COVID TEST June 13, 2021
On my first day, I faced a new reality: Covid arrived and changed the hiring process for production and employees. The rule of thumb now after you accept a job offer is a lot of communication between the Covid agent and their employees. There is much more stuff to read, fill out, and sign. But overall, I can say that the Covid process was smooth. I had to use some apps and create an account. I signed the virtual document when I arrived for testing. The gatekeepers at the front are cool with their process of finding your name, while the nurses perform the COVID’19 test, which always makes my nose runny. Once done, I repeat to myself, “We will not let covid stop creating entertainment.”
NETFLIX PERKS June 14-21, 2021 Prep, Production & Wrap
On this show, Netflix gave us access to their corporate Uber cab account since, for safety reasons, we were not using public transportation. Cool with me. I was able to travel from home to work, and from work back home with dignity and respect. It was a good feeling knowing that at the end of your day a driver would drive you home. After being in the industry for so many years, for the first time, I felt that the production team cared about me, and my job, and I really liked that. It was a sweet deal, and that is what I need: to sign up for these kinds of fair productions that really care about the worker. My circle of comfort is here, I concluded.
THE PRODUCTION June 14-21, 2021, Prep, Production, Wrap
As Digital Utility, I was a camera assistant for the 2nd unit Camera team. Playing the role of the loader is a very skillful busy job; there is no time for games, but that does not mean you cannot have fun, particularly when one knows and understands the job. Staying focused, listening, and paying attention to details is the key. The camera department is always there to assist the director of photography to establish the visual look, mood, and feel of the picture for the director. For the next five days, every day I helped the team offload the eight Carts from the truck: Lenses Cart, A Camera Cart, B Camera Cart, Steady Camera Cart (DIT), Digital Imaging Technician Chief Cart, Director’ Monitor’s, Vanity Village Cart, Overflow Cart.
The Location Department and the 2nd ADs onset decided where to park the carts at a safe location. Then the DIT or 2nd AC indicated where the DIT tent/cart will land. When the DIT Lewis Rothenburg lands, the Teradek receivers and transmitter were set up, the BNC cables run from the panels to DIT, and from the DIT BNC, cables run to the Director’s Monitor, and the Vanity Village.
During the production, I was sure the batteries on the cameras did not die out. I was assisting the media loader, Kyle Terboss, with the change of media cards, and I was setting up for offload on shotput pro. I was also running cables from the camera to DIT hardlines when the transmission was given out. I really enjoyed watching the Director, Lynn Manuel Miranda, working with the actors before each take, as each interaction revealed the beauty of performance, improvisation, and creations. I have always thought there is magic when the director interacts with trust, confidence, and love with the performers and the whole crew, and I saw it all the time during the filming of tick, tick… BOOM!
The highlight of this 7-day filming adventure was the wrap party. Director Lynn Manuel Miranda hosted a birthday song for the Camera Operator, Mike, followed by hugs, conversations, and even a drink of sparkling champagne! I took my Uber home super excited about working on this production and finally meeting Lynn Manuel Miranda, a real and authentic human being who is a down-to-earth director that takes the time to indulge, communicate, and share with his crew. I took a picture with him that night because it was an amazing moment! Lucky me: Sometimes life places you exactly where you want to be and be ready. And it got much better…
THE SCREENING Nov 10, 2021
“Holy shit,” that is what I said to myself when I received the email invitation for the private screening. It was as if my life flashed in front of me in a full circle. Here I was so nervous because, finally in 2021, after years of working in the film and video industry, I was invited to a private screening at the Paris Theater! I was still not aware what the story was about, I did not read the script during my 7-day gig, and I didn´t even google the film. I reminded myself, “you are an actor, writer, director, and producer, so you have to know what the film is about, and you will write a chronicle about this whole amazing experience.”
November 16, 2021, the day of the screening at 2pm
The very first day after I accepted the email invitation, I received a portal covid testing kit so I can perform my covid test 48 hours (about 2 days) before the screening. It was pretty cool. On the day of the screening, I rode in on the Metro-North, got off at Grand Central Station, and walked up to 5th Avenue, as I was observing the beauty of the streets of New York City, enjoying the view of the retail stores, but mostly meditating about the universe as I passed Saint Patrick cathedral. I was nervous. It was my first time attending a screening of a musical film I worked on: the private screening of tick, tick… BOOM! I arrived at the Paris Theater on 4 west 58 St..
I presented the covid portal results and my digital vaccination card. Then, I received hugs and kudos from the covid agents. “This screening production is already spreading love!” I thought and I love it. The security guard and covid agent placed my clearance bracelet and walked me into the theater.
A person handed me my ticket, and an usher escorted me to my seat, G2. I sat down. I felt good so far, not so nervous. I was watching the attendees arriving and looking at the screen when Lynn Manuel Miranda arrived. Everyone was excited to see him. He was hugging everyone, shaking hands, and taking lots of pictures. It is now 2pm and tick, tick Boom! It was time for the screening. I settled in and the Musical began.
The opening shot presents the sky, birds, a picture of a building, which establishes the dreaming of Musical Productions. In this film, we have John as the protagonist, and his only desire is to write a musical production. From the beginning, you are emotionally caught in John´s world of dreaming of Musical Productions. He has been writing for 8 years and needs to finish one last song for the Suburbia Workshop. He wants to succeed at writing a musical so that a producer would give him 10k. He needs to build relationships with his family, girlfriend, and his dying friend, at to continue to focus on writing this song for the Suburbia workshop. The musical plot unfolds during pivot moments in the story.
The first song juxtaposes the title of tick, tock, which reflects the character’s want to finish a song for the musical he has been writing for eight years. The second song juxtaposes the socioeconomic status of the struggling artist living in New York City.
The smoothness of the plot structure introduces the third song, just when John does not want to accept the help of his friend (who finds a job for John). The images in this song reflect the class difference between the rich and the poor.
We begin to realize that John’s determination is ruining his relationships. He is his own conflict. He even turns into a song the conversation he has with his girlfriend. John is obsessed with writing his last song and preparing for the Suburbia workshop. I am emotionally caught up. Now I understand why I was feeling this opportunity as a full circle production adventure. Obviously, I did not google the film, so I found myself sitting in the theatre observing my life on the screen: a writer struggling to accomplish his own goals in the motion picture industry.
In the end, John realizes that he has been messing up his relationships. He also learned his friend is sick and needs his support. At this point he realizes he needs to change. He admits to his girlfriend and to his friend he was wrong and offers to support them. John accepts that his script needs a finished 3-act song. He writes the song.
John’s character is based on Jonathan Larson, who wrote the musicals, tick, tock Boom and The Rent, before passing away the day before Broadway opening. When I learned about this, I was in tears. I was crying on my way out looking for comfort. Outside, I found Lynn Manuel Miranda, who offered me the support hug I needed. The photo we took shows the connection of full lives in a circle of a hug.
On The Edge 
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