October 31, 1991 - First Encounters on Set

The chill of an Oregon autumn morning greeted me as I stepped onto the set of "My Own Private Idaho" for the first time. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of crew members preparing for the day's shoot, I found myself in a world utterly foreign yet thrillingly alive. As an assistant to River Phoenix, my initial tasks were mundane—fetching coffee, ensuring scripts were in order—but they served as my entryway into a realm where artistry and reality blurred.

River Phoenix, the film's star, was a revelation in human form. From our first interaction, it was clear he inhabited a plane of existence that was intensely grounded yet infinitely expansive. His approach to his character, Mike Waters, was that of a sculptor seeking to reveal the truth hidden within marble. River delved into the depths of Mike's psyche with a fervor that was both captivating and enlightening. Watching him, I began to understand the sacred bond between actor and character, a relationship built on empathy, exploration, and the courage to confront one's own shadows.

Our conversations often veered into River's philosophical musings on identity, love, and the concept of home—a central theme of the film. It was during these discussions, amidst the backdrop of set pieces and camera equipment, that I first sensed the emergence of a connection that transcended the roles of star and assistant.