Green Screen

Doing a commercial last weekend in NYC.  We had a rollercoaster car on a gimble in front of a huge green screen.  The production will travel to the real amusement park in Europe this week to shoot the background plates.  Then marry the two images and have our star hurtling through the air at breakneck speed.

On The Lot

We were shooting a few weeks ago on one of the major Lots. Many stages painted with murals of the most famous films and TV shows. There was a bust of my favorite personality, and our stage had a very impressive provenance.

Weekend Dog

Seven enjoying an afternoon snooze on his new carpet.

Front Yard

A few more shots from the front yard on a sunny warm day.

Ice Plants Gone Wild

The purple ice plants in the front are in full bloom making for a great colorful show. The orange ones are lagging a bit.  Only two blooms from them.

Bangers and Mash

Simultaneously while relatives in Madrid were making sausages in cider, I found a British recipe and tried it in Los Angeles. Mine turned out more bangers and mash than Spanish tapas.

Proscenium

We worked last week on an amazing theatrical set.  Huge glass chandeliers hung overhead and our huge lights were hung off camera. Spotlights gave the glass a color the director called "Celery".

Filling In

The oft moved kangaroo paw finally gave up and we filled in the gap with Wilton's potted lemony Mexican bush and a small lilac near it's taller French brother.

Pride's Star

The Pride of Madeira in the front is doing great and will be blooming soon. In the backyard, we replaced the under performing lilac bush with the Pride's showy, variegated sibling, the Star of Madeira

Black Knight Takes Flax

 One of the New Zealand flax's in the front didn't fare well in the August heat.  Today we dug up the whole thing and replaced it with a Black Knight Butterfly Bush. Below is a picture of the dramatic blooms we hope to have soon.

 The few surviving bits of the flax were divided and placed in other areas of the garden. Hoping they can begin anew.

Scratched Seven

Weekend Dog

14 Hours

Nearing the end of a 14 hour day, Key Grip Dave A captures me with electricians Andrea and homemade mozzarella enthusiast Peter M in the back working a moving light.  Meanwhile, Gustavo B is across the set solitarily dealing with his own roving T12. Below is a picture Dave A took of me as we waited for a table at a popular Argentine BBQ joint in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

The Pavilion

We did a fantastic job last week in the Dorthy Chandler Pavilion.  Really grand early 1960's architecture. DP Tristan Sheridan posted a pic from the epic lobby. Marvelous.

Flying Home

Simone takes a portrait of me in the setting sun as we fly home from San Jose.

Shooting on the Beach

Trying to set up the shot as the waves crash around us and the tide advances in Costa Rica.

Beach Set

A huge wall of speakers built on the beach.

Paradise Lunch

Our Costa Rican lunch breaks took on a beauty all their own.  Dining alfresco by the beach.

Beatrice Swims

Champion swimmer Beatrice swims laps while I lounge by our Costa Rican pool. My bed was protected on each corner by 4 carved parakeets.  And the hammock provided a good way to put the feet up at the end of the day.

Winter Garden

We put away the Christmas lights this afternoon.  Warm and sunny with a few things blooming out front.