Cape Cod (crew)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:36:02 -0400

Poor Paul ...

So, in Cabo San Lucas, our crew went on a whale- watching cruise. We knew we were filming at the tail -end of whale season, but we were optimistic that we'd at least get a glimpse of one stinkin' whale. I'd been to Cabo a handful of times and always, always, always seen a few. Our cameraman, Paul, was especially excited because - if I remember correctly - he hadn't ever seen a whale up close. I assured him that this would be his lucky day. Not only did we not see a single whale on the cruise... , we didn't see one all week. Occasionally, one of us would shout "WHALE!" but by the time we got our bearings and set up camera, it was long gone. Obviously. Paul wasn't on the Cape Cod episode. And it's a shame, really. We went on a cruise once again - this time hoping to see some big-time whale activity. Sure enough, within minutes, we were surrounded by what the captain called "fifty or sixty" whales. They were jumping, playing, swimming under our boat, and right up on the side of it... - it was pretty much amazing. I resisted the temptation to text- message Paul about what he was missing.

The good news is I took about 200 photos while on board. So at least I'll get to share the experience a little bit. If he's anything like me, he won't take any consolation in that whatsoever. ANYWAY, later in the week, we filmed Samantha taking a ride in a glider. For those of you who don't know, it's essentially a plane with no engine that relies on wind and heat and other factors to soar through the air (after being pulled into the air by a tow-plane). To be honest, I'd rather NOT know how it works, and just take the pilot's word for it that it's safe and easy and that "thermals" means something I should know about. I just nod my head when the science happens. Samantha - being the trooper she is - climbed right in and went along for what looked like a heck of a ride. I'm not sure I'd be next in line for a trip, but we got some amazing footage.

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Wyoming (crew)

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:54:30 -0400

I've never been anywhere quite like Wyoming. On this trip:

We flew in a plane so small, we had to take the cameras out of their bags and ride with them on our laps to make them fit onboard. I seat-belted mine in, just in case (and ate its bag of peanuts.).

Upon landing, were swarmed by Cody's paparazzoi - one guy with a Nikon. The airport is smaller than my New York apartment, and our arrival is big news; jet service to the area is seasonal and we're the first ones to arrive for the summer. The next day, we're on the front page.

Got laughed at by the rental car people when I pulled out my Google maps. Cody has one main road and it'll take you anywhere you want to go.

Even the Wal-Mmart, which I could see from the airport.

Getting lost for 90 minutes in said -Wal-Mmart while hunting for Luna bars and Fig Newtons.

Finding live bait next to the Snapple in the soda case at the gas station on the way to the ranch in Shell. Note that there doesn't appear to be any fishing outlets nearby. Rethink Snapple purchase.

Losing cell phone and Blackberry reception not because of weather, but because there just ...isn't any out this far. I won't lie -; this was probably the best part of the trip.

The crew is given a whole house to ourselves. We promptly nickname it Real World: Wyoming and draw straws to decide who gets to be the naked guy and the drunk girl.

There are four of us and three bedrooms.

Luckily, mine has two teeny- weeny twin beds. Ginny (our superstar director) and I pretend we're back in college and bunk together. Pillow fight!

Neither of us top out past 5''3", and yet our feet hang off the ends of our Bert andn' Ernie beds. * We also debate the best method of short-sheeting Paul (DP) and Damion's (audio) king- size beds but settle for claiming several of their many, many pillows.

The ranch is beautiful, with an amazing mix of red rock, painted mountains, and lush green fields filled with wild flowers and sweet, tall grasses.

So tall that, four hours into the shoot, I back one of the SUVs into an unseen ditch. Did I mention it was grassy? And muddy? And raining? And cold? And it happened 30 seconds after I casually mentioned that the hill we were on was kinda steep and I didn't want to hit the fence at the top as I backed up?

SUV. IN. A. DITCH. WTF?

Fortunately, our friendly host, Peter the Belgian Cowboy had both a rope, a Hhemi engine truck and a sense of humor. He pulled, we pushed and out popped the car, now covered in mud, inside and out, as. Wwe all climbed inside, ensuring we'd never get our security deposit back.

Sitting on a pile of cow poo.

Being so tired, I didn't care (although replacement jeans were purchased at Wal-Mmart. I cared just enough to not want to smell like cow poo for two weeks.)

Cruising back into town and feeling pieces of our souls die as our phones chirped back to life and voicemails poured in. * Arguing with a waitress about the definition of noon and how it relates to getting eggs for breakfast or lunch or brunch.

Trekking through the woods to get to the river to catch Sam as she goes by in a raft, knowing the water is a maximum 50 degrees and feeling bad for her.

Feeling worse for ourselves when we realize the only way to actually get the shot is to wade in, waist-deep.

Having a silent, gesticulating argument with Paul about whom exactly is going in the water first. I'Am victorious but realize that when the day includes soaking- wet underwear, there are no winners.

wyoming les grossman cody ranch samantha brown blog

Samantha Brown

Cape Cod (crew)

Wyoming (crew)