by B&TF

"Notes from Vancity " PART 2

Day 4 – Sunday, July 23

Nothing to report really. My friend and I went to Stanley Park and walked around the park and check out the Vancouver Aquarium (Jennifer Beals apparently visited it with her daughter one day). Then we drove to the Shopper’s drug mart (another place where JB was spotted) on Burrard and Broadway. It was sort of Following in JB’s footsteps day but mainly just a sightseeing day.

The rest of the day we spent walking on the Kitsilano beach and taking pictures and then driving to Gastown, another lovely area of Vancouver with a lot of shops, souvenir shops and restaurants. It considered a tourist area. Just another relaxing day with nothing to do but enjoy the weather and a good company.

Day 5 – Monday, July 24

This morning I went to the studio again on a chance that they are filming there. It was empty and all the trailers that were there on Saturday were gone now. (Now I know that they were filming downtown in another Moxie’s classic grill but I only found out about it on Tuesday morning, unfortunately).

I was passing by the studio and saw a black car driving into the parking lot and Ilene Chaiken came out and went straight inside the office. Then the driver took two suitcases out of the trunk. Seems like Ms. Chaiken just arrived from Chicago where she went for the Gay Games 2006. (Apparently, Betty and some other cast members went there the previous weekend.)

I saw a young woman who was organizing some clothes in her car and was ready to come in. I asked her if she would take my picture in front of the large pink L sign and she declined on the grounds that it would be unethical for her to do it or something like that.

Then another young woman who works at the office came out to help and I asked her as well. At first she refused as well, saying that some people were taking pictures of the office and they had troubles before. I assured her that I only want to take a picture with the L sign and that’s why I was asking permission. She finally agreed but kept saying that they were like any other business, they work here and they don’t allow people to just walk around, which is of course was absolutely understandable. After she took my picture I asked again, just in case where they were filming today but she said she couldn’t tell me that either.

I went to Casa Mia again so I could take a better picture of the mansion because last time it was already getting darker.

Without the car couldn’t just drive around in search of the CMF signs especially because there were signs pointing at the studio and also another studio, bigger and a little further away. So maybe they were filming there but I didn’t see anything or anyone that would confirm that.

Day 6 – Tuesday, July 25

This morning I found out that TLW crew was seen to set up on Cambie and Georgia downtown. On my way…

And there was nothing – no signs, no crew – nothing. I stopped by Moxie’s classic grill and talked to a waitress and she told me that TLW crew was filming for 2 days on Sunday night and Monday. The waitresses were all upstairs and were not allowed to come down, but she said that they were filming at the bar and in the far corner of the restaurant.

After walking and shopping downtown I went back to the studio. The signs were still there and I walked by once but still didn’t see anyone. At the other studio I could only see some trailers. Oh well…I saw more in 5 days than on my previous trip to Vancouver last September so I was happy that I was lucky enough to see that much.

Later that night me and my friend drove by that other studio and saw crew members filming outside some ambulance car scene. We didn’t see anyone familiar so I got out of the car and asked some nice ladies about the filming. They told me that it was for the new TV series “Saved”. I made a little clip of that filming so if anyone likes that show and interested in it, you know what to do.

Day 7 – Wednesday, July 26

They are filming heavily at the studio today. Some people were arriving with dresses in their hands, something formal so I assumed they were extras. I wish I can be an extra on this show. I don’t even want to get paid, just put me in the crowd, make me do weird things for 15 hours straight and I’ll be happy.

I went around a studio for a walk and saw several crew members walking around and preparing for the shoot.

After having a long and delicious breakfast at the “Little Coffee House” right across the street from the studio, I went for another walk and by the trailer that was located close to the security truck I saw a little baby outside in the stroller, wearing a cute hat. The baby was too far for me to see clearly and I’m almost legally blind but from what I could see, it was a girl and she was a cutie-pie, sitting in her blue stroller, wiggling around in excitement.

I’m assuming that it was Beals baby because the trailer was similar to one that JB had at Casa Mia and the baby looked about 7-8 months old. I had a strong feeling it was her. Before you decide to bombard me with pm’s let me tell you right away: no, I didn’t take any pictures because Jennifer Beals is very private about her family and I would ask her first to take any pictures of her or her baby.

All I can say, that nanny was one lucky lady. I would babysit Laurel or Jennifer kids any time…for free. The nanny was talking the baby for a little stroll. Really cute.

Since they were filming at the studio and JB was there, I really hope that they were filming some Bette and Angelica scenes, or even better, Bette and Tina and Angelica scenes (known as TiBettelica in certain circles).

As soon as I thought that, I closed my eyes and my imagination went wild right away – Tina brought Angie to Bette’s house so she can spend her time with Mama B, Bette asked Tina to stay for a minute and have lunch or dinner with them. Tina is lonely (even if she’s not alone and still living in the valley with boring Henry) and she said yes – “It would be nice, really really nice, thank you, Bette.” They started to talk for a change while Angie is playing with her toys, happy that her mommies are civil with each other and not yelling or throwing things. Then Bette asked Tina to stay for a swim in the pool because it’s so hot outside. How could Tina resist? They swim, they talk, and they laugh – just like the old times. And then boom – Bette kissed Tina.

“Cut,” screams the director, satisfied with the scene and the chemistry that those two actresses still have with each other. Then director looks at her notes and adds, “Okay, this kiss actually turns into something more…this is a closed set now, people…everybody leave except the ones who needs to stay.”
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I opened my eyes…the vision is gone…why am I not a writer for The L word? Bette and Tina would have their own series if it would be up to me. Anyway, one last stroll (I always walk on my vacations, keeps me in good form) and I saw two trailers with unknown names, Phyllis and Shakhty. Usually they put the names of the characters on the trailers for their use, so those characters are definitely new this season. I thought that Phyllis was probably Cybil Sheppard’s character, because that name would totally fit her. (By the way, according to the latest snippets of audition sides, CS’s character is Chancellor Phyllis something, so I was right.)

When I saw Shakhty my first thought was – they misspelled Sarah Shahi’s name and I rejoiced that she was still there. Then I thought, no, it supposed to be a character’s name, so maybe it’s the real name of “Papi” character…anyway, this was my last day and it was time for me to go.

The trip was great, I was really lucky in some ways and I’m getting more and more excited about season 4, even though we don’t have many spoilers and they ones we’ve got are not that great. But I have an overall good feeling about it. But who knows…I had a good feeling about season 3 as well until I’ve read the spoilers and then saw it played out on the screen.

I hope you enjoy this little adventure…see you all after my next trip.

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