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Saturday, August 31, 2002 |  |
[
8:29PM
] [ kiwi princess
] [ haiku for a late night shoot
]
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[
8:29PM
] [ kiwi princess
] [ haiku for a late night shoot
]
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[
12:43PM
] [ monkey
] [ Donuts and Charles
]
We had the pleasure of filming at Ralph’s Donuts on Cedar St this week. Ralph’s was the place I had my first donut and milk as a child. The donuts taste just as good today as they did in the 60’s. Glazed donuts, ymmmmm.
Charles Long has fired up the first of his chilling performances as the film's villain. He is a bad ass on and off the screen.
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[
4:22AM
] [ infiniphonic
] [ ralphs
]
tonight we shot at ralphs until 3 AM.
hudge drank and stumbled. paul preached the " milk " of the word to tommy. i recorded all the sounds , even the coffeeee dripppping onto the burner. no signs of skunkapes tonight. thank god.
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[
2:22PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ The Kitchen
]
Big thanks to Mark Bailey at Crawdaddy's West Side Grill, 53 W. Broad St. for letting us trash his kitchen overnight. If you haven't already, I must suggest the cajun club sandwich if you haven't tried it. I know, I know, they've got much fancier, delicious, traditional cajun dishes, but I love that cajun club. We finally got out of there around 5:30 am.
Ever wonder how people are dressing their monkeys these days? The Onion shows how. Something special for the TMT CREW: A little song I woke up singing.
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[
12:54PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ email
]
Hey trendsetters!
I just checked my email & got word from Paul Sharp that he's looking forward to his cameo as the donutshop preacher. My friend Alisa in Queenstown also sent a link to a cool music site in NZ. Check out the photo pages! Also got email from my friend Jim Wilson in Christchurch! KIA ORA, mate! Jim puts up all the street posters in NZ. (directly or indirectly) He's been to Cookeville, misses the heat, & misses the Monkey. And... great news directly from my Rob Brezney horoscope: The dog days are giving way to flamingo nights.
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[
12:37PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ Body Clock
]
So we switched from the ol' 7:00 am till 7:00 pm schedule & started the 9:00pm till 4:00 am schedule last night with shooting at Ralph's Donuts. (Rod Leach seemed particularly hungry for the glazed variety)
Bob Mansfield got to try out his role as Lyle. (pics soon) The lighting was difficult at night & the rain delayed us for half an hour, but we managed to get 18 shots and a couple of them sent chills down my spine. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us in our hour of sleepiness!
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[
5:47PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ Monkey Cam
]
Today was a beautiful day, no schedule, no stress, just a '66 Plymouth Belevedere, a full tank of gas, and monkey cam.
We cranked up the Hosemobile & drove north to Jackson County. (that never did make sense to me) We couldn't believe how little traffic was on the road. I've created another page of photos from week one, a little somethin' I call photosweek1b. and yes, that trip to the liquor store WAS necessary. Someone sent me this: I don't know who. the day i ran upon many roads- and my battery called soul began to fray... that i might control these southern days.
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[
8:40PM
] [ monkey
] [ Hell is Hot
]
The phrase out of Adam’s mouth was “cold hard menace” as Pearl (Ree Mitchell) demonstrated her skills with a gun - When its time to do some killing its time to do some killing.
Weather can be the enemy of film making this Tennessee hot tank weather has about killed us. I feel the need to brag about how tuff the film crew is. They pumped out 19 shots in heat that should have stopped us dead. Way to go! Soon we’ll be deep in the underworld and working only at night, so its on to new and unforeseen challenges. Onward, ever onward!
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[
8:21AM
] [ monkey
] [ Sheep's Bluff
]
We drove out to sheep's bluff and got away from the barking dog sound problems of Cookeville. After a few minutes of shooting a goat added its voice to our sound problems, but goats don't have the staying power of dogs and quit. Problem solved. We put some drinking smoking and killing behind us and are another day closer to completion.
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[
10:39PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ easy way out
]
I'm exhausted. The sun is hot. Big day tomorrow. Creativity expended. So I'm taking the easy way out. Here's some pictures from week 1.
Thks to everyone for working so hard. The performances of our actors are truly inspired! Welcome Ken Gum, you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. "Don't fight it Martha it's bigger than the both of us." Mutton Birds
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[
10:27PM
] [ infiniphonic
] [ sheeps bluff
]
today we shot at sheeps bluff for about 4 or 5 hours.
there was shade. it was nice. we heard sheep leepy teepee
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[
9:53AM
] [ monkey
] [ Dog
]
We began shooting Cecil’s redneck safari yesterday. The shoot went well with the exception of a neighbor’s dog that wouldn’t stop barking. We found a solution to the problem which didn’t involve hunting the dog down and killing it – though I still feel that would have been the most satisfying action. If our soundman’s magic doesn’t work we’ll have to reshoot. The current plan is to record the dog barking and play it back to the mutt all night. By morning the dog will have barked it self to sleep.
