PocketPCDewd Blog
Sunday, September 30, 2007
2007-09-21 - It's my mother's birthday. I called her to wish her a happy birthday. And I told her the news - that I received my call from casting that I was to go in at 3:30. I was sooooo excited. I was told that they tried to reach me but couldn't. I explained why.
I got lost on the way. All I could remember from her instructions was the part about being near Glenmore Trail. So I decided to go to Currie barracks to the Passchendaele office to get directions to the shoot. Trouble is that what I thought was the Passchendaele office was the Heartland office. So I struggled to find the Passchendaele office. I was getting worried. I still had time to spare - I had at least two and a half hours to go, but I still had no idea where to go. Finally I located the office and got directions.
I got lost on the way. All I could remember from her instructions was the part about being near Glenmore Trail. So I decided to go to Currie barracks to the Passchendaele office to get directions to the shoot. Trouble is that what I thought was the Passchendaele office was the Heartland office. So I struggled to find the Passchendaele office. I was getting worried. I still had time to spare - I had at least two and a half hours to go, but I still had no idea where to go. Finally I located the office and got directions.
The turnoff was the first right off 37th Street below Glenmore. A rough road by bike with my trailer, my gear (helmet, uniform, boots, etc.). At one point it was like a washboard.
I got there at at 2:30, but they will not sign us in until 3:30. Apparently we will be here until 3 a.m., so I'm told.
We finally sined in at 3:30. Then we were told to go for a brief meeting to discuss etiquette. i.e. NO talking to the stars. Do your job. Watch your rifle and do not leave it unattended. etc. etc. Then we were sent to wardrobe. We were issued bike shorts, wetsuits, neopryne booties, longjohns, pants, tunic, putties, boots, webbing and helmet. First we stripped completely. Then we put on bike shorts. Then Wetsuits and booties. Then longjohns. Then Pants, boots and puttees. Then tunic, webbing and helmet. We were issued individual numbers. I was unit 7 number 14, so 7014. I was told to write that on the inside of my wetsuit, booty, bike short etc. Then we went to hair and makeup. We waited a while. then they bussed us to a set. it was a road, and intersection, that turned up to the right. the road was lined with dead trees and long sheets were strung along them. I later learned that it was from a famous war photo of a bombed out village - and I think it was Passchendaele. The sheets were to protect the soldiers - to hide their movement.
It was there I saw Hugh, Paul's assistant. He recognized me and said "hi". I said that I was glad to see him, glad to be there. He pointed me out to the behind-the-scenes camera crew and told them that I was the one who was so determined to be in the movie. They told me that they wanted to interview me.
It was a long day. takes and re-takes of marching. And they made it rain on us. And rain. The first thing we had to do was get down and roll in the mud. It was messy. And wet. One of the soldiers of the 7th, David DeWolfe offered to give me a ride home in his truck. That was great, because it was 3:30 a.m. I was zonked.
2007-09-20 - It's now afternoon and I've pushed back three Caesars and still no word. I had been helping my landlord rip out carpet all day. I took a break and biked over to Signal Hill to go to the Michaels and check out art supplies. And what's worse is that my landlord accidentally ripped the Telus connection when he was removing front room carpet when i was gone. Great! So now there was no way to contact me, except by long distance through my cellphone. And I had no Internet, because it was DSL through Telus!!!
It's midnight and I still haven't heard when I should show up. I was supposed to get a call today. This is depressing.
I felt so all alone. So cut off. At least last year we had the regiment and all the other descendants to talk too, to communicate with and share information.
Today I painted four pictures. Barbara, Tom's girlfriend, agreed to get them scanned for me and email them. Then I will send them to the casting director and ask her if she likes them. Hopefully she will pass them along to Paul.
To get in the mood for the paintings I dressed in my WWI uniform. Yes, I brought it along, just in case. i wasn't letting ANYTHING get in the way of getting on camera. For example, if I showed up and they ran out of costumes in my size, I would say "That's o.k. I have mine!!!!"
I took a break and went to the Wal-Mart to get some supplies (paints, canvas and laquer). I was in my uniform. People were very nice to me. Some even let me in line. amazing!! They thought I was in the military.
To get in the mood for the paintings I dressed in my WWI uniform. Yes, I brought it along, just in case. i wasn't letting ANYTHING get in the way of getting on camera. For example, if I showed up and they ran out of costumes in my size, I would say "That's o.k. I have mine!!!!"
