STRICTLY ON BACKGROUND, PT. 16: "GRAVE SECRETS"

In early October of 2017, I spent a couple of days at the Community Church of Cedar Grove, New Jersey. I hadn't suddenly found religion; there are plenty houses of worship closer to me than a town adjoining Montclair if I wanted to indulge my spiritual side (if I had one, that is).

The scene of the (recreated) crime.

Instead, I was there to shoot an episode of Grave Secrets, one of the many true-crime recreation series on cable's Investigation Discovery network. Cedar Point was standing in for Nashville, where the episode's murder actually took place. It would have been cool to get an all-expenses paid trip to the real scene of the crime, but the bucolic Jersey suburb would have to do.

A heavenly on-set selfie. 

Being a fan of film noirs and character actors, I would have been more than happy to have played one of the murder suspects. Instead, I was cast as a parishioner. Having stepped into churches no more than a half dozen times in my life -- usually as a tourist -- this would take every ounce of skill I could summon as an extra.

My first onscreen appearance was actually shot on the second evening, as the police investigate a fire at the church, where they stumble upon a corpse. While a smoke machine provided the proper post-inferno ambience, off-camera flashing lights resembled those on a police car when reflected on us.

"Honest, officer, I was in bed when it happened. Just not with my wife."

Another parishioner and I are speaking to a cop. Although we weren't miked, the director asked us to hold a real conversation. You know, "When was the last time you saw the reverend? Can you tell me if he had any enemies?" 
I must have been better than I thought, because when we wrapped, the guy playing the cop -- a real actor -- told me I did a good job. I look forward to be interrogated one day.

What I also remember about this scene was letting the actress know that I was going to put my arm around her shoulder in consolation. Although this was weeks before the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke, I didn't want it to be a shock to her, which it usually was with any woman I was ever with.

While I look caught up in the rapture, I'm actually thinking,

What's for lunch and when are we having it?

My next scene, shot the day before, was inside the church, listening to the reverend. Among the different camera angles was a tracking shot down the nave, which I hoped would quench my sick desire for clear, close screen-time. As you can see, I was quenched to the gills.

The director also asked us to appear engrossed in the sermon. According to my wife and daughter, I came through. Considering how I feel about organized religion, I deserve an Emmy for my performance. 

It was while they were setting up this shot, I opened a Bible to a random page -- an event which became the basis for a blog piece I wrote the next day. You can access it here. Had the "reverend" given a sermon based on what I read, not only would I have been genuinely engrossed, I would have been genuinely grossed out.

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You might be able to watch my scenes here: