Prison Break: A Look Back (Otis)

          This was my second day on set. To say it wasn’t as good as my first day would be the understatement of the year. I don’t even remember the call time. I think it was around 9:00 am. I do know that it was hotter than hell and I got a sunburn in the shade. Being in an all-black Fox River Correctional Officer uniform didn’t help. Little did I know that would set the tone for the rest of the day. After I arrived, I found a couple guys that I knew and we waited to be sent to wardrobe. The casting assistant came over and got us and took us to wardrobe and then to props. Wardrobe happened to be right next to the main “stars” trailers and we got to meet them coming in and out. I saw Bill (Fichtner) again, Sara, Amaury, and guest star John Heard (But I didn’t meet him). 

           I was so pumped about this episode. It was only about a week and a half between my time on set from the first and second episode. Casting called me the day before I was scheduled to be there and asked if I could shave my mustache. I really didn’t have a problem with doing because I was only keeping it because of continuity on the show. But they said it was ok and that if I shaved it there would be a big scene that I would be featured and credited in. So the answer was an easy yes of course I’ll shave it. After I got on set I found the A.D. He told me where I needed to be until they were ready for me. Ok no problem. I was one of the few that would do what was asked of me without complaining. It seemed that some of the others would not do the same. Periodically he would come out and tell us that there was a delay and to hold tight. Most of us didn't have a problem doing that. We knew it was a hurry and wait situation.

           After about twenty or thirty minutes the strangest thing happened. We were all off the path of the sidewalk away from everyone. Then John Heard comes walking up with the AD taking him to set. He is carrying an umbrella blocking the sun. He stops at the end of the sidewalk and whispers in the AD's ear. Next thing we know the AD is coming over to us telling us to stay at least 20 feet from him and don’t look or talk to him or you will be asked to leave. Everyone was just baffled because not one person said a word to him or anything. Then he just walked in. Very strange and really uncalled for in my opinion. I was a fan of his since Big with Tom Hanks. But that has since changed.

 

         So after that were still waiting. Come to find out there was a new director and he must have been in a foul mood that day. He ended up changing up the script , reshooting scenes, and he was yelling at everyone. Before that, I did my part then just patiently waited. About 3:00 pm we broke for lunch, which was just as good as the first time. This time was different. They had the main cast away from everyone else. But Wade Williams and a couple others didn't eat with the others that day. After lunch I was talking to Wade, the man has a memory that is uncanny. Lol. He came up to me and said “Hey Riley, how’s it going?” So we spoke for just a little while as it was getting closer to go back to set. So I asked him if he would sign my index card and take a photo with me. He, just like Philip Van Lear, said it would be an honor. So one of the guys from the crew took our picture with my phone and that was it. He said “I’ll see you later Riley” I said ok and went back to set.

          The rest of the day progressed just like the first half did, long and hot. It was about 7:00pm and they came out and told us we can go home. The AD came out and apologized to me. Most of the day after I did my one scene,  I wasn't doing anything. A lot of the guys were happy to leave and they were saying they should have already let us go home. But I was upset because I really didn’t want to leave. Yea, I got paid for doing almost nothing, but I was there to work, not to hang around and do nothing.  So I made my way back to wardrobe and props to change and turn in my props. What made things even worse, when I went to leave, it was so hot it drained my battery in my truck. Luckily one of the guys from the crew had a battery jumper and gave me a jump so I can go.