Thank goodness David(Davis Anders from "Heros") likes to drive. After being picked-up by a sweet but nonetheless extremely nervous PA who had to pull over due to an anxiety attack, we decide to take matters into our own hands. The hour long trip to the town of Lost Nation begins each morning with a stop at Starbucks. With the music from David's new CD's in the background, we continue mostly in silence: at that hour, driving an unfamiliar highway in the rain, neither of us is in the mood to chat. Arcade Fire, Lil' Wayne, Mgmt and Radiohead fill the comfortable silence broken only by references to the call sheet and comments about the day of work ahead. Along the roadside, fog rolls over the tops of cornfields. The sun rises, a giant orange, and the world is engulfed in an eerie, hazy glow I think I've seen in a movie somewhere. Was it Apocalypse Now, or Platoon? I wonder if this means, we are going to war. . .
Lost Nation - the epitome of small town America. It once used to be booming, full of restaurants, a railroad, grocery store, even a car dealership, I am told. It's quieter now - the kind of place where kids play safely in the streets and you know your neighbours. These days the Legionnaires hall, a hair salon, an antique shop and a pub make up Main street. At one point or another throughout the shoot, the entire town is there, clicking away on their digital cameras. In this age of high speed portable Internet options and instant access, I wonder if most of this movie will be seen on YouTube before it hits the editing room. With cameras and people everywhere, it feels like guerrilla-theatre sometimes. I notice my contraction in the face of all the little cameras, and I think about how they sometimes feel like an invasion, and yet the red eye behind the lens in front of me, is my best friend.
As folks wait patiently for something exciting to happen, we, the cast and crew are on the clock - blocking, rehearsal, back to the works, get dressed and wired, fly in the blood/gag/prop. And then the moments they're waiting for: Rolling! Action! Cut! Reset! All over too soon - and then back to the waiting, blocking, wiring..The shortest and most exciting moment on set is between action and cut. We've all got stories of missing the shooting of a great scene because we slipped off to the craft service table for a few minutes.
After a couple days tied up in the car talking, the rest of the schedule is basically exterior shots. David and I are grateful for the fresh air and the freedom of movement - even though the weather is fickle and my dress is very short, barely providing my body with any protection from the wind-driven rain. But, standing in the middle of a lonely highway, looking into never-ending cornfields, walking through a seemingly deserted town, strewn sidewalk to shingle in ominous looking corn, the whole town our playground, there's no doubt that I am blessed to be in this crazy, amazing line of work!
I must tip my hat to the crew on this film. What an extraordinarily enthusiastic and talented group of people.. At the most frustrated moments on set, I remember that although I may be in front of the camera, there are many people working unseen to make those movie moments happen. Them, and the locals who stand, belief momentarily suspended, on the sidewalk in the little town of Lost Nation, are an integral part of this process. It may not be Steven Spielberg, but it is Stephen King and we worked our butts off to film it. I hope we made something the people in this corner of Iowa can be proud of. At the very least, I hope it creeps the bah jesus outta them.
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No truer words have ever been spoken, especially when you’re doing a Stephen King remake in the middle of (choice expletive) Iowa. Actually let me just say - Iowa is wonderful in it’s own special way – the people are friendly and unpretentious, stuff is cheap, there are lots of sporting goods stores and Texas Roadhouse makes one of the most amazing rib-eye’s I’ve ever had. Or maybe that was the Jack Daniel’s talking.
Episode 1: Settling In
I arrived under the cover of night grateful that my flight had not been bumped to the next morning, and was driven from the state I flew into to the next state over – this is the nature of the Quad cities area – sometimes you’re not sure if you’re in Illinois or Iowa, or Missouri (or Missora as any one actually from there will say). It makes finding directions on Map quest interesting. Anyway, after a quick stop at the Hy-Vee for a few supplies (water, yogurt, miso soup) we arrive at The Lodge -one of Bettendorf’s oldest establishments and certainly the nicest place in town.
Intricately carved dark wood everything, wrought iron chandeliers, stained glass windows and a fireplace that looked like a guy with a pelt and a pewter mug full of mead should be standing in front of it boasting about the day’s kill. The receptionist tells me that they specialize in weddings and honeymoons - go figure. .. Brocade padded walls and potrait’s of what I presumed to be European aristocracy adorned the walls - each suite had a portrait of it’s very own, some of them downright creepy and all of them doing the whole eyes that follow you around the room thing. . . perfect for a Stephen King film. . . Mine wasn’t so bad; she was just sort of disapproving and looked a bit undernourished really. And let’s not forget all the stuffed dead animals in the dining room – taxidermy predators and prey alike that in all honesty had a touch of the mange. And in the dining room – nothing like looking at what your dinner used to be while eating it. Odd I thought, and completely appropriate.
