Training Log Archive: levitin

With the gang. They went longer, so half of this run was solo.

Around the neighborhood.

To the North End with Daniel, who was filmed as an extra in a movie Martin Scorcese is directing/producing called "Shutter Island" (starring Leonardo DiCaprio). Both of our first times seeing moviemaking up close. Mapquest's directions were flawless, and we parked in a little parking lot free, courtesy of the production company. In the lot when we pulled in was a car carrier loaded with early 1950's (and earlier) vehicles. Off to costume, hair, and makeup, and then a bit of a wait. One of the PA's explained to the 5 kids the game she wanted them to play in the street. It was a bit of fish-out-of-water as the 20-something PA explained to the preteens the essence of stickball. I believe the scene is to be a piece of background shown as Leonardo DiCaprio's character looks out the window and sees a street scene with boys (and 1 girl) playing stickball as grownups go about their business. The ladies with their white gloves (no "women" here) and the gentlemen with their suits looked quite different from their street appearances. One woman I talked to initially wore a Danskin Triathlon singlet; when I saw her later in makeup, I didn't recognize her in a dress, heels, and curled hair. (Obligatory Orienteering reference: I was wearing the first shirt I ever won at a Long-O meet: the 1997 Blue Hills Traverse.)

The Nintendo generation may have good eye-hand coordination when it comes to computer games, but the kids were more exuberant and enthusiastic than they were skillful.

It was a bit startling how 2008 and 1954 alternated. One moment, passersby ogled while traffic passed, including trolley tours and even a Duckboat. Next moment, the police held traffic, the locals were cleared, and they called "Action." They were filming video only, no audio, so I did not see anyone use a clapper, but Daniel was quite animated at times.

After 3 unfilmed takes for practice, and 3 or 4 filmed takes, they were done. We were released before lunch break, just as the cloud cover became threatening. I believe today was the last day of filming. The movie is due out in October 2009.

Felt sluggish and slow for a couple of miles.

A hilly loop starting and ending at the Green Hill Park golf course. I was unsure I would be able to find where Green Hill Parkway used to exist as a paved road, so I drove right to the golf course, studied the circa-1983 USGS topo map, and decided to run up a major spur, which was pretty close to the old roadway. No grief from the golfers, though the thought did occur to me that I wonder who would win a race between a runner and an electric golf cart.

Circled through Green Hill Park, down to Lincoln St, back up hilly Marsh Ave to my car, then added another little loop into the golf course up to the highest point in Green Hill Park and back down.