Charlie McDermott Disappearances Journal - 2005

March 25, 2005
9:25 p.m.

This is our first day and night in Vermont. All the rivers and streams
are frozen over. There is snow and ice everywhere. Very cold. The house they
put us in is comfortable, but creepy. There are no other houses in sight.
Reminds me of the Amityville Horror. There is an enormous red barn next
to our house. We just returned from the movies, saw "Guess Who". Ran into
some of the crew who will be filming Disappearances.
Tomorrow we have to drive to Burlington, Vermont to get my sisters
some clothes; they left their suitcases at home. I'd rather stay back and work
on the script. I found out the shooting schedule has been pushed back two
days. Now we'll start shooting on my birthday! (April 6) Well, I'm tired so
I'm going to bed! 9:57 p.m.

March 26
9:35 p.m.

Today the sun woke me around 6:15 a.m. I went for a run in shorts. It
wasn't that cold, about 13 degrees F. By the time I got back I couldn't move
my fingers. Dad and I worked out at the Old Mill Health Club in St.
Johnsbury. We made our trip to Burlington to get Erin and Grace their
clothes. It was so boring; Dad and I did absolutely nothing. Then we went
to Jay's (Craven - Director)for dinner. We made our own maple syrup while
we were there. I saw pictures of the cast on Jay's laptop. Kris Kristofferson is
arriving tomorrow night. I'll be meeting him on Monday. I'm getting really
excited. Tomorrow's Easter! Wow, I'm so tired! 9:43 p.m.

March 27
9:41 p.m.

Easter Sunday! I worked on the script today from about 5:00a.m. –
2:00p.m. I got a lot done. We didn't go to church today because there is only
one service and we missed it. We all ate dinner at the Surf and Sirloin. I
had steak. It was very good. During dinner we talked about funny moments
we've had. I told the story of when Rusty DeWees, during the filming of
Windy Acres, taped over Sebastian the sound technician's eyeglasses while
he was napping. When Sebastian awoke, he thought that he was blind
momentarily.
Kris Kristofferson's flying in from L.A. tonight, not arriving until after
midnight. I'm meeting him tomorrow morning at 10:30 at Jay's. I'm kind
of nervous, which doesn't happen a lot. I'm mostly excited though...Good
Night! 9:52p.m.

March 28
4:49 p.m.

I'm writing kinda early...I met Kris Kristofferson today. Really cool
and nice guy. We read over the script with Jay (Craven-Director), for a
couple of hours, got up to page 68. Jay told Kris about the auditioning I
went through. (Click here to read about the audition process.) At the end of
the reading Kris said to me, "I'm glad to be working with you Charlie,
you're perfect." We're working again tomorrow. I can't wait to work with
Kris again tomorrow. I'll also meet Gary Farmer during rehearsal
tomorrow. 4:55 p.m.

March 29
9:13 p.m.

On the way to Jay's (Craven – Director) house we found Kris (Kristofferson)
and his car stuck in the mud. We helped push him out. It's mud season in
Vermont and all the roads are made of dirt so now they are all practically
mud. We finished working on the script. Dad, Erin and Grace, (my sisters),
left to go home today. They have an eight-hour drive! Tomorrow I'm
meeting my tutors, my acting coach, and I have a costume fitting
scheduled, all at the production office, which is an old warehouse along
the railroad in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont. Tomorrow night the cast is
having dinner at Elements,a local restaurant. I haven't met any of the cast
except Kris yet, so I am excited. Jay also complimented me on my knowledge
of the script and all the hard work that I've been doing. I'm about to die,
I'm so tired.
9:20 p.m.

March 30
10:22 p.m.

I met my tutors today, Justin and Erica. They are both very cool and Justin
reminds me and mom of my Uncle Bill. Mark the acting coach is a great
guy too. I had my wardrobe fitted. My favorite is the school outfit. Mike
Jensen, a production assistant, interviewed me for a "behind the scenes"
documentary. I think the interview went well.

Dinner with the cast was great. All the actors are wonderful! Luis Guzman
is very funny. He and Kris (Kristofferson) said they just finished working on
another project together ...Dreamer. Kris treated me so nice tonight. He
really makes me feel like part of the group. He is so cool. I am physically
and emotionally exhausted!!!
10:33 p.m.

