New Jersey Promo Shoot, Part 1; the Journey

Doug Cowell — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:05:48 +0000

I have been a busy, busy boy of late. And that, is in fact; a very good thing! I have recently finished off a shoot in New Jersey with Brian Viglione and The Penny Dreadfuls! These promotional ads for the Steampunk Worlds Fair consisted of 6 skits, (three of which I wrote out on my trip down to NJ) all of which involved Brian, The trip down was extensive, Meeting Laura and Paul at 11, taking the Boston T to South Station to find the next bus was in fact at 2 am. We then spent the next hour or so in the South Street Diner. I was rather happy to be able to take Laura there for the first time! Once the clock struck 2 in the gosh dang A. M we sped away on a bus that had an odd tendency to shift forward and back slightly as it went. making me regret the tuna melt and shake I had ordered from South Street. This lurching motion made sleep a tad hard but the Dogtoon crew managed to get a bit of sleep. we also seemed to make amazing time and arrived at New York City at 4:45am. AMAZING!

Off the bus I think the first thing I was aware of was the bitter cold as we walked down Canal St to the subway. Upon reaching the underground Paul and I shared the same confused look as we attempted to plot our rout. Thankfully Laura lead us to Penn station (its good to have a New Yorker on hand in these kind of situations) We reached Penn Station just in time to run to our train. This would have been easier if we knew where the gates were. But with a bit of luck we actuallymade the train and then enjoyed the hour long jaunt through the NJ commuter service.

After a short nap on the rails, I woke and called the hotel to confirm our reservation, and to have them send the shuttle. Of course, our luck ran that the shuttle wasn’t ready yet. But the kind folks had the number of a driver they use. So I dial the number and I can only relate the following as best I can from memory as it was so unbelievable that I really wish I had it on record. To paraphrase, it went something like this;

Doug: Hello, I would like to get picked up at New Brunswick station please,

Guy: Where are you now? (took three tries to get this)

Doug: I dont know really, umm.. pulling out of Elliot station?

Guy: Pick up at Elliot to New Brunswick! Okay

Doug: NO! no no! I want to be picked up AT New Brunswick!

Guy: Where?

Doug New Brunswick Station,

REPEAT the last Two lines 12 times, (No lie!)

Guy: (clearly frustrated) WHEREwherewherewhereWHERE!?

Doug: Okay, I dont know how else to say New Brunswick station soooo, what are you looking for me to say?

Guy: WHERE in New Brunswick!?

Doug: Like what part of the station? I dont know dude, Im not from here!

Guy: Where?! Where?! Where?! where are you? Bridge?

Doug: Sure….. why the hell not, the Bridge? where would that be?

Guy: Okay… Bridge! ~click~

So yeah… needless to say there was some confusion once we got off the train, after two more calls with this guy, both of them as fruitful as the first we hopped in a cab and I proceeded to ignore his angry calls. I did save his angry voice mail though so if you see me and ask, I will play it for you! Hopping in this cab might not have been our best move, we all pile in and I tell the driver the address, and without looking he jumps out into the street and pulls a big U turn in the newly falling snow, cutting off three cars as he did so. From here, Somehow Laura got to sleep so only Paul and I got to enjoy the cab drivers attempt to get us to the hotel! This of course involved the usual, you know…jumping a curb, a bit of off roading..missing a stop sign so to make up for it slamming on the breaks and sliding into the center of a busy intersection…fishtailing… and my favorite, driving along peoples front lawns! Well, we managed to make it to the Hotel…alive. Well done crazy New Jersey cab driver.. you earned your twelve dollars!

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New Jersey Promo Shoot, Part 1; the Journey