The Shadow of Death
Jerry (aka voyboy) writes:
I’m loving InsideLG15! I have a question I have wanted to ask for a while: When you guys shot 286 (Shadow of Death), was that a real tree that was hit by lightning? To me that was the creepiest.
We have so many stories from that specific video and our trip to the Grand Canyon that we’ve never shared. So here’s a small taste:
I rented a Suburban and drove to the Grand Canyon with Alexandra, Jackson, Katherine, Kevin, Marcello, and Yousef. We stayed about 30 miles away from the Canyon and drove in each day to film. The first day we decided to take our time and get to know the area. We drove off the main highway and onto a side road that led us around a mountain. It also led us into no man’s land. “This’ll be so much fun. We’ll get some great footage here!”
Then our car got stuck in the mud.
At first, it was an “adventure” as Marcello would call it. It involved lots and lots of mud and the loss of at least one pair of shoes. Jackson, Yousef, and Marcello tried every trick they had, but it only got worse. We laughed at our circumstances and even joked about the very dark rain clouds heading toward us. However, when a man on a tractor showed up (on the biggest tractor I’ve ever seen) and could not pull us out, it wasn’t so much fun anymore.
Finally, a couple of deer hunters (with knives on their belts) showed up and removed us from the mud. This “pit stop” caused us to be a full day behind schedule. But looking back now, it’s one of the funniest and most memorable moments I’ve experienced during the show.
The day we filmed Shadow of Death the weather would not cooperate. As we drove around the Canyon all we could see was fog. Rain and fog. How can you film in that? Then, suddenly, the fog lifted and all we could see was this amazing forest - covered in smoke! The forestry service was setting controlled fires and we were looking at the smoldering aftermath. Then, on top of the smoke and fire, it hailed! So there we were, at the Grand Canyon, surrounded by a “controlled” forest fire covered in hail. It was just too perfect.
We pulled over by the side of the road and filmed. For hours and hours. There was no bathroom, no food, and Marcello almost broke his neck. It was also one of the first times Katherine ever filmed with us. She was such a trooper! Everyone went above and beyond that day. I was so proud of them!
Jerry, what you see in the video is a real fire, but not one caused by lightning.
Do you have a question about a video? We might just answer it.
- Amanda
January 16th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
thanks for sharing! very interesting.
here’s a very random obscure question, the type that haunts lgpedians:
in hope he’s not mad, is that really a boom mike? (shades of summer 2006 arguments here, when people claimed you could see a boom mike in swimming!) see lgpedia about it: http://www.lg15.com/lgpedia/index.php?title=Hope_He%27s_Not_Mad
January 16th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Nope, not a boom mic. We didn’t even own one then!
January 16th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Wow! Thank you Amanda!!
*I emailed Amanda a few days ago with this question. I didn’t expect a documentary!
Now that’s what I call service!!*
January 16th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Great story!!!! :))) I remember thinking when I saw those pics of Yousef and Jonas all muddy and trying to push the SUV what all happened that day. ;)) One question I have is when a character is the one filming, is it really the actor playing the character or someone else??
January 16th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Let me rephrase that last comment. I really need to start proof reading. ;))
Great story!!!! :))) I remember wondering when I saw those pics of Yousef and Jonas all muddy and trying to push the SUV what all could have happened that day. ;)) One question I have is when a character is the one filming, is it really the actor playing the character or someone else??