March 31
6:08 p.m.

I didn't get tutored today...I went to the doctor instead. I have a virus. My
chest and back are covered with a red, itchy rash. No wonder I've been so
tired! While waiting for the medicine, mom and I walked through St.
Johnsbury. I found a cool skateboard deck that I think mom will get me for
my birthday, (April 6). I came home and fell asleep. That medicine is
making me so tired. I just woke up and had dinner. Mom and I are going
to see Million Dollar Baby at the arts theatre in St. Johnsbury.
6:15 p.m.
PS...I didn't last through the movie.

April 1
6:56 p.m.

Today I slept until 11:00 a.m. This virus is horrible! Dr. Manos, (my doctor
from home), called to check on me. He had the local doctor prescribe a
stronger medicine. It's amazing how fast that worked. I don't itch anymore
but unfortunately, I have no energy. Dr. Manos told us that this virus is
very contagious. I hope none of the cast caught it from me. I can't work with
anyone until it is gone and I've hardly ever been sick before in my life!
7:01 p.m.

April 2
6:15 p.m.

My rash/virus is gone! Thank goodness for Dr. Manos. He said that if my
rash clears I am no longer contagious. We had a read-through today with
the cast who go on the whiskey run. The actor who plays Rat, (William
Sanderson), is from Memphis and has a great Tennessee accent.

I'm writing this so early because the cast is going out to dinner and by the
time I get home I'll probably be too tired to write. Jay, (Craven - Director),
will be picking me up in a few minutes.
6:20 p.m.

April 3
6:46 p.m. (Daylight Savings Time)

I woke at about 10:30 today because it's daylight savings time. We had
rehearsal at Jay's, (Craven - Director), and we also went to see the
locations,...they are fabulous! Just as I imagined! Lake Willoughby is
ginormous! The cast is really starting to come together. We're all like one
big family now. This movie is going to be great. The restaurant last night
was real fancy. Too fancy. Our waiter was like an undertaker, which was
kind of scary. Mom and I are going to watch Seinfeld. I love that show.
More costume fitting and tutoring tomorrow.
6:51p.m.

April 4
8:13 p.m.

Shooting is pushed to next Monday, April 11...No longer my birthday.
William (Sanderson) gave me a birthday present, a disposable camera
along with a card signed by Gary (Farmer) and Kris (Kristofferson). I met
Lothaire (Bluteau) today. He plays Carcajou. He's a cool guy. While I was
being tutored today with Erica I saw Tantoo Cardinal's daughter, who was
on the set of Windy Acres last summer. After tutoring, mom and I went to
Surf & Sirloin for dinner. I got the sirloin steak. Now we're going to watch
Birdcage with Robin Williams. On the way home, I got a small tub of Ben &
Jerry's ice cream. I usually get Brownie Batter, which is my favorite but I
got something new called Chocolate Therapy. Who knows, maybe I'll have a
new favorite! I'm being tutored at 9:00am tomorrow so I have to get up
earlier than usual, which isn't that early at all, 7:30, not bad.
8:22 p.m.

April 5
8:42 p.m.

Woke up at 7:30. Got tutored with Justin at the Saint Johnsbury Academy.
That school is really nice. It's the best school I've ever seen. It is like a
college. After I was tutored, mom and I went to Pizza Hut. I came home
and took a nap from 1 to 3 p.m. Three minutes after I woke, I got a call to
go to the production office to discuss how my hair will be styled once
filming begins.

It was sunny with a high of 52 degrees! Tomorrow is my birthday. Mom and
I got Chinese food and are watching Hidalgo. I'm writing this while mom is
on the phone with Erin and Grace (sisters) and dad. After she is finished
talking we'll watch the rest of Hidalgo. I get tutored tomorrow at
9:00am...so much fun!
8:46 p.m.

April 6
9:56 p.m.

Happy Birthday! I woke at 7:30 and there were presents on the table. I went
to tutoring then had lunch at Mickey Dee's (McDonald's). Costume fitting
was at 1:00pm.I tried the clothes for the film on with the wet suit
underneath. The wet suit will be required during the really cold shoots and
water scenes. It's really hot and makes you sweat a lot! As I was leaving the
crew stopped me and sang happy birthday! They gave me a card, a hand
drawn illustration of Wild Bill, my character...awesome!

