Well, folks, today we put in our bid for an Emmy. I think we may fall short
of a few votes, but there again we could re-count them a few times, couldn't
we?
The day, started at 3:00 am this morning when Mary and I turned out of bed.
Yes, it really is an ungodly hour! The transporter arrived at 4:00 am and
Baby was put aboard securely. One advantage with leaving at this time is that
there is hardly any freeway traffic and those of you who live in the Los
Angeles area will appreciate that. We were dropped off at the entrance to
Griffith Park at 5:45 am and from there we drove to the set. It was so dark
it was like trying to find a black cat in a coal cellar at night. Crew call
was at 6:00 am and we were the first there.
The previous day the vehicle hiring agent, "Toes", (seems everyone has a
nickname in Hollywood), had told us that the director wanted a Command Car as
the "really liked them." However, I had made it clear that the only drivers
were to be Mary and myself, there was to be no painting and no pyrotechnics.
Toes said that I asked a lot of good questions and I have to admit all the
tips were gleaned from the list in the past. Thanks chaps!
The first thing that the director said when he saw Baby was that all the US
Army markings would have to go or be covered up. Fortunately, something in
the back of my mind had already foreseen this possibility and I had brought
cammo netting with me. I threw some over the hood and some over the back,
and, Voila! all the markings disappeared. It turned out that this was to be
not only Baby's debut on film, but also her first character part. She was
standing in for a "nazi jeep"! Aaaargh!
The director decided that she need to be driven into the shot and I
discovered that Toes had done a good job, for there was a "costume" for me.
Plaid shirt and a stetson, I was to be a "peasant"! Typecasting already, I
thought, but hey, but I get one days pay as an extra. With two extras onboard
and at the call of "Action Deryk," I tore down the canyon, around a bend and
pulled to a halt in front of a cave mouth, narrowly missing other "peasant"
extras. Three takes, each a driving a little faster and it was done. The next
scene involved Baby parked on her "marks," technical Hollywood term, don't
you know. She did the scene in one take, what a pro! By 8:00 am, we had done
our bit.
After the shooting for these scenes was over, lots of the crew came and
chatted about Baby. I have to say that everyone from the director down made
Mary and I very welcome. We had a great time and these guys must have the
best, (free), catering truck in the world. Unfortunately we did not get to
mix with the stars, though I did see the back of Pamela Anderson's head as
she was getting her hair done.
We had a grand day out, it was interesting watching all this organized chaos
and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Mary, Baby and I agreed that we would do
it again in the future, if we were asked and I am planning to put a star on
our garage door for Baby. This episode of VIP is called "Val's Big Bang" and
is due to air in February.
Deryk Walker
1944 WC-56 Command Car "Baby"
Mission Viejo, CA
(Last outpost of the British Empire)
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