BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE (or; Night shoots and the joys of legal arson)

What did you Do for work last Friday?

I did THIS;



Last week we did some really interesting night shoots. A couple nights were dedicated to a fireman's picnic, where we had about 100 -150 extras, and then Friday - we burnt a 2 story 5 room farm house to the ground.

Here are some pics from the madness.


Feeding the extras.


Video Village.


The stellar Ms. Jacobs and Ms. Kraft


A Self Portrait.


The Crew at work.

Shooting all the coverage in a scene where a house burns down is a fast paced and crazy affair. Once the blaze got going the fire department would have to step in between takes to keep it under control. Once we got most of the shots in, the blaze was allowed to follow its natural course. Unfortunately my camera battery died, and I was not able to photograph it to its amazing collapse and cindery end. Many people were taking photo's though, so I am sure I will be able to link up to some far better portfolios than my meager snap shots.



Hopefully I will have more photos from the shoot, IF I remember to bring my camera to work EVER. Which is pretty iffy - as running around as a chicken with it's head cut off seems to be the rule of the day - every day.

Next time I get to burn a house down - I swear dear friends I will send out invites to the festivities.
I miss you all terribly.

Two in a Year is too many

While my Uncle was visiting from California when I was in Sixth grade, his slightly mentally deranged German Shepherd / retriever mix rescue Dog Keella decapitated my beloved guinea pig Ghost.
The dog had a history of attempting to burry my uncles new kitten alive in their back yard, so the news was not so shocking that she had dispatched my sweet little guinea pig, even considering the fact that my Mom delivered the news to me just as I got off the bus in a teary guilt filled out burst of "He eat her head!".

My uncle, feeling really bad that his dog killed my pet, went out and did what many adults do when facing such a situation - He bought a replacement guinea pig.

The replacement guinea pig was albino, which at first seemed cool - until it became painfully clear that "Albino" with a guinea pig basically translated to "retarded". 6 years later that wretched screaming little creature met its timely and natural end - and my Mother began to consider finally buying the house rabbit she always wanted for out next pet. While at the pet shop she was hunched down looking at the rabbits, and she felt something crawling up her polar fleece hoody. A small yellow kitten had decided to crawl up her back, and snuggle in her hood and promptly began purring and fell asleep.

That day I came home to find a cheshire cat grin on my Moms face, and a small ginger and white kitten on the table in front of me. After debating on names, and even jokingly considering AJ5K short for "Ass jet 5000" - it was decided at Cosmo, as my Mother always liked the name.

Yesterday that cat, my cat - Died.

I was not there - At home, which I think I am actually thankful for, as reports from of my Mom seem to show I was saved the trauma of seeing him at his weakest. But it is still hard to think the last time I saw him will be forever the LAST time I saw him.
I new he was sick, but I was really hoping it was just a virus, and that he would be fine - I would come home next month from my internship and my buddy would be there.

Here is how Cosmo and I spent many a happy hour.



So long Cosmo, you will be sorrily missed.