When we got back to the house, I opened presents. I got some great stuff from
my parents, grandparents and aunts/uncles...skateboard deck, DC sweat
jacket and DVD's including; Super Size Me, Ray, Envy, Edward Sissorhands
and Everybody Loves Raymond Season 2.

Dad comes up tomorrow! I hope I don't have much schoolwork to do.
10:03 p.m.

April 7
10:07 p.m.

I had Cheerios today. My first non-pancake breakfast since I got up here. I
wrote a letter to the Skros' (Aunt & Uncle) and to Deb (Physical
Conditioning Coach). I finished my school service project paper and
emailed an update to Mr. Lang (School Guidance Counselor). I also wrote
a letter to my friend Andrew then mom and I had lunch at Subway. After
lunch, we went to the Old Mill Gym for a workout. Soon after we got back to
the house, dad arrived. We went to the Black Bear for dinner.
10:14 p.m.

April 8
10:26 p.m.

We did mostly math during my tutoring today...yuck! I had a read
through with Kris (Kristofferson), William (Sanderson) and Jay (Craven-
Director). Kris is getting a little sick. Hopefully, he'll get better soon. Maybe
Dr. Manos can help him get better faster. Shooting begins in only two days!

I saw the kids that are in the schoolhouse scene, about 10 that vary in age
from 9 to 14. We (Cast) had a fun dinner at Elements! I had steak and fries.
10:32 p.m.

April 9
9:42 p.m.

So much for our fun trip to Burlington...On the way to our planned
destination of Burlington, VT, we detoured to Stowe and never quite made
it to Burlington. It was so boring; we pretty much spent the whole day
driving. Lunch at the Rusty Nail was pretty good though. We went to the Ben
& Jerry's factory and I got a spoon that looks like a shovel. We saw Fever
Pitch. It was so funny! Just as good as I had hoped.
9:47 p.m.

April 10
9:38 p.m.

Dad left today but he's coming back to swap with mom on Wednesday. Mom
and I went to mass today, and then we worked out. Mom really hurt her
back. I think she pulled a muscle. The cast went to Jay's (Craven – Director)
to prepare for tomorrow (The first day of shooting.). I can't wait! After
Jay's, mom and I went for a walk. We saw the house that Gary (Farmer) is
staying in. It's very nice, right on a lake with two satellite dishes. (We have
no TV in our house. I watch DVD's on my laptop computer.) I'm going to bed
and getting up tomorrow at 5:00am. I think I'm ready.
9:42 p.m.

April 11 – (Day 1 of Shooting)
9:08 p.m.

The first day of shooting was awesome! It was so much fun! We shot the
monastery scene and Frog Lamundy. The monastery scene was filmed at a
church in St. Johnsbury. They filmed all around the church, but they did so
in a way that it will look like a courtyard when edited together. Pat, (2nd
assistant director) said that he thought that I was doing a great job. He
also thought that I did great in Windy Acres. He said the whole crew was
pulling for me to get this part.

The Frog Lamundy scene was fun. Rusty (DeWees) played Frog. I was tired
by the time we got there and it was a lot colder. Rusty did great. I really
had fun working with him on Windy Acres. It would have been great if he
were filming more on this project but today is his only day. We are going to
see one of Rusty's Logger shows at the end of the month.

I had a small "improv" moment in each of the scenes. Jay (Craven –
Director) liked them. In the monastery scene I stole some onions as I walked
out. William (Sanderson) loved that. He thought that was an awesome
idea. I added to my line in the second scene. I said, "Do you think we're
blind? You have hay right there." Then I said the written line, "Your barn is
full of hay."
9:18 p.m.

April 12– (Day 2 of Shooting)
10:02 p.m.

I got up at 5:30am again. There was a big delay this morning on set. The
crew couldn't figure out where to locate the four banger (mobile dressing
rooms) and the Winnebago (The mobile hair and make-up studio.). We lost
an hour. Fran Stoddard the assistant director from Windy Acres stopped by
the set with some students from a film class. It was nice to see her again.

