In Good Company

When I worked on this movie, it was called ‘Synergy’.

The following is an excerpt from an email sent shortly after the shoot:

I was on the set of Synergy with Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace. I was a ‘sushi restaurant patron’ and for the entire day, I had my back to the action while pretending to eat sushi and twiddling with my PDA.

Anyhow, the one time I did turn around between shots just to see what was going on, my eyes accidentally met Dennis Quaid’s eyes. WOW! Super-ultra-blue and absolutely incredible. Unfortunately, I had to turn back around so I couldn’t just stare at him…I’d’ve likely drooled as well. That wouldn’t’ve gone too nicely with the plate of half-munched warm sushi that was in front of me the entire day.

There was a real sushi chef who threw together a plate of shrimp for me which I ate during the course of about six takes…there were six pieces!

The other part of my Tale involves the guy who was sitting next to me. He started the scene seated, then got up, walked over to Dennis and Topher, said two lines, then walked off-camera.

Well, the guy played in the 1984 Super Bowl as a Defensive Back for the San Francisco 49ers. His name is Dwight Hicks and he was kind enough to show us his ring between takes. But the poor guy kept screwing up the first of his two lines [“Hey Dan-O”].

I actually hadn’t noticed because I was too busy writing nonsense on my PDA making it look like I was some kind of businesswoman preparing for a meeting after lunch.

Anyhow, after his second or third blown line, he came back to his seat and jokingly said, “Hey write ‘Dan-O’ on that would ya?” Well, I thought he was serious and seeing as how he had a line and most actors who have lines don’t talk to the extras, I pulled out my stylus and wrote in big huge letters “Dan O!”

The scene had already started by the time I was writing, but then when I’d finished scribbling, I nonchalantly tapped his shoulder and pushed my PDA toward him. He sorta snorted at first, but then it was time to go deliver his line and–wouldn’t-ya-knowit–he got it right!!!! WooHoo!

Sometimes it happens to the best of us when all we have is one line. Sometimes it’s just better to have a monologue or something longer. Dwight was really great. He joked with me and the girl that was sitting on the other side of him during lunch and the rest of the day. And I still have “Dan O!” on my PDA plus some of the other stuff I was writing… I’ll type out a few gems below:

Looking busy on the set of Synergy.

Just trying to look like I am trying to do something.

Still trying. The scent of warm sushi is getting to me. Oh boy.

I can’t believe I’m being paid to eat sushi.

Still being paid to eat, but very slowly.

The scene just keeps going and I just keep on writing.

Still going. I think I’m still having fun. I’ve lost track.

I mean, I’m still eating alone.

Oh what a beautiful day.

And on that note, I bid you farewell…

Comments are closed.