Where’s my Privacy?

We were suppose to get paid today but did not. The accountants forgot that it’s a Saturday and that the banks will close early. It may be an excuse but the fact remains that we did not get paid. Most of the crew started to get bothered. This was the first time we were working with these producers and we had only received a minimal signing amount. So, the crew decided not to shoot the next day. We resume shoot only if we get the money.

The shoot day ended and we reached the Hotel. Kawal was still at the location clearing things up. The local producers awaited him. I reached the hotel and went to the room. I was taking a bath when I heard my intercom and my mobile ringing. I was in the middle of my bath and did not bother answering the phones. Suddenly, I heard someone enter my room. It was Sandy, one of the PAs. He said that Amarjeet was calling me and I told him that I was taking a bath and would take 20 minutes. I also asked him as to how did he enter my room when I had locked my room from the inside. He said that my room was opened and he came in to check if I was there. It was a lie but I did not want to get into an argument. After my bath, I walked straight up to the security room and demanded to watch the security footage. Sandy had entered the room with a duplicate key. I went to the reception and demanded an explanation. They said that they were forced by the local producer to hand over a duplicate key to Sandy. Wow! I was taken aback. Where the hell is my privacy? I could not take this non sense anymore. I walked up to the producer and demanded an explanation. He came up with the weirdest of the lines – “I am paying for the rooms so I have the right to enter any room at any time”. I wished I had a lawyer – I would have sued him right there. He went on to explain that he felt that we were ignoring him and did not want to discuss. I told him he was wrong and that even that did not give him a reason to break into my room.

Kawal arrived after 20 minutes. We had an heated argument and explained that if they wish they can talk to the crew and explain to them the payment issue. After a long talk all was sorted, we were promised to be paid on the day of departure. As a backup, we did have all the sound files of the film with us.

But I was not going to forget the breaking in incident so easily. How could the Hotel let anyone enter my room without my prior permission. I wrote a complain, I also filled in a feedback form and sent it to the headquarters. Next time they better not repeat the mistake. Privacy is important, in fact the most important thing. One only has a limited space for himself during a film shoot. How dare someone invade it.

Flying High

A good day off for me. Got up late and went for lunch while the producer and the American cast and crew were busy with a press conference. The only American who stayed with us was Vincent the DP – he wanted to go out bowling.

His plans came crashing down when Paul informed him that they had to go and see a helicopter which they might use for the B-Roll. Both were furious.

It’s funny, they have the money for a helicopter shot but no money for the cast, crew, location or food.

Party Time: Shoot nears end.

The actors were getting ready. The shot was blocked. But there was something missing – and that was the camera. An advance payment was to be made to the camera vendor, but it was decided to pay only half the amount of the advance. The camera was on the location but not on the set. The attendants were ordered not to shoot till the time the balance payment was made. Our line producer intervened and informed the vendor that the cheque was deposited 2 days back and would take another day to get cleared. The vendor wasn’t ready to listen to any excuse. Apparently, the talks went on and the payment details were sent to the vendor. After 30 minutes the camera was on the set.

After 10 minutes, I went to call the actors from their vans. There was no lights in the vanity, due to which their make-up wasn’t done. The generator was off again. I went to find out the reason – and this one was the best. Wrong fuel was being put in the generator for the past few days. The attendants were now replacing the fuel. These generators were organized by the local producers. They were called from Chandigarh – from Timmy.

While all of this was happening, Kawal was out finding a electronic shaver for Stepen Singh, our actor. His shaver wasn’t charging for the last two days – but this information was passed on to production on the very last moment.

Rest of the day went off smoothly. It was Prem Chopra’s last day at work. I was surprised to see the fan following – even amongst the crew. Most of us got photo clicked with him.

With Prem Chopra in Character

The producer had organized a party at night. The food, drinks and the venue were free for the producer. The owner of the mall, where our hotel is, had sponsored it. The only thing that needed to be paid for by the producer was the DJ, Rs. 7000 but as usual he was paid after lot of fuss. This is despite the fact that prior permission was taken from the producer.

But anything that’s free has its side effects. The owner of the mall had called his relatives and his relatives had called their relatives – so we had again the onlookers, who were invading our private affair. But it was fun. Some were smashed and were talking about their crushes as they lay intoxicated.

After a while, the party moved to room 19, different from the usual venue room 12. We had a few drinks and retired to bed.

Hungry Kya?

The shoot went of well today. We achieved what was scheduled, in fact did a bonus scene and a few additional shots. The shoot was disrupted in the middle for a while when the generator stalled. The filter was dirty and needed to be cleaned. A mechanic was called from town. It was attended and the generator was operational after lunch.

