Commercial

"About suffering they were never wrong,
The Old Masters; how well, they understood
Its human position; how it takes place
While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along;
How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting
For the miraculous birth, there always must be
Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating
On a pond at the edge of the wood:
They never forgot
That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course
Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot
Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer's horse
Scratches its innocent behind on a tree."

-- from W. H. Auden's "Musee des Beaux Arts"

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Because it was my first time, I took some notes.

Was released from the commercial shoot this morning: 3:31am.

The night began when callbacks ended: 9:23pm.

I carbed up and drove to the store where the shoot would take place. Stopped for coffee at a McDonald's nearby: 10:49pm.

Arrived: 10:57pm.

Got makeup: 11:34pm.

Midnight. Sweated with extras in the employee break room. "Family Guy" was on.

In costume (an employee polo): 12:16am.

Took a break from Bradbury in favor of The Visitor (which I didn't get a chance to finish): 12:46am.

Called onto set for first spot: 1:27am.

Finished first spot: 2:04am.

Called back onto set for second spot (and my last): 2:38am.

Finished second spot after twenty-three takes: 3:17am.

"Lunch" break began: 3:21am.

Rerecorded my three-word line, "Paper or...plastic?" at least a dozen times for the sound guy in a makeshift sound tent (heavy blankets draped over scaffolding) in aisle eighteen, paper towels and Kleenex: 3:24am.

Stole "lunch": 3:29am.

Said goodbyes and stepped onto the parking lot asphalt, keys and contract in hand: 3:31am.

Listened to Guster on the way home. Took an alternate route to enjoy "Ruby Falls" and "Come Downstairs and Say Hello." Arrived at home: 4:12am.

Blog post completed: 4:43am.

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And I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.