A sky full of Geese (blog 13)

Instead of a cycle this morning I decided to take a walk along the glorious beach of Ballyheigue, right outside my window. Felt a bit muscle bound yesterday after six days working out, although moderately (a word my Mother reckons does not exist in my dictionary) so off I went and strutted along surrounded by the wonderful sights of the sea shore, under a bright fresh sun scented blue morning. As I approached what is locally referred to as the Black Rock a magnificent scene unfolded as hundreds of Barnacle Geese flew low over the gently lapping waves, all in symmetry, conking away merrily in their world of industrious harmony. This acted as a trope instilling the impression of a peaceful balm over my spirit, which was much needed, BECAUSE! inside my head, despite Beethoven’s lyrical 7th Symphony actually playing to accompany and enrich my walk, mentally it was Wagner and the flight of the Valkyrie, and these sweet drifting Geese were more like Francis Ford Coppola’s choppers sweeping in for the kill. And like one of those acting Vietnamese fighters on the shore I could not duck for cover as the first BOMB OF THE MORNING whistled in, but had to run for my guns and HAVE A CRACK BACK AS THESE BASTARDS.

One simple e-mail this morning was my incoming missile, and as I opened it, it exploded. Vinit wrote ‘we should make sure PS gets their money for Monday please.' and that was enough to create a miasma of OH SHIT! inside my mind. Seems like someone has maybe got something crucially wrong. When I first pitched Vinit the film it was under the canopy of desiring to hire a Red Camera, then we stepped out from the shade and into the full light of actually discussing Vinit acting as DOP (Director of Photography) which utterly changed the ball park, there and then on the phone Vinit was telling me that he could offer an unbelievable deal should he decide to do that, and of course my little beak dropped open with excitement. Yesterday together we established and clarified upon a myriad of details, and I had possession of the complete equipment list coming into Shannon on the skid and boy is it impressive, all the bells and whistles, and that really means ALL OF THEM.

My offer was that I could pay Vinit and his crew, including the Red Camera, a fixed figure, which translates better when converted into the Canadian $ but is still a lot less than the regular price for that actual contingent of people with a basic kit for a similar period, never mind a super kit; after this there are innumerable expenses extra equipment and lenses, Primes Lenses, Zoom Lenses, and so on and so forth, I priced one classic Zoom for a three week rental here, and that was coming to 2,100 Euro!!!! GUUMMPPPPP!!!!!! One fucking lens!! Now to the core of this mornings Vietnamese cracker, the extra equipment Vinit was getting from PS was in my understanding all material he was able to gather together on his end and through his contacts to add to the over all production quality of the film, but not something we were expected to pay for, as we don’t have that kind of first class leg room, not by a long shot!!! And I had even sent Vinit a copy of the then Budget over three weeks ago, to illustrate where we were at. Maybe I am being a complete guff this morning and seeing problems where there are none, and all is in reality a soothing trope of perfect Geese sweeping down to land across the milky sunlight (as they did on my return journey) or else the world of nature is once again at odds with the inner world of man THIS MAN, whose mind is currently filled by the monstrous symphony of enfilading American choppers.

And the second squadron of attack comes in the shape my to-do list for Monday:

1. Wire Vinit money as he paid for all in bound thickets.

2. Establish dates for return journeys, and make bookings.

3. Insure the equipment and get a copy of certification to PS.

4. Book thickets from Shannon to Stanstead for Sunday May 11th.

5. Book the Ferry for Daithi and Kev to take the equipment to London.

6. Get our credit card details to Trew Audio and pay for the sound gear.

7. Make out a cheque for Shuttle Freight Logistics Inc (the skid).

8. Ascertain what status the Carnet is being made out under.

9. Meet with Gary Brosnan after picking Daniel form the airport.

10. Order Mini DV’s and three 2Terabyte Hard Drives from Komplett.

11. Pay for the VW camper Van and establish time for pick up.

12. Negotiate prices for the lights with Cine electric and organize pick up.

13. Deal with this uncertain catering dilemma.

14. Actors for the last three roles, 2nd Doctor, Daisy and Japanese man.

15. Sort out anti money laundering papers for Philip Lee Solicitors.

16. Get contracts to the agents in London.

17. Order Sam’s last make up requirements, and arrange transport.

18. Figure out a deal for Hotel’s in London.

19. Get Emma and George’s fit size for costumes.

20. Get Movie Magic to draft up the shooting script.

21. Sort out the child acting contract for Gabriel.

Monday April 14th 16.29 and I am in a war zone against the Titanic arms of the clock as this entire film package sways on a knife edge while I act the space filled ping-pong ball batted back and forth between PS and the pre-requisites of their insurance demands and my already in place insurance policy for the equipment which was settled on in the bank this morning as I talked through the process with the indefatigable Paul Jackson who has been a great support from the get go, this was done outside the door of the bank over the phone on my way in for a meeting with Tom Keane our account manager. We settled a premium which came to 632 euro for a liability of $217,000 Canadian and I got Tom to wire the money through there and then and send an e-mail to Paul confirming this transaction which for us would expedite the process of sending a cover letter to Toronto in order to enable that equipment stockpile that Vinit has garnered to be released and packed and the Carnet written up tomorrow for the Freight company to SEND ON OUT.

Not that simple!! PS need an insurance to the value of $250,000 for their equipment alone, and as I was communicating with various members of the company, Penny Watier who was in Los Vagas and Phil Reimer and Leslie Mercado in Toronto, filling in various forms on the run and bouncing phone calls, while knowing there was no way I could pick up Daniel at the airport and get him to a meeting with Ciara at Shindig, since it was now 17.09 and the bank is in fact closed, but I have a call in to Tom and am hoping he can wire money for me to pay for the ever adjusting premium, to assuage any worries they may have and exhibit to them that I am for real and in earnest when it comes to sorting all this out professionally. It is all last minute tilting tower of pizza, as the insurance has to be in place, the equipment has to be got to Shuttle Freight, the skid has to be packed, as it has to be sent to get here in time, and one delay could smash all the eggs. And I have to steward the process from my end with those bloody confusing play station 3 controllers while obscurely observing the play from 3000 miles away.

E-mails and incessant phone calls to Paul, he is away from his desk at a meeting, I have to get the policy changed and work out a new figure, on and on, we eventually get in contact with one another, his day is nearing an end, mine has no real end until who knows when. Umpteen e-mails are sent to try and clarify this $250,000 value, and I can visually see Vinit in my minds eye chucking more gear onto the golden heap, and the company trying to keep pace, and me trying to adapt on the fly to an illusive final figure. FUCKING BANANAS.