The only thing is that people are getting tired of the food. Indians are not happy with food they eat and the Americans are tired of eating their Pizzas and burgers.

A Fine Day

Overall a fine day. Finally we managed accomplishing a good shooting day. The day started with us not having a location to shoot, but Fred is very adaptive and accommodating. He liked the place we suggested. It was just behind the house we were shooting the previous day.

This place turned out to be a blessing in disguise. No onlookers, no noise and most importantly lots of shade. Previously we were planning to shoot it on a river bank with narrow roads – which apart from having various logistic problems would also incite onlookers and unnecessary attention.

I don’t know what’s with us and animals. Last month we were shooting a scene with a camel kicking a cart, and today we just shot a buffalo running from a barn who supposedly kicks a stool and causes mayhem. All went well, thanks to Siddharth, our art director and his five assistants –  Manoj (his actual assistant), Teja (our Batman), Tajinder (small surdy boy from the house), Surdy boy’s father and his brother. These 5 were also used as prop masters.

Scene with a Mad Buffalo

One of the electrical boys got electrocuted. One of our vehicles ran over the main wire, ripping it off and disrupting the earthing.

Why people get electricuted...

Batman Returns

He has a belt on his waist. The belt has Johnson tape, colourful tape, electric tape, scissiors, cutters, opener, an extended pocket which carries upto 3 bottles of water. His hands are always full and he always on the double. He is Teja, popularly known as Batman – a name given to him by the Americans.

Everyone is delighted to have him on set. After 1 week of bikkering and making the producers realise the importance of professional spot boys – we did finally manage to get one from Delhi. Prior to him we had 3-4 spot boys, who kept themselves occupied by sitting on a chair under the cool shade of a tree and watching the shoot as if they have bought tickets to be there. I think I better end here, otherwise I’ll need to start an entire new blog.

Oh.. before I end, I must give one description of our metrosexual PAs. We are ready to shoot, Paul announces ‘Picture’s Up’ and I shout for Silence. Everywhere there is pin drop silence and suddenly we hear – ‘thuk-thuk-thuk’. Our PA friend walks about with a 4 inch heel boot – taking it all away from the silence.

Protected: What a Day Off !

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We Bond

As we shoot the climax scene of the film, even our production reaches its climax. Unimaginable things begin to take place. The producer and his associates begin to trust Indian Production. They use the words – “you are right and we are wrong”. The day goes off fine. Working with unprofessional actors takes a toll, but we manage. The crew begins to gel.

Get out! It’s Party Time

A funny day with a sad episode. We were shooting an important scene today. The producer himself was playing a role. 5 pm we are half way through the and suddenly we notice 10 people peeping from a window. The 5 women enter the house, cross the room in which we are shooting and hug the house owner’s wife. After 10 minutes 4 young men come and stand by me with a beer each. I enquire – and… there is a party in the house – it’s the owner’s birthday! He decided to throw a party – treat everyone to some beer and food along with some shooting. Most of the guests got bored in 30 minutes. The owner and his wife were getting impatient. Fred being Fred took responsibility. He made adjustments. He compromised and improvised a bit and accomplished a good shooting day. Sunny went back to the vanity to change. He discovered that his money was missing. Apparently the vanity caretaker invited some of the drivers and the metro sexual PAs to watch a movie in the vanity. All of them did pay a price later. The lucky ones were fired. You can imagine what must have happened to the vanity caretaker.

Shoot Day1: Messed Up

This was the most messed up Day 1 in my career. The crew reached the location on time. We announced breakfast before we realized that the catering is not there. Paul wanted to get hold of a walkie-talkie and we realize that the security hasn’t arrived and neither have the walkies. It was blame game time. The arrangements by were made by the producer and his associates. They did not give the numbers to Kawal. They blamed Kawal and Kawal blamed them.

Half way the shoot we realize that the track is short. 10 minutes more and the track starts to squeak. This causes delay. A temporary solution is found – powder, oil and cold water is applied to the track. We do not finish the last scene. We have a balance of one shot. There is no communication between the two crews, no time to spend with each other. We eat food separately and we leave separately.

This was not all. The house owner created a ruckus in the middle of the day. Apparently, during the shoot the security people stopped him from entering his own house. The man did tell me that he would be coming at 10:00 AM. I was on set and did not inform the security to allow the man in. OK… I goofed up in a way.

Fred Holmes & I

Paul in discussion with Fred