BILLY BONES

Well Ace, I take heart in thinking of my paycheck. Rather mercenary sounding, since I'm doing what I like to do, but it cheers me all the same.

OK, it's Saturday, and so far it's done nothing but rain for hours. Not much filming getting done. We're waiting for the Pearl to sail in again, although, for the life of me, I'm not sure what we'd film once she gets here. " It must be great to work on POTC in the Bahamas". For the last week, I've been sitting in my weapons truck or the hotel, fighting the rust on the guns and swords. Don't get me wrong, when the weather changes, I'll feel pretty lucky, but right now, it's pretty taxing. I'm tired of being wet. Thank goodness there's the Pyracy pub, so I can whine. BB

Tish, I've been a propman since '79 (old fart). I only do historical films, and they just needed someone versed in pyrate lore who could handle flintlocks. That was it!

Met the sculptor of the figures a couple of weeks ago. COOL!

Capt. Jim, Thanks for taking the high road (I must admit, I thought the same thing). Rummy, stay as sweet as you are, and 'ol Billy will see what he can do. I've seen some pretty sweet treasure chests of late.

Hey, we've got 2 days off due to weather concerns. Too choppy out there. The Pearl looks good, and the other ships look great too. Just relaxing and drinking rum (on my own time) and reading about Bart Roberts. Bess, is Roy coming back, or just visiting? Wish I had a woman here. Sorry, just a piratical desire. Guess I'll go drink some more. BB

I didn't get sick, but several crew members did, including one of the cast.

The monkey's alive and well. The parrot too. He is sort of a pain though. -----Thanks Diego. Yeah, I'm sorry I missed it, but somehow, walking the deck of the Pearl made up for it a little. Lots of seasickness today. It's pretty rough out there. Regards, BB

I won't see Jack until tomorrow, but I'll let you know. Actually, I'll walk next door to the prop truck and see. The missing pistol is in a place I'm not at liberty to say. We have 2 more reproductions that are very good. Most of the pistols are repros, but we do have several antiques. I'm on lunch right now, anxiously awaiting the Pearl. Should be sailing in soon.

Rita only delayed us one day. The water's a little choppy, but we're getting it done. We've filmed scenes from 2 and 3.

You can always ask me. I'm currently in Freeport, Grand Bahamas working in the prop dept. of II & III

Leaving for the Bahamas tomorrow, but I don't think we'll make it all the way there. It looks to me like we'll be waiting out a hurricane. We should be filming until mid-December. Regards, mates! BB

Aw barnacles! I guess I won't be there after all! I wasn't sure of the dates of the faire (no one mentioned it), and I thought the thing was sooner than it is! I'll be in the Bahamas working (never thought I'd say that in my life). Have a great time mates, and hoist a jack o' grog fer me. Rummy, remember me to the ladies. BB

I too, shall attend. Hope to meet the ones I didn't meet in Corona, and once more see the ones I did! ? BB

Killian, Nice pics! Thanks! BB

I've met Cascabel, RedMaria, Rhumba Rhu, Petee, Diego, Rummy, Killian, and several others I can't remember the names of(I'm an old man). I'm sure I saw Capt. Grey, but didn't know it. Too bad! I also was hitting the ale hard to alleviate the heat prostration.

I know that a film about Blackbeard is being filmed in Thailand. That's about it though.

Well, I have returned from Cutthroats of Corona, and had a great time. Unfortunately, I can't make it tomorrow, but it was a great pleasure to meet Rummy, Iron Bess, Red Maria, Diego, Cascabel, Petee, and many others. I'm kind of sweet on a couple of the female-types now. If you have any pics, I'd love it if you could post a few! Thanks, mates! Also, keep me informed of upcoming events around this area.

I'm the armorer. We're currently filming in L.A. See ya there!

So, if you see an old salt at the ale booth at 4, and he seems sorta lost, that could be me! Say hey to Billy Bones mates! Hope to finally meet ya all. See ya Saturday!!!

Thanks mates! I'm off to work.

As some of you know, I'm the armorer on POTC II & III, and I'm asking for your help. I've reenacted for 35 years, worked in a flintlock gunshop for 13, etc. etc. , but I've kind of gotten myself in a quandry. I need to wad the pistols so that they can be pulled from a belt or baldric, but they can't have any thing coming out of the barrel. I've always used styrofoam, and it generally disintegrates, but lately, I've tested it, and it's not performing as it should. I know about coco puffs, etc. but I'm dealing with every concievable calibre of pistol. I don't have time to fidget with the loads either. Something I can load into a barrel no matter what calibre. I've even used soft rubber, but actors don't need smoldering rubber coming at them, not to mention the residue produced. Things that wouldn't bother a reenactor are going to bother an actor!!! What do you think?

Johnny's pistol is indeed an antique. We are using the original he"s always had. There was a pair, but now only one can be found, although 2 copies have been made, just in case. The "missing" pistol isn't lost, but I won't say where it is. Barbossa's, as you already know, is huge, and very ornate. Perhaps I can get permission to take some nice photos of both and post them here. I know there's been alot of speculation about them, and you can't see much looking at the film. BB

Well, I'm here. Can't say much, but I did get to handle Jack's and Barbossa's pistols. Nice!

Nypperkin, Filming started in May. I'm just taking over for someone who got sick.