The first scene we did today is the first scene in the film. This is when
Cordelia (Genevieve Bujold) and Wild Bill (me), walk past the hearse on
the way to school. It looked good. After that scene I did math with Justin,
my tutor. He really does a good job helping me understand math.

After lunch, it was on to make-up where I had fake cuts put on my hands
and face. They were about 40 minutes into the process when we were told
that a different scene was to be shot instead, so the cuts had to come off. We
then filmed the burning barn scene. That was cool. There was very little fire,
but it still looked authentic with all of the smoke machines running. The
fire department was there and the animal owners and trainers. After Kris
(Kristofferson) carried a peacock out of the burning barn, I took a picture
of him holding it. I now have it as my wallpaper on my laptop. After
shooting that scene we went to dinner and came home.
10:12 p.m.

April 13– (Day 3 of Shooting)
10:22 p.m.

Call time was later today, 9:30, but I'm still completely exhausted.
Genevieve (Bujold) and I were the only ones filming most of the day. We
filmed a lot of the Wild Bill / Cordelia scenes. We filmed the scene near the
graveyard and the flash-forward scene where Wild Bill follows Cordelia to
the crevasse where she disappears. We also did the scene on the porch where
she tells Wild Bill that he can go on the journey with Quebec Bill. We
squeezed the schoolhouse scene in as well and then the rest of the cast
showed up to film the choking bull scene. Genevieve is an amazing actress.
She is a really nice woman as well. I can learn so much from her.

It was a lot warmer today but still pretty cold. I'm not filming tomorrow. I
have a session scheduled with the stunt coordinator and tutoring. Mom is
leaving tomorrow morning. Dad will be driving her to the train station at
6am so Natalie (Production Assistant), will be picking me up at 8:30am.
10:34 p.m.

April 14– (Day 4 of Shooting)
7:13 p.m.

No shooting today! Got up at 7am and Natalie (Production Assistant)
picked me up at 8am because dad was dropping off mom at the train
station. They arrived after the train had left. Fortunately for mom, it was a
slow train. My dad was able to drive to the next train station down the line.
They arrived 20 minutes ahead of the same train that she had missed!

I met with Paul the Stunt Coordinator. We worked for about 30 minutes on
a scene where I fall off a log bridge and into a stream...fun! This scene will
occur at the exact same spot where I filmed a Windy Acres scene less than a
year ago. After that I met with Justin and worked on math.

Dad and I went to the diner for lunch at 1:30pm. We sat in an enclosed,
heated porch that overlooked the river. It was nice and the food was great.
Back at home I watched LOTR Return of the King while dad took a nap. (He
arrived at 4am last night and had to get up at 5:30am.) When dad woke
from his nap, we went out for a run. Now dad is making dinner, veggie
dogs and baked beans. We're going to watch Flight of the Phoenix while we
eat.
7:20 p.m.

April 15– (Day 5 of Shooting)
11:57 p.m.

End of week one! We filmed a lot today, mostly Cordelia and Wild Bill
scenes. We filmed scene #'s 12, 47, 139A, 139, 27, 22, 18, 141 and 20. Scene
#139 was really emotional. I think I did really well. Genevieve (Bujold)
said that I nailed it. We only did one take. This was probably the most fun
day so far. We filmed all of the bedroom scenes today. Jay (Craven –
Director) says he's very pleased with my work. I've received a lot of
compliments. This was Heather's (Rae) last day. She play's Evangeline, Wild
Bills mother. I met William (Sanderson's) wife. She is really nice. M. Night
Shyamalan, who lives near my residence in Pennsylvania, is her favorite
director.

I found out that Frank, who oversees wardrobe, worked on the film Fever
Pitch. There were some people watching today...all women, I think. They all
had cameras and were constantly taking pictures. I posed in my nightgown
with my "made-up" facial cuts for one. I believe that they were all waiting
for Kris (Kristofferson) but he doesn't work today.

Dad and I might spend the weekend in Burlington. That would be fun.
12:09 p.m.

April 16
11:25 p.m.

After a late night last night and an exhausting week, I slept in until 10am.
Dad and I went for a run, showered, packed and then left for Burlington.
We spent most of the afternoon walking through the town. We're staying at
the Holiday Inn.
11:33 p.m.

