Macdonald Hall #6: Lights, Camera, Disaster!

Bench Strength

The turnout for the annual hockey game was better than expected. This had little to do with hockey. Parents and alumni were anxious to get a look at the movie crew and the famous Jordie Jones in action. They came from all over Toronto and southern Ontario, and they came early. Although the game was not set to begin until two, there was a large crowd of spectators on the east lawn by nine a.m.

It brought out the showman in Seth Dinkman. He was engaging in friendly banter with the visitors, and plugging Academy Blues. Goose Golden circulated, too, handing out Jordie Jones Fan Club applications to everyone under the age of seventy.

Dinkman also made sure to use as many student extras as possible and, after much nagging from Jordie, the name of Bruno Walton was called. There was an enormous cheer from the Macdonald Hall students.

The director was smiling as he put an arm around Bruno's shoulders and led him away from the crowd of parents and boys. "All right, Walton," he said, the friendly grin never wavering. "You're getting one last chance, so don't blow it. There's a line in this scene, and Jordie wants you to have it." ,

Bruno was ecstatic. "A speaking part! Wow! You won't be sorry you picked me!"

"I didn't pick you," growled the director, still smiling for the benefit of the crowd. "Jordie did. Now, here's what's happening."

A camera focused on Jordie, dressed in a school jacket, carrying an armload of books.

"Even you can do this, " Dinkman instructed. "Jordie's walking along the path. You jog up behind him, tap him on the shoulder, and you say, 'Hey, Steve, there's a package for you at the office.'

"I'm Steve, remember?" Jordie supplied. "It's the character I'm playing."

"Right," said Bruno, a look of intense concentration on his face.

Scene 26, take 1: As Jordie walked, Bruno approached from the rear, slapped him heartily on the shoulder, opened his mouth, and said — nothing.

"Cut! Cut!" Dinkman rushed over. "Well?"

"I forgot my line," Bruno admitted.

The spectators broke into appreciative applause.

"Listen carefully," the director ordered. " 'Hey, Steve, there's a package for you at the office.' Okay?"

Scene 26, take 2: "Hey, Steve," called Bruno, "there's a package for you at the — the — " His face twisted. "That place! With desks — papers — "

Scene 26, take 3: "Hey, there, Steve's a package at the office — "

Scene 26, take 4: "Hey, Steve — uh — got any good packages lately?"

"Cut! Cut!" Dinkman bounded onto the scene, red-faced. "Stop laughing!" he barked at his cameraman, who was doubled over.

The crowd chanted, "Bru-no!... Bru-no!"

"Quiet, everybody! This is a sound take!" The director turned to Bruno, who was panting and sweating from all the jogging. "Makeup, powder this guy down! He looks like he's just run the Boston Marathon!"

"You know, Seth," said Jordie solicitously, "maybe it would go better if we had a trial run-through. "

"Yeah, sure," said the director impatiently. "Go for it. Rehearse. Take your time. It's the pivotal scene in the movie, after all!"

As the makeup technician coaxed the shine out of Bruno's face with a large powder puff, Bruno practiced. "Hey, Steve, there's a package for you at the office. Hey, Steve..."

Scene 26, take 5: Everything went according to plan. Bruno jogged, tapped, and spoke. "Hey, Steve, there's a package for you at the office — hic!"