Shoot over! It's a Wrap! Everything that I need is in the bag.
Ok, to recap, I've had a particularly stressful time organising the shoot in the previous couple of weeks and was trying to find a lead actor up to the 11th hour (Nikki from NJR management from what I understand worked her fingers to the bone to try and find me an actor to play Guy at the last minute so she will recieve a credit and an appropreate token of my appreciation along with Sharon Foster). I wasn't too phased as my brother Alex was cited as a backstop from a couple of weeks back. Initially, I was concerned that he would be too young for the role but I was pleasently surprised when he had his hair cut short that he looked significantly different from what I expected.
Much planning and preparation went into this project with my parents - to whom I owe extreme thanks for all of their hard work - who assisted in particular with catering and transport. The weather forcast had been checked and blazing sunshine was predicted all weekend (particularly on Sunday).
My bedroom doubled up as the bedroom for Esme the young daughter character so much work went in to make it more girly. Fortunately, this was a reasonably easy task as pink items, a piece of spotted wrapping paper covering a painting over my bed (inginuity on behalf of my dad), books and a few doctor who books managed to change my bookcase to something much more suitable (though I noticed a Roddy Doyle book peering conspicuously over a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" DVD rented from Ludlow Library!)
Laura Edghill, our brilliant lead actress arrived in Ludlow at 11:30pm on Friday night and everyone was concerned for her as a delay meant that she had missed her connection at Newport. I was panicking a bit before she arrived because I wanted to see Laura in safely without any unexpected events happening on the way like further delays or something. We picked her up though and managed to transport to Overton Grange after taking her back to Gravel Hill briefly to refresh herself. Having only really spoken to her on the phone, I was glad to see her and was able to discuss the script a little between her, Alex and myself.
The next morning began very early but since the schedule had been changed in order to lighten the frontloaded shoot, neither Laura or our equally brilliant actress Livy van Warmello were required for this part of the day (just as well since Laura's train journey the previous night!). Rob and Jo were given a lift to Gravel Hill from where we regrouped in order to go to Little Hereford where Guy's scene of realisation had been shot.
The paper boats made for the scene worked even better than expected as dropping them off the bridge still meant that they were able to float, they didn't sink and we still had a couple left afterwards.
Rob was able to contribute a number of different shots so editing will - as could be predicted - be a much more interesting process. Traffic disrupted shots from time to time but there were plenty of lulls when we were able to shoot. Jo also spent some time getting ambient noise so the sound of passing cars were less problematic.
Shooting next to the river was a simple and enjoyable process for everyone involved - with the creative input and cooperation of Jo and Rob, (Though this was very much a given for the entire shoot) a brilliant picturesque location and the shade that we fortunately had while we were shooting meant that there was relief from the sun. It's miraculous that we had such good weather so we didn't have to wait for the sun to come out again. The disadvantage of that was that the unrelenting heat was something that none of us were really used to and we generally were concerned for the camera.
The external location took much quicker to shoot than expected so we were ahead of schedule when we finished the final few close ups.
On returning, both Livy and Laura had arrived and so after taking a break and allowing Laura, Livy, Jo and Rob to get used to each other's company, we started on the kitchen scenes. Livy incidentally managed to bond very well with Laura, which I feel added something else to her characterisation that I noticed during the day's (and following day's) shoot. The interiors went well but the plate breaking scene (a scene which Livy was anticipating) was unexpected because instead of simply breaking, it literally exploded, sending people's ears ringing (including mine!). Everyone had taken the precaution of having footwear but Rob Gale just wearing socks concerned me since the shards were literally like glass! (Fortunately, no injury was sustained!)
The finale of the kitchen scene was shot as well which left me touched as none of the actors involved were in the slightest bit over the top in their performances.
The final thing we had to do were some family shots for the final interior scene. A few shots with the stills camera went well and I was careful to avoid any sombre images as that is not hte mood that would have been appropreate for the photo scene with Guy's first entrance to the home. We wrapped for the day at 4:15, ahead of schedule by three quarters of an hour (we decided that if any more footage was shot then it would become unnessecarily arduous). The end of the day's shoot leaving most people extremely tired (fortunately the majority of the shots were interiors) but Laura stayed for some barbecue afterwards so there was time to relax and take stock.
Today began smoothly enough, I initially planned on doing all of the interiors first but Jo suggested that the exterior was shot earlier as the roads would become more chaotic later in the day. Since Livy wasn't availible until 10am, we did some of the interior shots and drove to the location.
There was some confusion on Jo and Rob's part as to what was going to happen in the second exterior scene but that was on part of my assumption that they already knew. However, since we wanted to try things from different angles, that meant that rigid shot planning went out the window.
The stone cross location outside of Lucton was another ideal location but there was an unfortunate accident on Livy's part when she slipped into a half concealed and deep drainage ditch. Despite being shocked, Livy thankfully wasn't badly hurt. I felt bad because of this as it could well have been worse and the responsibility was mine.
Having said that, we finished the opening scene and shot a brief epilogue sequence with the family members enjoying a day out in the countryside (giving me an extra opportunity for an end credit/end title sequence as I began to feel that fading over black would have been a bit too dull and sombre to say the least).
Returning after the exterior shoot, we managed to film the interior scenes back at Gravel Hill. With the shoot having wrapped and everyone gradually dispersed. I was sorry to see Laura and Livy go as I genuinely couldn't have found anyone better for the roles. Hopefully, I will work with both of them again in the future. I was able to give each of them a token of my esteem (in particular, giving Livy a photo from yesterdays photoshoot)
Jo and Rob's contrubution to the shoot brought some extra creative ideas, professionalism and freedom so they each were given £20 so long as they DIDN'T spend it on something boring like a train ticket!
Many thanks to Rab and Estelle van Warmello for allowing their daughter to work with me and for their support throughout the shoot.
Also, my parents did a fantastic job of feeding everyone with decent food, logistical and moral support from day one.
Finally, I would like to lend my sincere thanks to my brother Alex for stepping into the breach and playing the part of Guy so sincerely and genuinely. Slightly uncharacteristically, he is currently rummaging through the fridge and contemplating the evening meal as I type! I'm sure he among everyone will be extremely pleased with the end result!
I will be posting production photos as soon as possible (probably tomorrow evening) so watch this space!
congratulations to everyone and keep waiting for further info!
