Best Picture Goes To…

Denzel Washington and Tuesday I’m sure you are thinking the exact same thing I thought when I saw this photo of me and Denzel (he told me I can call him that, hee, hee). WTH? We should win an award for the “Worst Picture Taken by a Celebrity and Fan.” We look like two crazy people delighted to be released from an asylum.

Let me tell you. I worked in production on the Universal Pictures film Inside Man starring Denzel Washington and Clive Owen and directed by Spike Lee. My job happened to have entailed daily encounters with Denzel Washington as they shot scenes of Det. Keith Frazier and his partner Det. Bill Mitchell (Chiwetel Ejiofor) entering and exiting the mobile command center outside the bank. I literally spent weeks up close and in a quiet space with one of my biggest movie idols, and yet, had nothing to capture the memory and experience of watching a veteran actor transition in and out of character.

If you work in the business, you know it is quite inappropriate to act like a fan (atic), stargaze, click unexpected flicks, etc. while on movie set or location.  Well, it was down to the last day Denzel would shoot for the movie (big stars typically shoot all of their scenes together, so their schedule is not tied up unnecessarily) and we probably wouldn’t see him again until the wrap party. Not only that, there’s always a private security person with him. Goodness. So, what was I to do? I at least wanted a photo with Mr. Washington. The back of the back-story is my little secret (might need to use it again so I can’t reveal) but you can see where Denzel agreed to stand for a moment to take a picture with me. (You never want other cast and crew members to see it happening because it may begin a barrage of requests for photos and perhaps autographs.) So all involved in my little scheme were moving so quickly, and this is the picture we turned up with! And I think this was even a re-take!

I’m happy to have a photo for my archive. I just consider it the Worst Ever of the Best Ever :)