Equal Play Productions took over the Semoran Skateway (2670 Cassel Creek Blvd, Casselberry, FL) for a very late evening of filming for Tracey Jane‘s short film titled Snow Globe. I arrived at the Skateway a little before 11pm and several of the film crew were unloading cameras and other film equipment. I waited near the entrance and followed them inside since I figured they knew where to go. We walked past the ticket window and went inside. All of the film equipment filled a storage room at about the 50 yard line of the rink. Actors and film crew were crowded inside. Here I got to hug the writer, and director Tracey Jane. I have been a longtime fan of her plays, musicals and now film productions. 

While the film crew were busy unpacking and setting up equipment I sat and started a sketch of the rink. There were still crowds of skaters but come 11pm the lights went up and skaters were asked to exit the rink. Any skaters who wanted to stay behind and be an extra in the film were requested to fill out a release form. A core group of die hard regulars stayed behind and other skaters filtered in who specifically showed up for their opportunity to appear in an independent short film. The female skater I placed in the foreground of the sketch said, “I’m 56 and still skating strong.” A group of 5 or so male skaters formed a wolf pack and skated at top speed around the rink swaying in unison to the music right until the music stopped.

While I was doing this sketch, actress Carson Jean Holly was delicately trying to keep her balance as she, walk-slipped her way at the edge of the rink on the carpet, often grabbing the wall for support. I couldn’t help but feel absolute delight, because if I had tried skating instead of sketching, I would have spent most of my time falling down. I first met Carson when she performed in A Halloween Carol, The Musical, also written by Tracey Jane. She impressed me as a consummate professional. When Carson steps into a roll she goes all in, and she felt certain, she would learn how to skate before the evening was through. She offered comic relief on a long night of marathon shooting and in my case, sketching.

As often happens, this spot that I chose to sketch from turned out to be the main staging area for much of the action in the scenes to follow. I had to move when the filming began. Luckily all the line work was in place and I could add water color washes from anywhere. I set up right next to the monitor where Tracey could watch the scenes as they were filmed. I got to see her delight and concern as scenes unfolded on the monitor. Besides all her directing responsibilities, Tracey also stepped into mom mode, by offering me and cast waters, to be sure we stayed hydrated. The filming would be happening until 5am, so I had plenty of time to get more sketches under my belt.

While doing this sketch most of the filming being done was B roll footage of skaters. Gregory Mohn shot footage while skating and leaning forward to get the camera inches from the ice. Much of the acting and dialogue scenes would happen in the concessions area. Although I have a copy of the script, I decided to keep myself in the dark and learn about the characters as filming happened.  I consider this sketch my establishing long shot.