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She doesn't get eaten by the eel at this time. (I'm explaining to you because you look nervous.)
She doesn't get eaten by the eel at this time. (I'm explaining to you because you look nervous.)
vawendy


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Quotes From The Princess Bride (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2012 Challenge shots
Camera: Canon EOS-7D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
Date: Oct 16, 2012
Date Uploaded: Oct 16, 2012

 [Oct. 23rd, 2012 07:49:51 PM]

You think that dogs and cats are difficult to direct?? Wait until you try working with a Shrieking Eel!

They're impossible!

First, they keep getting too far out of the water.



Then the won't open really wide, just a lazy little bit open:



When they finally get it right (after forever and a day)



then we can put our fearless (well... hopefully fearful) heroine in the water. We kept her dry while trying to train the eel, because a cold front had come through and the actor's union wanted double time when the water dipped below 40 degrees.



We finally were on the right track. However, the shrieking eel just couldn't get it right -- he kept getting distracted.

In this one, a bird just flew over, so he was looking up trying to go after the bird:



In this one he was going after a passing otter:



He just wouldn't turn and attack the heroine -- much less even get close to her!

When he finally did get close enough, then the heroine got side-tracked -- noticing that Mr. Eel had a bit of tooth decay.



after multiple takes, we were finally able to get everyone back in gear and get the shot done.

Did I mention that shrieking eels shriek the whole time they're filming?

I don't know how the managed to pull off that long of a scene in the movie. The must have had more than one eel trainer to handle it all.

---------------------------------



Outtake


And huge thanks to my son and daughter (who got tropical smoothies, chinese food and bumbleberry pie for the shoot. :)

Statistics
Place: 6 out of 56
Avg (all users): 6.3145
Avg (commenters): 8.0000
Avg (participants): 6.2500
Avg (non-participants): 6.3333
Views since voting: 1632
Views during voting: 288
Votes: 124
Comments: 14
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 10/24/2012 01:11:57 PM
Fabulous, Wendy! PERFECT for the challenge topic and really well done.

Kudos to your models. (I wear hearing protection when working with shrieking eels. Bothersome.)

LOVE the story, too! :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/24/2012 12:52:19 PM
The photo essay just cracks me up. Love the quirkiness of this image, Wendy. Congrats on the tt.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/24/2012 10:50:50 AM
Such fun in the story and outtakes and a very well done image and challenge contender in the end. Congratulations on the top ten, Wendy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/24/2012 09:38:28 AM
Great shot, Wendy. Your models deserve some recognition, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/24/2012 02:28:27 AM
Great creativity, and acting, and shooting, and processing etc... Congrats on 6th.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/24/2012 01:03:35 AM
Hard work - very nice image in the end. Thanks
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/23/2012 11:13:20 PM
well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/23/2012 07:53:42 PM
Great illustration of the quote, and cool photo. Top 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/23/2012 07:02:12 PM
One of my favorite. Love the expression on the girl's face and the whole set up. Oh and b&w works great here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/23/2012 12:25:51 PM
Good adaptation and processing. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2012 07:56:08 PM
Hahahahaha
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2012 11:13:32 AM
AWESOME!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2012 02:42:59 PM
Ha! Fun stuff. Like the heavy vignette in this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2012 12:24:16 AM
Ha! FABULOUS!! PERFECTION.


(commenting only)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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