I took a break and went to the Wal-Mart to get some supplies (paints, canvas and laquer). I was in my uniform. People were very nice to me. Some even let me in line. amazing!! They thought I was in the military.
2007-09-16 Today I took a trip on my bike to visit the casting director. I found her address using google. I brought two framed prints with me: "Sortant de la tranchee" and "Birches". She told me via email that she was really impressed with my art. So I figured that it was a good way to make friends with her. I took a gamble and visited her. She answered, but she said she was not dressed. She said "David!!! is that you?!! You're crazy!!!" She said Curtis would be in touch with me. YESSSS!!!
I went home and sat in the backyard soaking up the sun and throwing back vodka Caesars. Than the phone rang. It was the casting director. She asked me if I wanted to join some of the other crew and extras at a place called Kits, a bar owned by her friend. Of course I said yes. at that point I was thinking that I had, indeed turned the Titanic around.
So I located the place on mapquest, gussied myself up (I hope I selled that right) and headed over there. It was in the NW corner of Calgary. A bit of a trek by bike. And on the way a very stupid, inconsiderate transport truck driver passed me and almost squeezed me into the concrete dividers on the right side of the road. Thanks bud!
The casting director introduced me to everyone as her stalker (because I was phoning and emailing her more than the others - yes I'm impatient). She said that she got may email saying that I was catching a flight to Calgary. That's when she flipped. She went to Paul (Gross) and asked him if he had a brother David. Or if I was an investor. He said, no, that I was just a guy who wanted to be in the movie. She said that I had been calling her and emailing her. Like a stalker. He laughed and said "Cool! You have a stalker!!"
I'm just keen, and she was beginning to realize that. She introduced me to Curtis, her assistant. I explained that I was grateful to play any role, but that I wanted to get down and dirty in the trenches. He said he would let me know. I left the bar at about 9 p.m.
It's September 15th, our anniversary, and here I am. I'm all alone in Calgary, waiting to find out if I will be in this film. I feel that I've let my wife down. I think that it would have been best to have stayed in Kingston, even if it meant not getting in on this film. But I got an email from the casting director telling me she was reviewing roles and that she would be in touch. That's promising, right? Internet has been difficult because it had not been set up here. I have had to sit on the driveway and join a neighbour's hotspot. And there's no phone. I'm relying on my cellphone. My roaming charges are gonna kill me.
So here I sit all afternoon.... baking in the sun... dying of boredom....It's 6 p.m. and I am in the backyard. I was able to sleep in to 10 a.m. That was nice. I submitted some of my digital art to Staples at Signal Hill and went to pick them up. I got a flat tire on the way back - had to fix it on the spot myself. This trip has been a real disaster! Can my luck get worse?
I stopped off at the farmers market at Currie Barracks. Boy that's impressive. and lots of free samples! Mmmmm! I bought two tickets for the draw for the Pontiac Solstice. I figure that I'm due for some GOOD luck! I miss my wife and family.
It's Sunday, September 16. Let me fill you in on what's been happening re: Passchendaele.
It was late in the evening, at about 8 p.m. or so when I was in the hotel in Toronto - Wednesday the 12th of September I believe. I decided to take a walk to stretch my legs a bit and relax. With all the excitement - the film, the early flight the next morning etc. etc. I thought that a walk would settle me down. Then as I passed the lobby I heard the receptionist on the phone with my wife, who was trying to reach me. So I said "Here I am! May I speak to her?" So she handed me the phone. It was indeed Wendy, and she had some bad news. But she said it would be best if we discussed it later when I was in my room, because it was a serious matter.
So I went upstairs and waited for her to call. I thought that maybe something happened to Spencer. I couldn't wait any longer, so I phoned Wendy. She told me the whole story. Apparently the casting director did not intend for me to come to Calgary. She was going to phone me back to evaluate what, if any, position I would have in the film. She wondered why I was on my way to Calgary, and that I should turn around and go home and wait for her call.
Wendy told me that the casting director was quite upset. She told me that I was to call the casting director and discuss this. Wendy advised me to relax and get on the plane, get settled in Calgary, and then call the casting director and be very polite with her.
I was discouraged after hearing this. I had wanted so badly to be in this project. She did not realize what it meant to me. besides, I had told so many people that I was going to be in the movie. I knew it was a challenge. So I decided to step up to this challenge and to turn this thing around.
