New Donald Trump movie (the sequel - entry)
It’s early Monday morning. It’s the first day of a 4-week film shoot. The subject is Donald Trump. There’s a man that just hasn’t been getting enough publicity. This movie will help bring him out of the shadows. Perhaps it will help him generate some money. That would be nice.
My call time for the movie is 6:00 a.m. which means I set the alarm for 4:45. Early for most, but I considered this as sleeping in compared to my days of morning radio and television. Silly hours!
My destination is a funky spot of west end Toronto called the Old Mill. Lots of chalets and Tudor style buildings. Very Hanzel & Gretel. There was still a bit of snow on the ground. Good thing. Toronto, in this scene, would be playing the role of Aspen, Colorado. Looked convincing to me.
I walk up to the craft services trailer and grab a coffee. I then proceed to my very own trailer. Actually, allow me to clarify. I have a 5ft x 7ft portion of a 40-foot trailer with a piece of paper taped to my outside door which reads: “REPORTER #1″. Not exactly a star in the sidewalk but at least I’m number one in somebody’s eyes.
I happen to be in the first scene of the day. There’s a lot going on with this one. I’m positioned in front of the ‘Aspen chalet’ reporting on-camera as cars are leaving and pulling up to the front door. Skiers are walking everywhere and the crane-camera is on the move.
All of the activity has to be synchronized so that by the time the crane-cam sweeps down to capture my close-up the following has happened:
1989 BMW has pulled away…1989 limousine has pulled up….skiers (with late-80’s fashion and hair) have crissed and crossed the chalet grounds…Donald, Ivana and the kids are getting out of the limo…I finish my 30 second report to camera on cue.
With all that taking place in the background and me being the only person you could hear, and eventually see, of course there was no pressure!
Especially when this is the direction I had to follow:
“OK Rory, I’ll yell “action” and that’s when you start talking. But don’t start walking until you see my hand signal 30 feet away (which will be blocked by the crane-cam). Walk toward the mark behind your (fake) camera-man (which you won’t be able to see because your (fake) camer-man is blocking it with his (real) massive frame as he walks backward filming you (not really…remember, he’s the fake one). Towards the end of your report look away briefly and then look back to the (real) camera man and end up on your mark while giving a three quarter turn and acknowledging Donald, Ivana and the kids getting out of the limo”. (end scene)
I thought I might have had a better shot at playing Marla Maples.
A few rehearsals and then we nailed it on the third try. It must have been the suit.
The movie is called AMBITION, based on a book following the three generations of the Trumps. Look for it on ABC this Spring/Summer. I’ll be the reporter you hear for 25 seconds and maybe see for five seconds. It’s Aspen circa 1989. However, it’s really Toronto 2005.
Let me know what you think of the suit.