Nearing Berlin :: 12. 4.04
Almost to Berlin now - another hour on the train yet to go. Last night we left Vilnius around 9pm - we had some shots to get in the station, but security came running out and interrupted. Ridiculous - there was talk about terrorism etc...me and Dave and two old men, come on. These guys took themselves way too seriously and were ready to get physical. Dave and I played dumb while Romas and Ervinas argued with them, we couldn't shoot anymore but otherwise got off the hook. The rest of the time we were there Ervinas and Romas spent making fun of the two guards. At one point Romas had his retirement identification out telling the guy he had important political friends. These guys love to b.s. I was afraid they would try and take the tape or the camera, or both.
Once we got going, went pretty well. Before we left Vilnius we went across the way to a grocery store to steal some shots of Ervinas buying beer. Local drunks and security again interrupted, but Dave got some nice shots none the less.
The scenes on the train look nice and went pretty well - still lots of concerns with Ervinas' indicated acting, drives me nuts.
Got a few hours of sleep after a dinner of crackers, cheese, mineral water, and a great big smoked herring that Ervinas brought. Had a good laugh at the fishes expense. Dave was not seduced by the fishes rich natural perfume. The guys used a sock to clean the oil of their hands and mouths, more laughs.
Warsaw Main is a pretty big station. We got our tickets at around 6am then looked around for a shot. There's a strange waiting room with people sleeping all over the place. We shot for four or five minutes before the cops showed up again. The Polish cops were much nicer. Down by the tracks another good shot, Ervinas again pulled some crap, when he hits he hits big, but when he's playing for the camera its terrible.
Made some discoveries last night. Romas is a healer. He does that energy field thing where he passes his hands over an injury. He tried it on my back - no difference, but it'll make a very interesting scene for the film. We also discovered the ages of the guys last night, but born in 39'. Dave and I were shocked. Americans the same age look so much younger. Wasn't an easy life for them. We also found out last night that both guys were orphans. I'm curious about Ervinas - he's got a tattoo on his wrist - not all that common for a guy from his place and time, may mean he did some prison time.
Berlin in half an hour.
Day One :: 12. 6.04
Heres some words from day one.
Today went well, i feel like we got what we planned for and got what we needed. Up and early to remind martznas and romas to wear good shoes bring xtra socks-shots in deep snow.
930, met with sound guy out on the street to deliver wireless lavs, like a drug deal out of a mercedes, plastic bags and envelope with cash exchange. Next hour testing mics with actors. (reminder: have to buy duck tape)
left late, two hours plus to drive. haul ass through crappy weather, neither dave nor i ate breakfast, arrive at hill of crosses at 145. Set up for opening shot tough with out tripod (1st shot of film always tough?). Martynas keeps doing bad theatre stuff (indicating everything when just walking will do) Got his hands to stop talking and the main body of the scene looked great. Romes acting is on point.
Dave and i were extra cold w no food to burn, but our brains lasted long enough to get some shots - though still worried about martynas indicating. shot till dark. guys are tough, no complaints though it was less than freezing.
martynas told me jokes all through dinner, some good some terrible. all and all a good thing though it wastes me mentally, jokes in lithuanian waste me mentally, takes way too much concentration to get it.
back out to snow for pick up and some transition shots. regret letting martynas off the hook for some of the indicating. 120am now, dizzy tired, tomorrow promises to be less taxing in terms of temperature, but still full of unknown and interest.
Herring Suites (forth day in Berlin?) :: 12.28.04
Forth floor, go right, down the hall next to the crappy robot-chandelier, beneath bad rip offs of Keith Herring figures you'll find the entrance to the Herring Suite. A hundred bucks a night, sleeps four, not named for the deceased artist, instead it takes its name from the ripe odor of the herring fish. Atlantic born, ripened in warm plastic for days, released in the tight quarters of the Warsaw train, and at the moment, the fifth, and most potent, member of our traveling cadre.
Everybody is wiped out. I finally started to lose it today with Ervinas. We wanted to film in the Berlin TV/Radio tower (kinda like the space needle) a very important set of shots. With all the problems with security and terrorism I was nervous they wouldn't let us shoot inside. I asked Ervinas to translate since he speaks German. At the ticket booth he immediately started chafing the hell out of the woman who worked there which bugged me out. Not a soft touch - from where I was standing it looked like he might be blowing our chance blatantly and I got kinda bent. I said some stuff a guy forty years younger should not say. We seem to have recovered but still awkward.
Rome on the other hand is the coolest guy ever. The natural protagonist, and most natural actor I've ever done anything with. After how ever many days I find myself constantly wondering if he's hungry, if we're walking too much, and generally feeling grateful toward him.
Then there is Dave, the guy the police talk to first since he's got the camera. Also the guy most affected by the herring smells, the sight of chopped up smoked fat, the sight of sour milk (chunky sour milk, this stuff has texture) being consumed after three days without refridgeration (the guys drank it for breakfast). His camera broke last night, he is often cold, but all the same he keeps trucking and got some really nice shots. I have a feeling thoughts of romance in near by Vienna (he met a nice girl there last month) keep him buoyant, more power to her.
Then there is me, worn to the bone with Ervinas' nonstop anecdotes, talk and relentless knowledge dropping, but otherwise pretty happy to be here doing what we're doing. Each day it gets a little clearer what the story is, each day I'm a little more impressed by the dynamism of Berliners (very friendly, helpful, tolerant, diverse AND people almost never look into the lens when we're shooting in public, where did they learn that?)
Tomorrow we wrap it up, shoot the last scene in Berlin. I'll shoot the hotel scenes and the belly dancer stuff back in Lithuania. The scene tomorrow is much like the first scene at the hill of crosses, so hopefully it'll go well.
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