Serena

So today, I got to see the farm where the Sugar Haus Inn scenes are being filmed. Lots of gorgeous back roads to get there. Cloudless sky. A perfect day to film outdoor scenes. Breakfast was set out beneath a canopy and the yellow jackets were real happy about that. I got to see Kelly McGillis in action for the first time. It has felt from the beginning like the casting director had direct access to how I pictured my characters in my mind, but Kelly as Bertha is an inspired choice. She is in person a beautiful, regal, woman–but with the addition of a cane, a limp, a bonnet, and expert makeup she became my forceful, opinionated, blunt, courageous, Bertha…..one of my very favorite characters of all time. This scene also involved “Rachel” having to wear an over-sized fuzzy bathrobe and slippers all morning–not a particularly sexy outfit even on someone as pretty as Sarah. She laughed at herself to me and the others saying, “Glamour, glamour.” I think that is the thing that has surprised me most about being on the set–it is watching the discipline and sheer doggedness that it takes from the actors to get each […]

Back in Sugarcreek–this time without my son Jacob, who, when I tried to talk him into coming back with me reminded me that he really does have a job…..and would like to keep it! I had to go home for a couple days to wash clothes, repack, pay bills, and check in with my family. There is no reason that I need to be on set–the crew certainly doesn’t need me there. It’s just that I want to see everything and the producer and director are kind enough to let me watch. The big news today (for me) was that Kelly McGillis is in town. She didn’t have a scene today, so I didn’t get to meet her yet, but I have admired her work for years. It’s going to be difficult not to stutter when I do meet her. While I was gone, they did a scene where Aunt Bertha (Kelly) is holding a sick little boy late at night, and there is an intense conversation between her and the little boy’s daddy. One of the crew told me that while watching that scene they completely forgot that a movie was being made–and just got completely caught up in […]