Staff Writer: Angelina Burnett
Entry #5

On day four we shot the final family scene in the surf shop in which Taylor, our addict this episode, finally comes clean to his parents. This might have been the most satisfying scene of the episode for me. It had been rewritten numerous times by myself and my bosses and there was much discussion about how it should end, with passionate opinions on both sides. What’s often most frustrating about these conflicts is that there’s rarely a “right” answer. You just have to trust that everyone wants to do right by the show and that with enough back and forth, eventually the path will present itself. The moment the actors stepped on set, in costume, ready to go – the thing took on a life of its own and became what it needed to be. It’s a real joy as a writer when you realize you’re just one part of the greater sum. Denny Hall, our Director of Photography, set up one shot in particular that I found especially moving. Keep your eye out for it. We’re tight on Taylor when the camera operator does what’s called a “rack focus” to William in the background. It’s beautifully lit and executed and perfectly punctuates an emotionally powerful scene. I heard rumor burly grips and electricians were seen wiping tears from their eyes. I can’t confirm this but I chose to believe it’s true.