We started our 18-day shoot of our Christmas comedy called "Nutmeg and Mistletoe."

I decided I would just hit the record button, usually at the end of each day, with my thoughts what was happening that day? What I learned, and generally what being on set for 12 hours a day is like.

It is quite unfiltered and unedited (with the occasional beep) - hope you enjoy being backstage!

In this episode: Four-hour rehearsals for the complicated stage play scene, pre-lighting the set to beat the schedule for the first time, meeting screenwriters Jen and Deb in person after eighteen months of Zoom, viewing the first 45-minute rough assembly, concerns over the "Christmas feel" without snow or reindeer, and leaning on "North Star" faith to get through the uncertainty of production.

Send a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram

We started our 18-day shoot of our Christmas comedy called "Nutmeg and Mistletoe."

I decided I would just hit the record button, usually at the end of each day, with my thoughts what was happening that day? What I learned, and generally what being on set for 12 hours a day is like.

It is quite unfiltered and unedited (with the occasional beep) - hope you enjoy being backstage!

In this episode: Earning a SAG card with the "Groundskeeper Chucky" speaking role, the high-risk relief of swapping out a key production member mid-shoot, capturing "stunning" footage of the misfits in the first falling snow, the camaraderie of "$5 Fridays" where the pot reached $2,700 for three different winners, and a visit from Peter’s viral-video-star mother.

Peter's viral Mom: https://www.tiktok.com/@barbiejh?_r=1&_t=ZP-93vLosJe0OU

Send a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram

We started our 18-day shoot of our Christmas comedy called "Nutmeg and Mistletoe."

I decided I would just hit the record button, usually at the end of each day, with my thoughts what was happening that day? What I learned, and generally what being on set for 12 hours a day is like.

It is quite unfiltered and unedited (with the occasional beep) - hope you enjoy being backstage!

In this episode: Festive dance scenes at Church of the Chimes with disco balls and punch bowls , witnessing the mechanical nature of on-screen kisses, listening to Justin Jesso’s (https://www.justin-jesso.com/) original song "Waiting for Christmas" on repeat, Nia Vardalos’s "big fat script" advice for overcoming writing resistance, Big Magic (https://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1594634726), fixing uncomfortable personnel drama on set, and legendary producer Rachel Winter providing guidance on high-level emotional tones.

Send a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram

We started our 18-day shoot of our Christmas comedy called "Nutmeg and Mistletoe."

I decided I would just hit the record button, usually at the end of each day, with my thoughts what was happening that day? What I learned, and generally what being on set for 12 hours a day is like.

It is quite unfiltered and unedited (with the occasional beep) - hope you enjoy being backstage!

In this episode: Heartbroken leaf-raking in 80-degree weather, funny dialogue in the Bed & Breakfast, "school" and teacher on set, receiving scripts from crew members, interest from **** theaters regarding distribution, P&A, and calculating the "4x" investment hurdle required to break even in theatrical releases, the film business is broken.

Send a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram

We started our 18-day shoot of our Christmas comedy called "Nutmeg and Mistletoe."

I decided I would just hit the record button, usually at the end of each day, with my thoughts what was happening that day? What I learned, and generally what being on set for 12 hours a day is like.

It is quite unfiltered and unedited (with the occasional beep) - hope you enjoy being backstage!

In this episode: Tesla self-driving thrills, Church of the Chimes in Sherman Oaks, The Office wedding location, the energy of natural environments vs. soundstages , finishing 75 minutes early, Nia Vardalos as the town’s multi-hyphenate mayor-principal , Charlie’s leaf-raking cameo in 80-degree heat, sprinting into costume , Reid MILLER's as Zak, Melissa Kent editing, the three phases of movie-making , TV pacing vs. film pacing, the DIT’s digital workflow , Frame.IO and the "demoralizing" rough assembly, screenwriter Mike Werb’s "vote of approval", seven days remaining.

Send a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram

Send a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram

Send a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram

Send a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram