Howdy Daytrippers, today we are starting a new series on the blog called “Meet the Crew.” This will be an opportunity for them to share a little about themselves and insight into what they do on the show. First up is Kellie Baldwin.
What’s your name and where do you call home in Texas?
Kellie Baldwin, born and raised in Austin, Texas. So I’m a real Austinite, a dying breed these days!
What’s your role on The Daytripper?
I run sound for The Daytripper, but that wasn’t always my position. I started as the original intern for Season One and worked my way up to Assistant Camera and finally Audio. That’s right, setting that intern bar pretty high!
How did you get involved with The Daytripper?
Several years ago I was taking classes at ACC. While I was returning some gear to the RTF department one day, Nate, the equipment manager, asked if I’d be interested in helping him and his buddy from UT film school (Chet) on a new TV show they were working on. I said yes, of course, but then months went by without hearing anything further about the project. Just as I had almost forgotten about the offer, Nate emailed me asking if I was still interested. “Indeed, I am,” I replied and he responded, “Great we start filming next week!” So I immediately had to go in to work and request off for two weeks to film Season One!
What’s been your favorite episode to film and why?
I’ve gotta say Marfa, just because it’s been so entirely different compared to all the other locations. Once you get out into West Texas, the terrain changes and the drive gets really pretty. You feel like you’re not even in the same state. We shot the episode in the winter, so it was bitterly cold and the wind was constantly slapping us across the face. I lost feeling in my toes at one point. But everything was so new to me and the people in town were all such characters, I couldn’t help but get sucked in. It’s that remoteness and extremeness that really appeal to me!
What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten while on a shoot?
You’d think this would be a tough question with all the restaurants we visit on the show. But the answer came to me right away. Have you ever been somewhere away from home and eaten a meal so delicious that your heart immediately sinks a little bit because you know you’ll rarely, if ever, get to taste that meal again? This has happened twice in my life – once in Rome when I ate raspberry and coconut gelato, and once when I enjoyed the Pecan Sweet Chicken from Pecan Street Brewing in Johnson City. It’s a chicken breast breaded and covered in their honey butter pecan sauce. It’s dinner and dessert in one meal.
What’s the funniest/weirdest thing you remember happening on a shoot?
Oh man, this one’s borderline embarrassing. We were at the zoo in Waco and got to take a sneak peek at the orangutan exhibit before it was open to the public. Our guide was giving us the run down on orangutans – facts like they’re highly intelligent but can be quite aggressive and territorial, and advice like don’t look them in the eyes because they’ll see it as a threat. As soon as I got off the golf cart and started walking towards the cage, keeping my eyes down a bit, I heard this guttural, primal sound coming from the orangutan. I stopped and braved a look up him, and he continued this sound, clearly directing it towards me. “My goodness,” I thought, “what have I done to offend this giant creature?” That’s when the guide spoke up and informed me that the sound the orangutan was making was his mating call and he was directing it towards me because my red hair is similar to the color of their fur. Getting hit on by a primate? Check! The crew bought a little orangutan stuffed animal in the gift shop and gave it to me as a joke. It’s still in my room to this day.
What is your go-to road trip snack?
Gummy bears, gummy bears, gummy bears. They are my lifeblood at about 4:00 in the afternoon when I hit that lull and need a boost. I’ve also been on a big Kind bar kick lately. Beef jerky, of course, and glacier cherry Gatorade.
What kind of music do you like to rock out to on the road?
I recently decided that the best band to jam to on a road trip is Credence Clearwater Revival. Also, anything from the 90’s – Mariah Carey, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, TLC, Salt-N-Pepa. Two other songs in particular that stick out are “Fame” by David Bowie and “Wish You Were Here” by The Rolling Stones. Lots of opportunities for dance moves.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done for the show?
I think the word “ridiculous” is more appropriate for this show than “crazy!” I’ve dressed up in countless costumes. I’ve stood within about 6 feet of a giant alligator in Beaumont to shoot B-roll. I’ve done some pretty silly effects work like crouching down below the camera and tossing up tooth picks to make it look like Chet is splintering a pool cue. The last time we went zip lining, I secretly asked the guide to show me how to zip upside down. To all the crew’s surprise, on the very last line of the tour, I came out upside down and spinning around in circles! It is so choice, if you have the means I highly recommend picking it up.
What’s your idea of the perfect day trip?
As long as it’s somewhere new to me, I’m in! Recently I found a quote that really struck a chord with me – “My favorite thing to do is to go where I’ve never been.”
