Gift Wrapping: 2023 Edition

Another strange year. I spent part of it tearing photos from magazines and taping those photos to gifts. Just something I do. No matter.

People Are Peculiar

What better place to express love for one's mother than a dumpster?

Photos From Work

After an extended hiatus because of two strikes, I finally returned to work on December 6th. That was Day One of the seventh season on Station 19, my favorite show to work on. We were all happy and relieved to be working again, and glad to working on this specific show. Since last season, the show had moved from the stages at Sunset Las Palmas to the Disney lot in Burbank, where there is much more space. However, on the third day of work (Friday, December 8th) we were notified that this season was to be the show's last. We were shocked and saddened. But the following Monday, the feeling on the set was the basically the same as it had ever been. And who knows? Perhaps the show will get picked up by another network. It is not over yet.

Here are a few photos I took during the filming of the season's first episode. Don't worry, there are no spoilers or anything close to that.

This is on the exterior wall of one of our new stages. Apparently only two films of note were shot there. I took this photo for my mom, because she loves Mary Poppins.

The view from the Roy O. Disney building, while hanging out with the stunt crew.

Walkies are labeled and ready for the double-up the following day. Two units working in different spots.

Snack on December 13th.

Since it asked so politely, I wasted a little time here.

One of the dwarves got into the holiday spirit.

It seems that everything on the Disney lot is labeled with one of its characters, even the generators.

A light guards the exit.

A wall inside the building shows a familiar character.

There was a light rain, so plastic was used to protect the camera before a crane shot.

Misuse Of Word In Star Wars Book

I collected Star Wars toys and books for many years, starting in 1977 and stopping sometime after the release of Revenge Of The Sith.  There were several books I had never gotten around to reading, and the writers’ strike has now given me time to do so. Well, I just finished reading Star Wars X-wing Book Three: The Krytos Trap. I had difficulty enjoying it because the author, Michael A. Stackpole, misused a word in the book’s second sentence. Here is what he wrote: “Rogue Squadron had come to mourn the passing of one of its own on the week anniversary of his death.” I read the sentence many times, trying to make sense of it. I figured it had been a year since the death of the character, and Stackpole meant to write “the anniversary week.” That’s what I thought for quite a while until it became clear many pages later that only a week had passed. And then it became clear that Michael A. Stackpole has no idea what the word “anniversary” means. It means, “the yearly return of the date of some event.”  There is no such thing as a week anniversary or a six-month anniversary. The word comes from the Latin annus, meaning year. From that word, we also get annual, which means yearly. The writer should be thoroughly embarrassed for making such a mistake. And why did the editor not catch it?

Gift Wrapping, Latest Edition

Many years ago, I got into the habit of taping photos to the wrapping paper for gifts that I'd bought for folks. I began taking photos of them, the idea being that the photos would keep me from repeating a joke. I think I've still repeated myself from time to time. Anyway, are are a few photos of gifts from the last year or so.

Photos From Work

Last night was the wrap party for Season 6 of Station 19, and we had a lot of fun, drinking and dancing and hanging out with good people. Here are some photos taken during the shooting of the final episode of the season. But don't worry, there are no spoilers or anything like that, not even any shots of the sets or actors. Rather, these are photos from my experience of the whole thing as a production assistant. I hope you get a kick out of them.

Special effects attack the camera department on March 31st...

On April 4th, the hair and makeup departments got their own little fire on Stage 11, thanks to the props department...

And the next day, individual fires were added (but also a little fire extinguisher, so everyone felt safe)....

And here is the breakfast menu from that day. The cinnamon rolls were delicious, so a little later I went back to get a second one, but they were all gone. Just as well, my expanding belly says.

There was plenty of good food that day, and this food truck was thanks to the number 1 on our call sheet. I had the vegan curry, and it was so good.

Here is a lonely utility sound cart waiting for some actors...

On April 6th, there was more good food...

That day, some of the stunt players had their hair and makeup done on the third floor. While I waited for them, I took this picture. Regarding the sign on the left, there were actually several stairs, not just one (though for the number of times I had to go up them, I would have preferred just one). And as for the sign on the right, the alarm doesn't sound like an intermittent tone. It has an intermittent tone. Not sure what it sounds like, as it did not have cause to go off. I also like that the little guy apparently walked through the fire at the top of the stairs. Good for him!

On April 10th, we had our final location day...

There's gold in that there room.

I spent a good deal of time in this hallway.

That doorway where you can see the trash can and a case of water led to the room where the cast held for the day.

Breakfast, April 12th (I had pancakes)...

The view from the parking garage the morning of April 13th...

 I am always happy when the caterers serve French toast.

The hair and makeup camp fire returns to Stage 11.

One question that was asked several times the last couple of days was, How do we get onto the set?

 View from the parking garage the morning of April 14th,  the final day of shooting...

Last lunch menu of Season 6...