We're deep into filming, and are learning A LOT. Making movies isn't easy. Watching the special 'behind the scenes' features on DVDs gives on the impression that making a movie is all fun. Well, there is certainly lots of fun, and tons of laughs, but it also takes some serious concentration and cooperation. Working through multiple takes of a scene, remembering your body placement and speech mannerisms so that you can give the same performance on your wide shot as you do on your close-up, and learning to work creatively with a whole team of diverse personalities can be a challenge. One great part is meeting all these new people, most of whom live very different lives than we're used to in our circle of family and friends. Another is knowing that all these scenes, which seem so fragmented right now, will become a whole when the the movie goes into its production phase.

Blocking through an action scene, including a test-fire of a fire extinguisher.

      Fabian gets the shotgun.
              Watch out . . .
One amazing person we've met is Fabian. It seems as if we've known him our whole lives, and we all have so much in common. He's definitely someone we'll have to connect with after the movie, since we don't have nearly enough time during shooting to get to know each other better.

We're trying not to think of home too much -- it's nice to know that our house and animals are in the competent hands of a very good friend. Being homebodies, it's tough to be away, but the experience is definitely worthwhile.

We also got some incredibly exciting news this week. Two of the most wonderful and compatible people we know got engaged to be married. Rebecca's mother called and left a message with the news -- her boyfriend Carl proposed to her (in a very romantic manner). We got the news very late one night (two in the morning, was it?), and could hardly get to sleep, we were so excited. Mom is SO happy around Carl -- it always shows -- and we adore him just as much. He's among the most thoughtful, caring, fun, and inspiring individuals we've ever met. We're feeling pretty lucky this week, even though we haven't yet gotten in touch with Carl to congratulate him in person (or rather, in 'phone-person'). Since we know that Carl reads this, we'll break narration and come right out and say it --  in case we don't talk to you in the next day or so, Carl, thank you for coming into our lives and thank you for bringing so much joy into Mom's life. We love you!

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