NaNoWriMo :: NaNoWriMo Blog

Reporting from NaNoWriMo headquarters! Yesterday we filmed the first in a series of exciting NaNoWriMo video podcasts. That’s right, not just regular old podcasts, but ones with video. We’re moving on in to the 21st century and making ourselves right at home. Throughout the midmorning shuffle of lights, cameras, and action, Chris worked on a script for his film debut.

The usual NaNo-noise was amplified during filming breaks, but once the crew yelled, “Quiet on the set!” all was silent. The silence extended even to the furious pounding of our keyboards (caused by novel planning, of course). We had to outline our novels the old-fashioned way, using sturdy pens and paper. Everyone had a moment in the spotlight, and then the commotion subsided. Finally we could get back to the important task of mailing ML kits, Young Writers Program kits, and of course sending you your new t-shirts and posters! Not to mention polishing our chain mail.

That’s not to say that filming day one was without its drawbacks. Near mutiny ensued after what has come to be referred to as the “Closed Window Debacle of 2009.” Because our neighborhood is a bit noisier than your average tree lined street, we had to close all of the windows during filming. This resulted in our little office being transformed into an oven (great for cookies, terrible for novelists). And despite the fact that Chris wrote his own lines, it took a large number of takes to finally get his scene right. The staff became restless after being subjected to Chris’ bad jokes many times over and began sweating threateningly at him. Finally, the windows were opened and we could hear the joyous music of city buses and the thumping of a nearby car stereo’s extremely amplified bass.

Carolyn