April 17
6:30 p.m.

We left Burlington around mid-day and drove back to our temporary
home in St. Johnsbury, VT from Burlington. It's about a two-hour drive. We
are now leaving to see Sahara at the movie theater.
6:32 p.m.

April 18– (Day 6 of Shooting)
7:23 p.m.

I got so many compliments today from so many people. Kris (Kristofferson)
and Jay (Craven – Director) said that I am doing great and that the
dailies looked awesome. Kris said he was also very impressed with all the
work and preparation I had put into my role.

We filmed in St. Johnsbury today and Kris got mobbed at least three times. I
hope I never get mobbed with fans like Kris did today. The local newspapers
were here today as well. They interviewed Kris, but not for long because he
had to go to the set.

The main street in St. Johnsbury was transformed into 1932. The paved
road was covered with dirt, parking meters were sawed off, old banners
and signs were hung and all things modern disappeared. A lot of old cars
were driven into town for the shoot. It was a lot of fun today and
warm...around 70 degrees
7:30 p.m.

April 19– (Day 7 of Shooting)
8:15 p.m.

I am so physically exhausted. Exhausted doesn't even describe it. I've never
worked that hard in my entire life! We filmed most of the travois scenes. I
filmed them while wearing a wetsuit. I almost passed out. I felt like
throwing-up and dizzy all day. Luckily, that's how Wild Bill feels during
those scenes. It got to the point where I couldn't even carry the travois any
longer and I just collapsed over and over again. I got very nice
compliments from people regarding how hard I'm working. I'm glad people
are noticing because I've never been so focused or worked so hard on
anything else in my life.
8:22 p.m.

April 20– (Day 8 of Shooting)
7:44 p.m.

"You will have a real good future in this business." Kris (Kristofferson) said
that to me, that was really awesome! We filmed one of the last scenes of the
movie. It looked really good! It took the whole day but it will probably only
be a 3-minute scene once it is edited. Lothaire (Bluteau) plays Carcajou
amazingly! The complete opposite of what I thought. He plays him very
quiet, stealthy and organized. I pictured a big ogre running through the
woods screaming. He is very creepy when he plays it.

During the van ride back to our dressing rooms, after working for hours in
the cold and rain in a swampy woods, Lothaire told us a funny story of his
family remarking about how wonderful it must be to work in the movies.
Lothaire then invited them to work on his next "wonderful" movie project.
He said by the end of the first week they were begging to be sent back home.
The temperature reached 75 degrees and then within minutes plummeted
to 40 degrees with rain. We are now leaving for New Hampshire to film for
the next three days.
7:53 p.m.

April 21– (Day 9 of Shooting)
7:49 p.m.

Today we filmed some of the interior train sequences. The train was never
moving but with the wind and fog added, it looked and felt like it was out
of control. Bill Raymond played Compton, the train engineer, very well. He
was very funny but not over the top. He was perfect. It was so hot in the
engine room of the train and the space was so small, we could barely fit
inside of it. I think it turned out really well though.
8:28 p.m.

April 22– (Day 10 of Shooting)
8:49 p.m.

Today we shot the same scenes as yesterday just reverse angle. During the
day, a construction company was laying pipes along the highway right
next to the train. Because the ground is so rocky, they would have to
dynamite the underground. This was not good for shooting. Fortunately,
the construction company warned us before the blast so that scenes
wouldn't be ruined from the rumblings. In the early afternoon they told
Jay that they would quit for the day if Kris (Kristofferson) would come over
and say hi. Kris went right over, shook everyone's hand and thanked them
for their cooperation.

The local news station stopped by and interviewed Jay and a few of the cast.
I got to say a few words on camera. Between takes, Frank who oversees
wardrobe and I talked about our favorite films.

Wolfgang (Held – Cinematographer) tells me that the dailies are really
looking great!
9:21 p.m.

April 23
10:19 p.m.

We're off today. We drove home from New Hampshire and met my
grandparents in St. Johnsbury. Jay (Craven – Director) called me and told
me how good of a job I am doing. He said that everyone is very pleased.

