Everybody Hates Kwanzaa (Everybody Hates Chris)

Thursday was an 11:30am call time with only 6 kids and probably 60 adults or more. Filming took place on the street and holding was inside an empty building. We knew this was a Christmas/Kwanzaa episode that will air next December. They had many of the background actors dressed in red or green (or both). There was "snow" on the ground and everyone was wearing jackets, mittens and scarves. Damien wasn't used much at all. He might be seen walking down the street and again in front of Chris's apartment but he also may have been too far out of the scene. It was a long day on set and we couldn't wait to grab something to eat on the way home.

Friday he was called back in to be a Corleone student. Only 20 kids were on set yesterday. It was a 9:30am call. This time filming took place inside Corelone Jr High. First 10 kids were called in to film and Damien was not one of them. About 40 minutes later the second set of kids were asked to join them. Damien tells me he was sitting in the classroom while they filmed but soon they took him out and refilmed the same scene. Not long after they took out more kids and filmed it over again. Which one they'll actually use is anyone's guess.

I'm not surprised any more when scenes get cut out. Damien loves doing this and is saving his money, so he was happy to hear he's now considered a regular on the show!

Two Days on Everybody Hates Chris

Got another call from Damien's manager for two days of work on Everybody Hates Chris. Damien is excited about this call since they asked for a hispanic boy. This usually means he'll get to do something special and be seen on camera. Also, we feel very comfortable on the set of Everybody Hates Chris. We know our way around the studio and the crew is beginning to recognize Damien and myself. Unfortunately they don't like photos taken on set so I won't be taking any photos UNLESS we happen to spot Adrian Monk (Tony Shaloub), then we'd have to be brave and ask for a photo. "Monk" is Damien's favorite show.

Last night we were channel surfing when we came across a movie called, "You, Me and Dupree". It was funny though later I noticed it wasn't a movie aimed at kids, oops!, but Kate Hudson plays a teacher and when they show her classroom, who sitting there but Mario, the actor from Surfer Dude! He was too cute when this was filmed. If you watch it, that's him sleeping in class and later yawning! lol

Damien has a late call tomorrow for EHC so we could be there late. Not sure I'll have time to update you tomorrow but if I have the energy, I'll do my best.

While typing I just received another phone call from the same people who sent us on Surfer Dude. They want to know if Damien can do a commercial this Saturday for WalMart. Wow. When it rains, it pours.

~My sympathy goes to my brother, his ex-wife and their three kids in the loss of Rick yesterday. Keep your chin up Tami. We love you.

Entourage in Columbia

Okay, I should know this by now. If you can't wait to see the scene your child is in, it's sure to be cut! Ugh. Well, that's what happened on Entourage. Last Sunday night, June 17th, was the Season 4 opener. Damien did two scenes. One was filmed over and over again and was Damien stealing fruit and running past the Entourage crew. We couldn't wait to see it.

This episode of Entourage was really different compared to the usual Entourage episodes, this one was done like a documentary. I "know" when Damien steals the fruit and runs past the Entourage so I do see his head go by in a flash but nothing that anyone else would catch. Unless of course I give you exact details on where to look.

At the beginning of this episode there is writing across the screen and as this writing fades, there's Damien and another boy in a hat, kicking a soccer ball.

Photo of my tv set showing Damien in a faded red shirt.

This scene is just seconds long and there's a few times you'll see a flash of him here and there but nothing major. It's funny how we met Tony on the set of Surfer Dude (Tony is Mario's younger brother) and how we saw Tony on this episode (he cries when his father is shot) but never actually saw him on set. We believe that Damien was to have that part when he was picture picked but because Damien got bronchitis that first day, he was replaced.

We are a little disappointed that his fruit stealing scene was cut and I've heard from other parents of child actors of major scenes being cut, so now I won't get my hopes up to see Damien on Surfer Dude....okay, I'll try not too. Ugh!

