I spent an hour this afternoon helping my friend Rebecca film a scene for her film production class. We were inside the Booksmith bookstore on Haight St. and we had the camera pointed outside the window at the actors standing on the sidewalk.

The scene was supposed to be a boy in the bookstore witnessing a fight between a guy and a girl on the street. The two were supposed to yell at each other, with the guy eventually shoving the girl away. We had to film the shot several times.

As people walked past the scene, many were visibly worried and upset because they didn't realize it was just a movie. What I found worrisome was that while people passed by with concerned looks on their faces, no one stopped to help.

As I was thinking this, a big burly man approached our actress.

"Are you okay, girl?"
"Yes, thanks! We're just filming a movie."
"Oh, haha. Ok. 'Cuz, you know. I got you. I was gonna kill him. I was gonna kick his ass."

Violent? Yes.
A little rough around the edges? Yes.
But, isn't it nice to know that you can still count on the kindness of strangers?