The next day I boarded the shuttle to the airport with my bike, trailer, computer and bag. At the airport I was told that the pedals had to come off. I told them that i couldn't remove them without help. the guy at the Westjet counter said it would not be a problem. he pushed it through.
The flight was three hours. When I landed I had to re-assemble my bike and trailer. people in the aitport thought I was nuts. anyway, It was reasonably warm, so I set off from the airport in my bike shorts and blue shirt. It was a long, long trip. The airport is in the upper NE corner of Calgary, and my house was in the SE corner. I had Tom's cell as well as his girlfriend's, but I decided to call her once I hit downtown instread of calling her from the airport. that way she would not be waiting for me for two hours.
I was not sure exactly where the house was - I just knew that it was on 36th Street below 21st Avenue. Yeah, I should have written the address down - that would have been the smart thing to do, but it would have taken all the fun out of it, don't you think?
So with great difficulty I find my way downtown without a very accurate map -just the mapquest map I printed. Great! And I call Tom's girlfriend from the downtown and tell her I should be there soon - twenty minutes or so based on my estimate. well, I followed the bike trail along the Bow River and went well beyond the point where you turn south. So I doubled back. that's when one hitch to the trailer came apart!! fortunately I still had the bolt. I had duck tape in my bag but it would not be strong enough. So I called her to tell her I would be late - maybe twenty minutes or so.
I finally arrive forty minutes later - after dragging my bike up a very steep incline or two. I thought I would never make it. Fortunately I was able to find the house because I was looking for barbara's orange car.
She let me into the house, I dropped my stuff inside and made my way to my room. I was so relieved to have made it. I tried to phone the casting director but she was not available. So I took a nap, I believe. Then I went To Wendy's to reward myself with a Baconator and a side salad. That's when i tried to call agaain. This time I reached her.
I apologised and explained that it was my fault that I misunderstood her memo. But I explained that I was in calgary and that I was ready to play any role. She kindly agreed to let me play a role as a background person at HQ (since I had a moustache), but that was the best she could do. I thanked her.
So I went home, looked around the house and outside a bit. Then I settled in to go to bed.
It was late in the evening, at about 8 p.m. or so when I was in the hotel in Toronto - Wednesday the 12th of September I believe. I decided to take a walk to stretch my legs a bit and relax. With all the excitement - the film, the early flight the next morning etc. etc. I thought that a walk would settle me down. Then as I passed the lobby I heard the receptionist on the phone with my wife, who was trying to reach me. So I said "Here I am! May I speak to her?" So she handed me the phone. It was indeed Wendy, and she had some bad news. But she said it would be best if we discussed it later when I was in my room, because it was a serious matter.
So I went upstairs and waited for her to call. I thought that maybe something happened to Spencer. I couldn't wait any longer, so I phoned Wendy. She told me the whole story. Apparently the casting director did not intend for me to come to Calgary. She was going to phone me back to evaluate what, if any, position I would have in the film. She wondered why I was on my way to Calgary, and that I should turn around and go home and wait for her call.Wendy told me that the casting director was quite upset. She told me that I was to call the casting director and discuss this. Wendy advised me to relax and get on the plane, get settled in Calgary, and then call the casting director and be very polite with her.
I was discouraged after hearing this. I had wanted so badly to be in this project. She did not realize what it meant to me. besides, I had told so many people that I was going to be in the movie. I knew it was a challenge. So I decided to step up to this challenge and to turn this thing around.
The next day I boarded the shuttle to the airport with my bike, trailer, computer and bag. At the airport I was told that the pedals had to come off. I told them that i couldn't remove them without help. the guy at the Westjet counter said it would not be a problem. he pushed it through.
The flight was three hours. When I landed I had to re-assemble my bike and trailer. people in the aitport thought I was nuts. anyway, It was reasonably warm, so I set off from the airport in my bike shorts and blue shirt. It was a long, long trip. The airport is in the upper NE corner of Calgary, and my house was in the SE corner. I had Tom's cell as well as his girlfriend's, but I decided to call her once I hit downtown instread of calling her from the airport. that way she would not be waiting for me for two hours.
I was not sure exactly where the house was - I just knew that it was on 36th Street below 21st Avenue. Yeah, I should have written the address down - that would have been the smart thing to do, but it would have taken all the fun out of it, don't you think?
