Terry likes to go out to see the Playoffs.

Posted on by Thor

Craig Miller’s Field House (7958 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando FL) is where Terry likes to go to watch football playoff games. We sat at the bar to watch her San Diego Chargers play the Raiders. I used the outing as a sketch opportunity. Miller’s has so many large screen TVs, it is hard to know where to look. Each TV was showing a different game and they had small team banners under each set identifying the teams. Since every one’s eyes were glued to the games, it made for some easy clandestine sketching.

The Raiders were eliminated from the playoffs with their 13 to 6 loss to the Chargers. Terry was rooting for the Chargers since San Diego California is where she was raised.  The fun in seeing a game in a bar is all the cheering and jeering that goes with every play. The Chargers later lost the final game of the season when a win would have secured a playoff berth. They missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. Terry likes to say that her hometown team always breaks your heart right at the final moment.

Miller’s Field House had so many TVs, it was hard to know where to look.

Posted on by Thor

On July 19th, Terry and I went to Miller’s Field House (7958 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, FL) to watch the Chargers battle against the Chiefs in the playoffs. Well, Terry watched the playoffs and I sketched. Terry grew up in San Diego, so she always roots for the Chargers, even if she is the only person in the room doing so. The place was packed with fans, Many wearing the jersey of their favorite team. I ordered a burger and a beer and got to work.

The game was pretty close for a while, but by the second half, Terry was groaning far more than she was cheering. The Chargers lost which sealed their fate for the season, they would not be going to the Super Bowl. On my several trips to the bathroom, I realized that the bar also had seating outside, and it was just as crowded out there. People would come in shifts, watching a game and then heading out. The bar must do a brisk business since the drinks kept flowing as long as there were games and commentary.

Miller’s Field House has so many TV’s it is hard to know where to look.

Posted on by Thor

On July 19th, Terry and I went to Miller’s Field House (7958 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, FL) to watch the Chargers battle against the Chiefs in the playoffs. Well, Terry watched the playoffs and I sketched. Terry grew up in San Diego, so she always roots for the Chargers, even if she is the only person in the room doing so. The place was packed with fans, Many wearing the jersey of their favorite team. I ordered a burger and a beer and got to work.

The game was pretty close for a while, but by the second half, Terry was groaning far more than she was cheering. The Chargers lost which sealed their fate for the season, they would not be going to the Super Bowl. 0n my several trips to the bathroom, I realized that the bar also had seating outside, and it was just as crowded out there. People would come in shifts, watching a game and then heading out. The bar must do a brisk business since the drinks kept flowing as long as there were games and commentary.

Filming Hank Williams Jr. at Full Sail

Posted on by Thor

Full Sail sent out an e-mail saying they needed extras for the filming of an NFL Monday Night Football theme song by Hank Williams Jr. When I arrived at Full Sail Live there was a small crowd of people outside in their football jerseys. There was a registration tent for media and one for extras. I decided to sign in with the extras. The release basically said that when I entered the film set I would not hold Full Sail responsible for any injuries I sustained. The group of football fans were being lead inside. I quickly signed my life away and ran to get in with them. We all waited in the lobby as a stage hand explained the ground rules. Inside we could hear loud music and screaming. Someone leaned over and said, “Looks like we’re missing the party.” We were told that we could leave the filming area at any time but we wouldn’t be able to get back in. One of the football fans started eating M&Ms from a catering table. Our guide said, “That food is for the paid extras.” The M&Ms were dropped.

Once inside I separated from the group and looked for a vantage point to sketch from. I sat up on an empty stage platform and got to work. Most of the time everyone stood around waiting for the filming to begin. I had no idea if I was in the shot or not. I kept thinking someone would tell me to move closer into the crowd. I must have looked like I was part of the crew as I worked furiously on the sketch. Hank Williams Jr. ambled out with his cowboy hat, cigar and big sunglasses. He posed for pictures with a few people then got on the stage which was painted like a football field. When I sketched him, he had his back to me as he sat waiting for the next take.

Finally the cameras were ready to roll. The drummer started playing and Hank strutted around on the stage as cheerleaders danced. People were moving their lips to the lyrics but no one sang. Then sparks began to cascade from the ceiling. In a second shot everyone was warned that there were loud firecrackers above their heads. They were told they were safe as long as they stayed on the near side of a red line on the floor. I was on the wrong side of the line. I glanced up and there was the pyrotechnic device maybe 10 feet above my head. I can sketch under most conditions but this time I decided to move. The explosions were loud and everyone screamed even louder. The director called, “Cut! Alright everyone it’s time for lunch.” My sketch wasn’t finished but I had no choice, the extras were being ushered out. I had no need to get back to the testosterone fueled NFL theme song war zone.