That sounds like an interesting gig. Neal. Congrats on landing the role!
I used to work for an extras casting agency, so I've spent a lot of time on various sets. My husband and many of my friends worked in the film industry, too. (hmmm. I said "film industry." haha! film, what's that?)
Interesting, Neal. I can relate to parts of the process on set. I messed around as a "spear carrier" in my younger days. Except for a community play I only ever did extras work (movie, TV dramas, TV commercials, still shot photographs etc). I was always fascinated with the behind the scenes processes.
Thought you'd never ask 😜. The movie was Paperback Romance (released as 'Lucky Break' in Australia) a 1994 comedy/romance filmed in Melbourne, Australia and starred two leads, Anthony LaPaglia and Gina Carides. The movie flopped at both the domestic and international box office, where it received generally mixed reviews from critics. I had a non-speaking (that's Hollywood speak for "extras" 😁) role as a "millionaire". I was on set for three days. Appeared in two scenes - which ended up being all of a few seconds on the silver screen. Spoke with fellow Aussie LaPaglia at lunch break one day. Nice guy it seemed. The entire experience of watching the behind the camera processes was, for me, a thrill. PS I'll do autographs at $10 each or three for $20 😂.
Wow, that was really special David, thanks for sharing. Seems like the machine was more pro-human than the humans, which is an intriguing concept. Machines are programmed specifically not to harm humans. Humans have no such programming.
You may have seen 2001 Space odyssey. The computer HAL heuristic algorithmic logarithmic, goes off mission. The author was prescient. The movie is tedious today but we watched it in New York City when it was released, laying on our backs on the floor in front of the first row of seats, totally stoned on acid. It had a profound influence on our lives, filled with uncanny "coincidences" thereafter.
I was clearly born in the wrong generation David! I saw 2001 and, yes, struggled with it somewhat but did you see Moon? Same vibe, different point, but brilliant.
My best friend, Billy Lewis, at that time first clarinet to the New York Philharmonic and one of the founding members of the Dorian Woodwind Quintet, was with us at that movie. He had the notion of a mystic vibration which was almost an e-flat as the underlying tone of the universe. The prelude to Richard Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra (the full concert Billy performed with the Philharmonic) was in the soundtrack of 2001 Space Odyssey. Strauss' tone poem was based on his impression of Nietzsche's book by the same name.
Can relate. Worked on many sets (as you well know) both for TV and Film in London and L.A. Generally, when shooting, time is money and we expected the 'talent' to turn up ready to roll, understand AD directions and the blocking. I sometimes saw actors turn up terrified at the sheer amount of gear and then just get in the zone and do their job. Respect is due.
I don't envy it as a job, but however vital (the actors) their role I always think that the main talent in TV and film is the writers and producers who pull all this madness together and make it make sense!
Yeah but no one sees the writer and producers so no one cares about them lol! I'm glad I spent so many years in production before stepping in front of the camera so I had a degree of familiarity with who everyone is and what they do. I dropped out of my acting degree early because they were so obsessed with Shakespeare and the theatre and I'd already had enough of that through GCSE and A-Level. The British system is obsessed with the stage but it doesn't leave actors well prepared for the set.
Hey Freddy, I meant to respond to your other comments but they were a bit meandering so I'll start with this one instead. I'm glad you enjoyed my previous post but it's okay that you didn't enjoy this one. I think it's hard to talk about being pro-human without getting into the touchy-feely stuff at least some of the time. My life is undoubtedly privileged, but it's still my life and no less valid that anyone else's because of that. In fact, I often feel my privilege obliges me to make more of every opportunity that comes my way, including the opportunity to find the time and energy to write this blog, but I am fully aware of it as you will see in my poem 'What do I owe?' here: https://nealmoore.substack.com/p/poems.
Not sure what you've got against Tom Hanks but you're right to observe that I have three Substacks however this is the only active one currently. Like you I have started several Substacks in the past, experimented with different themes, lost interest or got distracted but Pro-Human seems to be sticking as I never seem to run out of ideas for it (you may disagree!).
Anyway, I see you set your current Substack up almost a year ago but haven't written anything yet. Seems a shame, you obviously have a lot to say, I hope you get it all off your chest. All the best, N
That sounds like an interesting gig. Neal. Congrats on landing the role!
I used to work for an extras casting agency, so I've spent a lot of time on various sets. My husband and many of my friends worked in the film industry, too. (hmmm. I said "film industry." haha! film, what's that?)
Interesting, Neal. I can relate to parts of the process on set. I messed around as a "spear carrier" in my younger days. Except for a community play I only ever did extras work (movie, TV dramas, TV commercials, still shot photographs etc). I was always fascinated with the behind the scenes processes.
