During the duration of the filming of "Mental Scars" (from May 9, 2008 to May 16, 2008) director Ivan Rogers relieved himself from the project on his own accord due to creative circumstances with Richard Miles and Mischa Perez. It was his decision to be removed from the “Mental Scars” project no matter what else you may have heard. I know for a fact that there are or were rumors out there about this situation. I have talked with Ivan Rogers and he explained to me the truth of the matter for I wanted to know what was going on with that situation.

I was sad to see Ivan Rogers leave the “Mental Scars” project since Ivan Rogers has been a mentor of mine for several years. I have learned a lot from him and I was looking forward to working with him. Shortly after Ivan Roger's departure, Mischa Perez (Co-Executive Producer/Director/Editor/Photographer - Viper Productions, LLC, Mental Scars, LLC) became the new director for the "Mental Scars" project. He was going to filling in some rather large shoes with this added responsibility. We (the cast and crew) were instructed NOT to contact Ivan Rogers for any reason. I asked Mischa Perez and Richard Miles if it was still allright that I keep in contact with Ivan Rogers since he was coaching me in the ways of SCRIPT SUPERVISOR. Both Richard Miles and Mischa Perez said it was ok for me to do so.

When Ivan Rogers left the project I was ready to leave as well. But he encouraged me to stay the course and I did. I am glad I did for I had a wonderful education in the film making process that I will never forget, it will help me in my future endeavors.

From the get go of this project, from the casting call to the end of principal filming in Indianapolis, Indiana there were hick-ups and hurdles to overcome as in any project. As the SCRIPT SUPERVISOR my job was made more difficult since the script changed almost on a daily basis. Let me remind you that this was my first time being a Script Supervisor and not only was I already nervous, the almost daily changes scared me even more. Like I said above with the knowledge provided to me during the project I was able to perform my duties as required to satisfaction. Many of the changes on this project had to do with the talent, time constraints, questioning could things be pulled off the way the were written in the script or to the new changes made, weather issues, equipment, the list goes on. Things kept changing almost daily to make things work with what was available to the crew. I understand that things do change in a project but as many changes that were made almost daily were just ridiculous to me, I felt that there were to many changes being made. In my professional opinion this production was rushed, had lack of planning, and went in directions that it should not have. It was like two children were making a film instead of two grown adults.

Most if not everybody involved on this project came together to finish this project and make it work for what it was becoming. The cast and crew for the most part worked hard as a team. Some of us even pulled double even triple duty if not more. I myself during the shooting was asked to update the script as changes were made. Yes as a Script Supervisor one makes the notes of changes made that day on the script but to rewrite the entire script with the new changes is the WRITER'S job not the SCRIPT SUPERVISOR'S job but I did it anyways. I got all the daily changes to the editor. When I asked how come a WRITER was not rewriting the Script I never got a satisfactory answer. I also helped out with the SPFX crew, set up and tear down of equipment, slated a few times, and even filled in as a background extra. I did what I could to help out to make this project flow as smoothly as it could so to meet the nearing deadline.

I even against my own better judgment became a chauffer. It was laid upon me sometimes without prior asking by Richard Miles and Mischa Perez that I pick up, take, or drive around cast and crew. I live 45 minutes away from the hotel where the cast and crew was staying and to be called up or even told at location that I will be driving so and so, taking so and so, ect in my opinion was down right rude. I should have spoken up but I am one of those people who have a hard time saying no. At least I got gas reimbursement for my troubles. Now do not get me wrong when one of the talent or crew would approach me and ask me directly if I would drive them then that was alright and I had no problem with that and I was happy to help them out since they were kind enough to ask me in person.

As I am lead to understand this is the first major project by the group in charge. They had the correct people to help them out but they chose not to use some of the advice given to them at times. It is their project and they made the decisions on how to proceed, which is their right to do so it is their project. Not everyone agrees with one another and I was just hired help, I did what I was hired to do and so much more.

I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to be on this project of "Mental Scars" as the Script Supervisor. I learned a lot as Script Supervisor and met a lot of nice people. Like I said, I had a nice education while working on this project and it will help me in future projects that I may be part of.

One of my biggest fears while working on this project as Script Supervisor was that I was going to mess up. Daily I would have to send my notes that I took from the days filming with all the changes made and get them to the editor before the next days filming. I was told that my notes were very good and I was doing a great job for my first time as Script Supervisor. Little encouraging words like that helped me along the way, not just from the editor but from whoever would take the time to stop and say “good job!”

I do not believe some people realize how valuable of a position the Script Supervisor is. The Script Supervisor works not only with the Director, Camera Crew, Sound Department, and Talent but with the Editor, Props and Costumes, Special FX Department, Locations, and more all while keeping track of what is going on and most importantly the continuity of the project. Without the Script Supervisor's notes, there is no movie. Those notes are probably the most integral part of filmmaking with lots of loaded responsibility; they are the roadmap to the finished product. I spent many extra hours off set and off of production time working with my notes and getting them to the proper people on deadline. Yes, it can be at times very stressful and I will admit there were times I had to walk away and clear my head.

