Thoughts for the day

Thats a Wrap

Days two and three of the shoot went pretty well with Saturday being the most eventful. I got to bed around one working on the basis that I could get a good 6 hours Sleep before the most hecktick days filming. Surprisingly i slipped off to sleep strait away with no issues at all. I awoke to Ben knocking ferverously at my door…. “It’s ten past seven, you are going to be late!”. I showered and dressed in recordtime, only to look at the top of my coputer and see it was ten past five, it would be nineteen hours before I saw my bed again!

Saturday

The set was dressed and it looked stunning, mike was finishing off the look and feel with his expert eye. You can not begin to realise just what a skilled person can do with filters on lights. Then mini disaster. Becky [my leading Lady], was caught up on the m40 - a severe road incident leaving a two hour delay! Not that it stopped Mike [DOP] or Martin [sound], they put the time to good use tinkering. A couple of cups of coffee later… And action… Well blocking actually, then rehearsal and then action. My crew worked seamlessly and after two hours we had the first scene, second set in the can and I had found my feet. Do you ever feel like you know what your calling is? Second Scene - disaster - the camera died! Toby is dispatched to get another one, and we have a two hour stand down. Mike and Martin, did not give up though. They got onto support and got the thing going again. The longest scene was then filmed, and we moved onto our driving and night scene. And home and bed.

Sunday

It’s one thing Writing a scene, its another trying to make it work in reality. Simon and I spent the first part of the morning working out how the hell we were going to film it and make it believable. After an hour, we got the actors in and worked on it together, a compromise was found, and we went back to rehearsing the scene to be filmed, filmed it and got ready for the hard one again. Then Becky or Steve did something that changed everything, and meant that we could make not just a good scene, but an incredible scene.

Actors

Can let your film down, as can anybody else on set. Good actors however can make a film go from something good to something truly incredible. The hardest scene in the film take one, an aeroplane flies over. Take two a car pulls up. Take three its in the fucking bag! No cuts, not different angle, just one take - I feel like I’ve just done the opening of ‘Citizen Cane’. I know this film is o, I know that from the strength of what I just scene I’ve now got something just a little bit more special then I thought I would get. I got goosebumps, Becky, did not like it at all. Trust me, when the leading lady feels horrible after a scene you know how the emotion has run. Bloody brilliant. The day just flies on from that and the shoot stands down. Pack up - home - Shower - celebration with cast and crew.

And now

I sit here unable to sleep, I feel emotionally and physically drained. But one in a while in life you get to feel good. Right now I feel pretty fucking good.

Laters,

Chalkster

• Pictures by Ben Tunstall

Suprise

The skill of a craftsman never ceases to amaze me, and yesterday proved this over and over.  I’m lucky enough o have 4 professionals and a group of very keen and hopefully future professionals on set with me.  Mike the DOP dressed the barn yesterday and turned a disused property into a vibrant set, whith righ colours and effectively moved us back in time.  Before and after pictures to follow I promise.  Martin the sound guy, not only proved how skillful he is, but took it upon himself to teach the ’students’ [only used for want of a better word], stopping us filming to let an aircraft only he could hear [and yes that is a good thing] to pass over.  No surprises then that I got a full performance from Steve when we shot the office scene.  And how we manage to use a small office to such good effect, only god [if he existed], and possibly Mike knew.

6 inches makes all the difference

Horrific shadow as Tom stands by the window, how do you loose it? easy, you step back 6 inches and it looks like your just a close on camera.  In fact looking in the monitor, you can see a diferent world then the one in front of you.  Stunning.

Laters,

Chalkster

Chop

I’m painfully busy and I’ve just got something in my right eye that has made it go red and puffy, I look like a cross between the South Park ‘Pink Eye’ episode and my lodger Dave who when pissed sleeps with his contacts in. I’ll apologies to you dear reader as I have been poor of late at updating and writing. I too Will apologies for the lack of depressing things I say these days as I’m generally very happy. Even my ex starting to date some Rupert rugby player can not taint the joy of finally moving in the direction that is my calling.

I Feel Good

I do, even with puffy eye! Last week I got over the stage fright thing that has plagued me sinse I was about 14, when I stuffed up doing Stand up in drama, I just could not do it. 21 Years later it’s done, and I suspect it’s going to get done, done, done and done again. In retrospect I loved it. I’ve also re-written the act, and with Si’s help it’ll get there, and I hope start earning us both recognition and money…

Filum

After another two years of studying, reading and watching, I’m ready to pull those directing pants on again, and this time it’s going to be good. We have spent a huge amount of time honing our script to the point that is very smooth and clear. We have cast two incredible strong actors, have two fabulous sets and a crew that is mixed with experience, motivation and in places youth. It is looking very good indeed. I’ve probably done a little more producing then I would like to have done, however a new friend has told me to take this as a positive, and suggested that that is likely to always be the case because of the way I’m wired. That has made it easier to accept. Today I managed to find a new location, after loosing our last one on Monday. James from Urban Curve has been kins enough to lend us his office, which is, if I may say so: FUCKING PERFECT. It has exactly the right mood, if a little small. I am told that Mike the DOP is an expert in small places. OoEr.

Test, think, check, clean, pack think, and think some more.

Even for a 20 minute film, there is so much to think about. So much more then you could possible imagine. Today I found a location, covered with the producer and the DOP, I tested 6 lights, 2 smoke machines, cleaned the catering equipment, booked the removal of a car window for filming, briefed the head runner, chose the leading ladies outfit [kind of], oh and showed a car to some Bulgarians [who didn’t buy]. Tomorrow, I need to pack up all the gear and double check everything, finish my shot-list and either story board or room plan, the later is likely to be better in MHO. Oh and buy all the food for the shoot, people ar giving up a lot of time for us, the very least we can do is make sure they are well fed!

Stunning acts of kindness

I got a note saying a parcel had been left next door today, I picked it up only to find that Miher had bought me a guitar for my Birthday, and Epiphone [By Gibson] SG. I really don’t know what to say other then I’m over the moon and delighted. Something that is utterly unexpected I must say. What a top, top, and even more top man. If you should stumble across my blog, please know that you have made me very happy indeed.

Right I am

Going to try and update this over the filming and the editing, for me if not for you.

Laters,

Chalkster