HOSPITAL SCENES ARE "IN THE CAN!"

The hospital scenes are complete, and everything went off without a hitch! The success of the shoot was due to all the unbelievable work of cast and crew, working tirelessly, and in total harmony, throughout the day. Considering this shoot brought together 5 principal actors, 14 principal crew members, and 15 extras, (34 people in all), and we were able to shoot eight pages of a ten-page script, the completion of Saturday's shoot is nothing less than amazing!

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard yesterday, and gave so much of themselves and their time to make KINDRED’s first day of shooting such a wonderful success! I can’t wait for everyone to see the finished product! If this film turns out even half has good as the performances I witnessed yesterday, KINDRED will truly be an incredible story to watch unfold at the Crest Theater in October.

It is the hope of any writer/director, that his actors can “pull off” the dialog that was written for them. I am happy to tell you that, not only did this incredibly talented group of actors pull it off — they completely blew me away! Never, in my wildest dreams, would I ever have thought I could witness people bringing my idea to life with so much intensity. There were several moments I actually found myself watching the monitor and forgetting that I was directing a film; I had to remind myself to say “CUT.”

After Giovannie (Dr. Chen) gave so many emotionally wrenching performances, several of us later admitted that watching her in the moment actually made us start getting emotional ourselves; in my entire life, I’ve never been able to witness someone do what Giovannie can do, with such seeming ease.

Ron (Dr. Simmons) was so convincing in his roll that one would think he had been working in a hospital for years. Equally wonderful was that fact that Ron was such a total professional. He came, ready to perform miracles, and he nailed it!

Jodi Mao (patient Tracy) also outdid herself, giving the professional actors on set quite a run for their money. When Jodi’s not acting, she is my daughter, and I can assure you that my wife and I were so very proud of her, yesterday, watching her give a remarkable performance in some equally emotional scenes.

I also wanted to give a very sincere thank you to Joaquin, Paul, Tomi, and Ana. They have worked so hard, and have made such a profound and personal commitment to this project, I am just speechless. I can only hope that I can repay their generosity somehow.

In addition to Joaquin’s, Paul’s, Tomi’s and Ana’s efforts, yesterday, I was lucky enough to have the help of some expert crew members who took to their work as true professionals. They got to the set early in the morning and never stopped giving 200 percent the entire day. Thank you to Robert Seastrom, Steven Fong, Andrew Howe, David Pace, Sierra Kelly, Kate Nicknig, RuiXia Howe, Susan Howe, Jeff Medlicot, and Laura Gary! All of them made Saturday’s shoot go incredibly smoothly!!!