Z on Location

Drama Queen

A video call with Dad kicks off the morning, complete with a coffee mug raised in a toast from his end of the screen. Z tells him today’s shoot is at Drama Connect, a summer theater camp using new video technology to connect campers with mentors, and Dad asks how things are going on the road. Popcorn shoulders her way into frame, nose filling the screen, before Dad’s face pops back up. The two of them admit they miss each other more than either expected, though Dad can’t resist turning the sappy moment into one of his jokes. Z hangs up feeling steadier and ready to work hard without any major mess-ups today.

Setup at Drama Connect goes smoothly. Amara, the camp’s founder, walks the crew through the Drama Connect scene study system, in which working actors from around the world film scenes that stream live to the campers, who then video chat with the real actors afterward to talk through their performances. Before Mom interviews Amara, she asks to film a rehearsal. A group of campers in plain shorts and t-shirts rushes onstage to run through A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Ellie, playing the fairy queen Titania, carries herself with such poise that the ordinary clothes barely register.

Mom sends Z to help Nora with the B camera and land a two-shot of Titania and the camper playing Bottom, and this time Z remembers to whisper her questions about wide shots and framing instead of blurting them out. Once Amara’s interview shot is locked in, tight on her head and shoulders, Z asks what else she can do to help. The setup is so simple that even Nora isn’t sure, so Z offers to take her camera backstage instead, and Nora loves the idea, since some extra cutaway shots would help cover the plain backstage backdrop later. Z films an overflowing makeup kit, a small costume closet crammed with tiny sparkly wings, and painted wooden signs.

The backstage space proves too small to hold her interest for long, so Z starts chatting instead with a cluster of campers, Ellie included, about what makes Drama Connect special. They rave about the live video streaming setup that connects them to mentors everywhere, and mention tomorrow’s video chat visit from Ally Proctor, an actor who’s been on a few kids’ shows and plans to talk about landing an agent.

When Z asks about the scholarship program, the campers open up. Applicants submit a video of themselves performing a scene, and donations fund enough spots that anyone who wants to come gets the chance. Ellie explains she’s attended for four summers only because of her scholarship, and she can’t wait to become an instructor next year and start giving back herself.

While packing up, Mom realizes with a jolt that she forgot to get anyone on camera talking about the scholarships. Z tentatively admits she already has it, footage from the campers she talked to backstage. Mom’s relief is instant, and Nora declares Z a “second filming unit to the rescue” with a high five before they head off to celebrate with lunch.

As Mom steers the RV out of the lot, Z’s phone buzzes with eight texts from Mari. The video Mari sent shows her band, Needles in a Haystack, playing their usual set at the Beanery, until Perry Carstairs, the lead singer of Chasing Wednesday, jumps onstage to jam with them. Z can hardly believe she missed it. Chasing Wednesday is Z’s favorite Seattle band.

Nora gushes about seeing Chasing Wednesday at the Crocodile last summer. Z tries to ignore the comment. Of course Nora saw one of the coolest bands at one of the coolest spots in Seattle.

All of Mari’s videos make Z wish she could be in two places at once instead of just being in the now. That night, curled up watching Mari’s videos with the volume cranked, Z has to admit it was a great day of shooting, and still a hard one to miss being home for.