Things went pretty well after a short hike up to a lesser known outcrop. We got most of what Jason, the director, wanted before I spotted a figure in the distance below. He was wearing a white shirt and black pants. Possibly a Mormon, we surmised, but equally possibly an official of some kind. As the shots rolled along, the guy below kept walking back and forth, then sticking his head in an SUV that parked itself at the trail entrance. Jason decided he’d gotten enough coverage to edit the scene together, and rather than risk a confrontation, wrapped the set and we all split into small groups and hiked back down.

When we reached the parking lot, however, the guy in white turned out to be a painter who was merely framing his own shot for a watercolor.

We laughed like hyenas as we drove out. Paranoia does strange things to a person.

I don’t want to post too many photos of the sets before the film is out, so as not to spoil much. But here’s Sunday’s set, a funeral. This short has been great fun to be a part of, and I can’t wait to see the finished film.

He asked if I’d done much acting, to which I wanted to respond, “only all my life,” but of course he meant film and plays. We had a friendly chat about the industry, my views on acting and why I was trying to move into on-camera work instead of just voice, and the sheer insanity of us both attempting to make a career out of all of it. He said, “even if I never make it in the Business, I think I’ll always make films. It’s such a collaboration, and I love that.”

I apologized for not having a monologue prepared, but he waved a hand at that, saying he didn’t ask anyone to do so because it didn’t quite fit what the film required.

We said our goodbyes, I thanked him and wished him luck, and left my headshot. I’m hoping for more auditions like that.