Every rose has its thorn…
Darn you Brett Michaels, and your power ballad wisdom!
I can only compare the first day of production to a wedding day or game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final in the sense of anticipation and nerves. We knew there would be only one chance to get the first night right.
My role is based on a Pavlovian-like response to a red camera light. Light on, it’s go time. Light off, relax and prepare for next red light.
The first day of shooting for me is usually fairly similar no matter what the show. There are the final wardrobe fittings, production meetings and last minute script changes. However, this day felt different. I knew we were breaking new ground and had the potential to make something very special.
I had my usual healthy dose of nerves as the crew van pulled up the hill towards the mansion. But as the massive residence came into view it was then that the enormity of what we were doing hit me. There was the mansion, stunningly up-lit, the slick driveway bathed by rows of flickering candles.
Reality television is about capturing moments, not creating them. Case in point, when Bubba broke the comedic ice after meeting Brad by walking straight into our film crew. That’s a captured moment. A woman who can’t speak enough about her level of self-confidence created in that moment the tiniest fissure in her emotional windshield. Watching that chip in her self-esteem slowly expand as the night progressed was something you can’t orchestrate. It was powerful television.
Say what you like about Whitney, but she makes an impression. Just ask Gabrielle who took an instant dislike to her based on Whitney’s confident attitude. Their delicious exchange at the bar had the feeling of a very well coiffed version of Thunderdome.
“Two Bachelorettes enter! One Bachelorette leaves!”
One thing is certain – we can only hope there are more fireworks to come.
The rose ceremony proved tougher than Brad thought. When he came back and asked for one more rose, I was pretty shocked. But Brad was determined to give Ana another chance. In what I thought was a very classy move he trusted his gut and gave away a 16th rose. The expression on Ana’s face when her name was called made this exhausting 24-hour shooting odyssey worth every second.
But for the ladies who did not receive a rose, I tip my hat to them for showing such grace and having the courage to put themselves out there and chase something as beautiful as love. I wish them all the best.
Buckle your seat belt, you are in for quite a ride.
