So Sore, So Sweet!

This has been the most wonderful day!

Spent the morning relaxing, catching up on stuff for the film, and working on finishing off my food. I'm pretty sure I timed the food consumption perfectly!

Call time was 3pm as usual, and when we broke for dinner, I spent time talking to our producer, Kelly rather than going out for food or to catch up on the film. She actually lives in LA most of the time, working as a producer for many successful films (The Matrix Trilogy, We Are Marshall, Away We Go, Yogi Bear, and many others). She gave me advice on breaking in to the film world and encouraged me to spend my summers there working or interning on whatever I can. After our conversation, I am seriously reconsidering spending this summer there. Do I feel ready? Not completely, but I don't think that I'll ever feel completely prepared to go there. It's about what I learn and how I respond when I'm there that matters. Whether I go this summer or not, I am so thankful to have Kelly as a contact!

As I was suiting up for the night, Al (my camera operator) told me to get my shoulder ready. Why? Because I would be running cameras for the concert!!! Not just the pre-show, which I've been doing on a tripod for the past few days, but the actual big name concert following the Medals Ceremony! I've got pictures of me practicing handheld during the pre-show, but I don't think I'm allowed to post it. If you'd like to see pictures, I'd be more than happy to email them to you :) just comment on this post with your email address.

After the second song, I was ready to give up. The camera was heavy, and I had done it. I looked back at Al, who was doing my normal job, and he smiled back. Nope, couldn't quit. I played various mind games with myself to keep creativity first and pain second. I figured out different ways to hold the camera to give my shoulder a break, and by the end of it, I realized that I had survived, and that it wasn't so bad after all. It's sort of like running - after the first 10 minutes, I'm ready to be done, but after a while, I fall into a rhythm and everything is ok. The best part was hearing the director coach us over the headset. A few times, he would say, "ready 6 (my camera), take 6. nice." And I smiled inside.

Here we are with Nate! From L to R: Kristen, Seth, Nate, Me!
I respect handheld camera operators so much more now, that's for sure. I was completely giddy when we were finished, but I realized that I am not cut out for this as a career. If I end up directing, I will at least be able to sympathize with my handheld camera operators.

After I got off, Kristen and I finally took advantage of the hot tub sitting on her balcony. It was so relaxing! But after 15 minutes I was plenty warm and headed back to my hotel.

Tomorrow is an early call time (12:15pm) and a long night. We will be tearing down cameras after the show and pulling all the cables, so we will probably not get off until late. Thankfully, it's nearly confirmed that we have Sunday off, so I think we will make a last trip to Vancouver (when bubble tea bars are OPEN!) and have plenty of time to wander Stanley Park. I cannot believe that tomorrow is the last show - this trip has been INCREBILE! I almost get teary-eyed thinking about leaving. I thank God for this experience! He is so good!