Mmmm...Matthew

Wow, who knew that we'd be chatting with Matthew McConaughey just days before he is named People's Hottest Bachelor of the Year? I know if you ask my son Damien, who was the nicest actor you've met so far, it's hands down to Matthew. Damien can't say enough nice things about him. Also, if you think about it, (and this was pointed out to me by a friend), for Matthew to choose to spend time with me and my young son instead of hanging with all the hot girls sitting around on the set, says a lot about Matthew's character.

People Mag - on sale today

Along with Matthew McConaughey is Damian Lewis, who took the time to talk with my son and tell him he could join him for lunch. It wasn't a casual, "Get over here kid" but Damian Lewis squatted down, put his hand on Damien's shoulder and asked Damien what was wrong. He took the time to calm Damien down and then inviting him to eat with him was just amazing. He's a very caring man. These men are my heroes and Damien looks up to both of them.

Damien and I went to the local bookstore and were happy to see our friend Doc working. Doc was once asked to play the part of a prisoner in the movie, The Cable Guy. He changed his mind and his friend took the part instead. So we often chat about our favorite tv character, Monk (which also has a series of books) and about Damien's acting jobs. When I showed him the photos I had of Matthew McConaughey, he was surprised to hear that his black and white shorts are for the movie. He was believing the stories from the magazines about Matthew acting crazy on the beach. I was shocked to hear that people believe those stories but then I guess I've done that in the past. Just so you know, Matthew jumping, waving plants, looking warpainted, and kissing a girl in the sand are all still shots from the movie.

Matthew on the beach

When filming we can see the paparazi from all directions and by the next day we can find the photos online, often with captions that are not even close to what really happened that day. I feel proud to have my son look up to Matthew and it's my hope that Damien will work with him again someday. I am happy that Matthew was selected as bachelor of the year because with his winning personality, he deserves to be admired. Congrats Matthew!

Entourage - Season 4

Well, it's wednesday and no work so far this week. Damien and I are both sad because we had a few friends call us to let us know that they were called in to work on Everybody Hates Chris today. Damien wanted to go so badly. I'll have to mention to his manager how he'd love to work with his best friend again (who is working today).

In the next two weeks we have a funeral, a wedding, an 18th birthday, a high school graduation, my Mom's birthday, a friend's birthday and Father's Day. I'm just hoping that Damien doesn't get his dream job (working on Monk) on any of these upcoming days/events.

Damien on Entourage

I heard, but can't be absolutely sure, that the episode Damien did on Entourage will air this Sunday, June 17th. We are looking forward to it especially since Mario, the boy who worked on Surfer Dude, also has a part in Entourage. Damien can be seen playing soccer in the street with one other boy. He's wearing a faded red pullover top. In another scene he is wearing the orange and white striped shirt seen above in the photo (minus the jacket). He will run over to a fruit vender and then run past the Entourage group who are standing in the road.

Surfer Dude update

I better invest in suntan lotion! No need to wear blush here with these sunburned cheeks! ack

Damien had a 10am call to the set of Surfer Dude. Basecamp was set up at a different beach than before. I was surprised to see only a few trailers along with only a few people. Everyone we ran into remembered us and welcomed us back, even people we didn't remember! Soon there were six kids, all boys and one girl. They sent us to wardrobe where to my surprise, Damien was approved with what he wore to the set. He'd be the only boy not wearing a bathing suit. They also wanted him to wear his hat so that he would not be confused with Mario, the main boy in the movie that Damien had photo doubled for.

From basecamp they took us in a van to a house where they were filming. It was a beautiful home overlooking the ocean.

Home used in Surfer Dude. Lots of round windows.

Once we reached the home and stepped out of the van, Rod (my brother's best friend) was waiting for us! We waited on the lawn (seen in the photo above) along with about 100 other actors. There were dozens of "hot" girls in bikinis, security guards and more. Matthew McConuaghey sat with us on the lawn. He remembered Damien from the days Damien worked as a photo double a few weeks earlier. Since he sat on my red jacket (along with Damien) I am now considering NOT washing it! haha!

