Chapter 14: That’s All for Today, Goodbye

The atmosphere of sunset is different from that of sunrise, at least it's obvious through the camera.

The light at dawn is pale blue, giving a mysterious and tranquil feel. Sunset light, however, after a whole day of hustle and bustle, fills the air with dust, and the scattered sunlight takes on a reddish-orange hue, warm and earthy.

In the hands of a very meticulous director, perhaps the scenes at dawn and dusk wouldn't be shot together. But Ronald, the true heir of Roger Corman, the master of fast filming and temporary director of low-budget exploitation films, didn't have such concerns.

Finally, after 4 p.m., the sky began to darken, and the magical light filmmakers love returned. The crew and actors had already relocated. The cinematographer lay in front of the viewfinder, gazing through it for a long time before finally giving the OK signal.

Ronald took a deep breath and gave the order.

"Sound?"

"Rolling."

"Camera?"

"Speed."

"Ms. Woronov?"

"Ready."

"Scene 135 of High School Life, first take, first slate!"

"Action!"

Ronald no longer roared as he had in the morning and was much gentler now. Maybe his voice was worn out from shouting all day, or maybe he was reluctant to shoot these last two takes.

Mary Woronov, playing the principal, began walking toward the camera, head held high. Two followers trailed behind her—one fat, one thin—complete buffoons. On either side of her were two sexy beauties, Chrissy and Marla.

Ronald had given them another chance to appear. The two had changed clothes to look like regular students, but their dancing and postures remained sexy, even in mid-frame.

However, Mary took center stage, and the two beauties were only captured in profile. When Mary passed between them, the audience's attention would focus solely on her.

Actors care deeply about their screen time. Only with good performances can directors and editors be merciful enough to keep more of their scenes.

Mary Woronov was incredible and seemed to enchant the camera. Ronald hid behind the camera to watch her performance, his gaze drawn to her involuntarily. He imagined that once the movie was released, cinema audiences would also find themselves inexplicably fixated on her face.

Why is that? Is it because the composition places her in the center? Maybe it's her height? No, PJ Soles and Day Young had also received this treatment, but they lacked this magic.

It must be Mary's vibrant expressions and movements, right? She felt incredibly real, and people always respond to real expressions and movements. There was just something about this Mary, Ronald thought to himself.

"Cut!"

Only one last shot remained.

"I want a tracking shot. The two walk past the camera from left to right, and the camera follows them. Kate, played by Day Young, feels a bit down after being punished with detention. Liv, played by PJ, has been cheering her up by making faces, playing music, and skipping ahead. Follow the shot until they pass the tree, and I'll call 'stop.'"

Having learned Roger Corman's secrets, Ronald approached and gave detailed instructions.

The camera focused on PJ Soles and Day Young on the lawn. It started with them standing facing east, the sunlight on their faces making them look young and vibrant. Then they slowly walked westward. The setting sun cast an oblique glow, outlining them with a golden contour and evoking a subtle melancholy. It perfectly matched Kate's shift in mood after hearing about her punishment. If they had walked in the opposite direction, with the initial close-up in backlight and the final shot in direct light, it would have clashed with the mood of the scene.

Ronald felt a bit proud. It seemed he knew a thing or two about lighting—thanks to his background in portrait photography. Watching the two actors walk away, he felt a twinge of sadness. His days as a temporary director were coming to an end.

"Cut!"

Cinematographer Dean Cundey signaled that the scene had been captured, and Ronald picked up the megaphone:

"Everyone, I'm announcing that today's shoot is officially over."

After a pause, Ronald returned to his assistant tone and began announcing the next week's schedule:

"We're done now, and tomorrow is a rest day. The call time for the day after tomorrow is 7:00 a.m., with the crew call at 8:00 a.m. The location is Mount Carmel High School, 7011 South Hoover Street. A map will be attached to the announcement for the day after tomorrow. If it's your first time going there, familiarize yourself with the area. The school is closed, so don't be surprised if you don't see students or teachers on Monday."

"Oh, by the way, thank you, everyone! Thank you for your cooperation today, thank you!"

As people began to leave, Ronald approached Dean Cundey to personally thank him. He wanted to shake Dean's hand.

But Dean stopped him and gave him a hug. "Ronald, well done. Well done, kid," he said, giving him a hearty pat on the back.

Ronald thanked several actors individually, including Gale, the presidential assistant; Jenny, the sound recorder; Gigi, the makeup artist; and Siana, the dancer. Finally, it was Jim's turn.

"Hey, Jim, great job today!"

"You too, Ronnie."

The two hugged tightly.

"You head out first, Ronald. I'll stay and watch the camera crew load the equipment into the truck. I'll also sign the actors' timecards."

This was typically the first assistant director's job, but knowing Ronald was emotionally and physically spent, Jim offered to take on the tasks.

"Let's do it together—it'll only take ten minutes."

…

The two began overseeing the camera crew as they packed their gear. Once finished, the shoot at Van Nuys High School would officially be over.

"Where's Ronald?"

Roger Corman's voice echoed from the school gate.

"I'm here, Mr. Corman."

"Ah, good. I was worried you'd left. Help me load the film into the car later."

"Got it, Mr. Corman."

The film needed to be developed before it could be screened. Rock High School used MGM's Metropolitan Color lab, which was cheaper than the Seven Arts Color lab used by major studios. To save money, Corman didn't develop and print dailies every day like bigger productions, but only twice a week—and today was one of those days.

Ronald and the red-haired assistant cinematographer moved the film into the crew's van, greeting the driver, Chris, who had returned from the hospital that afternoon.

After the film was loaded, Corman and Chris gave Ronald instructions to follow them to the lab. They climbed into Corman's BMW, and as he poked his head out, he said: "Ronald, tomorrow morning before 10 a.m., you and Jim come to New World's office to watch the dailies."

Dailies were usually reserved for directors, assistant directors, producers, actors, and cinematographers, but this was Ronald's first opportunity to see them.

Corman's BMW sped off through the school gate, turning left onto Victory Avenue, with the van following close behind.

Ronald turned to his Volkswagen Beetle and saw Jim starting up his Harley, which Ronald often teased as a "difficult machine."

Bikes like those were prone to breakdowns, but Jim was mechanically savvy, so minor issues didn't bother him.

Before getting into his car, Ronald glanced back at the gates of Van Nuys High School, feeling like the mood matched the song Siana had performed...

"My whole body is electrified,

This current is building.

I'm losing control

'Cause you're electrifying me.

Your eyes gave me an electric shock..."

It had been a long day. But no matter how long a dream lasts, it must eventually end...

That's all for today. That's all.

End of chapter