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Veronica's Production
Wrap-up Letter for EL
RIDE
To be perfectly honest...
As I found myself boarding the plane to
LA on Thursday I was rather apprehensive and a small part of me
could not help but wish that I was making EL RIDE in Texas with Beto
and Sandy, like last time. We had so much fun and I had thought perhaps
I would go to LA and be let down. I mean, you don't get that lucky
twice do you? Plus in Texas I knew exactly where I wanted to shoot
and what I wanted the film to look like. In LA I had yet to see the
locations and I couldn't seem to get a clear picture in my head of
the film, which seemed like a bad thing given that I was only two
days away from filming. So even though I liked Angelo from the start
and thought we would work well together I was really uncertain about
everyone else. After all, filmmaking is a collaborative effort and I
know so little about actually shooting a film that I knew I would
have to completely rely on those who were actually doing it, that
seemed like it could be a big problem.
I arrived in LA scanning the crowd for Angelo but saw no one who
looked like his picture on MySpace, so I was headed for the baggage
claim when someone called my name and then came up and gave me a big
hug. I don't know where Angelo was at that point. Just kidding -- it
was Angelo and I was really glad to finally meet him in person. We
went out and had a burger and a beer and talked about the next few
days, which really helped me relax as I realized that Angelo was
just as cool in person.
The next day we spent driving around LA picking up stuff and making
calls. I called all the actors just to touch base with them and
Angelo tried to get in touch with PopRock who reportedly had a car
we might be able to use. We had lunch with the DP, Frederic, who
also seemed very cool and laid back, so far so good. Finally that
afternoon we reach PopRock and go see the car and the minute he
opens the garage door Angelo and I look at each other because it's
perfect. He drives it out and it turns out to be a super cool purple
pinstriped low-rider. I could not have created a better car with my
own two hands or my imagination, which is the only place I could
really create that car. That evening I go out to dinner with Angelo,
Kathy, Darryl and the girls and afterwards I go out to listen to my
cousin with Darryl and stay out way to late.
Morning comes way too fast and before I know it Angelo is knocking
at my door. We are off to the first day of shooting and start with a
good breakfast provided by Luan (okay she didn't make it but she has
the good sense to order it and it was yummy). The day goes really
well. I admit to knowing nothing about filmmaking but even I can
tell its looking good. The house where we are shooting all the
family scenes has these incredible vibrant colors and the actors on
set that day; Pamela, our beautiful lead; Elena, our very young
looking mom; and Jeff, our very cute younger brother all look and
act like a family both on screen and off. From now on I am just
going to pretend they are related because in my head they are. All
of them look great on camera and I kept thinking, this is one good
looking family. Did I mention they can act?
Our trusty crew of Frederic, Daniel, and Kitchen Bob all know what
they are doing and do it very well. If nothing else after our first
day I am sure that at least the film is going to look and sound
really good. After about half a day of shooting I begin to wonder if
perhaps I am not picky enough because I am okay with shots where
Frederic, Daniel, Angelo or all of them think we can do better. If
they knew all the limitations Beto and I had when we shot The
Pilgrimage they would understand my just get something usable
mentality. I feel great that everyone cares enough about the film to
have an opinion and even though I know that's their job I still
really appreciate it. Crew and actors all get along and everyone
contributes to making it a fun day, which is what it should be
about.
The second day I feel kind of sluggish as we start and I'm a little
worried about my story. It's so simple and a little over the top at
some points and it has occurred to me that at this point if its not
good no one can fault the actors or the crew which means it will be
all my fault for not writing it better. That's a sobering thought
but then we begin the shoot and the actors are having fun with it so
I decide who cares it has to appeal to somebody and at any rate I
know I'm going to love it. Our new additions on this day Robbin
Ormond, Mark Craig, and Luis Arrieta are also really good and they
all give it everything they have. Our low-rider gets in an accident
and is late and by that time the sun is about to set Frederic is
rushing trying to finish in time to go get a shot of Pamela and Mark
driving off into the sunset. With the able help of Daniel he
finishes just in time to cheers and honking horns. Of course the
horns were from the annoyed drivers behind us and the cheers were
for the truck Pamela was driving but still it was a good ending to
the day.
One small problem comes up later that evening the beat up old car we
need for our last day has broken down somewhere in Compton and
Darryl is stranded so Angelo and I head out and they push it into a
church parking lot and leave a note. Someone will have to ride in
the back with all the equipment and I offer because I am the
smallest but Darryl says no hell do it. So we drive back to Long
Beach with Darryl lying over the top of all the gear in the back,
now that's commitment for you.
Our last day of shooing is supposed to be our short day and we are
back at Kimberly's cozy little house. Francisco Javier Gomez joins
us on this day. We have just one scene to
shoot inside and then two outside. We finish inside and then have to
wait for the beat up old car to arrive and for the low-rider. Everyone sits around talking and laughing and it makes the time go
by quickly. We finish up much later than anticipated but we get
everything we need or want and I get to watch the sunset and enjoy a
cool evening before heading back to Texas where it won't cool down
for months.
Luann is suppose to take me back to the hotel but I know I wont be
able to sleep and when Angelo asks me to go with him to drop off the
equipment and get some dinner I am definitely up for it. We have a
nice cold beer and some dinner and talk over the last few days.
Angelo seems excited, I know I am and we talk about Film Genesis and
how they selected a script and about the last few days. Frederic and
Daniel have finished dropping off the equipment and we all say our
last good-byes and Angelo takes me back to the hotel. I sit down to
update my blog but I can't. I'm all nervous energy. I feel like I
could save a baby from a burning car or something else really
dramatic but luckily the occasion does not arise for that so I pack
instead.
I get to sleep in a bit and Angelo picks me up and we go have some
coffee and then it's off to the airport for my long flight home,
which was uneventful just like all flights should be. On the way
back I kept thinking about random dialogue that the actors ad-libbed
and chuckling to myself, especially Luis' "I've got family." I don't
like the line that comes before it but it might be worth it just for
that line. Well see. I finally had to just concentrate on my
magazine because the gentleman next to me was starting to look
nervous. And now I am back home wishing I could see the completed
film yesterday! I still have a few days off from work and I think I
will do some writing. I have another short I would like to shoot in
December, when Beto is off for spring break, and this time I would
like to get behind the camera so I wont be so clueless next time.
I can't think of any way that my experience could have been better
and I would like to thank Darryl for seeing something in my little
story worth making, Angelo for being the best producer ever and for
letting me make the film I wanted to make. I want to thank Frederic
for his attention to detail and for thinking the shot could be
better and Daniel for his very useful suggestions and great work
ethic. I want to thank Luan for keeping all of us well-fed and
keeping things running smoothly. And of course to all the wonderful
actors you were professional, committed, enthusiastic, and your
ad-libs were great! I am so glad that we had an environment where
everyone felt that they could contribute to making the film better.
I could never see myself living in LA but now I think maybe it would
be nice to make another film there but no point in getting ahead of
myself first we need to finish this one. We will keep you all
updated. If any of you are ever in extreme south Texas give me a
call I know half a million places that serve cold beer and great
Mexican food!
~Veronica Rodriguez
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