Andrew drove toward Van Ness High School early in the morning.
Last night's intense vision of the cinematic vault and the "Rock 'n' Roll High School" preview was still searing in his mind. It wasn't a dream; it was a three-minute slice of the future, delivered with impossible clarity by a phantom projector.
The VHS tape and the 1979 copyright date confirmed what his transmigrated life had long suggested: he was operating with pre-cognizant knowledge. He now knew for certain he had traveled back to the past, and that cryptic, silent vault was the library of his immense advantage.
Andrew thought this to himself as he filled out his shooting log.
Date: December 16, 1978, Saturday Location: Van Ness High School, Hollywood, Los Angeles Assembly Time: ...
He raised his wrist to check his watch; it was 5:30 AM. He quickly completed the entry: 05:30.
Los Angeles winters were mild; he wore only a jacket over a white T-shirt, with his fanny pack slung around his waist. Andrew tucked the pen into the pack, took out a small notebook, and flipped to a folded page. On it was the sunrise time he'd confirmed yesterday: 6:48 AM.
Andrew glanced at his watch again; it was 5:31. He clicked his tongue and frowned. The director was conspicuously absent.
He walked over to the first assistant director. "Ahem..." Andrew cleared his throat, preparing to address the tardiness.
Jim sprinted over from the opposite side and preemptively asked, "Where's Director Alan? Where's Joe Dante?"
Alan Ekush was the credited director, but they often functioned as co-directors, with Joe Dante occasionally having the final say. Gossip suggested they were inseparable friends.
The first assistant director simply shrugged, indicating his ignorance. He was timid and reactive, clearly unwilling to make an executive decision. Andrew pressed his lips together, but Jim tugged his sleeve.
Once they were aside, Jim whispered, "You missed the action last night. I saw Alan head off to the Roxy Bar with the Ramones after the wrap party. Word is they were having a wild night." Jim always had his ear to the ground for set gossip—a vital currency in the film business.
Andrew had a clean, side-parted haircut, but his beard, grown out since filming began, now gave him a mature, somewhat rugged look. He didn't engage in the usual crew activities—he didn't smoke, nor did he like discussing spirituality or anti-nuclear activism—so he relied on Jim for this essential social intelligence.
"Well, looks like we'll be missing the director today," Andrew confirmed, handing Jim his shooting log.
Jim took it, and the two meticulously reviewed the day's schedule, confirming every detail.
After checking the log, Andrew took out a few pencil sketches and handed them to Jim.
"What are these?"
"Storyboards I quickly sketched last night," Andrew replied. These were the breakdowns for the film's opening three scenes, drawn using the precise images revealed in his vision.
Storyboards—drawings that visualize the script like an expanded comic book—were the architectural blueprints for a film. Directors used them to plan schedules, set up shots, and guide post-production editing. Jim was greatly impressed, praising the clarity and professional detail of Andrew's drawings.
Neither of them were here just to coast; they were serious about breaking into the industry. They arrived early and left late, making coffee while meticulously observing and learning.
The two directors recognized their ambition and often involved them in low-level production tasks beyond making coffee, like organizing extras or tracking shooting logs.
"The directors haven't arrived, and the shooting window is tight. We need to capture the light before and after sunrise, so we must start preparing immediately," Jim said, glancing at the log. He had already adopted the necessary urgency of a director.
"Agreed. Let's go talk to the assistant director... no, the obedient A.D. won't authorize anything. We need to go straight to the Director of Photography," Andrew decided, leading Jim toward Dean Cundey.
Cundey, the head of the camera crew, and three burly young men were assembling a camera crane.
Andrew approached respectfully. "Mr. Cundey, the director is delayed. If we don't start rehearsing blocking now, we'll miss the window. Will the filming be delayed?"
The taciturn DP, having witnessed Andrew's competence yesterday, avoided giving a basic answer. Instead, he gestured to his first assistant cameraman, a red-haired young man who also served as the focus puller and chief camera operator.
"We only have twenty minutes before and after sunrise, the 'magic hour,'" the assistant explained. "The sky is bright enough for background light, but the sun hasn't hit us directly yet. After that, the light quality is gone."
"Then we must proceed immediately," Andrew asserted, taking charge. "I will coordinate the rehearsal with the extras. Jim, you bring the three leading ladies over to block their lines. Mr. Cundey, you can proceed with the camera setup. Is this arrangement acceptable?"
The bearded DP, never one for conversation, simply waved his hand, signaling his approval of Andrew's decisive plan. Andrew gave Jim a triumphant look. "OK!"
Nearly 30 extras, students from Van Ness High School, had arrived. The scene was the opening of high school, featuring the drama club, science club, and football team setting up welcome stages alongside dance sequences.
Andrew picked up a megaphone and addressed the crowd: "Boys and girls of Van Ness High School! Thank you all for joining us for... well, for filming the movie High School Life. Today we're filming the welcome scene. Is everyone ready to be on screen?"
"Ready!" came the enthusiastic reply.
"Alright, now I'll divide you into groups. You, you... stand here; you, you... over here; those wearing skirts, two of you in the front row; the football team, over here...; you four good-looking ones, stand behind the drama club stage; you guys who look like academic geniuses wearing glasses, stand at the science club booth. Everyone know your place?"
"The football team will pick up one of our actors, the prankster new student, and carry him along this path. The rest of you, stay at your designated booths and interact naturally."
"Let's rehearse..."
"Very good, everyone remember one critical rule: don't look at the camera! I'll repeat myself: whatever you do, do not stare at the camera! We are filming you talking to each other, not you grinning like idiots at the lens. Anyone who looks at the camera will be cut out of the shot, understood?" His tone was firm but encouraging. "If you want to be in a movie, if you want your parents and boyfriends/girlfriends to see your faces in the theater, you must look like you belong here! Let's practice one more time..."
"Excellent. Now everyone go change your clothes and girls, touch up your makeup. It's 5:45 AM. I'll give you ten minutes. At 5:55 AM, everyone put on the required clothes and gather back here, ready to shoot."
After dismissing the extras, Andrew quickly walked towards the camera crew. "Has anyone seen the script supervisor? Has anyone seen Jenny?"
"Andy, I'm right here." A female voice came from behind.
Andrew turned and saw Jenny holding a shooting log in one hand and writing in a large notebook in the other. Jenny, the script supervisor or continuity supervisor, was responsible for ensuring that props and costumes were perfectly consistent from shot to shot.
Andrew walked over, picked up the clapperboard, pointed to the designated title area, and lowered his voice: "Jenny, the title here needs to be changed. It can't be 'Rock 'n' Roll High School'; it has to be 'High School Life.'"