So with great difficulty I find my way downtown without a very accurate map -just the mapquest map I printed. Great! And I call Tom's girlfriend from the downtown and tell her I should be there soon - twenty minutes or so based on my estimate. well, I followed the bike trail along the Bow River and went well beyond the point where you turn south. So I doubled back. that's when one hitch to the trailer came apart!! fortunately I still had the bolt. I had duck tape in my bag but it would not be strong enough. So I called her to tell her I would be late - maybe twenty minutes or so.
I finally arrive forty minutes later - after dragging my bike up a very steep incline or two. I thought I would never make it. Fortunately I was able to find the house because I was looking for barbara's orange car.
She let me into the house, I dropped my stuff inside and made my way to my room. I was so relieved to have made it. I tried to phone the casting director but she was not available. So I took a nap, I believe. Then I went To Wendy's to reward myself with a Baconator and a side salad. That's when i tried to call agaain. This time I reached her.
I apologised and explained that it was my fault that I misunderstood her memo. But I explained that I was in calgary and that I was ready to play any role. She kindly agreed to let me play a role as a background person at HQ (since I had a moustache), but that was the best she could do. I thanked her.
So I went home, looked around the house and outside a bit. Then I settled in to go to bed.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
I'm at the Quality Inn and Suites near Pearson Airport. All is well. Got my prescription renewed etc. No worries. I head out to Calgary on westjet tomorrow at 7 a.m. and will arrive 9.a.m. local time. My son Spencer did a good job driving me here.
I'll be hitting the sack early so I can be at the airport at 5:30 a.m. to check in and get my bicycle and trailer on the plane.
I'll miss my family, but this is something I really have wanted to do.
I'll be hitting the sack early so I can be at the airport at 5:30 a.m. to check in and get my bicycle and trailer on the plane.
I'll miss my family, but this is something I really have wanted to do.
I have my little journal, and I will be writing about my experience and doing small sketches. Thanks so much to my beautiful, thoughtful wife Wendy who bought it for me.
Monday, September 10, 2007
WOW has it been that long since my last post? Well, here's what is new (or sort of new):
I've been painting. The "Three Angels" was featured in the Whig-Standard editorial page December 2006 in an article by Lynda Colgan. The Three Angels print as well as the other seven prints in the Children and Winter and Children and Summer series were on display at Starbuck's locations in Kingston and Ottawa. Samples of my work can be found are my Website at http://www.daviddossett.com/
I was interviewed on television about my participation in the CBC/Galafilm production The Great War. Filming of the four-hour series was from July 14-July 30 2006 in St-Bruno, QC. The series aired on CBC and Radio Canada in Easter 2007. The DVD is available at Blockbuster, and I'm on the DVD cover!!!
In summer 2007 I cycled from Kingston-Ottawa and back. Then I cycled from Kingston-Montreal and back. Routes and other info are on my Website at http://www.daviddossett.com/
And the biggest news - I will take part in the new film Passchendaele by Paul Gross. The budget for the film will be about $20 million CDN. Shooting started at the end of August in Calgary, Alberta. Shooting for the battle scenes starts Sept 20 and goes to mid Oct. Boot camp is this coming Fri September 14th or Saturday the 15th in Calgary. For information about the film see http://www.paulgross.org/passch.htm or http://www.passchendaelethemovie.com
I've been painting. The "Three Angels" was featured in the Whig-Standard editorial page December 2006 in an article by Lynda Colgan. The Three Angels print as well as the other seven prints in the Children and Winter and Children and Summer series were on display at Starbuck's locations in Kingston and Ottawa. Samples of my work can be found are my Website at http://www.daviddossett.com/
I was interviewed on television about my participation in the CBC/Galafilm production The Great War. Filming of the four-hour series was from July 14-July 30 2006 in St-Bruno, QC. The series aired on CBC and Radio Canada in Easter 2007. The DVD is available at Blockbuster, and I'm on the DVD cover!!!
In summer 2007 I cycled from Kingston-Ottawa and back. Then I cycled from Kingston-Montreal and back. Routes and other info are on my Website at http://www.daviddossett.com/
And the biggest news - I will take part in the new film Passchendaele by Paul Gross. The budget for the film will be about $20 million CDN. Shooting started at the end of August in Calgary, Alberta. Shooting for the battle scenes starts Sept 20 and goes to mid Oct. Boot camp is this coming Fri September 14th or Saturday the 15th in Calgary. For information about the film see http://www.paulgross.org/passch.htm or http://www.passchendaelethemovie.com