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[
10:33AM
] [ monkey
] [ Blood and Fire
]
Blood makes the grass grow, die, die, die. One of our sound guys – Kevin L- took a fall and gashed his knee open. He dug a piece of glass out of his knee and didn&'t consider stitches. Lots of blood, yes lots of it. I couldn't watch. I can't take blood when its real. Also, the quote of the day from Kevin was "George, I think your pants are on fire." Direct contact with a Q light is not recommended.
We put a lot of dialogue behind us today. Things went a lot more smoothly today than the first day. Adam Brookfield playing Tommy, is a man of multiple talents. With four of us packed in a car with sound and camera equipment, Adam frequently got to do our jobs when one of us couldn't move into the right yoga possiiton. Adam, "hold this, slate this, can you see this?"
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[
8:34AM
] [ mccaleb
] [ Jackson County
]
Man the heat is oppressive out there. We are using a '66 Plymouth BelevedereII for Pearl's car and there's no A/C. South of the Calf-Killer River ain't no place for a man without Air Conditioning.
A fantastic day on set. 26 shots in 12 hours! It's enough to turn a monkey into a skunkape! A delicious, relaxing lunch on the picnic tables at the depot. Minor troubles with our automobiles, but since they're all older than we are, we shouldn't complain. Besides, the river is beautiful, and i think we've got some stars on our hands. Kevin Lovellette drew "first blood. Pretty nasty cut too, but Kevin was staunch, and he reminded us that without shedding of blood, there is no remission" I made my first cameo. Let me just say that the higher a monkey climbs, the more he shows his ass! Thanks for checking in on our progress, two weeks ago, we had 3,600 hits, this week we had 5,500! So keep coming back, & don't for get to tell all your friends.
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[
9:02AM
] [ mccaleb
] [ whoa boy
]
I secretly hoped we would be buried in the entertainment section. Being on the front page of the Sunday Herald Citizen is a bit of a shock!
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[
7:27PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ Steve Earle's URGENTLY American Album
]
So, we canceled todays shoot due to events beyond our control.
and I ended up at home listening to Steve Earle's new album "Jerusalem" I'm glad someone's got the balls to say what he believes. Listen to the new album HERE. "Hush, now don't you believe it Cover your head and close your eyes Now take it or leave it Go back to bed now, don't you cry"
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[
9:39PM
] [ monkey
] [ Day 1
]
Today we killed a man, wounded an ape, ate pizza, met a fairy princess, chased off a flock of flamingos and waved at a lot of police cars. The only thing I remember clearly are eating two pieces of raisin bread and trying to figure out why the shade was five f-stops brighter than the open sun despite the constant on coming thunder storms. Tomorrow the South shall rise again, as we’re going to blow some carbon out of a sweet ride with a woman who knows how to drink and shoot a gun.
Today shooting completed ahead of schedule. I expected a 12 hour day and got a 10 hour day – this is entirely due to McCaleb’s organizational skills. If it were up to me, we’d still be composing shot one.
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[
7:09PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ THRILLED!
]
...and relieved. That's how I'd have to describe my feelings about the first day of shooting. It's hard work! Now I know why not everyone does this kind of thing, but we shot enough footage today to lure anyone to watch our entire film (I truly believe that.)
It was fuckin' hot! Around 2:00 I thought that either the Monkey or myself would lose the plot completely, but cooler heads prevailed. Thanks to Adam for keeping eveyones spirits up. Even little Ellie Freeman kept it together in the heat. What a trooper! The award for crew member of the day goes to Chris Vanling. He pulled double duty in that fucking hot suit with Matt Griffey, and then managed to pull off the most fantastic special effect I have seen in my 4 years of making haunted house props. I have no doubt we will be on the cover of Fangoria within the next year. (Speaking of which, THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS looks like big fun! I know Ree was hot too in the Belvedere (2:00 also.) Thanks to Michele for making sure we had plenty of liquid nourishment. Adam is really good. I'm pleased to get to know him in his professional capacity. He's going to shine in every scene. Lt. Langford of the Cookeville Police Department came round this morning to make sure we were in compliance with the local regulations. I think he got caught up in the excitement 'cause he hung around for a coupla hours & did several drive-bys throughout the day. Not to go on & on but I got my hands on the HEX loves HEX maxi single today. Two superb tracks! I can't wait to hear more! It's very affordable and you won't be disappointed: Contact Pensil for your copy. AND... Haggis just confirmed their appearance at the HOUSE OF PAIN for the 9-11 2002 memorial show in Jackson County, USA! Praise the sweet baby Jesus, I'm on cloud-fucking-nine! Busy tonight & Saturday, will post links & pics on Sunday!
