Epilogue....

Just got back from a HUGE walk along the ocean...most likely the LAST I will be able to fit in before I fly out of here. It occured to me along the way that there are still so many things and people that I haven't written about....So, as inspiration strikes, I will continue to write about them over the next few weeks....

Two people that I MUST touch on are Gary Harvey and Susin Nielson who are the creative partners behind not only Alic, I Think, but also Robson Arms. They are an amazing duo who work incredibly well together! Gary taught me many lessons over the last few weeks. He directed two of the five blocks we shot. Gary comes on as a director and sets the TONE for the entire crew. I had my director's eyes trained on him the entire time. He remains calm at all times, gives time to his actors (and knows how to talk to actors!)and gives time to his crew. He also puts his trust in people which makes you want to work hard for him and give him your best. He's quick to laugh, give over to you if you have a "better" idea and is clear about what he wants. I'm a HUGE fan and pray that I might work with him again. I will also strive to be more like him the next time I direct anything!

Susin is the head writer on the show. What a FUN lady - and one of the snappiest dressers ever! (funky-ass shoes!) Susin's fame quadipled in my eyes when I found out that she was one of the writers on the original Degrassi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I freakin' LOVE Degrassi and couldn't gush over her enough when I found this out. She also wrote some of the Degrassi books and gave me a copy of "Shane". I could weep with joy. Susin has a great sense of humour and I have a ton of respect for the attention she paid to the married relationship bewteen "John and Diane". They are a couple in love, even after many years of married life. Very, very cool.

I will miss our camera man David. He's an Argentinian with a HOT accent. David (did I write about him earlier?) set a great tone at work too. I was also excited to find out that he was a child star on TV in South America. He brought in some B&W photos for us to look at. He was the host of a children's variety show for 6 years. Dude interviewed MENUDO, if you can even believe it!

One of our grips was a man named Darin. Darin stood out from the crew for a few reasons: a wonderful smile, great salt and pepper hair, a gentle nature AND he's 6'7"....yes, I mean SIX FEET SEVEN INCHES TALL!!! Hard to miss him! What will stick out most in my mind though is that not once in 10 weeks did he ever wear PANTS, no matter what the weather! Always shorts. At first I wondered if it might be because it's not possible for find pants that fit a 6'7" frame....I finally asked about it though and found out that he just doesn't get all that cold. This got me wondering what Darin's threshold temperature might be....There were days when we could see our breath and still Darin never wore pants....even on the day I busted him being a bit cold, clenching his hands and rubbing them. I think by that point he was trying to make a statement. I had hoped to see him in pants at the wrap party...but he never showed....Darin remains pantless in my mind!

More later....

R