My room was large, comfortable and had a window that opened and a fridge and microwave. These are all princess requirements especially since this would be my home for the next month. I did uncover a few surprises behind the bed though – a strange old milk smell on one side, a bottle of orange creamsicle flavored edible massage oil, a crusty, fuzzy, petrified bit of brown I-don’t-know-what and something that was perhaps once a foam or a gel stuck to the ceiling . The next day, per-diem in hand and in my little Kia rental car I headed for Super Target – A couple of hours and a couple hundred dollars later – new mattress pad, sheets pillows and comforter – the ones the hotel had got stuffed into the TV cabinet never to be seen again. Biodegradable cleaning supplies, a mug, plate, bowl, set of cutlery, a personal sized blender for morning smoothies and a few soy scented candles and the transformation was complete. God Bless Big Box. This from someone who knows what the inside of Holts looks like - before and after the renovation. But, as they say, when in Rome. . .
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( 2.9 / 1703 )A super big and wicked thanks to everyone at the Supanova convention (Sydney and Perth) for such a great time - Missy and Felicity (I love you guys), Dion and Bruce especially - for taking care of me when I was sick and talking to me when I got stuck in the elevator! And for going out of their was to make sure I had a wrap party complete with awesome cake and messages from home! You guys rock my world!!!
What an honor and a pleasure it was to be in the company of such stars of Sci-Fi as Nichelle Nichols and Jewel Staite and to have met those crazy funny Adventure in Anime guys, Quinton and Jeff. We had a blast. And of course a really special thank you to all the fans who came out and made me feel so welcome! I hope to have the chance to see you all again - maybe in Melbourne and Brisbane for the next Supanova - nudge nudge, wink wink
I loved Australia so much I decided to stay and do a little exploring. Time to turn off the computer and get in touch with the outback. . . Will be back online mid July with tons of pics and plenty to dish about ;-)
Lots of Love,
Kandyse
ps Also a big thanks to Perth's own Ben Templesmith for the very cool Zombie pic of me - look out for it on the website folks!
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( 3 / 1727 )To make up for the fact that I haven't blogged for sooo long, I thought I should share some more news with you all. There has been a lot going on in my little world of late! So here is another update..
As most have heard, there is a writer's strike at the moment so shooting on all American production has come to a halt, temporarily. For you BSG fans, the last episode we shot before the strike was really amazing. I can't wait for it to air and, of course, we look forward to getting back to work as soon as possible. Though I am still in contact with everyone, I really miss being on set - what does an actor eat without catering and crafty!
What with the strike and the festive season, I have had a good deal of time off and took the opportunity to fulfil a dream I've had for the last few years - To become a yoga teacher.
I grew up watching my granny doing yoga in the living room every morning at 5am. She still does. My mom was/is quite fit (and very youthful) though she is more Jane Fonda than yoga! Myself, I have been practising for about five or six years now and thought that training to become a teacher would be an excellent way to deepen my practice.
So, with a bit of time on my hands, I signed up at Prana Yoga Teacher's College The course was intense and challenging but ultimately one of the most empowering and, at the risk of sounding like a cliche, life-changing experiences.
Not only am I an internationally certified but I got to explore new perspectives on living, engage in some truly mind opening discussions, hear great stories and meet an exceptional group of beautiful people from all over the world.
Many thanks to Shakti and Daniel, for their mentorship and care. Their passion for yoga, their students and life was evident in every aspect of the journey.
Between yoga and my Burning Man experiencs last summer, it has been a time of great transformation and growth for me.
Yes, yes, more on Burning Man later!
On that note... Wishing you all good health, abundance and JOY in the New Year.
All my love
Kandyse
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( 3 / 471 )A belated Happy New Year to all you people who have supported Battlestar Galactica and my work over the years.
The forum members heard it first and now I am sharing my latest news with you all.
Kandyse is becoming a voice over star..
First came an opportunity to be the sexy voice for a promo video for Vancouver based Infinity Film's youth/art outreach program - Cinema 319. Thank you, Jared Valentine, for thinking of me!
Next, I got to play a young women named Catherine. This time in an animated feature film called 'Barbie's Christmas Carol'. Look out for it over Christmas 2008. A bit of a wait, I know. Sorry.
I love doing voice work. It is a lot like theatre. Working with the folks at Mattel was an amazing first time experience. Looking forward to working more in this field in the future.
I am also hoping to get back to the stage later this year - putting up a series of one acts together with some friends here in Vancouver. So get out there and support local theatre and performance in any way you can, wherever you are.
Thanks for all your kind messages and blog comments.
All the best for 2008
Kandyse
ps The picture is of my very first headshot - oh how time flies..
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