Howdy, all! Yes, we are still in Mumbai. It just keeps growing on us. We find ourselves quite comfy here now and have had some amazing times . . . and we just got here. We did visit the Elephanta Island, made it to the interior, scaled a mountain in some very muggy conditions, saw a dolphin, encountered a Reeces Monkey (unfortunately, no peanut butter cups . . . damn monkey), visited a village and met our rickshaw driver's mother and sister, and made it back to the mainland in time for sunset. I'm simplifying things a bit, but we'll take more time later to wax philosophic.
Okay. Here's some crazy stuff. Colie and I were asked by a scout to be in a Ballywood movie. So, after a long stretch of not working (parents, pay attention), we got jobs yesterday. Rupees 500 each for a full day's work. They bussed us across Mumbai to the studio, fed us all day, put us in wardrobe, applied make-up, and shot several scenes of what will be "Lucky Charm". The great news for me is that my past work really helped, as I played a banker. Even better, we got to pick our costumes - and I say this because that's what they were - costumes, so naturally I went for the white cotton pimped out suit with jet black polyester shirt. The suit sleeves rolled up nicely, and the highwater pants and overall color combo packed quite a wallup with my black and yellow striped trail-running shoes. If you've seen "I'm Gonna Get You, Sucka", that's what I was going for. The producers felt that Colie would look good in a power suit . . . and they were right. She pulled her hair back and really looked the part of some power broker or law office barracuda. Her make-up was crazy! ROUGE galore and psychotic cheekbones. I looked like a freak, but the producers deduced from my professional behavior that I was legit, and would lend credibility, since that's how people in Toronto (the scene's setting) dress, right? We are excited for 1/6 the world's population to see the film we worked on, and perhaps will be spotted in a few shots with some of India's most popular actors. They wanted us to come back for 4 days and have expanded roles . . . but despite how hilarious that would be, our egos couldn't win out over sloth. That's hard work. There are no labor laws here, and even though we were "actors", we were treated like commodities. We would have had to come back for the 4 days if we wanted comfort trailers . . . but the treatment still would be bad. Our day went from 8:00 am to 11:30 pm . . . well past the 8:00 to 8:00 promised.
It was hot in the studio, and a very tiring day. We both felt the process was fascinating and we are glad we did it, but one day was enough. We met other "extras" from around the world, had some beers afterward, and are meeting out again tonight for some fun. It is interesting to gain perspectives from Swedes, Norwegians, Germans, Indians, Africans, Brits, Slavs, French, Israelis, etc. The younger leading male actors were hilarious. They were certainly proud, and one refused to work past 6:00 pm, which led to some lengthy delays. The director is a top filmmanker here, a perfectionist, and was fond of yelling at the actors . . . especially the ones who were serious about their craft. Man, that was an experience. We have a new appreciation for what Pete went through working on movies in Austin, TX. We also have a new appreciation for labor laws.
I'd better get . . . again, we'll keep looking for a port to upload photos. Till the next - टेक करे एंड एन्जॉय एवेरी डे!
-John
Oops, almost forgot! We're unemployed again. At least no one was fired.
Okay. Here's some crazy stuff. Colie and I were asked by a scout to be in a Ballywood movie. So, after a long stretch of not working (parents, pay attention), we got jobs yesterday. Rupees 500 each for a full day's work. They bussed us across Mumbai to the studio, fed us all day, put us in wardrobe, applied make-up, and shot several scenes of what will be "Lucky Charm". The great news for me is that my past work really helped, as I played a banker. Even better, we got to pick our costumes - and I say this because that's what they were - costumes, so naturally I went for the white cotton pimped out suit with jet black polyester shirt. The suit sleeves rolled up nicely, and the highwater pants and overall color combo packed quite a wallup with my black and yellow striped trail-running shoes. If you've seen "I'm Gonna Get You, Sucka", that's what I was going for. The producers felt that Colie would look good in a power suit . . . and they were right. She pulled her hair back and really looked the part of some power broker or law office barracuda. Her make-up was crazy! ROUGE galore and psychotic cheekbones. I looked like a freak, but the producers deduced from my professional behavior that I was legit, and would lend credibility, since that's how people in Toronto (the scene's setting) dress, right? We are excited for 1/6 the world's population to see the film we worked on, and perhaps will be spotted in a few shots with some of India's most popular actors. They wanted us to come back for 4 days and have expanded roles . . . but despite how hilarious that would be, our egos couldn't win out over sloth. That's hard work. There are no labor laws here, and even though we were "actors", we were treated like commodities. We would have had to come back for the 4 days if we wanted comfort trailers . . . but the treatment still would be bad. Our day went from 8:00 am to 11:30 pm . . . well past the 8:00 to 8:00 promised.
It was hot in the studio, and a very tiring day. We both felt the process was fascinating and we are glad we did it, but one day was enough. We met other "extras" from around the world, had some beers afterward, and are meeting out again tonight for some fun. It is interesting to gain perspectives from Swedes, Norwegians, Germans, Indians, Africans, Brits, Slavs, French, Israelis, etc. The younger leading male actors were hilarious. They were certainly proud, and one refused to work past 6:00 pm, which led to some lengthy delays. The director is a top filmmanker here, a perfectionist, and was fond of yelling at the actors . . . especially the ones who were serious about their craft. Man, that was an experience. We have a new appreciation for what Pete went through working on movies in Austin, TX. We also have a new appreciation for labor laws.
I'd better get . . . again, we'll keep looking for a port to upload photos. Till the next - टेक करे एंड एन्जॉय एवेरी डे!
-John
Oops, almost forgot! We're unemployed again. At least no one was fired.
4 comments:
Movie stars within a week, huh? We are in awe.
Payal is going to tell all of her relatives.
Can I get you autograph when you come home?
Wow. Employed and unemployed in the same week! so proud. ;-) Don't know if you're reading these but the buddies are seeping under the coffee table as i type on it (gracie's screaming at my bedroom door as the cats have been denied access). We'll have to drink to your (job) success when you get back! Much love and kisses from me and smelly farts from the boys.
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