Reflections From The Edge
As production winds down and everyone starts contemplating their futures, I thought I’d spend some time reflecting on my filming season. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned this year:
Dress warm. Newfoundland in the summer is still not summer.
Mary Brown’s should only be consumed once a year, under strict supervision. Excessive intake of “Big Marys” can—and likely will—lead to physical and mental defects.
East Coasters commonly regard West Coasters as “a bunch of tree huggers.” Not entirely unjustified.
If you see a vegetable, eat it. You never know when you’ll see another one (taters don’t count).
When cooked by a seasoned fisherman aboard a vessel in rolling seas, all food surpasses any Michelin star meal.
In Newfoundland, you can go off-roading on roads. Rural areas have potholes large enough to warrant their own postal codes.
St. John’s Walmart is a very special place indeed.
A cinematographer’s quest for “nice light” can be futile in Newfoundland; chemosynthesis has become the dominant form of sustaining life here.
Sleeping in a U-Haul van is not as adventurous as one hopes. You’re basically a Lunchable for mosquitos.
Pay phones still exist in Newfoundland and perfectly represent the province’s position on the national timeline.
Lobsters aren’t abundant as you may think, especially if you’re trying to film them. They are however widely stocked in grocery stores.
Sunrise is always worth the effort.
A three-star hotel in Newfoundland does not equal a three-star hotel in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, or war-torn Somalia.
Newfoundland houses look like they were built for Peter Pan and Wendy.
Puffins are the cutest animals on the planet. Designed by an eight-year-old, they waddle like their legs are new and have eyes Walt Disney would be proud of.
Anywhere named Dover sucks.
The Ford F-150 was not designed for narrow trails.
Lobsters can propel themselves through the water using some kind of hidden jet engine - most unexpected for someone that has never seen one swim before.
Eels taste good.
Always use insect repellent, and sunscreen. It’s in your bag, so just use it. Doofus.
Don’t use your own credit card for production expenses, especially when it negatively impacts your credit score.
Always carry a toothbrush and deodorant in your carry-on. When taking more flights this year than the Estonian Air Force, cancellations were inevitable.
Don’t leave luggage overnight in a New York deli.
You can never eat too much NYC pizza.
It’s always good to have “an eel guy.”
Frozen yoghurt can be dinner.
Nova Scotians will make it work. No matter how random the request they’ll band together to make improbable ideas real.
Never walk away from a free tour guide—especially if she’s cute.
Don’t hesitate to change your flights.
Atlantic Canada’s coastal waters can be warm—reaching a tropical 20°C in summer.
Atlantic Canada’s coastal waters can also be cold as fuck.
Urchins are gnarly little bastards with mouths that inspire nightmarish sea monsters. They also make excellent lampshades.
Don’t wear reading glasses on a string around your neck if you’re under 65.
Mirrored sunglasses are not allowed in the 2000s.
Costco zip-off pants are for work use only.
The Scarecrow Festival is a thing.
Halifax has a lot of chairs.
Whatchamacallit is a chocolate bar.
I am bad at Super Mario Brothers.
Roast dinners should only be served inside Yorkshire puddings.
Hotpot is not a hot pot.
Mussels have impressive tongue skills.
Forty-five-year-old men can do face masks.
Making bread takes a lot of time.
Make sure your barber understands your request.
You don’t always need to buy a return plane ticket.
Have you learned some valuable lessons this summer? Let me know in the comments!


As the aforementioned tour guide, I can attest that his hair still looks good, and I didn’t even notice his weird haircut.
>>> You can never eat too much NYC pizza.
True that. Same can be said for pizza from Naples (Italy, not Florida)!