We never saw the filming indoors but it was interesting talking with the other actors. A small plane was circling over head, apparently hired by the paparrazi which soon showed up. They couldn't get very close though since the area was blocked off by the police. Another little boy actor showed up to be included in the autograph scene that Damien would be in, making a total of 7 kids.

When it was time to go back to homebase, where the autograph scene would be filmed, we were last in line to get in the van. There was no more room. Luckily Rod was near by and heard, so he put us in the van with the cameramen that would be filming the scene. They were really nice to us and chatted with Damien on the way down to the beach. They laughed when Damien told them about his short bus scene in Everybody Hates Chris. They told us that we were misinformed about the autograph scene and we wouldn't be asking Matthew for his autograph, but Matthew's rival surfer in the movie.

Filming the kids who are asking "Lupe" (the Rival Surfer) for his autograph.

Damien and "Lupe" Ramon Rodriguez

This will be a short scene in the movie featuring Red Bull. The cameramen said it's a "staged promo". I'm not sure what that means. We hope it doesn't get cut. It had the kids laughing and this crazy Mom (aka Me) asking Ramon for his photo!

Matthew McConaughey Fan!

Updated with a new Photo! (I'll be adding a new post with more photos soon.)

Yes, I am now an official Matthew McConaughey FAN! I have a great photo of Matthew sitting with my son and watching Damien play his PSP while chatting. I was shocked when he sat with us, as there were dozens of beautiful girls on set along with a hundred or two actors. For him to take the time to talk with my son was amazing. I so appreciate it! My son can't stop saying how nice he is.

Damien and Matthew McConaughey (my two favorite Stars! haha)

(This photo is purposely cropped and posted with bad quality.)

Here is a photo taken while they're filming a scene where several kids run up to ask Matthew's rival surfboarder, Lupe, if they can have his autograph. Damien is the only one in a hat.

Scene from Surfer Dude.

Damien is on the right wearing a hat, rusty orange shirt and brown shorts. One hot girl in blue bikini and the rival surfboarder, Lupe (played by Ramon Rodriguez), in a hot pink wetsuit!

In Memory of Michael Brophy

Michael Brophy - Singer for "The Weasels"

When tomorrow starts without me
and I'm not there to see
if the sun should rise to find your eyes
all filled with tears for me
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
the way you did today
while thinking of the many things
you didn't get to say
I know how much you love me
as much as I love you
and each time that you think of me
I know I'll miss you too
But when tomorrow starts without me
please try to understand
that an angel came and called my name
and took me by the hand
He said my place was ready
in Heaven far above
and that I'd have to leave behind
all those I dearly love
so when tomorrow starts without me
don't think we're far apart
for everytime you think of me
I'm right here in your heart

...In memory of Mike Brophy

At Heavens Door, Friday, June 8th, 2007

While on the set of Surfer Dude, I received a phone call from my brother Hiram, that his best friend Mike Brophy had passed away. Rod Bennet (also Mike's friend), who was working on the set, then drove down to basecamp to tell me he just got off the phone with Hiram.

My family sends our deepest sympathy to Mike Brophy's family.

Surfer Dude again!

I was searching online for any jobs that might suit Damien when I came across one for Surfer Dude. They wanted surfer kids. Hmmm... I was wondering where their phone number was so I could call and see if they could use Damien. Just then the phone rings!

Matthew McConaughey and Mario

It's someone calling to see if Damien can film Surfer Dude tomorrow! What? Are they kidding? YES he can film! Damien was so happy! Later he was talking about filming on Surfer Dude and said he couldn't wait to see Mario and Tony again. That's when I told him they might not be in this shot. He was disappointed but still happy to work on Surfer Dude. Everyone is so nice there. The actors, the crew, everyone. Tomorrow there will be lots of extras working on the set. I also believe it's a different beach than the last one.

With all the extras working I'm not too sure if I can ask Matthew for a photo but I'm sure going to try. Damien will be a surfer boy who runs up to Matthew to ask him for his autograph! Damien hopes he really gets his autograph and says this won't take much acting to be excited!