We went to the Surf & Sirloin for dinner with my grandparents and then
saw Fever Pitch at the movie theater. I am staying with my grandparents
and sisters at the Comfort Inn also known as the Taj Mahal of St.
Johnsbury. This is where Kris (Kristofferson) and William (Sanderson) are
staying. Hopefully, I'll see them at breakfast tomorrow. I'm gonna fall asleep
now.
10:30 p.m.

April 24
10:46 p.m.

I just returned from the concert. Kris (Kristofferson) played to a sold-out
auditorium at the Saint Johnsbury Academy. Before Kris went on, Annie
Mosher and her husband played. I really enjoyed their music. Annie is the
daughter of Howard Mosher who wrote the book, Disappearances, the novel
the movie is based on.

Kris sang about 25 – 30 songs. At one point in the concert, Kris dedicated a
song to me. He started out saying, "I wrote this song for my dad but I'd like
to dedicate it to Wild Bill tonight." Halfway through the song Kris stopped,
looked straight at me and said, "Your heart is what matters in the end
Wild Bill." He did great. The concert was awesome!
10:51 p.m.

April 25 & 26– (Day 11 & 12 of Shooting)
6:55 p.m.

I forgot this yesterday so this is a double entry. The weather yesterday was so
random, cold and rainy, then sun, then back to rain again. We filmed the
post train sequence on the tracks. Later in the day, William (Sanderson)
arrived and we did the stuck in the tree scene.

Yesterday and today I've stayed at the Comfort Inn with my grandparents.
We have a TV in our room...Yes! And a fitness center downstairs. I had no
lines today. I rode in the car during the whiskey-stealing scene at
Carcajou's hideout. Carcajou and his men had a lot of guns and were
shooting at us; Tommy guns, pistols and rifles. Carcajou's pistol was very
loud because it is vintage. It rattled my ribcage every time it was shot. It
sounded like a cannon. The stolen whiskey cases were strapped to the back
of our car. The cases were rigged to explode to look like they were shot when
we drove off. Between takes, I collected some of the shells.

Now I am going to workout at the hotel fitness center.
7:10 p.m.

April 27– (Day 13 of Shooting)
9:41 p.m.

My grandparents left at 7:30 this morning. I wish they could stay. My call
time was at 8:00am. Today was cold, cold, cold with lots of rain and hot
cocoa. William (Sanderson) and I didn't have too much to do today so we
talked about the disappointments of this business and jobs we've done –
which he had way more stories of – and just about acting in general. That
Cadillac we use is the most comfortable car I've ever been in. There is so
much room and the seats are so soft. The windows have blinds and most of
the inside is made of wood.
9:51 p.m.

April 28– (Day 14 of Shooting)
12:57 a.m.

This was our first night shoot. I went to tutoring in the morning, then to the
set in the afternoon. The weather wasn't too bad tonight...not freezing. It
did rain a little and it was very muddy. That's all the ground is....mud! We
shot the scene when Kris (Kristofferson) and I find the whiskey.

Richard from kraft services gave me two boxes of Jujubes and Juicy Fruits. I
got a sugar kick and had a fun time with everyone cracking jokes and
taking crazy pictures with the crew in the Winnebago.

Carl (Sprague – Art Director) said some very nice comments about my
acting so far. Jay (Craven – Director) told me what I've been doing so far is
great. He says that I am very fresh, that I am listening and discovering the
moment. I learned who Abby Singer is, what the eyepiece on a light meter
does and exactly what a gate is.
1:07 a.m.

April 29– (Day 15 of Shooting)
2:48 a.m. (written April 30)

I am the most tired I have ever been in my life. I have no idea how I'm
writing this. These night shoots are tough! The snow owl was used today. Its
owner drove him all the way from Texas to Vermont to be in the movie!
Everyone on set had to be quiet, still and patient. The owl was tethered to a
tree branch. We had to wait until it looked the right way and wait for the
clouds to cover the sun. Then unexpectedly, the owl took off! Yep – just flew
down the mountainside. You should have seen the crew's reaction. They
scrambled into their cars to chase it. At last the owl was brought back. We
filmed the scene with one of the crew tossing a dead mouse in the air to help
the owl focus in the right direction. I got some really good shots of the snow
owl for my school documentary project.

