The Hungry House by Elizabeth Amelia Barrington Page B

assistant director, Josh, yelled out, "Quiet on the set." Instant silence ensued.
    A large number of people, who seemed to have been waiting somewhere nearby, entered the set, looking at the floor. I noticed some white marks; it seemed they had to stand on those marks.
    Josh yelled, "Roll it!"
    Someone called out, "Rolling." Then I heard, "Speed."
    Then a woman in jeans came out with a board close to an actor's face, clacked the board, just as I'd seen in the movies countless times and said, "Twenty-two, take one," loudly enough for everyone to hear.
    I noticed that the microphone, was suspended by a long pole and held close above the actor's head who had the board clacked in front of her face before the take. Much later, I learned that this "microphone" was called a boom, the long pole a boom pole, and the person holding it the boom operator.
    Everyone on set began moving around or talking, pushing a basket, pi nching fruit, or just strolling. Two people in the background were conversing, although inaudibly. The female lead character pushed her basket around the store, while being discretely trailed by a young man wearing a knit cap, stained clothing, and a day's growth of beard. Finally, as her character stood at the organic banana counter in the produce section, the young man "accidentally" dropped a bunch of bananas on her feet.
    He said , "Sorry," and leaned over to pick them up and then said, trying to strike up a conversation with her:  "You know, sometimes I wonder if I should pay extra for organic products or just give the money to needy people."
    To which the female character replies, very earnestly:  "Well, it's not a case of 'either/or.'  That's a false dichotomy, like asking 'should we help animals or people?'  We should buy organic produce, help needy people, and help animals. All of creation is worthy of our love." There was a dramatic pause.
    Then, a disheveled and dirty homeless man brushed past her.with such force that she lost her balance and fell. On the floor, she could be heard to mutter, "oh crap buckets."
    John yelled, "Cut! Do it again." Then, to Josh, "What's that kid's name?"
    "I don't know."
    Josh spoke into his headset, "Rick, what's that clumsy kid's name?"
    Then to John, Josh said, "Steve."
    John called out, "Steve."
    The extra , his face reddening, looked up at John. "So sorry."
    John said, "Don't be sorry. Just don't push so hard. You barely have to touch her. Okay?"
    Steve made on "o" with his thumb and forefinger. "Got it."
    Then Josh yelled, "Quiet on the set!" and the whole process began again.
    This time, when the extra brushed against the actress, he did it right, pushing her slightly off-balance. She turned and snarled at him, "Why don't you watch where you're going, you filthy loser !" The young man who had been trailing her darted away in fear.
    John praised everyone for doing such a good job in so short a time.
    Then he turned to me, "Well, what do you think?"
    "I'm very impressed with everything." I said.
    "Of course you are. You've never been on a film set. What I meant was, what do you think of the scene as it's written and presented?"
    " Oh--well--It's very good. Of course, it will infuriate some people, but it's right on the mark."
    "So, you really like it and think it fits Portland?"
    "Yes. I do. I hope the rest of the film is as good."
    Later, the three of us walked back to the trailer. John was elated about how well the schedule was going and spoke to Matt, as he came in through the door. "Well, we're doing well, but I think we might need--"
    Suddenly, I could no longer hold myself together. John rushed over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. "What's wrong?"
    I swallowed hard. "John, Mom's going to die. The treatments didn't work." He took me in his arms in a gentle hug, and I clung to him and sobbed.
    "I'm so, so sorry, little one." Matt brought a tissue box, and John wiped my cheeks.
    When I could finally stop crying, John held my shoulders and looked deeply into my