Crazy week — so far!!

Three more days suddenly gone – and they were pretty brutal. On Monday and Tuesday – we shot at what we call our Maguay Battlefield – and this one was our biggest battle yet -with artillery shells exploding all around – Cristeros flying off horses – two armies of horses clashing – the shots are spectacular but the execution was daunting.

When you shoot scenes like these – you take every precaution you can to ensure the safety of the performers – but we still had a few stuntmen get banged up a bit – one was stepped on by a horse right after he made a very cool fall (after being shot) right in front of camera. I saw him the drop, then a horse entered frame right where he flew off and then I heard a muffled – “OW”. Within seconds we were all out with him – and as I stood over him – the medics treating him – the stunt coordinator (his father!) checking and caring for him – he looked over at me and gave me a “thumbs up”. I could still see the red imprint of the horse hoof on his ribs… What a guy!!! He checked out all fine and was back on set working yesterday.

We also shot our first real “acting” scenes with our youngest lead – Maurico Kuri – an acting newcomer who is playing Jose. It reminded me a lot of working on Narnia with the kids – he’s really going to capture the audience’s hearts.

Yesterday was less action and more acting – with more dramatic conflict as we had (now General) Father Vega (Santiago Cabrera) meet El Catorce (Oscar Isaac) for the first time. Again – the dynamic tension between these two characters was great. When we get them both with General Gorostieta (Andy Garcia) – look out!

Okay – off to another train station today. I anticipate some more great moments from Catalina & Santiago today – and then tomorrow night – another all nighter as we do another exciting scene – mixing drama, heartbreak and action all together!

Dean