FTV trip to Boracay

“Boracay is a tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.”---according to Wikipedia…

Boracay is amazing! – ACCORDING TO ME.  I have to say I am so lucky to be working for FTV!  I just spent a week in PARADISE!  Although most of the time was set aside for shoots, we definitely enjoyed some island hopping, snorkeling, and the totally fun night life Boracay has to offer.  

A sentimental moment

According to a little tourist guide, Philippines, by Chris Rowthorn, Greg Bloom, Michael Day, Michael Grosberg, Ryan Ver Berkmoes, “Cebu is the hub around which the Visayas revolves.  It is the most densely populated island in the Philippines and is second only to Luzon in its strategic and economic importance to the country.  Its language, Cebuano, is widely spoken throughout the Visayas and parts of Mindanao, and its capital, Cebu City, is a magnet for migrants from all over the region.”

The sun was out today fully shining, but at the same time a warm rain fell from invisible clouds.  I felt much like the weather today, the beaming sunshine and tears that just seeped out from nowhere.  Today I said goodbye to my best friend and roommate.  Everybody here at Bigfoot has a few things unchangeably in common.  One of those things is the willingness to relocate to a remote location usually far away from our homes.  We are all travelers.  We are all open minded to new things.  We all want to experience places, things, everything.  With these qualities we might think that we would be used to the constant coming and going of new people in and out of our experiences as we each embark on new adventures in different directions, maybe someday to meet again, but no guarantee.  Once in a while you meet people that truly touch you though.  Those people are a real part of your experience.  They mean everything.  Sadly enough, those people have to carry on with their journeys… just as I must carry on with my own.  So as my roommate embarks on her trip to Thailand, I struggle to push out of the invisible rain cloud.     Every time one of my experiences comes to an end, I always end up having something wonderful to start in its place.  I guess I have spent the last several years living from one experience to the next.  Never actually letting them end without quickly replacing them with a new one.  In this way I never really have a chance to be miserable about things ending.  Sadly, I haven’t had a new experience to replace this friendship with in these few hours that this experience has come to its bittersweet end.  So I will wallow in my temporary apathy as unfamiliar a feeling as it may be.  

My time at Bigfoot as a model has been so valuable I find it almost hard to put into words.  I have learned life lessons that have been so difficult at the time but have hardened me to the ever-changing and often harsh world in which we live.  For example, I will never forget the day I had to move the first time.  I was so happy in Casa with my roommate, everything was perfect.  Then out of the blue my roommate tells me we both have to move out that evening.  They needed our room and were putting us with different roommates also.  I was so sad, miserable.  Packing felt like I was moving away forever.  I was filled with uncertainty about my new room, just the whole idea of the impermanence of my life here and the short notice to leave and make a new home.  By the next day I had found that my new room and roommate were so amazing and the entire experience turned out to be so wonderful.  A few weeks later I once again was notified by my roommate that I was moving…  They were again splitting me from the person I got so comfortable with.  We both moped around, sulking in our depression… feeling mad about our relocation.  As it turned out I got to move into my last roommate’s new room!  So ultimately, again, I had a positive outcome.  Who would have figured.  I have to say thank you in the end for each and every experience like this.  Honestly, although I am not learning to pack less for an easy move, I am learning that any place you go can be a new home and that it is not the end of the world. 

So now I am finding those new experiences, trying so hard to stay busy every second to not miss those wonderful people that have continued on their journeys.  As I write this blog I reflect on people, experiences, life in the Philippines.  I can only look back in gratitude to each and every person who has been a part of this experience and continues to in the future.  And walk ahead in a positive light for a new experience and great day in Paradise tomorrow.

 

Days Off Well Deserved

After almost three weeks of straight work, I got a weekend off.  I was so thrilled.  I can't complain too much about working though, since I am working in paradise... and the work I'm doing is all work I really do enjoy.  However, it is nice to have a weekend to relax!  So after a long day of shopping, a wrap party for "Deep Gold" and my roommate's surprise birthday party, I just enjoyed a whole Sunday of relaxation.  A small group of us went over to a friend's place and spent the day just kicking back.  We went sailing, boating, had a huge lunch, lounged in and around the pool... you know, the typical day off in Cebu!  I love it here!  It was fun to just do nothing for once.  

My days here usually start off at 7:30 a.m. with morning workout, then breath holding exercises.  I was soooo happy to have made my best breath holding time last week- 2 min. and 18 seconds... sadly enough, I haven't beat that yet!  I am still right around the 1 min. and 50 second mark but keep trying to improve!  So after an early start and breath holding my day really begins with either photoshoots, working on set, or any other various tasks that seems to present themselves.  Each day is so packed with so much.  

