Part XXV: Tik Tok

No, I'm not talking about the song by Ke$ha. I'm talking about just over a month left and still zero movies made. Today was a milestone though, I started editing my first film. Granted it was just cutting up the interviews, a pretty simple task, but it felt great to get Adobe Premiere open and import some clips.
Another big task done today was getting a second script banged out. Not just a second version of the same script, but a whole new script. The kayak trip mayhem totally threw off my entire film and so now I'm kind of back at square one. So today was a big one. In television class at Concordia, scripts seemed kind of easy. Write your lead, throw in some quotes, have a catchy sign off and your done.

This is not news.

This requires a lot more work. I'm trying to blend two stories, keep the storyteller feel, give the info and not be too obvious and direct. Wow. So I drafted a new script and then some. I started on my second movie script. It's really really rough right now, but I hate sitting in front of a blank document. The minute I actually have something down it feels much better and I start to build.

So that is what I did today. No shooting because it is crazy foggy out. Seriously, like hit a pedestrian that's two feet in front of me foggy. Tomorrow is another big day. Shooting early in the morning, work all day then drive to Montreal after work. Phew, I feel tired alright.

Since I didn't take any photos today because my battery charger is in the bowels of my messy room. So here is a picture taken from another day: Kelly with boats in Tadoussac harbour.

Secret

Here is something I feel I can reveal:
I secretly wish I was from the Maritimes. Except not from New Brunswick. Seriously, you Newfs, Islanders and Bluenosers have all the coolest shit. Jealous.

Part XXIV: Going AWOL

Hello everybody,
I'm sure you've all been wondering where I have been after this long absence. Well I have had an extremely crazy/fun/stressful/cold/tiring weekend. Let me tell you, I don't think I've been this relieved to see Monday... ever... only so I can do a whole bunch of laundry, shower, clean my room and generally get my life in order.
So this weekend actually started mighty early. Tuesday night Sean broke the world record for the Montreal-Tadoussac stretch of highway and came to visit me. Seriously, I don't know how people drive that fast and don't get pulled over or die.
So on Thursday I morphed into tour guide Kelly and we saw the sights. The dunes, Tadoussac beach, Pointe d'Islet, Escoumins, Bergeronnes and highway 170 were all stops on the grand tour. It was actually a pretty nice day but alas, there were no whales to be found.
Thursday night was the main event in Tadoussac. Seriously, it was like Christmas came early. With more fire. And explosions. St-Jean-Baptiste Day is a HUGE deal. So HUGE you have to write it in caps whenever you reference it. There were all the elements of a good party. Beer was flowing, fireworks exploding and the fire was burning hot. Seriously, this was a HUGE bonfire.

Since we had a little pre-drinking party with other PC staff (shout out to Tanya, Rosemary, Gen and Kev) it was well into the early hours of the morning when we walked home... uphill.

On Friday we had a super busy day. Picked up kayaks from Baie St-Catherine in the AM, drove to Anse St-Etienne to drop off my truck, drove to Baie Eternite to start our kayak trip. Now day one had some high winds. Some really high winds. You really don't notice until you get out there how high. It was only until we were getting soaked by one metre waves and our hands were all cut up from launching did we realize how stupid we were. We ended up making our 13 km journey in 4 1/2 hours when it was supposed to take 5 1/2 because the wind was pushing us.

We got to our campsite at Anse a Tabatiere completely soaked and exhausted. Luckily there was still a lot of daylight left for us to pitch our tent and get some food into s before crashing. My sleeping bag had been part of the soaked material so I froze until Sean was extremely gallant and switched so I got his nice warm, dry one. Ahhh heaven.

The next day was supposed to be calmer but boy were we in for a surprise. About 2 km after starting the day Sean and I got seperated because I stopped to film. When I found him he was on this beach waving me down to stop. With really rough waves his rudder had broken off and he had been smashed into the rocks. Luckily he didnt get swept out to sea or die or drown. We stayed stranded on a beach for two hours until the tide went out and try to make it to the nearest town. Luckily we were stranded next to the only town on our route: Anse St-Jean. So after a very stressful half hour paddle into a really strong headwind, we made it. Exhausted, hungry and desperate we got a lift to our cars, grabbed the best hot dogs and hamburgers ever, and came back to Tadoussac.

Our three day journey had become two, and boy was I ever sore, cut up and tired. Needless to say, gorging on junk food and bad TV ensued.
So today I reviewed my footage and checked out what we managed to get. Today was spent re-writing and re-focusing script to fit the change in story. A crazy weekend but now it's time to relax. Ahhh.

Part XXIII: De-Stressing Day

Another day mostly spent at the office scripting and logging tape. I did manage to get out into the sunshine today and get a little tiny bit of shooting done. Just the small stuff that really needed to get done. I got some great shots of some unknown geese (I have my field guide and I've been looking) and some shots of the ferry that are kind of boring but will come in handy.
While filming around town I was feeling good. Had a freezie, it was nice out, good times. Unfortunately by the time I got back and looked at my footage. The dead kitten windsock was in about half the shots. Damn. All I could see in the top right hand corner are these little wisps of hair. I think it's time to visit the barber.

Still gearing up for this weekend's kayak trip mentally, physically and logistically. I feel like I have everything I need but I know that as soon as I get out there I will say, "if only I had ...", and then will kick myself for not having it. Which is kind of hard in a kayak.

So today is just another regular day in the world of Canada's Greatest Summer Job. Which, is still pretty amazing.

Here is a picture of me looking doofy in a kayak... a little preview of this weekend

Part XXII: Worries, Frustrations, Insecurities and Hope

Confession: Behind the awesome facade, I am secretly quaking in my boots. So much is hinging on this weekend's kayak trip. My entire first video is framed around it and I'm going to be using a lot of footage for the second video. Also, where has all the time gone. I'm now down to making three videos in a month. Whoops, at least I have my plans set but the last two weeks are going to be a marathon of editing. I hope it rains the entire time so that I won't be feeling like the Wicked Witch of the West.

I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too!

So, this short three day work week I have a lot of taping to do, scripts, logistics and tomorrow I'm on the Parks Canada boat. So all in all I have to get my act together. Today was spent scripting, logging tape and double checking kayak rentals.

Never fear Parks Canada. I can do this. Even if I take me until 11:59:59 on August 4, 2010. These videos will get done.

Also, congrats to all grads today.

Part XII: Funny Sign Day.

It's Friday and it's time for some comic relief. Here are the funny signs that I have encountered thus far in the month in Tadoussac.

How cute is this? Unfortunately whilst pulling up to take the photo I brutally crushed a family of baby ducks.


This photo was taken right in the centre of town at the Tadoussac docks. First time I've ever seen a speed limit of 16 before. Weird....


Mmmmm... Tachos


Well sorry readers for wasting your time with that but I really didn't do much worthwhile today. I only worked for three hours because of the overtime I booked on other days so I went out an enjoyed the beach all afternoon.
Next week is a big one, lots of filming on the kayak trip, a special guest and St-Jean Baptiste!

Part XXI: Here fishy, fishy, fishy!

Today I touched my first krill. It was small, it was squishy, it was dead. I spent 10 hours on the Calanus II today, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Coast Guard boat. It was quite the experience in the French language, smoking and 'les hostie filets'. This isn't your momma's fishing experience.

Fisherwoman Kelly, taking a break


Apparantly you need to smoke this many packs per day to be a real fisherman.


Welcome to my office.




Not a long post today, tired. Also when I told the fishermen about the Halak trade, I've never heard so much French profanity.