New to site -- Actor- would love feedback

NotoriACE

NotoriACE

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Jun 5, 2012
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NotoriACE
Hey everyone,

My name is Ace Marrero and I'm an actor living in Los Angeles.

I want to first apologize if I am out of line for posting here since I am not in fact a pilot. I've read through a few posts and hope it is ok that I joined to ask a few questions.

I've booked the lead in a film, and I've just been doing my homework up until I leave on June 30th (filming in Cartagena, Colombia) and wanted to see if I could reach out to possibly pick the brain of a few of you.

There are several things in the movie, that I'd love to get clarification on, especially to see if as written, it is faithful to the real world. As you all are I'm sure aware, there are a lot of liberties taken in film and TV and often times it is out of the hands of the actors, as we need to bring what is on the page to life. I always believe in doing my homework, so I can present the real things and hopefully find a happy medium to both worlds.

If you are interested and available, please let me know and I'd be forever grateful to ask a few questions and get your expertise!

Ace Marrero
acemarrero at gmail com
 
Always open to questions! Hopefully you'll become so interested in aviation that you'll elect to become a pilot yourself! And we understand (though we may not like) that sometimes verisimilitude must give way to moving the story line forward!
 
Ask away.

But what might help more is to schedule a "discovery flight" or "First Lesson" flight with a Certified Flight Instructor in your area. Reserve all your questions that tie in to the film until the lesson is over. Then offer to buy the instructor a really good dinner in exchange for answering all of your questions.

With the flight lesson, you will have a really good frame work in which to ask your questions.

And as you work through this, keep in touch with us. We always love hearing how new folks get along learning about aviation.
 
Doesn't it sound like he wants you to ctc him by email? And that he is not planning to visit the forum again?
 
Axe all you want.

FWIW - you don't loose control and go into a steep dive if the engine quits.
 
Wow, thanks so much everyone! I was informed that there are writers that often visit the site to ask questions to keep some accuracy, so I feel much better knowing that and seeing all the welcoming people who have posted.

GREAT idea about looking into an intro lesson. I just got off the phone with another pilot on this site, and she recommended the same. I'll definitely look into it.

I'm in the Los Angeles are, and near the Santa Monica Airport, which I know is smaller, so I'll see if I can find something like that.

If anyone knows of someone I should speak to in this area, please let me know. I'd love to see if I could get a tour of an aircraft. There is one scene in the movie that is actually INSIDE of the plane, the rest of the movie, we just know I'm a commercial pilot. However, in this one scene, I have to fly from CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA to Miami in a small jet. Again, if anyone has any leads I should look into, please let me know.

It is the one scene in the movie, where my character is actually in CONTROL, as this is HIS world, and the last thing I want is to feel that this is the one scene in real life that is OUT OF CONTROL for me, haha.


Aside from that the biggest questions I had were dealing with prescription medications that are established in the movie for my character. We discover that I have been taking a pill from a bottle for high moments of anxiety, and it is referenced in the stage directions, that it is VALIUM. I am not a doctor, but it seemed like this might be a no, no-- so I wanted to see if that accurate. You get a sense that my character is very discreet about it, in fact the label is ripped off, but I didn't know if this would even be possible if someone worked for a commercial airline. Would there be regular drug tests and such?

I'm sure I'll have more as I continue to break down the script, but those are the big things!

Thanks again :)

And, yes...I am fully aware that I may want to fly myself. In fact, since I was a kid, the one superpower I wish I had WAS to be able to fly! Still hasn't changed :)
 
I cannot imagine a commercial pilot being allowed to fly taking Valium.

You would need to take a first class medical exam where you must list all drugs you have EVER taken, or EVER been prescribed any drugs for anxiety, or any prescription drugs.

This sounds like a very ill conceived movie.
 
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Geico i think the pilot in the movie knows that taking valium is a no no and is trying to keep it a secret.

you cant take valium and fly. If you have ever taken medication for a mental illness (even if you are not currently taking it) you must pass significant psychological tests in order to be able to fly. A condition requiring a strong medication like valium is disqualifying.

You do have to be enrolled in a random drug testing program to be a pro pilot but i am under the impression that its your standard **** test and may only tests for a few commonly used recreational drugs and may not include valium. If this is true, it could be possible for your charachter to take valium in secret and stay under the radar...
 
NotoriACE said:
Aside from that the biggest questions I had were dealing with prescription medications that are established in the movie for my character. We discover that I have been taking a pill from a bottle for high moments of anxiety, and it is referenced in the stage directions, that it is VALIUM. I am not a doctor, but it seemed like this might be a no, no-- so I wanted to see if that accurate.
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Yes, your impression is accurate. It would be a huge "no-no," and if caught, the pilot would be fired by the airline and probably have his pilot and medical certificates revoked by the FAA. That said, there are cases from time to time of pilots (both commercial and private) illegally self-medicating like that. What percentage of such illegal users get caught is anybody's guess, since we don't know about the ones who aren't caught.