Where can I see you carrying a spear Mike? I want to say I know someone from the movies! Can I spot you in the background of anything lol?!
Thought you'd never ask 😜. The movie was Paperback Romance (released as 'Lucky Break' in Australia) a 1994 comedy/romance filmed in Melbourne, Australia and starred two leads, Anthony LaPaglia and Gina Carides. The movie flopped at both the domestic and international box office, where it received generally mixed reviews from critics. I had a non-speaking (that's Hollywood speak for "extras" 😁) role as a "millionaire". I was on set for three days. Appeared in two scenes - which ended up being all of a few seconds on the silver screen. Spoke with fellow Aussie LaPaglia at lunch break one day. Nice guy it seemed. The entire experience of watching the behind the camera processes was, for me, a thrill. PS I'll do autographs at $10 each or three for $20 😂.
I'm SO tempted! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paperback-Romance-DVD-Region-NTSC/dp/B00066VU6G
DO IT...
As someone who always wondered, this was a really fun read. Maybe someday I’ll give acting a try…it’s been a thought since those hs plays.
It's definitely a buzz Natalie, even though I don't do stage work, the set is a different kind of thrill.
…did my comment get cut off? Weird. It’s been a while since those hs plays.
https://youtu.be/7S8wllPmazM?si=64b8SnXqRIY0Im8V
Wow, that was really special David, thanks for sharing. Seems like the machine was more pro-human than the humans, which is an intriguing concept. Machines are programmed specifically not to harm humans. Humans have no such programming.
You may have seen 2001 Space odyssey. The computer HAL heuristic algorithmic logarithmic, goes off mission. The author was prescient. The movie is tedious today but we watched it in New York City when it was released, laying on our backs on the floor in front of the first row of seats, totally stoned on acid. It had a profound influence on our lives, filled with uncanny "coincidences" thereafter.
I was clearly born in the wrong generation David! I saw 2001 and, yes, struggled with it somewhat but did you see Moon? Same vibe, different point, but brilliant.
Yes.
My best friend, Billy Lewis, at that time first clarinet to the New York Philharmonic and one of the founding members of the Dorian Woodwind Quintet, was with us at that movie. He had the notion of a mystic vibration which was almost an e-flat as the underlying tone of the universe. The prelude to Richard Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra (the full concert Billy performed with the Philharmonic) was in the soundtrack of 2001 Space Odyssey. Strauss' tone poem was based on his impression of Nietzsche's book by the same name.
https://youtu.be/GfwAPg4rQQE?si=DYwjHi5WK1ndIMEz
This has been bookmarked for an appropriate moment - thank you!
This is from a book I wrote about those days. https://waltersdavidarthur.blogspot.com/2019/03/sixties-tragedy-my-best-friend-killed.html?m=1
https://youtu.be/WufKsOhkTL8?si=oXgZ07ITx5X1vRPD
Can relate. Worked on many sets (as you well know) both for TV and Film in London and L.A. Generally, when shooting, time is money and we expected the 'talent' to turn up ready to roll, understand AD directions and the blocking. I sometimes saw actors turn up terrified at the sheer amount of gear and then just get in the zone and do their job. Respect is due.
I don't envy it as a job, but however vital (the actors) their role I always think that the main talent in TV and film is the writers and producers who pull all this madness together and make it make sense!
Yeah but no one sees the writer and producers so no one cares about them lol! I'm glad I spent so many years in production before stepping in front of the camera so I had a degree of familiarity with who everyone is and what they do. I dropped out of my acting degree early because they were so obsessed with Shakespeare and the theatre and I'd already had enough of that through GCSE and A-Level. The British system is obsessed with the stage but it doesn't leave actors well prepared for the set.
Hey Freddy, I meant to respond to your other comments but they were a bit meandering so I'll start with this one instead. I'm glad you enjoyed my previous post but it's okay that you didn't enjoy this one. I think it's hard to talk about being pro-human without getting into the touchy-feely stuff at least some of the time. My life is undoubtedly privileged, but it's still my life and no less valid that anyone else's because of that. In fact, I often feel my privilege obliges me to make more of every opportunity that comes my way, including the opportunity to find the time and energy to write this blog, but I am fully aware of it as you will see in my poem 'What do I owe?' here: https://nealmoore.substack.com/p/poems.
Not sure what you've got against Tom Hanks but you're right to observe that I have three Substacks however this is the only active one currently. Like you I have started several Substacks in the past, experimented with different themes, lost interest or got distracted but Pro-Human seems to be sticking as I never seem to run out of ideas for it (you may disagree!).
Anyway, I see you set your current Substack up almost a year ago but haven't written anything yet. Seems a shame, you obviously have a lot to say, I hope you get it all off your chest. All the best, N