One of the things that really bugged the heck out of me was as Script Supervisor you need to time each take. In my opinion that means only one person, the Director should be the one calling the shots. That means only the Director should be yelling "Action" and "Cut" not two or three people as it was from time to time. When I am watching my monitor and I hear "Action" or "Cut" several times it screws up the timing of the scene. There should only be one voice to be heard and that is of the Director. Unfortunately this was not the case during my time on this production of "Mental Scars".

Towards the end of the shoot we had a break for dinner. I had a small bite to eat and was helping the Special Effects Department on getting some items ready for that night due to last minute changes. People knew I was off to the side helping out when I looked around at the people eating, talking, ect but noticed only a few were around. I asked where did everyone go and I was told they went up the hill next to the junk yard and continued shooting. To my surprise I ran with my notebook, timeing sheets, and stop watch to see them filming. As soon as a "cut" was called I asked what was going on. The Director told me that they thought I left. I was pissed! I told the Director and those around that they knew I was helping with the Special Effects Department and nobody said we were back on set. I was told that they did not tell everyone they were back on set and that they wanted to get a few quick scenes out of the way. I was pissed since they did not have any timing or notes for those shots and I made sure the editor knew about it so I would not get in trouble for the error. Lack of communication like this can get a project into major trouble. Again like I said I do not believe that some people realize how valuable of a position the Script Supervisor is.

People want to say they are professional and doing the best they can. I do not believe that was true some of the times on this project. I felt that much of this production was handled improperly, had poor planning, felt rushed, had lack of communication, and at times seemed mind-boggling to me. Like I said many times already, I had a nice education while working on this project and it will help me in future projects that I may be part of.

Some of the memories I will cherish on this project are:

- Being able to sit down with the various actors and rehearse their lines and actions with them was a great privilege. Just having the chance to work with Rebecca O’Gorman (Betty Taggart) and Sonny Landham (Cheif Bear) was amazing. Both are very good people as was the rest of the cast and crew. I hope to be able to work with some of theses people again in the future.

- Teresa Alexandria (Dedra Lanucci) I had a great time hanging out with you and getting to know you. You are a fun person to be around and you are not afraid to say how it is, I admire that. Never change and keep being that feisty person you are.

- Lee Narby (1st Assistant Director), you do not realize it but you helped me keep it together. I know we helped each other many times through this project and I am grateful to have met you and have you there when I need that little extra something.

- David Lammert, thank you for sharing your noides with me. I look forward to seeing the progression of these little characters. Your sick sense of humor really made me laugh. You knew many of us needed it on a daily basis. Never change and keep being who you are.

- Phil Yeary, you took a lot of flak from this project. I am only glad that I was there to help you out when I could. You have always been a great person and I cherish our friendship. I look forward to many projects together. Keep the faith and keep on moving forward.

- Chris Elbert (Scott Duke) it was nice to get to know some other local talent. Hopefully we will run into each other.

- Sarah Mynett, you are a wonderful person. I am glad to have met you and make a new friend. You are someone like myself and it is nice to have someone to talk to when needed. I hope to work with you in the future.

- Chelsie Rogers, it was nice to have gotten to know you better. I hope that we will see more of each other as friends as well as all of our local Indy talent.

-The Bhandari family, you are all nice and I was glad to have met you all. You all did a superb job.

- Richard Myles and Mischa Perez. I know we did not always agree but the human creature hardly ever does. If everyone did see eye to eye there would be world peace and that is a long way off and not in our lifetime. Again I am grateful that you gave me the opportunity to work for you bth on the “Mental Scars” project as SCRIPT SUPERVISOR. I learned a lot and grew as a person. Best of luck on your project, I look forward to the finished product.

- "Mental Scars" is a 35mm film project. Film is slowly being replaced with digital technology so just to work on a real film project is always a treat.

-There were good times, bad times, hard times, times of learning and growth. If I did not mention you personally do not worry, I did not forget about you. It was a pleasure to work with you all.

*In August/September of 2008 there was some time set aside for some pickup shots. I wanted to return during this time to continue my duties as the Script Supervisor but shortly before I found out about the allocated time set aside for pickup shots I broke the mortise, talus, and posterior malleolar of the left foot (I broke my ankle), tore the tendon, partially torn the ligaments, and had a partial dislocation. Lucky the breaks were non-dislocations so I did not have to have any pins or major surgeries. I was put into a cast for several weeks and then later into a support boot. I am going through physical therapy and it will be about a year from when I broke my left foot that I will return to or as close as can be to normal. There will be no jumping, running, or stunt work for me for a while.

Overall I had an amazing learning experience on the "Mental Scars" project, I learned a lot. All that I have experienced on this project will help me and make me a stronger person for the next project(s) that I am involved with. During the duration of this project I took several pictures. I compiled enough pictures to fill two CD-ROMs and I gave copies to all who wanted them that were on the “Mental Scars” project.  Unfortunately due to contract(s) I am not allowed to share the pictures I took during my time with this project. But you can view some pictures of me with various talent and crew members and feel free to visit the "MENTAL SCARS" WEBSITE to view some pictures and learn more about the project.