If we're home early tomorrow, I'll post more photos. By the way, I posted a new blog this morning but noticed it didn't show up till tonight. I'm not sure why that happened but hopefully it's been fixed. See you tomorrow!

Everybody Hates Chris and More!

Happy Anniversary to my husband David!

This episode of Everybody Hates Chris, titled Everybody Hates The Guidance Counselor, is going to be hysterical! Not only did the scenes have the parents and crew laughing, but the kids were cracking up too. I can't spill all of the details but I will mention a part that my son is in. He will be on the really short, "short bus". Everybody wanted to take the bus home! Damien will be one of the "challenged" kids wearing a green helmet on the bus. The outfits they wore were funny too. We can't wait to see that scene and hopefully it doesn't end up on the cutting room floor.

The short bus is the size of a jeep.

I won't go into much detail about these past two days but I will say that there are things you should never do on a set. I'll mention a few of them here but don't think I did these....uh, at least not all of them!


Don't take photos! Not with your camera or your cell phone. They will search you.
Don't go where you don't belong. Security will find you!
Ask where you can view your child if you want to see them filming. Otherwise STAY in holding and BE QUIET if you're held near the filming area.
Don't peek through curtains to see your child perform.
Don't go upstairs to get a better view.
Don't take another parents word as the official okay (ie: The parent tells you she has permission to be there/do that.)
Don't talk to any main actor unless they talk to you first.

These rules are general rules for all shows.


Okay, you've all guessed it. Yes, I did get into some trouble but it wasn't me with the camera. I was standing with her and yes, you can be guilty by association. Ugh.


I can't inlcude main actors in photos unless I have their permission. At least I already knew this one. So a big Thank You goes to Matthew McConaughey for letting us photograph him! What a nice guy! Oh, by the way, the first day on this set (for this episode), we saw one of the actors who played a fisherman on Surfer Dude. He was a pedestrian. We talked a little. Hi Tito! Then the second day (yesterday) we saw another actor who also was a fisherman. He played a pedestrian and a hosptial patient. Hi George! George has his own casting site for latino actors and he was nice enough to let me take his photo with Damien. (I never got a chance to ask Tito.)

George and Damien

I also met some really great Mom's on this set and I hope Damien gets to work with their kids again. Most of them have the same manager as Damien, so most likely they'll all work together on something again. It's great to make new friends.

Emails

Yesterday was a day of phone calls and emails. I just wanted to post a quick note before we leave for the set of Everybody Hates Chris to tell you about the emails I received late last night.

The first was from the Producer/Director of an independent movie Damien did over six months ago. He just wanted to check in with us and wish Damien well on his career. Damien will recieve credit for this movie on the internet movie data base website. Yay!

The next email was from Mario (and his parents). Mario is the boy in the movie Surfer Dude. He and his brother are the nicest kids we have ever met and those who have met them will know exactly what I mean. They say Hi to everyone and just seem to get along with everyone they meet. The boys want to come over and play video games with Damien but also, I was offered a copy of the script to Surfer Dude with Mario's autograph! Another Yay! I told them one page of the script would be great! (Fans of Matthew McConaughey probably think I'm nuts for not taking the whole thing!) We'll see, maybe I will get the whole script but I'm going to be happy with one page and a visit from these boys.

Off to Everybody Hates Chris. Another day of shooting outdoors! I like it when they shoot outdoors because us parents can watch them film much easier. We are now off for a long drive into Los Angeles. I'll post more when I get home if I'm not dead tired.

The Fisherman and The Manager

Today I got two important phone calls. The first was from one of the fishermen in Surfer Dude. We had exchanged info so we could swap photos. He wanted to know if Damien was interested in working in commercials. It means more than double the money but Damien is happy doing what he's doing now. So commercials will wait. This nice actor thought so much of Damien that he said he'd recommend him to an agent but for now, we're sticking with our favorite manager.

