After successfully documenting the production of an AFI short film one year prior, I was again called upon to add my photo-snapping abilities to the mix, this time for a horror-esque story. A werewolf transformation occurring mid-party is no incident to sleep on… and in my book, the efforts of everyone involved in bringing such a tale to people’s attention are just as photoworthy, and ought to be memorialized as such.

One of the short films produced at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles (once deemed safe again to do so) was a romantic comedy of sorts. Considering the measures & restrictions that were in place, not to mention my main duties as Production Coordinator, I wavered on how possible it would be for me to do BTS— but even from the distances required, I managed to still take methodical care in shooting all the valuable moments I could.

It felt fantastic to finally get back out and take care of business in the filming & photo-taking department when it became possible. And when Ruben Ortega wanted to record a music video for his new single, “Chaos,” it was my pleasure to step in when called upon— not only to help set up props, lights, etc., but to commit this occasion to memory with pictures detailing what we had been sorely missing in our lives for too long.

In the cold, cold, absolutely COLD forested areas of Mount Laguna, a film crew was at one point utilizing what would be their last opportunity to get a short film off the ground as a certain pandemic loomed. And while said circumstances unfortunately ended up stonewalling this production in the long run… the efforts of that day did not go unrecognized, as I made sure to photograph all that we worked to accomplish no matter what would come next.

The great outdoors tend to make for lovely scenic shots, and a truly opportunistic setting for an endeavor like this— So if I was thriving in my BTS role, I can only imagine the field day that our cinematographers were having here. A lot of hiking was involved, of course. But thanks to the miracles of natural lighting, my job as a Grip on this set was subdued enough that there were still plenty of chances for this sort of work on the side.

Here we have the perfect example of a short film where my entire reason for being there was to be the photographer. And what an occasion it was! Because this single picture alone I’m sure emphasizes how top-notch the production design turned out to be. Considering the lengths to which they went in order to make so much blood pump out from WITHIN the turkey… I for one am glad I was there to witness it, let alone capture it like so.

As the editor for this project, I knew most of my overall contributions would take place after shooting had completed. Even so, I saw no reason not to be involved in some regard during this time— thus, the camera was in my hands and I was snapping away. Water bottles were swung, bodies fell, close calls ensued and feelings were conveyed as scripted… only with me just out of frame, chronicling every last bit of it.

Five different groups of aspiring filmmakers were tasked at one point with creating their own versions of the toilet-dunking scene from The Big Lebowski (1998). I was on set for three such productions, in various capacities, and being the resident BTS maniac for two. So even if I wasn’t partaking in the antagonizing and toilet-dunking myself, there I was in any event, photographing these remade confrontations in progress.

Potential alien abduction can be a real hassle when one simply desires to sleep. So the least we can do is make it look good on camera, by using the right lighting & rigging equipment to really sell the problematic turn of events that’s befallen this poor man. What good is sleep deprivation like this if I don’t help out with that? And if nothing else, I can see to it that these pivotal moments are captured for all to see.

I still don’t know exactly how I ended up on this set, to be perfectly honest. But by my understanding, supernatural forces tormenting this woman in her apartment had just effectively ruined her date— so by the time I showed up and a plan to face down the problem was underway, I figured it was my duty to Grip the situation as best I could. And incidentally, who else was going to believe her story if there wasn’t photographic proof?

I consider this production a crucial moment for me, in that I had opted to be there and lend a hand however possible, and along the way that assistance began to HEAVILY involve taking pictures. It essentially started here. Of my own volition, I looked around and decided it would be a real shame if all this hard work went undocumented. So any time I was awaiting my next task, all the while I was making sure we were more than covered on the BTS front.

This was where I got my first sense of what engaging in behind-the-scenes photography would be like— The difference here was that it was requested of me, rather than an impulse decision of my own. Nevertheless, I gave it my all (when I wasn’t making trips to the store or stepping into a vacated acting role), and the beach we were filming on made for some delightful imagery to accompany the drunken man’s downward spiral.