Ship's Position: Docked at Peckham Materials in Athens, NY. Latitude: 42˚ 16.2' N Longitude: 073˚ 48.1' W
The students have enjoyed a quiet first night on board; the expected thunderstorms never arrived.
After giving the crew two hours to rise, stow gear, and eat breakfast, Captain Reynolds calls a crew meeting around the capstan to lay out the plan for the day.
1100 hours
The reality of film or video shooting is that it's far from glamorous - the epitome of "hurry up and wait," in fact, with bursts of intense activities interspersed with long stretches that require quiet and patience. While the camera crew sets up for shooting today's scene, the students make the most of their free moments to relax.
1400 hours
We start shooting after lunch. We try out numerous students in front of the camera, but some gravitate to roles behind the scenes instead. Deniro steps in as Mr. Cardoza's sound assistant, soon becoming the official boom mike operator.
Matt B. and Tahari work as production assistants. The silvery shield Matt is holding reflects light, helping to offshoot harsh shadows cast by sunlight. Pop over to the Pilot page to see Tahari operating the clipboard.
With Captain Reynolds directing from the weather deck and production sound mixer Cardoza set up in the great cabin, Mr. Woodworth steps behind the lens. Ms. Niehaus is the script supervisor, tracking continuity issues, good takes, and the like.
The rest of the crew relaxes out of shot, patiently waiting for their chance to shine.
1830 hours
We try out Matt G., Alanna, Jason, and Abby in front of the camera, working until late afternoon, when a brief rainfall calls a halt to production.
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In the meantime, Mr. Wolfe has served dinner on the orlop deck -- beef stew, eggplant cassarole, and a three bean salad. While the rest of the crew eats, he continues working down in the galley, putting the final touches on dessert.
1930 hours
Filming isn't the sole activity taking place on the ship, of course. The students are also maintaining a Deck Log, tracking natural phenomena just like they did during their Voyages of Discovery.
2000 hours
What would a video production be without a little unobtrusive product placement?
Actually, Bosun Laufer has a crew of students working with her on the ship's rigging. Jason's patroleum jelly is for the anchor fid -- the wooden "carrot" that tethers the anchor to its line. It's been sticking a little lately, but this will set it right.
In the interests of science, we send the team of Boudreau and Boyle off in the Zodiak. Not to go exploring, but rather to get the boat out of the way while the students record current speed.
The crew cheers the pair on as they row to shore.
2045 hours
Work continues after sunset. Mr. Linehan works with students on the fore channel, practicing using the lead line. This bit of stunt work may also come in handy for the video project later on this week.
2100 hours
Mr. Weisse steps ashore to serenade the coming evening (and get a little practice time in on his trumpet while he's at it). The crew shouts out requests from the ship.
2130 hours
The senior crew have fixed a depth meter to the side of the dock. The students will maintain an anchor watch through the night, recording the height of tide every half-hour for the Deck Log. Although we obviously don't need an eye on the anchor light or rode while we're docked, the ship has plenty of other systems that need to be monitored. In fact, just before 0300 hours, we trip the breaker on the shore power line, requiring us to switch to the ship's generator to keep the fans going.
Every video production needs fans, right?
These logs are produced entirely by the student crew members. Today's hosts are Evi & Nora; today's videographer is Jack.
