Blast from the past
BY CARLOS "SHAKE SHAKE" ESPINOSA, TEMPE, ARIZONA - It’s early Monday morning and I am a little grumpy; it is my first day back to work. I came into the building and it feels extremely odd being here. When I came to my desk, I noticed that my calendar read Monday, August 7th. The moment froze and it quickly took me back to that day. I remember being extremely excited, scared and paranoid, trying to make sure I had all my medicine and other items ready for Zambia. I remember that I kept calling Mike, asking random questions about the amount of stuff he was taking. Even though I went over my luggage twice, once I got to Lusaka, I realized I had forgotten items back home. My thoughts and memories were interrupted when I saw I had 1089 emails to read and people waiting for my help; nice way to come back to work.
This trip has had a big impact on me; I have discovered and strengthened my beliefs in what I want to do with my life. While being in Lusaka, I found it weird that I would come home to the lodge extremely drained from working all day, eat late, get almost no sleep, but always looked forward to the next day, in order to do it all over again. I was talking to Cyndi yesterday and she asked me if I wanted to shoot some interviews for her…if I wanted to, my response was simple, I would love to. I think I have been exposed to what I really want to do in life, and it is hard when I am away from it.
We, the crew, have been talking about how we want to keep working on other projects. Cyndi has shared her thoughts that we could actually start working in the industry now, by going our own separate ways. I am sure most of the crew has a great amount of potential for success in the film industry. The only thing in the back of my head is - it will never be the same. Especially if it is not going to be with the crew I was part of for 27 days…the Film Zambia crew. I can’t explain how, in this short amount of time, these people made such a huge impact in my life.
During the last week in Lusaka, I remember thinking “this is it." In only one week we would be heading back home to return to our lives. On the plane ride, I had a feeling similar to when one crams before a big test. I was trying to remember everything about the moment, since I knew that it was the last time I would be around everyone.
Editing the film has bought me more time to be around the crew, but I can’t help thinking, what’s going to happen once these films are done?
For the documentary, we were asked about images that were burned in our minds. For one reason or another, the following moments were never documented. They are burned in my mind, when I think of the crew.
Edgar: Trying to kick the soccer ball, missing completely, then falling.
Nick: “What if Jacobo jumps”
Robby: First one to throw up…..I had money on Grace
Shawn: Also going down while playing soccer…at least he kicked the ball!
Mike: Giggling like a 12yr. old boy at Christmas
Jacob: For building the Flintstones-cam
Jared: Smacking his head everywhere, it sounded like a bell.
Heath: Karaoke nights
Alec: Dancing with the people from the bus – but you pulled a Robby
Pam: BA...enough said
Jeniece: Scene 89. I am shocked Jeniece was not holding her camera while working the slate
M.K.: Screaming like crazy over a spider…. as well as screaming while cheating at speed.
Cyndi: Falling down in Livingstone - sorry Cyndi
And myself...falling down while pushing a car; hey I was laughing so it was all good.
There are also those moments when I hear, see, feel something that takes me back to Lusaka. I was at the doctor’s office the other day, waiting for my name to be called. I sat in this uncomfortable chair and began to fall asleep. At some point, I thought I was back in Lusaka, sleeping on the bus; I was brought into reality when the nurse called me in.
I will never forget my time in Lusaka, even though it was hard, stressful and at times I wanted to pull my hair out. The payoff that I took was so much greater than everything combined. I can’t thank everyone enough for the experience they gave me.