Table Read

The full cast & crew of Muck assembled for a full table read on the evening of Thursday, July 23 at the offices of Freethink Media in Washington, DC. This date had been marked on my calendar for several weeks. As it approached, I grew increasingly anxious. I was confident in talent that emerged from our casting call, but so much of acting is about striking a connection with your fellow cast members and feeling a connection with the material. Would the actors hit it off? Would we gel as a team? How would everyone react to my latest draft of the script (admittedly, about 90% there, but still in need of some tweaks)?

This was our first team meeting - an opportunity for everyone involved in the project to connect and review the material for any last minute revisions. We also had some important administrative business to tend to - lodging, meals, transportation, logistics, and such. A busy but productive agenda, for sure.

To ensure a successful meeting, my lovely mother, Cindy Raffety, in her typical gracious form, sent me a care package of goodies to share with the team. What better way to inspire the cast & crew in advance of production than to introduce them to some of the local flavor of central West Virginia!

A note from my mother lists the contents of the care package she sent for cast & crew.

I'm happy to report that the care package worked! I couldn't imagine a better outcome from our gathering. Everyone brought their "A game" to the reading and we all had a blast. I'm so humbled to work with such an amazing team of professionals. To a person, we left feeling inspired, confident, and ready. Principal photography begins in exactly one week! Onward and upward!