Dear Dog, I Love You

I wouldn't really consider myself a dog-lover.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm definitely not a dog-hater.

I guess I would consider myself a dog-liker in general, and a sometimes-dog-lover-depending-on-which-dog-we-are-talking-about-kind-of-a-thing.

But, my point is, this post is not a love letter to a dog.

Dear Dog, I Love You is actually the (current) title of Jed's most recent film - a comedy starring an amazing white basset hound named Paul Newman (that's the dog's name in real life, not in Jed's movie...make sense?) (and Paul Newman [the dog] happens to fit into my sometimes-a-dog-lover category) (which does not take away from my deep and abiding love for Paul Newman [the person], mind you)

So, we shot this film during the last week in February in a suburban-looking house in Brooklyn and a small office space in Yonkers, NY.

Jed wrote and directed the movie, which took 6 days to shoot and will be about 15 mins long once edited. And technically, I am the film's executive producer.

I know, I am kind of a big deal now.

This movie is pretty near & dear to my heart since Jed and I spent our early morning marathon training runs discussing, revising, and casting it. While Jed was the creative brains behind the operation, I was more involved than usual in the entire process (sometimes more enthusiastically than others, I should admit).

The actual shoot was full of all sorts of crazy mishaps including (but not limited to) Jed accidentally shattering Paul Newman's (the dog) car window, crew members getting into a car accident in a rental van without insurance, a dog actress (is that a term?) dropping out last minute, the wardrobe/props expert out sick for the first 4 days, and a snow storm on the first day of (exterior) shooting.

Awesome.

Jed was pretty stressed to say the least. So I tried to be on set as much as I possibly could to help out. And to be honest, I had a pretty fabulous time working with our extraordinary cast and crew. There were some amazing people on this shoot and it really was a pleasure to work with each and every one of them. Most of them were working for no pay, and we cannot thank them enough for the time and talents they contributed to this project.

Here are some pics from our memorable week...

(Please excuse my overuse of the Hipstamatic iPhone app. - I can't stop.)

Jed w/ the DP, 1st AC, Script Supervisor & UPM

Producers, Stevan & John Jonah, the First Assistant DirectorPaul Newman (the dog) as Maximo Jed watching Molly's hilarious performance as CynthiaCamera guys using Mike as a stand-inThe Director of Photography, Thomas looking way too coolJed directing the comedic superstar, Dave Hill as DudleyHanging out with always-in-character Andrew (Brenden) between takesDirector, 1st AD, & DP discussing upcoming shotsDavid, the incredibly talented gaffer we flew in special from UTWaiting to start the next sceneJohn & Chris & Variety MagazineJosh shooting "the making-of"Keith, our aweome sound expertAlex, Thomas & the REDAndrew taking a quick break between takesTim, Alex & Thomas ready for the next shotProducer, John making pancakes for the cast & crewEnjoying my yummy chocolate chip pancake - thanks, John!

Two of our French crew members, Alexandra & Stevan decided to make their own version of pancakes for the cast and crew - delicious, nutella & banana filled crepes!

Jed and Dave discuss the next scene Andrew's INGENIOUS, in-character invention to keep his craisins close at handDudley's close-upThomas & Alex take filmmaking very seriously

Dudley + Cynthia forever

Jonah being a hardcore 1st AD

David going above and beyond by sheilding Jed's (diva) eyes from the sun

Stevan, me and Chris working really hard

Thomas and Jed working out the next shotAndrew (in charcter as usual) & JedMimsy's closeupJed, Thomas & Mike working out the lightingAfter a long week, that's a wrap!!

A huge thank you to our entire cast and crew. It really was a fun shoot and we hope to get to work with everyone again in the future.