Chatting beforehand. Rudy is behind the Camera while Fred Silverman & I are in our positions. “I’m going to ask you, ‘How did you get started in all this. What was your motivation?’”
“I hate that question.”
“Happy. Now I’ll be squinting the whole time. I’m always squinting in my interviews . . .Why do you get to be in the shade?”
“Take your glasses off.”
“Why? I never get to wear them on Camera.”
Enter producer smooth talk. “Because they make you look too young. They’re ‘surfer dude’ young.”
(Despite movie portrayals, producers are never rude. . .they just lie)
Since behind the scenes only involves for me the interview session, I though the surfer might like to see what it looks from the perspective of being in the “hot spot.”
My only on-Camera work for this one involved a few hours out in 105 degree temperatures enduring an interview. Sound bytes (an infamous word to the loquacious) of me should appear here and there in the documentary.
“All right, Fred. This is for the web site, so people know how it looks to be on the other side. Act like you’re asking me questions.”
Oh, lord. Hmmm. Producers admit they are non-directible people.
*Sound engineer Rudy is examining the Camera while Camerman Joachin looks on. (The “Behind-the-Scenes” icon are these two posing for me.)
Let’s try again. . . .Take Two
“How do you pronounce your name?”
“Let’s try another.”
Fred tries again. The crew has had enough. Time to pack up. The pen is a touch of realism.
Off to shoot some stills and documents for Voice Overs and narration.
Joachin sets up up while Fred places up the first still and examines it.
Filming. Fred examines it on the monitor.
Looking over Fred’s shoulder. What you will see: Charles Taylor’s last graduation photo in August 1945. He would lead Flight 19 into the Triangle on December 5 as leader of Flight 19. (Pic courtesy of Barbara Gonzalez, his niece.)
As usual, I had a nice time, and Rudy, Joachin, and Fred were easy to get along with, and as you can see I could joke with Fred. Look for this documentary next year (2002).
“Inside the Bermuda Triangle”
Producer: Fred Silverman, Miami.
in association with Termite Art Television,
for Discovery Channel.
A 1 hour documentary.
Setting up the interview
Fred Silverman, Fred Silverman Productions, Miami
