ARROW INTRO: My short film
THE RED HOURS
will premiere in competition at this year’s SITGES FILM FESTIVAL
(see its Fest page here) which is good news
to me and everybody who was involved in the film. We couldn’t be happier!
Screening dates/times are on: Oct 06/17:15 at the Sala Tramuntana and on
Oct 08/18:00 at the Auditori Melià. So in light of its first showing, we’ll
be sharing cast and crew diaries with yall, giving ya insight as to the
shoot and the people behind it.
AMY WICKENHEISER
Actress (Natasha).
Me as Natasha.
AMY WICKENHEISER:
After days of nervously reciting the lines for this film, I got on a plane
to come home (Lafayette, LA, where The Red Hours was filmed). When I
arrived, I rushed home to change and then raced straight to the set. They
were already doing lighting tests in the bar when I got there. This is where
I met John Fallon for the first time.
John sat me down and we had a quick talk about the direction of the film,
and my comfort level with certain scenes. (Aaaahhhhhhhhh!! Nerves…)
Yes, I reassured him I was fine. Great! Then he wants to
introduce me to Deke. He suggests we run over the lines a couple times and
then get to know each other since we will be acting together in a minute
(translation: You’ll be making out with this experienced actor you’ve just
met in a second. Aaahhhhhhhhhh!!) My first day of shooting went by quickly.
Everyone was really encouraging, and once I loosened up, I really started
having fun.
Red Hours is not a romantic comedy…
The next day I was introduced to Heather.
Pretty much the same drill, meet Heather, Heather this is Amy, you two will
be making out in a bit. Only we weren’t making out in a bar. We were making
out in underwear, while on a bed, in a pool of blood… What? You mean normal
people don’t do that? At one point, in the midst of explaining to us that
this blood right here was okay to eat, but this blood over here was not,
John looked around the room at his creation and said “Wow, I’m fucked up in
the head.” That’s why we love you John! I was having fun in the goopy mess
until it started to dry. Dry cracking blood all down your face and body…
mmmmmmmmmmm.
Anyways, so we were about to shoot the next part of the scene, and John
takes Deke and I outside to talk. He asks me if I’ve ever slapped someone.
No, I haven’t. Well, he wants this next part to be real, so slap Deke. I
look at him… I can’t! “Yes you can, or common slap me instead.” No way, I
can’t. “Amy, we’re big guys, we will be okay. Slap him” I slap him.
“Harder.” I do it. Okay, good. We go back inside. Someone probably should’ve
warned Donny (DOP) about our little aside because while shooting the scene
he almost fell backwards in stifled laughter when the slaps were a bit more
real than he expected. Later that night I was informed that Deke’s face was
still red and a bit swollen… I’m so sorry Deke!
The last scene…
After wrapping up for a day, I was able to get to know
everyone working on the film. We shared relationship horror stories over a
couple beers which then allowed John to bring up certain past experiences of
mine before shooting a scene to help me better experience the emotions of
the character. “Think of that guy, Amy! What did he do to you?” John is good
at his job. We did have our little mishaps. For instance, while setting up
for a stunt of Deke’s, John was emphasizing how important it was that Deke
not get hurt. Two minutes later, John sprained his ankle. Or how as a result
of the last day of shooting Deke had to spend the rest of his time in
Louisiana with a pretty bad sunburn.
I had an absolute blast working on this film. Everyone was
so helpful and many became good friends of mine. I would absolutely love to
work with them again. Heather is blunt and funny as hell. Deke is all jokes,
and had me laughing the whole time. Everyone was very professional, and John
made sure it stayed that way and that we were always comfortable with what
was being shot. He also put up with my “Wait, one more time, I can do it
better!” episodes. I’m so lucky that I got to experience the creation of
this film with them.
Me and Deke Richards (who plays Mark) after a day
of shooting…
VISIT THE OFFICIAL RED HOURS WEBSITE HERE
VISIT THE
RED HOURS MYSPACE HERE
STAY TUNED FOR MORE RH CAST/CREW DIARIES!
