OK I posted a couple years ago about my trip on the research vessel the Tiglax. I was able to go to many fascinating islands and get off and explore islands and volcanoes and caves and see all sorts of rare and unusual wildlife. It was an amazing experience I got paid handsomely. Hell I would have payed my wages for the trip.
I started a restaurant so now summer trips like that are no no longer really a viable option. I do however look and keep an eye out for some really interesting jobs. I could try for the Time Bandit as it is docked here in Homer. I could likely get it is an opening came up, as I am a well known/liked person in Homer. I am however not into the fishing so much. My friend Geo Beach who does Tougher in Alaska lives here as well. Just a bit of name dropping. I told him about my job offer. He is jealous.
OK the Aleutians are to Alaskans as Alaska is to the “lower 48.” No one really gets a chance to go out there and explore some fishermen pass by islands but rarely if ever stop. So I am very lucky and my dreams oif Hitting St. Lawrence Island an the Bearing Straight are really all that’s left as far as Bearing Sea Islands go.
I have wondered when I could or how i could fund a trip there. With the Diomede Island only really a fantastical dream.
Until this week.
A long time customer came in and said her dad is looking for a cook on his brand new boat he just built. He is taking out a film crew to DOIMEDE ISLAND!!!
What did I hear correctly?
When? Early October, just after you shut down.
Hell yea.
So I take the job it pays well and we will be going to Dutch Harbor then The Pribilofs then St Mathew then Nome then Little Diomeade. back to None then back to Homer. About a month. With several days at each stop. Weather defendant.
I met the Film crew today.
Get this I thought it was some sort of documentary. I had no Idea. Nor did the captain/owner really what the film was.
The head of the filming operations said, “Can you act?”
I said Hell yea, I have plenty of ego to go around after cooking on stage for a hungry crew out in the rough bearing sea. It will be hell it is October. And a much smaller boat that you all may be use to seeing on “Deadliest Catch.” I am a large personality and up for anything.
I say what kind of film a documentary?
No it is a movie. I didn’t ask much more. They asked if i could do a foreign ascent I said maybe they said it don’t matter I am perfect for the job.
I asked about a script and they said yea we have one. I said if I suck you can just cut me out. They said hell know they can tell I will be perfect. I did ask if they need to talk more before the job starts they seemed happy with me and needed no further explantion and seemed thrilled with me.
I have never acted and this will be the roughest sees I have ever been on and the film crew has never been out to really any kind of seas, and it is a new boat. And we are going to some rarely traveled places.
This is exciting.
I will supposedly get royalties. And that is all I know. The Captain and other crew member (his daughter) are really not part of the movie. So I will get payed as the cook and royalties for the movie.
And feedback on royalties? do I just accept what they offer?
What have I got myself into?