We filmed Kael’s death yesterday. He died tragically while trying to stop Captain Krais from reporting of the rebel camp. The coward Krais stabbed him in the back while he was dispatching the entire Kilean scouting party single handedly. He was unable to be revived despite the best efforts of Andreas and Johan. He died in their arms. Later they laid him to rest on a warrior’s pyre and sent his spirit off. The flames lit up the small glen. Thankfully the neighbors didn’t call the police or fire department.

Last Tuesday we filmed the goodbye scene between Andreas (Zach Maurer) and Maria (Mindy Byram). It was filmed in a beautiful Grotto that we found in a Park on the North End of Lake Washington, and once we got used to the Mosquitoes and Flying Termites we let the magic happen. Although the two young actors met only a few weeks ago they were able to convey a sense of history, of young love. Which is great because the poor prince is about to be sent off to war, and he won’t be the same.

Last Sunday we shot the scene where the good guys travel through the woods to save villagers and refugees who have been captured by bad guys and are being executed. Little did we know that the Bad guys had a secret weapon, wasps. The first few takes the group of six good guys apparently ran over the wasp nest, and I guess it took a while for them to wake up but the third take they were definitely up. The guys ran by the camera to their mark (which incidentally happened to be on the nest) and all of sudden the screams went up. I thought it was some improv or an actor thing (method) or an exercise I hadn’t heard of to get into an aggressive mood for battle, but when everyone started swearing and ripping off their clothes I started figuring things out. (It also helped that they then came after me). The poor extras and villagers who were just coming into the area from costume probably thought we were all crazy, and the poor children unfortunately probably learned some new choice words from the half naked actors running from the woods. Anyway, luckily no one had a severe allergic reaction, although Andreas the Prince (Zach Maurer) didn’t feel to good on Monday (sorry dude), probably because he got stung 7 or 8 times. Anyway, once again we had to take some Benadryl and refigure the shoot. Long story short it worked out and looked great, we just had to be flexible. You know of all the things you plan for and worry about, wasps was just about the last on my list.