It has already been a month that I’ve been here at Bigfoot in Cebu.  As unbelievable as it is I am already half way finished with my internship.  Crazy!  I spent the first month living in Casablanca.  I guess it became my unofficial home here.  So the news that I was moving to a new room and a new building came as a shock.  The filming of “Deep Gold” is coming to a close and now the filming of “Tears from Afar” is about to take off.  They shuffling of people to new rooms is because the crew for the next film is now arriving.  I was expecting the worst of my new place, just because that way I couldn’t be disappointed… well…. As it turns out, it rocks!  I love it.  The view is awesome and it even came with a pet.  My roommate and I have a gecko that lives with us now; we named him Sebastian!  So cute.  So ultimately, it all turned out for the best and I am really thrilled.  I still can’t get over the views here.  Absolutely amazing.  I took a few pictures from right outside my room. 

Yesterday we wrapped “Deep Gold”, and that required us to be on location on the boat.  Surprisingly enough, today I still feel like I am on a boat.  It really was cool though to be part of the filming in such a pretty location.  The sunset was awesome too!  So although it will be nice to have some more free time I will definitely miss the set.

Talima Island

On our day off we decided to go exploring and went to Talima Island.  It was only about a 15 minute boat ride away and such a fun place.  The day was composed of lounging, laughing, swimming in oceans and pools, boating, enjoying a mango and relaxing in the sun.  A truly amazing place.  By the time nightfall came around we were transported to a boat ride home via motor bikes.  We took some huge ferry boat back to our main island.  It seemed to take forever.  When we got on the boat one of the first things I saw was a large pig tied aboard.  I kept telling myself it was a pet.  I distracted myself on an upper deck trying to rest and just watch the black water in the black ocean as we crashed through wave after wave toward my “home”.  The whole day was exhausting but worth every bit of the exhaustion. 

Music Video

 

Sometimes I start to take experiences for granted.  Things just happen so fast that live changing events happen and nobody even takes a second to notice.  That’s the worst.  When you finally get that long anticipated down time only to reflect on the fact that you should have taken the time to get the most out of all the things that flew by. 

So as make-up is being applied and we are rushing around to get the actors ready for their music video I am in a preoccupied daze.  Then I take that second to think, “wait, this is the filming of a MUSIC VIDEO”…. IN THE PHILIPPINES… in ASIA… and I’m a part of it.  It is crazy to think of some of the things each and everyone of us is doing here.  One day make-up, another modeling, maybe just enjoying dinner in the city.  I guess I do so many of these things everyday here, that after a while they become habit, routine… I took that second to wake myself up and remember that this doesn’t get to happen to everybody or all the time.   The temperature was hot.  The video was being filmed in Sound Stage 2 and although there were fans and a light breeze, the air conditioning wasn’t on and we were all melting.  Perspiration beaded up on each and everyone of our foreheads as we shot and re-shot scene after scene.  The music was sped up to 36 frames/sec (I think that is the correct way to say that) so that it would match the actor’s lips when we filmed.  Over and again the same track was played as he would sing from a different position or different angle.  My roommate was the model he was singing to.  The song sounded as though it was sung by a chipmunk because it was in fast forwarded time.  After several hours, I grew to like the fast version as much or even better then the original.  I can probably recite the song on spot now too.  As soon as the music stopped, “Cut!” rang out and I was patting powder on their faces.  Disguising the glow of the heat and humidity for as long as possible, which was only a few more minutes.

It was so cool to see how a music video is made.  I guess it is because I have only been here about 2 weeks now that I am still so amazed at all the things going on here.  Maybe the awe wears off after a while, but so far I am still really excited to do so many new things!  The video was filmed with a green background, green floor, and everything else green.  In editing they are able to replace the green with the background of their choice; city buildings, whatever they have in mind.  It was so cool to hear the music and imagine what it will end up looking like in the final music video.  I kept my eyes glued to the monitor checking for that infamous glow and prepared to rush up there and powder, powder, powder.  Ben, the singer and main actor of the video had great eye contact with the camera and it was great to watch from the monitor.  Mika, my roommate and the other actor in the video, stood looking around as though she didn’t know he was standing right behind her.  When it is edited it should look like he is singing to her but from a distance so she doesn’t know.  I think they pulled it off.  It looked cool from where I was watching at least. 

