EPISODE 192 MOVIE INDUSTRY … WHAT MAKES A MOVIE SEEM REAL
alan skeoch
Dec. 2020
DATELINE DECEMBER 10, 2020
LOCATION: SOUTHERN ONTARIO
Possibly one of the worst days for anyone to work. Covid 19 was spiking. Hospitals across
North America were bursting. ICU’s were above capacity and the death toll in the United
States was above 3,500 … in just one day. In Ontario, Toronto and Peel County were in
lockdown and the worsening situation made further lockdowns very likely. This was a
dark day like no other. And the pandemic seemed out of control.
It was also a big day for the movie industry. Two huge 5 ton trucks had just arrived at the farm followed
by two smaller trucks. December 10 was loading day. Marjorie and I were nervous…only Woody
the dog was relaxed. He liked visitors and there had been precious few of them.
“Alan, wear a double mask and keep away from the loaders…social distancing.”
“Marjorie, I will not have time to document the loading…I will be on the ATV all day…could you keep a record with
your iPhone?”
“I will…but I will also be making hot chocolate and a snack for the men.”
(She did make the hot chocolate but Woody got the great chevron of cheese and the cookies)
But first:
“Gather round everyone…socially distant but within earshot…I would like to make a short speech.”
Seven men, all masked, formed a loose circle.
“This is a dangerous day for all of us. Covid 19 is raging. Hospitals are overflowing.
The day is Particularly dangerous for Marjorie and me since we are in he
most vulnerable age group. We have two 5 ton trucks to load with a huge number of objects
that you may find questionable. This will take the full day. I know it is hard to work with
the masks but it is necessary. Please respect both us and our collection…and be careful.”
“OK, Rob, you are now in full command,” And the loading began. Really we had three movies
to deal with. Large objects were returned with big pieces from other movies.. while we spent the day filling the two five tons.
Only one man ignored the rules and kept his mask below his chin jeopardizing us all. He must
have been a believer in Donald Trump. Should I say something? I did not. It is impossible
to speak to believers in Donald Trump.
The day before I had spent several hours putting green markers on the items to
be loaded. The day was cold but thawing.
T
Movie people are quite secretive lest the story gets out before the movie is completed. Therefore I cannot say much about
the script. My job was to provide objects that made the movie set believable. In this case a semi-derelict building with
long forgotten objects from the recent and distant past. This was certainly not a beauty contest. Nothing pristine.
Those of you who have been following my stories…my adventures…about the decade in the mining exploration budiness
might like to look closely at these caribou antlers. A First Nation friend, Moses Lord, gave them to me on the Yukon job.
I crated them and shipped them bak home much to the amusement of all including my Toronto boss, Dr. Norman Paterson.
“At my expense, Norm, not yours…although you probably would not have complained”. This is the first movie job for the
antlers…shipped in 1962…first earned their keep in 2020.
In the late 1940’s, my brother and I built our own scooters from orange crates, 2×4’s and roller skates.
When the scooters got bashed up…splintered…we just went to the back of grocery stores and
got another orange crate. Kids do not do that any more . Why? Oranges come in paper boxes.
We worked from 8.30 until 2.30 on the job. Heavy work at times. It is harder to breathe through
the masks doing hard work but the crew followed the rules (with that one lone exception). Breakage?
yes, I heard a loud crunch when crates of clay flower pots were put on the loading ramp. Made me wince.
“Alan, how do you know that our things will come back?”
“We can but trust, Marjorie.”
“How would our lives be different if we were minimalists?”
“Life would be pristine but bloody boring.”
alan skeoch
Dec. 2020