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Our Saturday shoot at the office was a rousing success, and the first (and probably only) time we finished ahead of schedule. Many thanks to all who were involved that day and the roles they played to make it so successful--Stacey, Lou, Rajah, Mark, Mike, Frank and I were the crew; Stacey, Amy, Alex, and Johanna were the cast for the day; Maura came by to photograph the whole event, and we had a great group of extras that Lou wrangled and managed for the shoot.

We started very bright (except Rajah, who was coming off an overnight shoot) and early scouting locations around two office buildings which will remain nameless, but were very generous in letting us use the space. The first scene was good to go (G2G, as Lou and I call it) in a beautiful office with Stacey as Suzanne and our first two extras as her clients. With a little set design, we were ready. Oh, and Mike thought he could tell me what was best, sound-wise, but you know I don't roll that way. The scene looked good and Stacey gave a great performance of Suzanne trying to maintain composure as she receives a booty call from Mitch.

Then we moved downstairs to the lobby for a gorgeous shot designed by Stacey (taking over as director for the rest of the day) and Rajah, in which our extras were very well choreographed to do "office lobby" type business. The only one that needed a little direction was Koko B. Ware in his Joneses' debut who saw his character (guy being interviewed) as somebody who nods emphatically. We saw him as someone who nods sweetly, like Koko does in real life, and from there it was genius. I really hope he gets the job--whatever it is--he was certainly smartly dressed with a can-do attitude. That guy is going places!

We then moved back upstairs for a series of scenes at Ally's cubicle that featured the Joneses' premieres of Mr. Garrity (Alex) and Jennifer (Johanna). The scenes went extremely well, and look great. Rajah took off (probably to "get his drink on") and Stacey did an excellent job at the helm. I was an awesome assistant director (or assistant to the regional director), because I'm kind of awesome at whatever I do. Awesome is not my middle name, however. It's Todd. And Stacey's is Renee. Just a little Joneses trivia bit for everybody playing at home.

We had a terrific scene with Amy playing Ally with just the right amount of intimidation (as we all were) by Alex's boss; and then a very funny alternate version where Mr. Garrity was very slimily condescending throughout. I know Stacey was very pleased with the performances, and it was really hard to keep a straight face everytime Alex ended the whole scene with his "OK." Top notch stuff! Also, Johanna and the extras (not the Motown group you're thinking of) gave the Ally/Garrity scene a perfect amount of realism. We then shot the other half of the Ally/Mitch (in the bathroom) phone conversation, that came off really well, and I'm excited to cut those scenes together!

It was a VERY smooth shoot, and we got a lot of good stuff in a relatively short amount of time. I was proud of my co-director's work, excited about the acting by Amy, Stacey, Alex, and Johanna, really happy that Rajah was able to give us a few hours (and our equipment back), very thankful for some tireless work by Frank, Mike, and Mark, excited to see the pictures Maura took, and as always indebted to Lou "Koko B. Ware" Ottaviani, who is turning managing extras and looking pretty while he does it into an art form. Also I am thankful to me for being me.