THE BUSINESS TRIP - Behind the Scenes - THE BUSINESS TRIP was originally written in 1998 and updated in 2005. It had been some time since we had shot THE BOX and we were looking for something simple that we could shoot in a single weekend, so we selected THE BUSINESS TRIP. The shoot was originally supposed to take place over up to 3 days. We had booked our hotel location on Sunday, May 15th and 16th with a backup date on May 22nd in case we were running behind. Due to late changing scheduling issues, we lost both the 16th and 22nd as shoot dates. That left us with a dilemma... attempt to shoot the 23 page project in a single day or delay the shoot completely. Delaying the shoot had the real possibility of shelving the project indefinitely. Writer/Director Bauer arrived at the hotel Saturday night with all of the equipment. He stayed up until 4 a.m. going through the storyboards and attempting to figure out what he could keep and what he would have to cut. By 7:30 a.m. that morning, cast and crew began to arrive. Once everyone was on location, we discussed the challenges ahead and whether to go ahead with the project or not. After some discussion, everyone decided to give it their best shot. Bauer was both impressed and inspired by everyone's committment. Attempting such a project in a single day automatically infuses limitations into the process, but we did our best. Fourteen hours later, the project was in the can and everyone left utterly exhausted. Below are some pics from the shoot day for THE BUSINESS TRIP. The dolly built by Paul Bauer came in handy during the shoot. The cast: Colleen McDonnell, Susan Alexander and Brian Shea. L to R: McDonnell, Writer/Director Pete Bauer, Alexander, Shea and Executive Producer Dan Doyle. L to R: McDonnell, Bauer, Alexander, Shea and Producer Kyme Godfrey. Doyle prepares to assist in lighting the shot. Bauer gets an overhead shot of McDonnell and Shea in bed. McDonnell and Shea continue to rehearse. Doyle and friend Marcie on location. Bauer blocks the scene as McDonnell holds a prop gun to Shea's head. Bauer directs the scene as Shea listens. McDonnell puts pennies over Shea's eyes. During rehearsal, McDonnell and Shea act out the scene. Bauer looks on as the cast rehearses. Bauer studies the scene as the cast rehearses. Godfrey tracks our progress in the script. Godfey rigs the microphone cords so that Bauer can move freely during an important scene. Bauer prepares to shoot the "dance" scene. Doyle rests comfortably in between takes during the long shoot day. During a fight scene, one of the critical props, the Hitman's gun, breaks in two. Bauer struggles to piece it back together so they can finish the shoot. Bauer shoots from Shea's point of view during the "bedroom" scene. McDonnell and Shea rehearse the scene. The smoldering remains of the long shoot day.