PARENTHOOD #5

I left for Universal at 7:15AM for a 9:30AM call time so I wouldn't stress and be worried about being late. Indeed, I got there about half an hour ahead of time, so I just chilled in the car for a bit before heading down to stage 44. There was a van waiting for us so I took it to the stage. It's not that far, but I didn't really feel like walking to stage.

Jenny Savage was on hand so it was nice to see a familiar face. We all checked into wardrobe and for some reason, they didn't like the shoes I had on. I guess the Lebrons are just too casual. Maybe it was the Air Force 1s that I wore last time?

Anyway, it was a relatively easy day. We were back inside the campaign office again doing the usual things. It seems like Alexis, the 2nd 2nd was directing background traffic. I wondered if that was a step up for her or if she'd always been doing this.

Peter Strauss was directing the episode and it's too bad he wasn't in the scene because I'd always wondered how you could direct and act at the same time.

We were wrapped just after lunch and I'd forgotten that the show tends to be short. That meant I had time to get to the My Week with Marilyn screening at the DGA. Jenny said she was down to check it out, so when we got there, she already saw a bunch of people she knew. Jenny has got to be one of the hardest working actresses I know. She's always hustling and sometimes I wish I had that kind of energy.

Her friend saved some seats for us. She worked as a dancer in one of Jenny's films and her friend who also went to Cal met up with her later. Jenny and I decided we had some time, so off we went to a bar right across the street from the DGA. They had happy hour so Jenny had a jalapeno martini while I had the sangria for $5. We didn't have much time so we pretty much chugged them.

But that set us straight and it was just right for the movie. My Week didn't impress me too much and I don't think I would vote for any best acting performances even though I realize how difficult it is to play someone we all know. I think what happened is that unlike a biopic, this movie was about a British PA's week with Marilyn Monroe versus a movie specifically about Marilyn. So the focus isn't on the actress.

Still, the q&a with Kenneth Branaugh and Michelle Williams was pretty revealing. They discussed how they would get into character and how they didn't necessarily want to impersonate Monroe or Lawrence Olivier. Instead, they wanted their spirits to be brought out.

After the screening, Jenny said she was going to work out while I just went straight home. I felt really tired.

(written 1/11/12)