Thoughts from the Boom Operator

By Cody Foltz boom, grip

Finally someone new on this page..naw I’m just joking, I love all you guys. Hey everyone I’m Cody Foltz AKA Cujo and I have been working as boom operator for most of the picture. I started out as a grip and maybe that’s why my poor arm had taken such a beating, not to mention my ankle. Yes it’s been tough but if life was always easy…well that just wouldn’t be any fun now would it. We’ve all been through a lot of adventures along the way. Just yesterday one of our key grips got taken to the hospital after suffering a blow to the head from a 2x4 but I’m happy to report he’s doing just fine, kudos to porgy :) (George M.)

One day we were shooting a bus stop scene and as we had done for street shoots; we would have grips blocking the surrounding streets to keep the area clear. I was working as a grip at the time and had been blocking traffic most of the night. Our A.D. Ian calls picture up and all of a sudden a vehicle comes around the corner, so I walk out to have the driver stop. Only this vehicle kept coming at me. Then right behind it was a cop car with its light blaring. I had to literally jump out of the way to avoid being hit, the driver hit his breaks, and before I could even process what was happening I heard a voice yell “get out of the car now!” I turn around to see two police officers with their guns drawn and pointed in my direction, I moved away as quickly as possible while trying not to draw any unnecessary attention. Soon about six more cop cars flood the streets and our key gaffer Ion M. had to hold up a black flag inches away from a patrol car to block the flashing lights from ruining our shot. That was one night I will certainly remember when we are all wrapped and done, if that ever even happens… It seems that each day our wonderful producer Dan is always adding more and more work days to principle photography, I guess he just loves the show too much to let it end.

Well if nearly getting run over wasn’t enough, I sprained my ankle and my right arm just one day decided to stop working. I suddenly found myself not being able to lift anything anymore. I couldn’t even lift the Chinese noodles with chopsticks to my mouth to eat one night, no joke. Peter I knew I should have listened to you about how to correctly hold a boom pole. Peter is our head sound mixer; he’s an awesome guy to work with and I really appreciate all his help and hard work.

Now to wrap this thing up finally, this has been one of the most fun and exciting experiences of my life. Working with such a talented cast and crew and just getting the opportunity to experience filmmaking firsthand has been absolutely unforgettable. Even after nearly four weeks of filming there’s always something new to learn, you can never learn enough. I hope all of you who are still reading this by now will go see our film once we make the Cannes Film Festival…YES WE CAN DO IT! Thanks for reading :)

“I couldn't sleep one night and I was sitting in my office and I realized that I was an independent filmmaker”. (Darren Aronofsky)