BTS: LUNCH LADY

Directing the naturally gifted and talented actor Darlene Popovic who plays the Shirley, the Lunch Lady. What a gift to work with Darlene - honestly, such a pro, all around. Cinematographer Bruce Francis Cole (on dolley) and gaffer Mila Puccini (left) lead the camera and g/e department in a dolley shot. Darlene Popovic as Shirley, the lunch lady. The art department dresses our set. Cinematographer Bruce Francis Cole positions the opening dolley shot with his camera team. The cast and crew gather for a quick production meeting before filming. Art director Rachel Groat and production designer Rob Riutta getitng the kichen ready for picture! Lending actor Darlene Popovic some advice on how to clean the dishes the correct way...sure. :) On set sound mixer Saul Rouda. Julie Etzel plays Peg. Meeting the camera department & cinematorapher Bruce Francis Cole. Make-up key artist Josie Rodriguez touches up Malala Pyle. Background extra actors get ready for the shot. Actors Athos Argue-Hassanein and Malala Pyle hang out before their call. Best Girl Vanessa Wu! Costume Designer Deirdre Scully laying out the day's wardrobe looks. The many looks of Shirley - the lunch lady. Actors Athos Argue-Hassanein and Renee Penegor hurry up and wait. The hair department gives actor Renee Penegor (Stacey) a 'do! Conferring with on-set teacher Elise Gantz regarding the student actors. Background extra actors Anthony Cianciolo, Carl Pagan, and Caroline Von Kuhn. Cinematographer Bruce Francis Cole. With script supervisor Virgina McCarthy (so wonderfully meticulous) watching a take. Healthy prop lunches ala the art department! Discussing the action of the next shot with actor Julie Etzel. The crew captures Darlene Popovic as Shirley, the lunch lady in a pensive scene. What a talent cinematographer Bruce Francis Cole is. Through and through artist. Art assistant Rachel Groat helps with creating the walls for the cafeteria. Meeting with script spervisor Virginia McCarthy. Lunch ladies who text. Editor Collin Kriner in mid-cut, doing a rough cut while we shoot. Found this extremely helpful to have Collin on set so we made sure we had an accurate assembly. The Riuttas - director Matthew on the left, Rob, the production designer, on the right. So happy to work with my bro on this and my other short films. Rehearsing with Darlene Popovic and Athos Argue-Hassanein at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. This was extremely helpful, saved so much time, and created a rapport with our actors. With this guy...producer Jerremy Stewart, making sure we get are days in...so grateful to you J. And that's a wrap! THANK YOU, Lunch Lady cast & crew.

BTS: LUNCH LADY

Still photos courtesy of set photographer Vicky Ponce and various cast & crew.