Robert gets the “Prick” instead of playing the Prick. Somewhere out by Acton, Ca.
Steve Confer (DP) Alexander (1st AD) and Hector (Wardrobe), with Annie (ad) just in.
Dan Kaplow was our Line producer / UPM for several years and A Great guy. Always appreciative of a good job and did everything he could to make things go smooth.
This is one of the most used locations in California, “Club Ed” way out in the California Desert about 10 miles east of Lancaster / Palmdale. This is a rare original post card touting it as a location to shoot at. It looks very different today since every crew that shot here added or modified it a little. It was made for a movie originally but I’m not sure what it was. I have been on at least a dozen different shoots out there including Star Trek, Profiler, Playboy, Southland, and several commercials. It was our location for the last episode of ARLISS. The pictures below were taken there.
This was one of the last shots of the Arliss series and one of the toughest. John Farmer (Dolly Grip) and Bill Witthans (key grip, me!) are on top of Shotmaker cap operating the Techno crane. We went out and shot for about 3 hours and It was possibly the coldest I ever been The wind chill on the insert car and the fact it was cold to begin with near froze us. The Picture is put together from 4 separate shots so its a bit distorted.
This is a tough business and anyone who says they never dozed off on a set is either a liar or has a cushy job. 15-16 hour days and then add the drive to that… people grab a couple of zzz’s whenever they can. Al Castillo and Rusty Davis (grips) grab theirs while John Farmer and I freeze on the insert car.
Gary (electric) was sleeping but with cat like reflexes popped up for the picture!
We did a bit where Arliss walks into a cave and I think this was the impromptu tent we rigged to make it black inside since he really just walked into a path between some rocks.
Greg Guellow’s face says it all! Greg was my Best Boy for several years and just a hoot to have around….took care of business, but had a way with words at just the right moment that would have us rolling on the floor! Somewhat not politicaly correct he would pop onto the set at 2 am just as the shit hit the fan and say something like”hmmm we seem to have an Ethiopian in the fuel supply” One of those rare best boys who before you asked for it came to tell you it was ready. He was also my favorite at location scouts he saw it all!
Below “Really I usually work on Features only! I’m just doing this for a sick friend…..”
Below Daniel Bustimonte our electric dept Best Boy tries to appear as if he is working!
DP Steve Confer and Operator Rob Ruiz look at each other and ask “is this art?” We truly did some weird stuff on ARLISS, Donkey Basketball at the “warehouse” Half Moon Stages in Glendale.
1st AD Linda tries to get the “Jack Asses” on their dam marks!
Rob Ruiz normally the 1st camera AC bumped up to Operator and our loader pulled focus.
Gaffer John McGowen (left) 1st AD Alexander, Steve Confer, Annie 2nd AD.
Robert Wuhl in suit played ARLISS. Back on the 12’x12′ checkerboard Reiny Borchardt and Bobby Crockett just behind Steve Confer who appears to be looking for Indians……
Not only did Arliss have a great list of famous people guest star, do bit parts, and cameos, we went to some pretty interesting places that many people never get close to. Steve, Tim Marks, I, Rob Ruiz, and 1 or 2 others went to do a little scene with Tommy Lasorda and a Famous Dodger that I cant remember being the Major Sports Moron that I am!
We arrive pre-game at Dodger stadium, there is no closer than this unless your playing!
Tommy Lasorda was the first guy that I saw have Robert really listening!
The infamous “Ladder Pod” camera platform and Greg Gewello showing us the proper form on a ten step ladder. The Scientology sign in the background tags this as Hollywood USA!