You get a sense that my character is very discreet about it, in fact the label is ripped off, but I didn't know if this would even be possible if someone worked for a commercial airline. Would there be regular drug tests and such?
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Yes, airline pilots are subject to random drug testing, so it's highly unlikely one could be taking Valium very long without getting caught.

BTW, one assumes this is you.
 
Definitely leave the Valium in the script. Maybe mix in a little bath salts also. Will make the movie a lot more interesting.
 
You picked a good place to visit....ask away! Cartagena should be a fun place to get sent to for filming! Take a few hrs of lessons. You can probably find a local instructor or good referral on here.
 
And most of us look like this:
 

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Funkeruski said:
Definitely leave the Valium in the script. Maybe mix in a little bath salts also. Will make the movie a lot more interesting.
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LOL!! I really don't want to make this a zombie film, but thanks for the suggestion. Perhaps the sequel? But, only if I can be your co-pilot on bath salts.
 
dell30rb said:
Geico i think the pilot in the movie knows that taking valium is a no no and is trying to keep it a secret....
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Yes, like I mentioned, it's not beating an audience member to death, but it is in the script. It is also referenced by my character in almost a sarcastic sense, so it COULD just be that. But it is clear I have good anxiety, and considering a significant plot point, involving a family member, it ties in.
 
Is this a LADY ______, thread ?

Is she back?
 
Mike5250 said:
You picked a good place to visit....ask away! Cartagena should be a fun place to get sent to for filming! Take a few hrs of lessons. You can probably find a local instructor or good referral on here.
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Thank you. Yes, I'm very excited. It should be a fantastic experience. I definitely hope I CAN find a local instructor or referral. :)
 
NotoriACE said:
I want to first apologize if I am out of line for posting here since I am not in fact a pilot. I've read through a few posts and hope it is ok that I joined to ask a few questions.
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Asking pilots about flying is NEVER out of line! In fact, once you get us started, you'll never get us to shut up about it! :D
 
Ace,
You need a big a** watch, Aviator glasses, and a leather jacket. Then you have to be extremely cocky, overly confident and be extremely cheap! Everything costs entirely to much in aviation, even the landing fees.... Oh and when you land in FL, expect the world and refuse to tip... Say something like "I'm sorry, I cannot afford to tip you, do you know how expensive a new tire is for my $16 million jet?" :lol:

and don't worry, we will be discussing your movie and questions years after the movie is released. :D

Oh and that's another trait of being a pilot... you need to talk about aviation extensively. Everything relates to aviation.... but mere mortals just don't seem to understand us (hence cocky attitude) :)
 
Matthew said:
And most of us look like this:
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Except for me:

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Palmpilot said:
That's not what the typical pilot looks like around my airport!
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OK, ok: to be completely honest, more of us look like this:

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Than this:


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NotoriACE said:
Thank you. Yes, I'm very excited. It should be a fantastic experience. I definitely hope I CAN find a local instructor or referral. :)
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And if you've already been cast, the odds are that the intro flight and any subsequent lessons may be considered deductions on your taxes...
 
murphey said:
And if you've already been cast, the odds are that the intro flight and any subsequent lessons may be considered deductions on your taxes...
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Yes, Mr. Exec Producer, the private and instrument rating and the airplane are all legit research expenses. Besides, now I can just fly between Santa Monica and Burbank and not get stuck in the traffic on the Five.
 
don't file a flight plan and violently manipulate the controls during cruise to add drama
 
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Ron Levy said:
Yes, your impression is accurate. It would be a huge "no-no," and if caught, the pilot would be fired by the airline and probably have his pilot and medical certificates revoked by the FAA. That said, there are cases from time to time of pilots (both commercial and private) illegally self-medicating like that. What percentage of such illegal users get caught is anybody's guess, since we don't know about the ones who aren't caught.

Yes, airline pilots are subject to random drug testing, so it's highly unlikely one could be taking Valium very long without getting caught.

BTW, one assumes this is you.
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Wouldn't a pilot, swallowing valium mid-flight, pre-flight or under the influence of valium be subject to criminal charges and a very real possibility of jail time?
 
Palmpilot said:
Asking pilots about flying is NEVER out of line! In fact, once you get us started, you'll never get us to shut up about it! :D
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I'm ok with that. I've got plenty to ask, I'm a curious one and love to learn, as long as someone is ok with sharing.
 
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