thought's on filming...

...On Movie Sets:


Now people might think movie sets are exciting fascinating places... even fun... but I am here to tell you different!! It is a LOT of sitting around waiting, getting the scenes ready FOR shooting, the actual filming takes only a few minutes, (depending on how good and prepared the actors are) and then all the excitement is over...


To shoot even a minute of a film there is so much prep work and "build up" the actors really only shows up, portray the correct emotions, say their lines and that is it for them... The REAL work is done before and after, and a little "during"... The grips and riggers, the props department, the set assistants, Costume and Wardrobe, the engineers, electricians etc THEY are the ones who do all the work and gets little of the credit. (I mean come on, honestly how many of us sit through the credits all the way to the end!!!)

Then of course it depends on what kind of film it is, period pieces may have a TON more crew on say props and wardrobe than for instance a comedy or a thriller, or a Sci-Fi; has a lot more special effects crew and perhaps less people in props and set decor. Each genre has it's own "special needs". A rom-com is perhaps more about the writers and directors. On an action movie set it's about safety and stunts.. 

In my opinion the REAL "hero's" of a movie are the people behind the scenes. Not the producer/director, Not the actors, but the labourers who prepare everything and do the hard work... in many ways it's like building a house.. Sure the designers do a fabulous job, but the real credit is for the people who put in the support beams, who nail the walls and the ceilings together, who put in the piping, the electricity, the floors and stairs.... it doesn't matter who "lives" there... without these other people there wouldn't be a house!!!

So today my thoughts and appreciation goes to the "builders" of movies and tv shows.... you have my admiration and respect, and my thanks!!!!! In my opinion, just getting your name at the end of a movie you work on is not credit enough!!!! (Perhaps this is why I always take a lot of pictures of the crew and the "workings" when I visit sets....)


However this does NOT mean I will stop chasing my favorite actors... lol... I do still want a bit of them as well... but I will try to remember and appreciate more, the "background-ers"    ;)

A forgotten posting...

A while ago I came across a fun band playing at the south end of Union Square Park... 

I stood watching for a while, then went on my way...

When I came back to the park, the band had gotten a crowd and some other "participants"..

more sand art pictures

Joe Mangrum is the street artist, and his pieces of art are fantabulous!!!

You can find him on: http://www.joemangrum.com/artnews/

Syttende Mai Celebration 2012

This year Alicia and I knew where to go for the celebration...

So we headed to Brooklyn, a bit later than planned but we still got there in time to catch the majority of the *tog* [parade]

While there we ran into an old friend of mine, Jack and his friends Nick and Sonya.

We all went and had lunch together, at this cute place run by Norskies.

It was a fun outing, and a great way of spending a day celebrating Norway.

getting ready for the picture...

aaand we're almost there...
3, 2, 1...

Sonya, Line, Nick and Jack

Nick looks a little skeptical...

Sonya and Jack

Geek Outing

There's a bar, in Brooklyn, that is a bit of a geek/nerd's paradise.

I't called The Way Station..

and, 

they have a Tardis Bathroom!!!!!

What it looks like from inside the bar

the view as you walk in the doors (of the Bar)

Areum waving from the dorway

we had so much fun giggling together

then it was my turn

Cheers from me in the Tardis!

inside,
 the walls were decorated with other characters from the Doctor Who Universe 

K-9

there was even a weeping Angel!

the 4th Doctor

A Cyberman

the obligatory Dalek

and a framed greeting from the Doctor himself
the 11th Doctor
it says;
"Bow Ties are cool, Stay Cool, Pee Happily, Love Matt Smith  The Doctor"

There was also one from Karen Gillan
aka
Amy Pond

the wall outside next to the Tardis had fun posters, pictures and drawings

Some Doctor Who Art

or Who inspired art ;)

Areum and I had such a fun time going there. We did get a bit lost on the way, but it was all in the experience, and we didn't get hurt or harm anyone. While there we watched an X-Men movie on her computer, and drank Ginger-Ale (when in Rome, the mormon version... lol...) It was a fun outing!!!

beach thoughts

I went to the beach the other day, waaaaay the heck out in Far Rockaway (1hr 20min on the subway), and it was veeeeery nice!!! The weather has been very hot and miserably humid here this past week, and this Norskie gets quite Trollish as she is not cut out for the high humidity!!! 


It is nothing like living in Norway, I don't remember it ever being this miserable...


There are beaches closer, to my house than the one in Far Rockaway, but they are dirty, filled with garbage, and the water is oily and murky. AND it smells :S NOT good!!!!! Tip for anyone visiting NYC in the summer; STAY AWAY from the beach at Cony Island and Brighton Beach!!!!!!

And for me, I'll just keep sweating it out here, literally (I should loose a few pounds from all this sweating I'm sure!)... This heatwave can't last forever! Thank goodness there is a library in walking distance from my house!!! (They have AC)

Thoughts on toes and things

 Living in New York, a nail salon is on just about every corner on every other street... it's kinda a little ridiculous at times... however what's more ridiculous is to see all the little kids lining up inside them waiting to get their toes done... In fact there are even some of the places that offer parties for parents/kids... so for a mid-summer birthday party a girl and a couple close friends can have their party at the nail salon...

And while I'm sure it's nice for the busy metropolitan mom, I have a few reservations... admittedly I'm also a bit biased as I grew up in a different "world".

My cousins and I would jump the little rocks and crevices along the coastline in Southern Norway, my dad and uncle diving, my aunt keeping a watching eye on us. We would run barefoot all over... in the woods.. in the streets, bury our feet in the sans and grovel on the beaches or sides of the lakes... I'm sure the salt water of the ocean and the minerals in the lakes also had health benefits :)

So, my tip for the day, go take a walk in the sand! It's a natural exfoliative and it's good for the feet and toes to get some "stretchersize"!!! *giggle*

oh and I have a new fave... it's the
Double Chocolate Frappuchino...
aka HEAVEN

Starbucks is one of my favorite places to hang out... I am always fortunate to meet the most interesting people. Today for instance I met a wonderful author, a nurse and a genealogy/history lover in just under two short hours this afternoon.... AMAZING!

The Author, Jean Ayer is just fascinating, and I can't wait to read her book once I get it from the library. It's called Tales of Chinkapin Creek.

The nurse (I'd say mid 50's) had a bikers licence and a bit of history riding bikes, and was getting re-educated,  going to be a teacher...

HOW COOL is that???!!!!  I am so excited and happy just at having met these wonderful people.... again, one of the many reasons I really really love Starbucks!!!  :D