movies

That’s a Wrap!

101 Comments

First of all, I got it. I screwed up my courage, and told Isaac that Anne and I were introduced to our wedding reception to the Theme From Shaft, and asked him if he’d mind signing my CD.
“Are you kidding me?! I’d love to!”
I had to hold in a girlish squeal of delight, but somehow I managed.
We walked to my dressing room, and on the way, he told me how much he loved Star Trek, and how excited he was to be working with me.
I really couldn’t believe it. I mean, people tell me that they love Star Trek all the time, and these days they usually aren’t following up that admission with, “but I really hated you, jack ass. Now get off my lawn, and take your umbrella with you.” But still…hearing from someone who I really admire that he admires me back…well, it was great.
Now I know that I’ve really beaten this horse to death, buried it, dug it up and beaten it again, so I’ll stop.
Today was the last day on the movie, and I approached it the way I always do when a project is over: with a mixture of relief and sadness. Relief because I know that I’ll be returning to a normal life again. Relief because I know that the movie is completly out of my hands, now, and I can let go of the character.
Sadness, because I’ve formed very great friendships with my fellow cast members, and with the crew, and we’ve all created this little world which we’ve lived in for the duration of the production. We all know that we’ll be leaving this world, and it’s a one-way road out.
I had a wonderful time on this picture. The hours were long, the work was demanding as hell, and it feels like it was over as quickly as it started. But the crew was wonderful. They were the hardest-working bunch of dedicated artisans I’ve worked with in years, and I will forever cherish this experience.
The cast was amazing. They assembled a fantastic group of performers, who all worked their asses off to bring this script to life. Their character choices were clear, and their commitment to bringing them to life never wavered.
As the days go on and on, it’s easy to get tired, and fall into a “let’s just get the shot” trap, and compromise on performances. I hate it when that happens, but it does, from time to time.
I’m happy to report that I never felt that way on this picture. We had this amazingly dedicated cast and crew, and we were all lead by a wonderful director.
I am incredibly excited to see this finished product, and I haven’t felt that way in years.
Lots of people have asked about my back. I spent the whole morning Monday flat on same, watching
Dogtown and Z-Boys on my iBook at the set (holy shit–what a great movie!) and I think it really helped. Lots of water to keep my muscles hydrated, focus on correct posture, lots of stretching, and Tiger Balm made the difference. I’m back to about 90% tonight.
Finally, today is my 3rd wedding anniversary (w00T!). Thank you to everyone who wished us well today. Tommorrow, I will be leaving for a weekend with my kick-ass wife, so there won’t be any updates until Monday.
Have a great weekend, everyone.

101 thoughts on “That’s a Wrap!”

  2. I’m glad you finally asked Isaac for the autograph! Nothing sucks more than having a “once in a lifetime” chance and not taking it. Too cool man.
    Happy anniversary! Have a great weekend

  3. Oh and one more thing… although I tend to avoid PAX like it was radioactive, I’m really looking forward to seeing this movie. :)

  5. Hey Wil, thanks for sharing with us nobodies your experiences on the set. It’s really neat to have the inside scoop! The more of your blog I read, the more I realize you are just like us.
    Except that I’m pretty certain you didn’t have pictures of me hanging up on your walls when you were a teenager.

  6. Tiger Balm…now I haven’t heard that stuff since
    I was a kid…(grown up in Asia). Amazing stuff,
    ain’t it?

  10. Happy anniversary, Wil and Anne, and many more! I’ve been married for 15 years and engaged for 2 before that. Times can be tough or tender, but you seem to have the dedication and passion to make this relationship work for the long haul. My best wishes to you both!

  11. congratulations on the movie, and even more, congratulations on your anniversary… a marriage is hard work, but the effort appears to have paid dividends…
    love is such an awesome thing, young grasshopper :)

  12. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WIL AND ANNE!!!!!!! May your marriage always be filled with love and respect for each other till the end.