Today was probably my best acting day so far. I got some great feedback
from Kris, Jay and other crew members. They are all so nice and helpful. I
was also introduced to the shotgun. I'll use that in a scene tomorrow when
I kill one of Carcajou's henchmen. Speaking of tomorrow...we are scheduled
to film until 6am. I'm gonna die!
2:57 a.m.

May 1– (Day 16 of Shooting...Yesterday)
4:05 p.m.

I was too tired to write last night. We got back at 6:30 in the morning and I
fell asleep so fast! I just got up at 3:15pm. During the night shoot, we ran
out of darkness and did not get all of the shots in. We were able to film the
shotgun scene. That was a lot of fun. The gun was so loud and had a ton of
kick to it. The firearms expert was with me every step of the way as part of the
safety requirements. Before the scene, he lectured the crew, handed out
earplugs and yelled. "Fire in the hole." I did the Schwarzenegger
impression of loading the shotgun with one hand but not on tape. It
wouldn't be realistic for 1932.
4:15 p.m.

May 2
11:19 p.m.

I got up Sunday at 3:30pm. We sat for a while and then decided to check
into the Comfort Inn where I got my fill of TV until 2:30 am. I got up
around 10am, worked out, had lunch and went to tutoring. Later in the
day, mom and I drove to Montpelier to watch the Interpreter, an awesome
movie that keeps you guessing the whole way through.
11:23 p.m.

May 3– (Day 17 of Shooting)
8:47 p.m.

We filmed at Lake Willoughby. The canoe that Kris (Kristofferson) and I
were in seemed about to capsize so many times in the rough water. How can
it be so cold on May 3rd? We had sun, rain, hail and snow. The water was
freezing. It soaked right through my shoes. I spent a lot of time in the
Winnie today and worked on my Macbeth assignment. Mom also helped me
with my Algebra lessons.

Today was Frank Avanzo's (Wardrobe) last day. He told me that I am good
at what I do and to keep doing it. I am going to miss him. He is a very cool
guy and I hope I get to work with him again.
9:02 p.m.

May 4– (Day 18 of Shooting)
9:31 p.m.

Warden Pond today. Cold and long. Only had to film three scenes. The first
two we did before lunch. The last one took all afternoon. We worked with a
live trout. It was slimy and cold. We had five live ones and one dead. I had
to release one into the stream. Getting that shot was a challenge, as I didn't
know how each trout was going to react in my hands. Numb fingers made
holding them tough. Wolfgang (Held) our amazing cinematographer
could barely talk today. His voice was lower than a whisper.
9:45 p.m.

May 5– (Day 19 of Shooting)
6:50 p.m.

Today was Genevieve's last day. I'm going to miss working with her. She's a
great actress. Today is mom's last day here. Dad is driving up as I write
this. My days are getting numbered. I'm going to miss all of this. I'm also
excited to get home though.

We did some more shotgun stuff today. Kris (Kristofferson) shoots the
henchman lurking through the swamp. The explosion from the gun was
right next to my ear. I had a huge headache for a while. We worked with
the bull. On two separate takes it passed gas in a very high-pitched sound
through the whole take. I had a very hard time not laughing.
7:01 p.m.

May 6– (Day 20 of Shooting)
7:56 p.m.

We found out that filming will be extended for another 3 – 6 days. It sounds
like some of the film was scratched and we'll need to re-shoot those
damaged scenes. Dad arrived today and mom went home. We filmed the
campfire scene. It took a very long time to film all of the various angles. I
got to see some of the dailies; they look really, really, really good! Dad and
I are off to see Kingdom of Heaven, now.
8:23 p.m.

May 7– (Day 21 of Shooting)
3:32 a.m.

Kris's sister died yesterday, completely unexpected. She went to sleep and
never woke up. He still worked today and seemed fine but I know he was
hurting inside. He talked about her a lot today. We shot the tavern scene. I
had to get drunk (apple juice). It was so much fun. Everybody was
laughing. They thought it was hysterical.

Kris gave an impromptu concert during one of the set ups. Kris showed me
pictures of his children. His eyes looked so sad when he said, "I miss them."
I've never seen him look that way.
3:55 a.m.

May 8
11:26 p.m.

No filming today. Got up around 11:30am. Schoolwork, movies,
skateboarding and now bed...goodnight.
11:30 p.m.

