Diary of a Young Horror PA: Part One

Michelle Fatale, horror directrice and Pretty/Scary field correspondent, has gone undercover to find out what makes female horror film directors "tick". Joining the crew of female-driven, female-directed horror film PocaHauntus as a PA, she observes the goings on between Veronica Craven (director) and Molly
Celaschi (AD), and the rest of the cast and crew.

Sunday, August 6, 2006

I signed on to the project after about a third of the film had already
been shot. I met with Veronica Craven (director) and Molly
Celaschi (first AD) a week prior, and to my pleasant surprise they
offered me a job as one of three production assistants. I arrived on
set
at one o'clock, excited and nervous but rearing to go. Because this was
my first paid film job, I
wanted to do the best I possibly could, but I tried to clear my head of
all fear of failure and just get in there and do it. The location was
an
office building that first AD Molly Celaschi held her day job. It was
up
to us to make sure things didn't get too crazy since the big boss was
two offices over. The crew was extremely friendly and welcoming, as
well
as the two other production assistants who had also just signed on to

the project...

Read the rest of the entry...

The first scene that day went smoothly despite a slight
misunderstanding
with the sound crew traveling to our second location on accident.
Luckily, they showed up just as we were ready to start for the day. Our
scene included two actors: Larry Laverty and a first time actress
Crystal Byers that was a long time friend of Molly's. I think after
reading the scene and going over it with the director she began to get
pretty nervous about what she was about to do. Being that it was her
first film and her scene involved her spreading her legs in front of a
room full of people she didn't know, I truly felt for the girl. In
the beginning she was extremely nervous she was going to let everyone
down, and when she looked as though she was near tears I stepped in and
tried my best to console her. I was probably saying all the wrong
things, but despite my failed efforts she did a really good job and had
a
great sense of humor about the situation. Veronica went over the
scene
with her and Larry and instantly sensed Crystal was nervous about the
scene. Veronica had them go over the scene in private, away from
everyone, so that they could get comfortable with each other and the
intimate scene they were about to perform together. When it came time
to
shoot the scene, Crystal was right there and made out with Larry, which
wasn't in the script.

Stephanie Basco as Pocahauntus

There was a point when they were getting a shot of Larry lifting her on
to the table and crouches down between her legs to snort up some
cocaine
(aka talcum powder). I couldn't quite tell but I think Larry was
actually snorting that shit up his nose, which made me cringe just
thinking about it. Not knowing she would be spread eagle in a mini
skirt
for the room to see, she hadn't brought shorts or anything to cover up.
Veronica made sure Crystal was covered by asking for
a blanket, which
was thick and bulky, to go between her legs. Bill, the sound guy,
noticed the blanket wasn't quite working, so he threw her his red and
orange plaid pillow case that he uses to cover his equipment in the
sun.
It "fit" perfectly. The females including Molly, myself, and Cara
(another PA) draped a cloth over her naughty bits while film was
rolling making for some questionable DVD extra footage.

Funny thing, when we traveled up to Boulder Creek the next weekend to
shoot a track riding scene, Bill let the camera guys use the same
pillow
case to cover the camera in a very dusty situation. Bill's plaid sack
saved the day once again! My favorite moment of the whole "office
scene"
would have had to been Veronica saying to Larry, "Ok, just get down
between her legs and put your head down." In reply Crystal jokingly
says,"Yeah, come on in!!" The entire thing looked like a really fucked
up
trip to the gyno.

We then got word that PocaHauntus was going to be featured in Variety
magazine and the Hollywood Reporter, which was good news.

We cleaned up the location and headed out for the next scene, which was
being shot in a lavish home owned by one of the lead actresses, Kate
Melia, who kindly opened up her doors for the film crew.

The place was gorgeous and beautifully decorated. We were shooting a
richy rich party scene and the next step was to wait for the extras.
Veronica had put out several emails and notices about needing extras
for
the "Party Scene". Even though a lot of people responded, a lot of them
canceled (sp) too, so Veronica was afraid we would not have as many
people to fill the room that would be necessary. At first, about four
girls showed up and the rest were guys. Serious sausage fest. Luckily,
friends brought friends and we had just the right amount of people. A

producer friend of Veronica's, O.P. Rodacker Muong with Quest Beyond
Films, brought a whole entourage of very good looking asian men. And
that worked out since we had very beautiful women with no escorts.

Neil D'Monte as the Stud

When all of the extras arrived, everyone was outside just talking to
the
ones they knew, not mingling. Veronica wanted them to seem more
friendly, rather than just have met. She went out to the pool area and
gathered them around her and instructed them that this was a very
intimate party scene; they all were friends so they all need to look
like they know each other. She told them to spend the next few moments
to get to know each other, hug, and handshake, get "friendly". They did. OP
hugged everybody and the girls we very flirty, it was great to see.
Nobody got out of hand, and I had a really good time meeting with
everyone and felt like somewhat of a sheep herder trying to make sure
everyone was in makeup and
figuring out where to keep them while things
got set up.

Kate plays drunken socialite Alexis Finney who throws up on her party
guests. Kate did a great job sloshing around take after take
and "puking" like a champ over and over again. But poor Rosy Hernandez,
a party guest, was the unfortunate one who stood right under Kate as
she
descended the stairs, and Kate's drink landed on Rosy every time.
Luckily it was just water and Rosy was a good sport about it.

During the shoot I was watching Veronica and trying to take in as much
as I possibly good. She is great director, and she communicates very
well. I think I'm going to be able to learn a lot from her, and Molly
too. It's always reaffirming each time I do something like this that I
love being a part of the world of film. I consider myself extremely
lucky to be a part of this project and to be surrounded by strong women
who are truly passionate about what
they do and love the genre just as
much as I do.

Veronica told myself, Cara Miller and Dan Clifford that today's shoot
was a piece of cake and she's gonna work our asses off in Boulder
Creek.
Bring it on baby, I can't wait.

- Michelle Fatale