  13. Congrats to Anne and yourself, and also for your work on the film. When you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, so does The Posse. Keep digging up (and re-burying, and re-digging, and re-burying) stuff if it makes you feel good. There’s nothing wrong with that.

  15. Well done on getting the autograph. Took guts…
    Happy anniversary and have a glorious weekend.
    Marriage is like a good wine, it gets better with age.
    (she said after 8 years of the stuff)

  16. Congrats congrats! Firstly on finsihing the movie, it’s always great to walk away from a project knowing you gave it your all . . and more importantly, on your anniversary! You guys deserve the best!
    Oh, and props on getting that autograph!

  17. Happy Anniversary!
    (and almost as importantly, congratulations on getting up the courage to get that autograph- that’s a hard thing to do with someone you admire)

  19. Congradulations on your wedding anniversary. I hope you have many more happy years together.
    I personally have been married for 13 years, 3 kids and two on the way.
    I hope the two of you find the happiness we have and last a very long time.

  21. So… did he ask for your autograph too? ;)
    A mundane question for you… is it normal for the shooting of a movie to be only two weeks? I always thought it was much longer than that.
    And may you and Anne have a wonderful anniversary weekend.

  28. Happy Anniversary, Wil and Anne. Have lovely weekend.
    Looking foward to see your film, if it ever makes to the UK

  31. [Loyal Order of Water Buffalo=WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE]
    Happy Aniversary, Happy Aniiversary, Happy Anniversary…. HAAAApe-ann-i-ver-sa-ree!
    [/Loyal Order of Water Buffalo]

  32. Hey Wil-
    Happy Anniversary to you and Anne!
    Congrats on getting the autograph from Isaac, and for what he said to you. :)
    I, too, thought a movie took way longer than 2 weeks. Can you tell us when it will be on?
    Last but not least, I’m glad your back feels better- I told you that Tiger Balm stuff works wonders! :) Have a great weekend!
    Love, Alicia
    http://www.thewagband.com

  34. Congratulations, Wil, on finishing the movie and on your anniversary with Anne!
    I’m a little sad that the movie is over, because we somehow got you to post something to your blog every single day of the shoot. Now that you’re less busy again, we probably won’t be hearing from you as often. ;)

  36. hey dude….happy anniversary! i hope there are many more to come! congratulations. I hope you had a FAB weekend! well done on the movie, and more importantly on the autograph! Can’t wait to see them both!!!!
    xxx

  40. Woo! Movie Finished! Woo! Autograph!
    Woo! Anniversary!
    What a productive week for Mr Wheaton.
    Congratulations on all three.
    To the Bliss-Mobile! Away!

  41. Happy Anniversary late. Thanks for the laugh too, I can only imagine you barely keeping that “WEE!” inside. :)

  43. Rockin’. Your feeling on leaving reminds me of when I roll off a project after completion (I am a programmer for a consulting company).
    I look forward to seeing it. I hope that I can find someone to tape it for me or else digitize it as I have neither a TV nor PAX :-D.
    Happy Anniversary!

  44. Happy Anniversary, Will & Anne.
    Wil, for your back, you might want to ditch the Tiger Balm and try Ammeltz (search for it at http://www.mypharmacy.com.sg). You can find it at Chinese pharmacies too. I haven’t personally used it (knock wood), but know many people who swear by it (people who used to swear by Tiger Balm).
    -Glenn

  46. Hey Wil, congrats on the autograph.. I still think you should have went for his half eaten bread crust though. Here’s a really dumb question, and I hope I don’t get laughed off this web site but can somebody please tell me what movie he just finished? Please? Thanks a bunch, and I hope you have a happy wedding anniversary.

  47. Wil, if you didn’t get the autograph, you would have faced the prospect of hundreds of us monkeys teasing you for the rest of your life. The thought was too painful, right?
    Happy Anniversary! And Happy Wrap, too.

  49. Wil,
    Congrats on finishing the movie and on your wedding Anniversary. You got it all going for ya this week don’t ya MR!…lol take care Wil.
    best wishes to you and Anne on a special day……
    Matt……

Comments are closed.