the Magicians, episode 111

Wow, stunning on a clear, cold day in Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver, as I wait for a cast pick-up on hopefully the future hit series, "the Magicians".

The week started very cold and rainy. It was 4 Celsius (according to dash thermometer)  close to our studio, and a colder 0 degrees and frosty (had to dig for last years ice scraper) where I live in North Burnaby.

random it's only funny until someone loses an eye shot. (I just happened to be parked over top of the grate)

the shooting day bible, or call sheet, with all the info needed include cast pick-up times, very important for me.

Later in the week we found ourselves back in very familiar territory, Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam

Today was a little different. A couple of the scenes were filmed in the infamous tunnels underneath the Crease Clinic at Riverview.

Today the tunnels played as New York subway service tunnels.

I went for a little wander by myself. I got as far as this prison looking gate and decided that was enough creepiness for one day.

One of our guest stars on this episode was a character (literally) by the name of MC Gainey. (top right). He gave me this magazine that featured an article about his career. ( including Lost, Django Unchained, and Con-Air)

Lunch at Riverview was served in the original, now defunct cafeteria.

The lights are set for 2 nights of freezing cold outdoor shooting.

Office runs bring me back to our studio, where the construction shop is always busy, including making this sign for the show, the fictitious "Brakebills University".

part of the library set at Brakebills

the attention to detail is so impressive

Later in the week, while waiting to pick up an actor at the Sutton Place Hotel, I walked into the lobby, only to be overwhelmed by Christmas, a little too early for a grumpy old man's liking! (me)

The congestion of the lower mainland traffic is always a challenge, and I'm always looking to shave a couple of minutes, ha ha ha. Today I decided to try the Grandview Highway to get onto the freeway , but it was no better than the other routes. Traffic was plugged.

At least I was ahead of all those behind me.Late

Later in the evening was time for some cold weather acting, I couldn't get close, but trust me, there was some practicing of remedial battle magic going on down there.

my job, wait for actors, take in the surroundings, all in all, pretty good gig.

one of my favourite view coming into Vancouver, by Crab Park at the north end of Main Street.

a rare day six of the week, hanging at Coal Harbour by Stanley Park.

We had a couple of special scenes to shoot, one involving a dungeon and one involving Antarctica. Where else would you shoot those scenes than at building J at VFS (Vancouver Film Studios). (Also the studios for films like Girlfriends Guide to Divorce, Flash, and Arrow.)

the dungeon

and Antarctica. Omg! Hard to tell, but in the middle of the circle there is a bed. Our heroes actually have to pretend to make love , while a camera circles around them, eventually they turn into foxes. (cool ) I saw a bit of footage, and it makes it looks like the actors are going in circles instead of the camera. very, very cool (and there was fake snow flying everywhere}