Serena

One of the many things I was surprised by during the filming is how scenes are not done in chronological order at all. The reason is that this makes it possible to cluster scenes together that take place in the same location. The reason this is necessary is because there are massive trailers that accompany the crew. The trailers have rooms for wardrobe, makeup, and places for the actors to rest and to dress, plus a couple of restrooms. Moving the trailers and setting them up is a major undertaking. Today was devoted entirely to the action that happens inside of Rachel’s “house.” Some of this involves a big knock-down fight scene using a stunt double for Sarah Lancaster. This worked out well because we had rain today and the timing was perfect for indoor scenes. I now know how cramped it can get when interior scenes are filmed and decided that this would be a good day to get some research done on this non-fiction book I’m writing on Amish Parenting. This was a pleasant task because it involved visiting the homes of a couple excellent Old Order Amish mothers with whom I’ve been friends for several years. I […]

WOW!!!  The most exciting scenes of all were filmed today!!  So here’s what happened: When I arrived, the props people had “burned” Effie and Vernon’s real farmhouse we’re renting. This was done with blackened paper stuck on white clapboards. It really did look like they had experienced a fire. Sugarcreek’s intrepid fire department were there with the fire truck and hoses strung all over the yard. These volunteer fire fighters were wearing heavy fire suits and helmets in 80+ degree weather. Then tonight, they filmed the fire scene with the mock up of a portion of Effie and Vernon’s house that they’ve been building in a field all week long. A special effects crew was hired to come in and handle the fire. Of course, several members of the fire department were there with fire extinguishers just in case anything went wrong. I watched as the special effects people set up pipes with propane flames shooting up behind the windows, as well as setting a wall behind the window afire by applying some sort of rubber cement-like stuff and setting it ablaze. While all this fire was going on, Aunt Anna, is trapped and afraid and screaming for help and […]