As we drive out of Washington DC early one sunny September morning, endless green fields spotted with trees and farms begin to meet our eyes more and more as the city's buildings start to disappear. It is always an interesting feeling leaving the city; as if you're escaping some kind of entrapment and entering into a whole other world. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful, bright morning to start our day! Our Director, our Associate Producer and I are on our way to Louisa, VA to meet the rest of our crew to film and interview a former Vietnam sniper on his shooting range.

In the car, I can't help but think what this day is going to bring. This was my first shoot and my thoughts were scattered. I was trying to stay focused by asking questions, getting advice and a little background on the project and on our character, Vernon Harrison. I knew we'd be filming him shoot his rifle, however; I was not even nervous about that fact. My dad is a hunter and I grew up with guns and therefore know how to handle them and interact with them safely. What I did not know, was how a shoot would go with the crew. Ironically, I was more nervous about being as useful as possible without screwing up on the shoot rather than being nervous about a highly powerful rifle being shot at targets. I was familiar with guns, but not with cameras.

We reached Vern's house and were greeted by his wife, a couple of barking dogs and of course, his gun paraphernalia. After we introduced ourselves and were made comfortable in his cozy home, he showed us how he constructs his own bullets. His mild manner and soft voice, while he guided us though the precise bullet-making details, caused me to think of how he lived his life as a sniper in Vietnam. After experiencing this first go at filming him, you begin to understand how he has a sincere and compassionate appreciation for this machinery.