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[
10:01AM
] [ kiwi princess
] [ police presence
]
morena, e hoa ma
so i dropped adam off to rehearse at cedar street last night and the house across the road was swarming with officers o' the law. what was going on? why were they there? county cops and then plain clothes detectives arrived ... it was all a bit shifty for me. then, this morning, i dropped him off to shoot @ cedar st. and although it wasn't yet 7am there was a city cop on the doorstep by mccaleb and the monkey. the gorilla hadn't even asserted his presence yet ... once again, i am grateful for my full and rich alternative existence into which i can escape. ka kite ano. p.s. kei te wahine tahi, ahau ;)
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[
10:40AM
] [ mccaleb
] [ Housetown
]
Adam arrives today & everyone is excited & anxious to get started. We are rehearsing at Housetown tonight for the first time. should be interesting. The flamingoes are ready to go, our axes have been sharpened, the moonshine is bottled up in mason jars.
Don't forget to visit our guestbook! Happy Birthday to Marie Ferran Stage Manager extraordinaire!
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[
10:47AM
] [ monkey
] [ Drinking and Fucking
]
I received a phone call from Sen. Will Fist last night at 3:20 AM. He was drunk, whisky drunk. The Senator Was calling to let me know that he was fired up to play Robert Clyde and that he was “back on the pay role.” I consider heavy drinking to be an excellent form of rehearsal for The Legend of Crazy George , and the Senator can drink like no other.
McCaleb informed me that a vendor inspected our web site and took offense to the fact that the word FUCK was used. Apparently there may be some old laws still in effect in his mind about FUCK – for unlawful carnal knowledge. As a warning: The word FUCK will be used in this film. McCaleb thinks we don't say FUCK enough, because its such a FUCKING good word. I will make no apology to the vendor and can only warn that if you don’t like FUCK, stay away from this film. Don’t say it and don’t do it, because if you can’t say it or hear it you sure don’t deserve to do it. Got it? Now, on to more important things.
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[
10:19PM
] [ pensil
] [ pink flamingoes
]
Readying the house for the Friday shoot, and working on the new HEXlovesHEX maxi-single. For ol’ times sake here’s some Pensil from Plan B: BOOMBAX (6.2 MB)
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[
9:29PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ So it has come to this....
]
It begins! We start off the week with rehearsals and begin shooting on Friday! I'm feeling strangely relaxed. Got some great pictures from a local artist John Gentry. He used to sit in the pew beside me in church & draw pictures of "Miami Mice" and various caricatures of his friends. So I was well pleased when he brought color drawings of special scenes from our storyboard. You can take a look at them HERE. I hope they don't give too much away.
Ree Mitchell has been working hard on her part. ashley & mim have been going over the menu with Michelle. Marie Ferran is dilligently dotting the I's and crossing the T's. Kelly Bridwell is wondering what she's gotten herself into. OH! I almost forgot. (how could I?) I talked to Paul this morning to set up the big 9-11 shoot/party in Jackson County. He directed me to the IWF Website! Tom Davidson & company really know how to entertain! One more thing: The guest book is active! Thanks gride420!
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[
9:08PM
] [ monkey
] [ Today:
]
Ree Mitchell (Pearl) rehearsed with us today. If any woman can put a pistol in your face and say "fuck you" its Ree. There's going to be some killing in Tennessee.
McCaleb, Kevin Lovellette and I went up to the Mountain to have a look as some caves. We found the right hole and ain't no one coming out of it alive. On the mountain we bumped into Kenneth Whitaker who will be doing some terrible things in ways only a man who has spent his life working with cattle can do. I'd say branding irons are a thing of the past, bring on the technology. The pink flamingos are ready and Zack has been breaking in the leather all day. Marie Ferran and Michelle Freeman have been hauling over props and set dressing like mad. And Kelley Bridwell sat in on rehearsal as we talked about Jen Rice's wild, wild life.
