Ten Things I've Learned

Starting a blog on the making of a movie AFTER you start shooting the movie is really complicated. Where do I start? I could go back four years, tell you how Jieho and I met, how we started collaborating on THE AIR I BREATHE, how producers and cast and financing all came together, and finally how we ended up in Mexico City with Jieho directing.

Then again, I could start a couple weeks ago, when I arrived in Mexico City and strolled for the first time ever onto the set of a major motion picture that I helped write. That would logically lead to the first week and a half of shooting, with so many mind-blowing moments for me that I don’t even know where to begin.

But the problem here is all this writing about the past just keeps putting me behind, because what I want to write about is TODAY. I want to rush home from the set and share some magic moment, a memory emblazoned in my brain. I want to tempt you, just a tiny bit, with what you can expect from these four intertwining stories, each named after a different emotion.

But first, in my desire to catch you all up, I thought I’d do a brief recap of exactly what I’ve learned since coming to Mexico City. And here it is…

TEN THINGS I’VE LEARNED IN MEXICO CITY

1) People in Mexico City like to PARTY. It is not uncommon, when leaving your hotel at six in the morning to go to the set, to cross paths with people coming back to the hotel after partying all night. And if you decide to join some new friends for a night out…better have the next day off. Because you’ll need it.

2) Brendan Fraser, while an extremely nice fellow, hits like a tank. I don’t know this from personal experience, but the other day, I saw him take out a couple of stunt men in a fight scene that will rattle your teeth. No lie.

3) Driving in Mexico City is only for the brave…or crazy. I only see it from the back of a van, but things like traffic lights and lane dividers feel oddly quaint here.

4) Assuming it’s possible for a camera to have a crush on a human being, then I have to say that our camera has a massive crush on Sarah Michelle Gellar. Because the camera just loves her. Oh my God, does it ever.

5) If you say “Good Morning” to someone in barely acceptable Spanish, they will happily carry on a full conversation before realizing that you (or in this case, I) do not really speak Spanish at all.

6) Forest Whitaker loves his job. As the spiritually-bereft banker Happiness, I’ve watched him tumble to the ground, drag himself to his feet, and run up some stairs, gasping for air…only to break into a charming grin the moment someone yells cut.

7) Sometimes when you ask a very talented movie star to do a top-secret cameo in your movie, they say yes. And when this happens, you feel very, very good.

8) Mexican film crews rock. They’re dedicated, hard working, and like to have fun. If only I’d paid attention in high school Spanish class, then maybe I could talk to more of them.

9) Actors are smart. For instance, Emile Hirsch brought a costume-piece for his character that has got to be one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. It’s perfect.

And finally, one more thing I’ve learned…

10) Dreams come true. Sometimes they just take a year. Or four.

Which brings us to today. And as for what happened today…well, I’m exhausted, so I’ll have to tell you tomorrow. But here’s a hint.

Kevin.

Okay, another hint.

Bacon.

Seeya tomorrow.