Working on this project has been my favorite so far.  No comparison.  Everybody was very laid back but at the same time very on task.  We all knew what we had to do and got it done but still enjoyed each other’s company while doing it.  It was one experience I am glad to not have taken for granted.

The Real Filming of a Music Video

Here are pictures from the filming of a music video here at Bigfoot!

The Beginning

Throughout my 23 years I have found that that life is made up of so many experiences.  Experiences that hold happy times, sad times, sometimes just times.  But no matter what the emotion with the experience, one thing is certain; it changes you in some way.  People are constantly changing, adapting, growing, learning.  I have had so many great experiences.  I feel truly lucky.  From Prague to Zurich, Paris to Vienna.  Berlin to Augsburg.  Each place holds something that adds a piece to the puzzle, which, when all are put together, ultimately shapes us into who we are.  Who I am.  I am now embarking on a new journey.  ASIA. 

This journey started off by an evening flight from Chicago, speeding down the runway, then quickly descending on the Cali coast.  LAX was my temporary home for a few hours in the middle of the night.  But within the night I was fast bound for Hong Kong.  Asia.  China.  A whole new page in my book of experiences.  I have had the privilege of being in many places before such as France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Mexico, Bahamas, Netherlands,  but never Asia.  My vision was clouded by sleepy eyes that were kept wide open by anticipation.  The flight took forever.  The seats were small and uncomfortable as they crammed together more people in one plane then I was used to.  The stewardesses spoke English with such speed that it seems like a new language.  As a result of my inexperience with this new fast-forwarded English, I ended up ordering the seafood breakfast - as a vegetarian that does not eat fish.  

Almost 15 hours later the plane was pounding down the runway and I was in Hong Kong.  My layover was almost a whole day, so I weighed the options.  The boring option of sitting all day in the airport or the less cautious option of exploring the city.  Ultimately caution flew to the wind and I hit the city.  I went on tours, went shopping, had a day on the town, then was jammed back on the next plane for my final destination.  Cebu.  I was eager to get there, but not sleeping in 30 something hours made the trip merely a dream.  I woke up arriving in Cebu. 

Once I got off the plane, all the passengers were herded like confused sheep through winding halls and eventually to customs.  After convincing customs of my validity, I stood watching a parade of suitcases, desperately wishing mine would eventually make its debut.  Nothing.  People came and went.  I stood.  Soon there were no more suitcases left and no more people.  Finally came my bruised and beaten luggage and I headed for the door.  Everybody was pulling me to one taxi or another, but I just kept walking, hoping somewhere I would find the answer to where I was going.  Next thing I know, I was in a shuttle to Bigfoot, speeding by people and unfamiliar surroundings.  Through my half open eyes, I took tried to take in all these things at once. 

I was soon checked in and out with my guide for the evening seeing the sights of my new home for the next 8 weeks. 

From 7:30am morning workouts followed by breath holding exercises to orientation and a grand tour of the place, I was kept busy for virtually every moment of the day.  Jet lag made things difficult at first since I awakened faithfully 5:30 in the morning, and by 6:00 pm I was ready to go to sleep.  It has taken about a week to get adjusted but luckily I have overcome the jetlag and am functioning normally now.   

Kristina's introduction

As this is my first blog I want to take a second to introduce myself and tell you why I’m here.  I’m writing this blog because I am currently on my first visit to the Philippines and I want some way to document my time here for all of my friends and anybody else who wants to read it. 

My name is Kristina and I am a model intern working in the wardrobe department at Bigfoot.  I am interning as a make-up artist for the production of the feature film, “Deep Gold”.  I get a first hand, behind the scenes look at filming and make-up for filming.

I am here from a small town in Wisconsin called Seneca.  Seneca is a little farming community in the South Western part of the state, right near the Mississippi River.  We have very cold winters but amazing summers and most people usually spend their free time on the river.  It’s a great place for boating, camping and horse riding, which is one of my favorite things.  Although I am originally from a more urban location, I love the small town feeling.  

  I got into modeling while in college in St. Louis, Missouri.  I started out modeling with John Robert Powers.  I usually do runway, but enjoy doing some promotional modeling and other commercial work.  I have been very fortunate to get to incorporate traveling into my work.  I love to travel!  I currently model out of St. Louis, Chicago and the surrounding areas but the best part of the job, is where it can take you.  It is great to be able to see so many new places.   At Bigfoot there are people from all over the world.  From Europe, to Asia to the U.S. there is a great combination of people here.  

I look forward to documenting my experiences so far, as they happen.   Hopefully you will enjoy reading as they come.