May 9– (Day 21 of Shooting)
3:23 p.m. (written May 10)

We filmed the stealing Henry's car scene. It was fun because I got to lean
out of the car, as it drives away, I would slip inside. I had to act drunk
again but not as animated. We wrapped just as the sun was rising. Dad
rigged up my bedroom so that the windows are completely covered. The
room is totally black and easier to sleep in during the daytime.
3:30 p.m.

May 10– (Day 22 of Shooting)
1:28 p.m. (written May 11)

I was tied up on a boat for about an hour because the fog from the fog
machine wouldn't make it to the boat. The wind was kicking up and
blowing the fog away from the boat. I was upside down with the rope
digging into my shoulder. My head was smashed between Gary (Farmer)
and the boat deck. All I could see was the black sky...it seemed to last
forever. Tonight was Lothaire's (Bluteau) last. I fell asleep in the Winnie
and didn't get a chance to say goodbye.
1:49 p.m.

May 11– (Day 23 of Shooting)
2:47 p.m. (written May 12)

We sat for a long time today waiting for the rain and wind to stop. It got
pretty tense on the set since this was William's (Sanderson) last day. Certain
scenes had to get shot before he left town. We did squeeze them in. What a
mess and good fun rolled into one! We are all going to miss him.
2:58 p.m.

May 12– (Day 24 of Shooting)
4:26 p.m. (written May 13)

I woke up at 2:30pm today. I'm writing this in my trailer. We filmed the
disappearing scene. I think it went really well! Our next scene at a campfire
took forever. The temperature tonight dipped into the upper teens! It was
colder than ever. By the time we finished, my feet were entirely numb.

At lunch, which is stationed in the gymnasium of a local school, we played
basketball with a bunch of the crew.
5:48 p.m.

May 13– (Day 25 of Shooting)
5:06 p.m. (written May 14)

Sharron and Apryl from make-up said goodbye. Life on the set could be
boring without them. They were always so nice and fun to be around.
Because of the extension of the schedule some of the crew have had to leave
and work on other projects that they had made commitments to before our
schedule change.

The re-shoot took almost all night. We did do a little tiny scene after we
steal Uncle Henry's car and we're driving away. Tonight was the most fun
night shoot I've ever been on!
5:13 p.m.

May 14
12:37 p.m. (written May 15)

Day off...Woke up around 1:00pm. Did some math then we checked into the
hotel for a change of scenery and a TV fix. Dad and I watched Blade and
Blade II. I talked to some friends online. Now I'm going to bed.
12:40 a.m.

May 15
3:23 p.m. (written May 16)

I'm off again...got up at 12:00pm. Did schoolwork, worked out, had Chinese
food and watched TV. Lights went out at 12 midnight but because my days
and nights are all messed up from night shoots, I can't fall asleep. I finally
feel asleep around 3 or 4am.

May 16– (Day 26 of Shooting)
6:50 a.m. (written May 17)

The Winnie that holds all of the make-up was locked when we arrived
today. The person with the key was not going to be available for three hours
so, I got hoisted through a small window and unlocked the door. We re-
shot the scene with Cordelia talking to me in the car except that she wasn't
here to film it with me. I had to film that scene as if I was talking to her but
I was by myself. Kris had to go swimming today and in all the scenes
following he had to be soaked. I don't know how he did that! At 2am the
power went out. It scared us all! It was touch and go for about 45 minutes.
It is a race to get the filming in before the sun comes up and Kris has to
leave town.
7:00 a.m.

May 17– (Final Day of Shooting)
3:32 a.m. (written May 18)

Last day! No! I miss everyone already. Kris had some nice things to say to
me. He has been so great, always making me feel comfortable and
confident. He is so talented and so nice. I can't believe I got to work with
him through all of this and now I have to say goodbye. We signed each
other's pictures. I hope I get to see him again sometime. Kris said to Jay, my
dad and me that he loved this. He said, "I never got to play such a great
character"...then Kris put his hat on my head and continued..."with such a
great kid." I'm going to miss him so much. I don't know what to do with
myself now. This has been my main focus, my life since July when I found
out I'd get to audition for the part of Wild Bill.