Vonda & Tracie at the Wrap Party :)
Armando, Tilane, Andy at Wrap Party :)
Dijon talks to Salli & Armando at party
Two cigs and a coffee? Whoa!
Gabe doing his best Captain Morgan :)
Melvina rocks the schedule :)
Jen, Salli and Kate stay warm :)
The ultimate extras! Howard & Vonda :)
Salli gets mic'ed by Dave
Last day coffee run! Thx Gina, Lena, T!
Random pix - Week Three!
Salli & Damone in monitor
Salli in the sun
Damone and Ramon on set with Kimmie
Michole as "Fran"
Ramon prepares for his close-up
Salli & Phalana
Sweet little Olivia with mommie Candace
Salli & Phalana on the roof
Salli & Damone ready to rock.
Cut Chemist makes a cameo :)
Random cast pics from Week Two :)
Production Coordinator Lena the Great.
Script Supervisor Renetta works it out.
First AC Melvina Rapozo! The best!
Jeremy Phoenix large and in charge.
My angel Jen Spence, production designer
2nd AC Isaiah Fortajada. Best dressed!!!
Ava checks monitor
Second team: Sara and Lena
Sall's stand-in Sara
More pics of I WILL FOLLOW crew in Week Two!
Oliver Alling deep in thought
Art Director Charlie Leal on the truck
Key Make-up/Hair Artist Vonda Morris :)
ADs Kristin & Jeremy in control
Key grip & cast fav Armando Ballesteros
Gabe Patay stays ready. Nice guy.
DP Miguel Bunster on the cam.
Line producer Molly Mayeux takes a peek.
My cousin and our crafty, Tori Lacy! xo
Editor Spencer & Publicist Ellene visit
Week Two pics of our cool crew :)
Friday, November 13. Another fun day. Damone and Ramon on set! Fearless men! Neither had ever acted before. Both were wonderful. Damone had the most lines of anyone in the three scenes. And wow did he nail them. Salli was so generous with them. Like I said, she’s a real star, real pro. And I have to thank my great pal Nia Hill for letting us use her stunning Maserati as a picture car. What a gift. The only sad part of this day was saying goodbye to Dijon Talton who wrapped. I’m astonished at how quickly I became attached to him. Seeing him come in in the morning brought such a smile to my face. I loved working with him - building his character with him. He is a very thoughtful actor - mindful of his arc, focused on creating a multi-dimensional “Raven.” And that he did. Watch out for this young brother. He is such a blessing to our film. He has a true light around him - both in person and on screen. I can’t wait to work with him again and again.
Thursday, November 12. Christine arrives. Phalana Tiller did a fab job. A very committed actor who sacrificed quite a bit to join this film. For that, I am beyond thankful. I love the scenes of her on the roof with Salli. We also did another scene that I’d been looking forward to - the Obama scene. His election night speech filled the set and I got goosebumps. I remember on the day he won, how overcome I was. And how on that day, I said to myself, “If he can accomplish his dream - a seemingly impossible one - I can accomplish mine.” Now, an exact year later, here I am. Life is beautiful and God is good.
Monday, November 9. The Jay-Z vs Nas debate. Much pizza was consumed. Lots of laughs. Lovely performances. Fun day with Salli and Dijon :)
Amanda's Hands
Dijon Talton is "Raven."
Robert Silver is "Ben."
Kristin stands in for Salli.
Tracie Thoms is "Tiffany."
Tony Perez is "Tuliau."
Owen Smith & Royale Watkins. Such fun.
Olivia w/ my pal & studio teacher Sage
Salli with Tracie Thoms on set
Salli & Kiara
Random pics from our first week. I’ve got to take more of our kick-ass crew. So many good-hearted people that I want to remember. This week, I will snap them.
Friday we ended with what felt to me like a monster shoot. Nine cast members, including a 10-month old toddler. Most were first time on set. Vonda and Kate were just phenomonal with very little help. Miguel, Melvina, Isaiah, Armando, Tanner, Gabe and team rocked it. Jen and Charlie and Jeff did too. Lena and Andy hustled like crazy. And of course, Kristin and Jeremy kept us all in line. Tori had a BBQ lunch ready. Tilane came with sweets late in the day. Howard and Molly kept a watchful eye. Good, big day to a good, big week one!
Friday Night Week One! We did it!
Kristin & Lena represent for production
Kate & Rosalie represent for wardrobe
Melvina & Isaiah reppin' camera dept :)
Tilane repping Forward Movement Films :)
Week One is a wrap, people! The late-night Friday gang rings in the weekend feelin’ good! Thanks, I WILL FOLLOW cast and crew!!!!!!!! Ready for next week!
Spencer hard at work in the I WILL FOLLOW editorial suite.
Very excited about her. Wanted to work with her for awhile now. Cast the day before her first scene. Lucky us :)
Renetta with Kate in Starbucks PCH
Beverly and Kate take Starbucks break
Miguel, Isaiah & Armando mount camera
Miguel's ride
Just like I wrote it... Wild.
Today, we shot the first and last scenes of the film. A wonderful day. We went out onto PCH to shoot Beverly in Amanda’s convertible (aka Miguel’s car). No, we did not have a permit. Yes, we did have a fearless actress with a lot of gutso. Bravo, Beverly.
We had a lead car and a follow car. Molly, Renetta our super stellar scriptie, plus Kate and Vonda in one car. Jeremy, Armando, Isaiah and the guys in the other. Miguel and team got the car mount situated on the side of the road. We ventured out on PCH, praying that no cops would see us. Blessedly, none did. Or if they saw, they didn’t mind us. I was squished low in the front seat, watching Beverly do her wonderful thing, whipping past the ocean. So good.
But before we got there, driving from our Topanga set to PCH, I sat in the backseat with Miguel and Beverly in the front. The day was in full bloom. A warm breeze, sun shining. We drove with the top down. Beverly’s scarf blowing in the wind behind her. I closed my eyes, almost overcome by the moment. Another memory to file away and savor again one day.
Beverly Todd is “Amanda” :)
