Wednesday, September 12, 2012

bella vita, director's log #1

umm... what's the fastest way to...


Fly to Charles de Gual Int. France via Alitalia operated by Air France - 1 large pelican for Film Gear, 1 large Patagonia Duffle for living, 1 Tripod in Case, 1 Large camera bag for carry-on, 1 small patagonia backpack for additional carry--on-laptop, travel needs, etc.   One 9’ 8” Tyler Pig, prototype model.  24hrs. before the next swell is to arrive, must fly asap - just bought the ticket.

my producer, greg, drops me off at Tom Bradley 2:30pm for 4p flight (a bit late / which is funny since i live about 7min. from LAX) not funny since i was working a job the day before and packed 3months of gear in about 5 hrs - approach Air France Check-in, told to go to Alitalia Check-in / at Terminal 2 (about 400yds away!).  

begin walking with gear on cart - cart falls off curb, spills EVERYWHERE, someone asks to help - greg  pulls back up, jumps out - we load gear into his car, strap board back on top and drive airport loop.  Arrive T2 - i jump out and find Alitalia, we parked 50yds shy.  We hump gear to counter - i try to check in, the lady tells me i need to be at Air France Gate !!!   she says, sprint or you’ll be late.  i say “I WAS JUST THERE.”  she says nothing she can do.  greg is gone.  I grab an empty cart.  load it with bags, grab 35lb tyler and sprint down curb - 80degrees, August - i’m soaking wet with sweat.  wondering why i'd ever want to make another independent film when commercials feed you so well.

I trudge back to Air France Counter - run up - they tell me i’ve missed the flight and i can only do standby.  Standby!!!  i say, I WAS HERE.  finally, the manager nicely looks through my itinerary - after 15min - she comes back, she says i can confirm you on the 9pm flight.  You are good to go (which means i will make the swell, so i’m happy) but then she says, “you’ll have to check in at Alitalia - it is an Alitalia operated flight.”

At this point, I can only laugh.  I schlep cart - slowly this time, back to T2 and check - now really soaking wet.  I ask for a free up-grade, she says no - but she does nicely give me an Air France Lounge pass and a food cupon - her name was Layla - good song.  she dings me $300 for board and gear - that's a $100 discount, for my troubles, she says.

I call greg - he comes back to pick me up (great producer, better friend) - i go home, take a shower, wash my clothes - head to a nearby tiki bar and throw back 3 Mai-Tais, not the lame, pink, grenadine-ridden kind, but the real deal, dark-ass rum, Tiki Mug toting kind.  good stuff. now happy.  

Back to airport - pass security easily, enjoy free Martini at Air France Lounge (as a "sorry we made you hike all over LAX with 300lbs of gear) - get on plane, take Ambien (don't try this at home, i'm a professional) - sleep 10hrs.  wake up near France.  Next flight delayed, do email.  have some bad food - fly to Pisa.  

and the journey begins.   bellavitafilm.com