Mario and one of the Fishermen with an actress

He mentioned that Mario, the boy in Surfer Dude, would probably be filming more scenes and that Damien was going to be needed again. This was great news. He heard this on a day he worked and we were already off the set. They even told the four actors playing fishermen that they'd get used again in another scene. I can't wait to go back and hope to grab more photos of Matthew to post here. I asked the fishermen about Matt and he said he was one of the nicest guys. Not stuck up at all and just plain kind to everyone.








The second call was from Damien's manager. This gave me a chance to talk to her about Surfer Dude. She hadn't called them after all and she said if they have Mario back they are very likely to call Damien back too. (I've emailed Mario's Dad to ask if Mario will return to the set but so far no reply. I'm sure he's busy.)



Damien's manager asked if Damien could shoot another episode of Everybody Hates Chris. He will be on set for at least two days, starting tomorrow. We listened to the recording on the phone tonight which tells Damien what time to show up on set, what to wear and what to bring. It also mentions some of the kids by name. We recognized a friend's name, so Damien is excited. He has a late morning call time so we are sure to be staying later than usual. I'll update this tomorrow night if I'm not totally beat when I get home.

Done with Surfer Dude?

On Damien's last day working on Surfer Dude, we met a woman from the casting agency that had called us. She told us that Damien would be used in another scene, probably a beach scene, airport or marketplace scene. Well, since my brother's friend works on the set, I know the beach and airport scene have already been shot.

Damien on the set of Surfer Dude. All the tables and benches are

moved out of the camera's range.

Friday I saw the breakdown for the Surfer Dude marketplace scene online (a casting site) but we haven't been called to go in. So I emailed the casting company to ask if they still planned on using Damien in the scene. No reply. Now it's Sunday night and it shoots early tomarrow morning. I know this means Damien is not in the scene and we are both feeling sad about it. We were also told on the last day Damien was there that if we stuck around we could have photos taken with Matthew McConaughey. We waited till dark and knew that shooting was going to go on for a while, (plus my camera's battery was dying), so we left. I was thinking when we came back again, we'd get those photos taken. Sob! Looks like that ain't gonna happen!

Now our hope is that Damien gets called back as a photo double again. We were told by a crew member that they might need Damien for one or two more days as a double. This could also be the reason why they wouldn't use Damien in another scene. He looks an awful lot like the starring boy! Anyway, we have our fingers crossed that he makes it back on the set. If not, maybe I'll ask my brother's friend if he can get us an autographed headshot of Matthew!

Chuck & Larry Poster

Now that it's June, "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry" should be hitting the theaters. We've seen the trailer and we just hope that Damien's short scene in the movie hasn't been cut. We can't wait to go to the theater to see Damien for the first time on the big screen.

Kevin James and Adam Sandler star in I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.

Everybody Hates Earth Day

We are always given a call time change box to call. When I called it this morning, the time was changed from 7am to 8am. Ahh...more sleep!

We get a kick out of these golf carts! And on the PA's manilla envelope (which holds the boys paperwork) it says Everybody Hates Background! Hey! That's my kid!! lol

Today was a GREAT day for Damien. They shot outside and it was Damien's first time on Everybody Hates Chris shooting outdoors. It's very different from shooting indoors. Seems like there were lots more crew on set.


In this scene, Chris runs from the Corleone school doorway. Damien will be standing by the bike rack to the left of the doorway, chatting with other boys.

A restaurant scene. Damien can be seen walking in the background. You can find his shoulder length black hair and his checked blue shirt.

Damien really had to act in this scene. They placed him with a group of bullies. He gets to pummel Chris! Damien is far from a bully!

This turned out to be one of Damien's favorite days on set. He made some new friends and was used in a lot of scenes. A tour van passed us as we walked to lunch. They stopped to announce that Damien was shooting Everybody Hates Chris. Hi there people on the tour! We'd love to take that tour ourself! They get to go all over the Parmount lot but Damien needs to stay in the holding area. If you're ever on the tour and see us walking by, please say Hi, we'd love to talk with you.