INTO THE WHITE

Congratulations

…to all our fans in Spain, Andorra, United Kingdom, Ireland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Serbia & Montenegro, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Poland, Australia and New Zealand.

Five Comrades will soon be coming your way!

That’s a wrap

Day 31 - #MovieComrade

The 31st day of shooting Comrade was not like any other day. It started with birds chirping away as the sun rose to shine upon an old wooden school turned Norwegian Resistance Headquarters. For the first time we did not have to wear thermal underwear. A fact the camera department celebrated by sporting a Tarantino/BluesBrothers look. The joy of finding green pastures at the end of the yellow brick road was only dampened by the realization that many of us will not meet again until the premiere.

We’ve got a bad ass Camera Department.

On set our main cast did their last few scenes and after having received the the traditional “That’s a wrap” applause there was tears in more than one eye. If the tears were a result of happiness, sadness or plain exhaustion is hard to tell. Maybe all of the above.

Day 31 also saw the return of our Norwegian Ski Patrol, Not ominously sweeping through any snow. Rather plotting and planning in a smoke filled room.

I guess it’s better not to disclose any details from the wrap party. Let’s just say that we had a good time and, with little luck, tried to find a bartender in Trollhättan that could make us a COMRADE. The cocktail that the magnificent bartender in Grotli, Johan Billgren, made especially for us and the film. It is of course best enjoyed at 1000m above the sea in Grotli. But for those of you old enough to legally enjoy it Johan has allowed me to post the recipe here so that you can celebrate the end of the shoot AND the National Day of Norway, May 17, properly.

A COMRADE

2 cl Aquavit
2 cl Triple Sec 
8 cl Fresh Lime Juice 
A touch of Passion Fruit Syrup

Shaken, not stirred. 
Enjoy!

Recipe by Johan Billgren 

The production phase is over, the blog will live on. Although updates will not be as frequent. Thanks for reading. Thanks for the encouraging words. See you soon!

//Calle Gisselsson

Bitter Sweet Symphony

Day 30 - #MovieComrade

Director Assistant Nina Knag is sad to leave the freezer.

One last day in the freezer. One last day. It crazy how time flies when you’re working hard and having fun. Although I have to admit that I will miss the mountain tops in Grotli more than the freezer. Either way, I still feel a bit nostalgic when everybody is packing up and discussing what their next job will be. For the last seven weeks they’ve been my everyday colleagues and comrades, but tomorrow it’s all over.

Preparations for a skiing scene on a “mountain top” in Trollhättan. Per Hansen the Boom Operator just loves it.

Last days can also offer a bit of fun. Director Petter Næss and DOP Daniel Voldheim wanted some pick ups in the form of close ups on Stig Henrik Hoff skiing. Unfortunately there is not a lot of snow nor mountains in Trollhättan. Good thing that the movie god gave us apple boxes and low camera angles. Why go back to the mountains when there is a big parking lot, right?

Lighting Assistant Jon Arne Jørgensen can’t believe that Stig Henrik and David won’t come to work tomorrow!

Finally, while most of the cast and crew have one last day of shooting at a new location tomorrow, two of our Comrades will wrap today. Stig Henrik Hoff and David Kross, your are both wonderful guys to hang out with, both on and of set. It’s been a privilege and I will miss you dearly. And yeah, you’re both great actors too!

//Calle Gisselsson 

There will be singing

Day 29 - #MovieComrade

Trollhättan by night. Better than a yellow room.

If I had known then, what I know now. I wouldn’t have done it. Written about Master Cato and his yellow room that is. Because today I spent most of my time next to him. Don’t get me wrong, he is nice, but the room isn’t and all the exciting stuff is happening on set. However, it is time to start thinking about all the work that has to be done after we have wrapped. Hence, Yellow Room Duty.

Oh no! Blood! Did the Props Master kill the chicken with the shovel in the bathroom? Or did the Gaffer break one of the oil lamps and cut his hand in the kitchen?

On set they have been working really hard to get the last cabin shots in the can. Because of continuity we are for once shooting chronologically, doing one scene after the other. This has turned the micro plays into a great series where it is important not to miss a single episode. Believe me, because I made that mistake. After watching a great play, that included some wonderful singing, an important phone call made me miss one episode. When I came back for the next there was blood on the floor. I don’t know what happened and there was no recap! I guess I’ll just have to join you in the cinema when the film premieres sometime next year.

//Calle Gisselsson

ssaama asked: how long are u guys staying in Trollhättan?

Hi Ssaama,

This is our last week.

Take Care, 
//Calle

Beginning of the end

Day 28 - #MovieComrade

The plot thickens, the shadows grow longer and for every take we’re drawn closer towards the inevitable end. A lot of scenes are already in the can, but the scenes that we do have left come from the last part of the script. This only ads to the feeling that it’s now, or never. Some of todays scenes were really gritty and it did not help. However, judging by the smile on the faces of the cast when they watched Catos “internal teaser” I think we are on the right track.

Grip Bob Aas Carho tries to look serious while Art Director Stefan Hauck and Stand By Props Andreas Huschke inspects the cabin.

When talking about tracks I have to mention Bob. Bob Aas Carho, our wonderfully crazy Grip. A man who is not only good at what he does, but always (almost) smiles while he does it. For those of you not fluent in film lingo a grip is the man, or woman, who “build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras. This equipment, which includes tripods, dollies, tracks, jibs, cranes, and static rigs, is constructed of delicate yet heavy duty parts requiring a high level of experience to operate and move.” ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grip_(job) ). After a long day of moving his delicate yet heavy duty parts Bob is very likely to go for a 2h bike ride after work, as often as not joined by Gaffer (the guy turning the lights on and off) Olav Haddeland. I can’t understand where these guys get their energy, but it sure is inspiring. Maybe I should go to the gym. Next week.

While the actors get some last minute attention by Make Up and Costume Petter tries to improve his High Score.

Despite our hectic schedule there is still time to wait. This can of course be really nice when the sun is shining outside. It can also frustrating since we all know that there is a lot left to be done. Our glorius helmer Petter Næss spends the time in between takes by intensely studying his monitor to make sure the framing is perfect. Or so I thought until I realized that he is actually playing car games on his smartphone. It is all in how you wait and I guess no one knows that better than Petter.

//Calle Gisselsson