April 13th, 2009    Sampling Some DNA


This past weekend we ventured down to Madison and New Glarus for the read-through for the upcoming movie that we will be in.  It was fascinating to sit down with the cast and crew and learn about what goes on 'behind the scenes' in making a movie.  It turns out that it's not like doing a play at all -- one of the biggest challenges for many of the new actors will be to resist the urge to project and emphasize emotions and actions -- always a big part of theatre productions or street acting. 

Rebecca also had a chance to study with a geneticist at a lab at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in order to learn to take DNA samples.  (Rebecca is a scientist in the movie, and ends up trying to find a 'cure' to the problem by analyzing one of the antagonists' DNA.)  She learned quite a bit about the advancements in genetics research.

       

   She's a movie star!  Rebecca got the lead
   female role as Dr. Samantha Richards.

We have successfully found a great friend who will be our housesitter, and are getting ready for our relocation to New Glarus for the month of May for the shooting.  Of course, one of the things we're most excited about is to study nature down in southern Wisconsin.  We've already encountered some species we're not familiar with.
                                                                                          
                                                                                     Terrain quite unlike Sweetwater in Rocky Arbor State Park.

                              A brand new type of moss for us.

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