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[
8:34PM
] [ monkey
] [ getting there
]
I've had a chance to hear Charles Long rehearse some of his lines - what we have my friend is a villain.
ashley mccaleb and the Kiwi Princess are planning our meals and snacks for the shoot and I'll tell you from past experience they are going to be worth their weight in gold. Kelley Bridwell and Jen Rice are fired up to assist with every task available. As are Orin Christiansen and Matt Griffey. Chris Vanling is cooking up some serious special effects - bloody head wounds and bleeding limbs are a few of the things on his list. Adam Brookfield will be getting on a plane for the USA in about 24 hours. He'll arrive in Nashville at 5:30 on Wednesday if anyone wants autographs at the airport.
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[
10:23PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ meetings, meetings, meetings
]
Days swimming by really quick now. Scrambling to finish all last minute chores. Confirming schedules. Gathering props: Axe, fake blood, chainsaw, monkey cigarettes, monkey beer, laytex, makeup, alginate, more fake blood, liquor bottles, transportation, sets, sound, lights, more blood!
Oh! and don't forget to write for permission to use those masks and yet I still find time at the end of the day to watch The Simpsons.
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[
4:06PM
] [ pensil
] [ Sounds abound
]
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[
5:54PM
] [ monkey
] [ Moon Pies and Goo Goos
]
No time for Moon Pies and Goo Goo Clusters boys - the rabbit is out of the cage and the skunkape is on the run. The Legend of Crazy George is ready to be told.
The rumors are true: ADAM BROOKFIELD will be playing the male lead of Tommy. He will be flying on from New Zealand days before the shoot. Living near the South Pole he qualifies as a Southener. DEBBIE ROCHON will be playing the female lead of Bonnie. She's done some serious killing in the past and now she is ready to do it with Crazy George. The boys from the House of Pain will be wrestling their way through the film. RICH RODREQUEZ and PAUL SHARP are working on some wild moves for the ring. CHRIS QUALLS is in training under the instruction of HARSHA so you can expect there will be one hell of a tag team match going down. ROBERT MULLIGAN and Wild man WESLEY GOANS will also be in the ring. ERIC STRAHAN will be playing the Chef so you can expect a lot more than a fast food performance from that character. Eric is a Shakespearian master and is ready for the world of film. BOB MANSFILED will be Lyle. I’ll never forget his performance as the nerd. I expect him to be at once funny and evil. MARK SAUNDERS will be the Naughty boy with an agenda. His motto is “lets fire up the film industry in Tennessee.” REE MITCHELL will be playing Pearl. She’s a strong actor who can deliver her lines, stand on one leg and kill a man all in one breath. ANDREA COLLINS will be playing Carleen. She’s the real deal and I expect a performance from her that would make David Lynch proud. SHANE CUNNINGHAM is sharpening his chainsaw and pounding the moonshine. No one fucks with Shane. DAVE JOHNSON will be making an appearance and the preaching redneck. After this performance he’ll be on the neighborhood list of bad boys. Working with DAVE will be JIMMY KELLEY who blew me away at auditions. I’m looking forward to his performance. We have a list of strong character players who will give the Legend of Crazy George the surreal feel: MATT GERBIG as mouse, DEE PRINCE as the mad hatter, and CRIS HUDGENS as the drunk. TABITHA MYERS will also be screaming her way through the movie. WILL JOHNSON, THE SENATOR, will be living the life, drinking the whisky and beating the woman. Look out, “I just can’t feel it!”
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[
12:28PM
] [ kiwi princess
] [ haiku for a film #1
]
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[
9:20PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ Casting
]
So for the past month, the monkey, pensil, & I have been working away at trying to find the right persons to fill the right roles for the epic art-house horror flick screenplay "The Legend of Crazy George"
We finished at the end of July & now we're in the process of scheduling the talent & crew for the upcoming production phase. Principal Photography begins August 16th and we've got one wild and crazy month of August & September, setting up and filming all the wildest, crazyest shit you could ever imagine.(if you dared) I promise to post pictures as we go!
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[
8:06PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ WELCOME TO THINKING MONKEY THINKING FILMS
]
Get excited! It's been about three months in the making, but you are now looking at the TMT weblog. We will frequently be posting information about our upcoming feature film "The Legend of Crazy George" here. So bookmark this page now!
Come back soon for an update on our progress from myself, the monkey, pensil, & others. Props to webmasters gride420 a.k.a. Daily Roberts, and Danny Birdwell for their excellent work! The new page has links to the film page (LEGEND), our haunted house (FEAR) that are worth a look. I am moved to quote one of my favorite lines by Rutherford, first to split the atom. "We don’t have the money, so we have to think" Think Monkey Think
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[
6:44PM
] [ mccaleb
] [ test run
]
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