but they just gave it their all and really put it out there. We’ll have to wait and see how it comes across on screen, but as someone who witnessed it first hand, I can honestly tell you that it was powerful, completely engrossing, and it made me very proud to have been able to witness it.

Hair’s standing on end, a lump still in my throat, and a crooked smile painted on my face, I bid you good night. Next week is specially dedicated to LLUÍS.

Cenzo Álvarez De Haro - Translated and adapted by: Norman Giovanni Zelaya

Daily shooting diary - Day 7: THIS IS A PARTY

I suppose you’ve probably seen the fliers around town and hanging at the local bars and clubs, and in the local trades: Party at ÁLEX’s house. For the first time in our shoot, we’ll have all the characters together in one place, at the same time.  Exciting!

We also have to welcome the newest addition to the family, or new make-up artist extraordinaire, Xenia. Our call time is for 3pm at the apartment in Poble Nou. Along with the full cast, we’ve also assembled an even greater number of extras. The Omni present Gerard Valdivia, Gerard Cambra (who did the casting for one of our main characters), Marc, Josep, Iain, David, and a few of the guys from the sauna shoot, along with a new group of girls, were all there. In total there were about 20 extras, who along with the full cast and crew, their collective body heat, the lamps, and all the panels we installed to block the afternoon sun/bake us, turned this party into a mix of dark room and Finnish sauna, with everyone in black tie.

Babeth was just as nervous as every time she had screen time, even though she’s usually everyone’s acting coach (amongst a host of other things she does, as you may have observed), when it was her turn up at camera, there was no calming her nerves. Mireia was radiant, and the rest of them…well, they all looked divine.

While everyone finished going through make-up,  and those that were already done rested on the terrace, just waiting to take their places; we decided to role an unscripted and candid moment between ÁLEX and IVÁN, stopping from time to time to hydrate a bit, turn on the a/c, let the extras in that were still arriving , and grab the occasional smoke out on the terrace, all the while waiving down to the passengers below us, who were boarding busses and happened to look up and catch a glimpse of the elegantly-dressed-gay-cluster on the terrace.

We started rolling a little later than expected, which meant we started losing extra’s sooner than we would’ve wanted.  The party was in honor of XAVI, who was not only sweating because of all the lights in the room, but because of the delectable crowd around him. Of course, if your character is straight, you can’t exactly play to your own desires on camera, or even behind the camera. So to XAVI, my hat’s off to you for your integrity and self restraint.

We tried to make the party as true to the script as possible, and as defined  by IVÁN, as totally gay. But we refrained from making it completely stereotypical, so there were no long lines for the bathroom, or long lines that lead anywhere, or dark rooms to form lines in, despite requests from people who shall remain nameless, insisting that we add them.

The reenactment of Gaga’s Bad Romance didn’t interfere with any of the shots. The main characters were already surrounded by a crowd at the time, and we left all the scenes with the cliques that usually form at any gay party worth it’s weight in lube, for the end. They danced without music, they drank without any alcohol, and they talked without uttering a single word. It was a film set through and through: nothing was real. Nothing except for the salad, sandwiches, and cold cuts that seemed to disappear as the night progressed. Also real, were a few number exchanges (hey, they had to do something). I guess in the end the saying that film shoots bring people together will be true. And I should know!

Cenzo Álvarez De Haro - Translated and adapted by: Norman Giovanni Zelaya