In Kingdoms of the Cool

Day 7...

We are again greeted by the promise of a good day thanks in part to the weather when we woke up this morning. First off, I apologize to those who were trying to comment on this blog. I changed the settings so you can now comment freely. Sorry guys!



Today's studio was even better than yesterday's. Sony Pictures studio in Culver City was a very impressive place. Not only is it the home of the largest sound stage in the country but the television sets are so unbelievably elaborate that I could not imagine ever having a problem as an actor getting into character. One minute I was in Culver City walking in between giant buildings on a lot and the next, I was in an Indianapolis prosecutor's office. Fully realized and functional, the work that Nancy Mickleberry does is incredible.

Nancy gave us an in-depth and very personal tour much like Joanne did the day before. We even got to see the original stage that MGM used to film all the classics in the 30's and 40's. That particular stage is being torn down so it hasn't been used in years, but it was a great peek into the past of my industry, no matter how dusty it was. Afterwards, we were allowed into the production design head quarters and chatted for a while. Kamelya brought out our music video for Lazar Malko as well as the production I & II films we did together. Nancy sat and watched them all in their entirety and even had us sign the copy we gave her. Later, I discovered that she was the head set designer on 'Star Trek: First Contact' as well as 'Star Trek: Insurrection'!!! No, these won't excite that many normal people, but me, as an avid Trekkie, I can honestly say I was in awe. It was the sets and props that took the Star Trek franchise from the depths of cancellation after The Next Generation to three more successful films. The culture of the entire series was sky-rocketed into the next generation of film making due in no small part to her work. To be able to meet and talk with such a mind was truly gratifying to me.

The rest of the day was basically spent in the middle of L.A.'s infamous traffic. Thankfully, I was so tired from my romp on the Sony lot that I slept through most of it. Brian and Kamelya went out after getting back to the hotel in their best dress and left me behind. They were planning to hit up some celebrity red-carpet gala event that, quite frankly, didn't interest me all that much. I was able to stay back and get some work done and talk to Vicky for a long while for the first time since I've left.

Well, I've got two more days here and then it's back to Chicago. I believe we've cancelled the trip to CBS tomorrow, which is good because the rest of the trip now can be devoted to relaxing and getting much needed coverage footage for Kamelya's documentary on the Rubik's Cube.

Now Playing: Manual - "frequently"

posted by MikeStan @ 12:57 AM