In the world of movie-making, we often marvel at the performances, the special effects, and the unforgettable scenes. But what we don’t often see or appreciate is the work behind those scenes. Take it from David Childers, a longtime Key grip and gaffer in the film industry, who shares in his memoir Let’s Roll Some Film just how real movie magic is built… sometimes literally.
One of the most fascinating stories in Childers’ book comes from the very first film he ever worked on: Shoot the Moon (1981), starring Diane Keaton and Albert Finney. Before a single
frame was shot, there was a major problem to solve—the house where the story would take place didn’t exist on set. It needed to be built. But instead of constructing a set from the ground up, the team did something more ambitious: they moved an entire abandoned two-story home in six
pieces to a new location in Marin County, California.
Yes, you read that right. Six sections. One house. Moved across town.
The house had originally stood in San Geronimo Valley and was transported via flatbed trucks to the new film site. It was reassembled on large steel beams to temporarily stand for the duration of the shoot. Once filming wrapped, the plan was to move it again onto a new foundation and sell it. But before that could happen, the crew—David included—had a job to do: restore and rebuild it to make it camera-ready.
At the time, Childers was new to the business and had little experience with power tools or construction work. He joined a team of seasoned carpenters to assist with the massive undertaking. It was dirty, repetitive, and physically demanding—but as David recalls, it was also a great learning experience.
The crew’s work went beyond hammers and nails. One unique task involved converting a
12-foot-tall old wine vat into a working water tank. The barrel had to be cut, notched, and rebuilt piece by piece, with over 150 staves involved in the process. Once assembled, the challenge
became making it watertight—another time-consuming process that tested both patience and teamwork.
And then there was nature to contend with. The winter months brought unrelenting rain, turning the property into a muddy mess. Waterproof boots and rain gear became daily essentials. Poison
oak lined a nearby creek bed, and one unfortunate crew member who ignored the warnings ended up hospitalized for two weeks after a severe allergic reaction. In a business where everything
looks smooth on screen, the reality was far from glamorous.
But once the house was finished and the landscaping was in place, it was time to shoot. For David, it was a trial by fire—his first experience as a prop crew member, directly handling items used by the actors. He remembers running back and forth to fetch props, managing food fight
scenes in the kitchen, and constantly cleaning up after messy takes. From spilled milkshakes in a car to sticky hot chocolate in a diner, the prop crew was always on call.
Despite the grueling pace, it was this job that hooked David into the industry. He learned that movie-making wasn’t just about stars or directors—it was about crews pulling off the impossible, problem-solving in real time, and doing whatever it took to make the final product feel real.
So, what happened next? That one project led to a 40+ year career working on some of Hollywood’s most iconic films. And it all started with building a house from scratch.
Sometimes, the most powerful stories in film aren’t found in the script—they’re built behind the scenes, one muddy boot step at a time.