End Of Week One Of Filming

So a week ago today we commenced shooting on this untitled high school comedy (which is going to be called, "Say The Right Thing!" unless we can come up with something better soon!)

It has been a great week, we have completed 8 scenes and I have cut that together into about 5 minutes of screen time so far. It all looks and sounds good! Of course lessons have been learned, including it is a good idea to get permission from the railway authorities before trying to film on a platform. We will go back with written permission which the staff gave me phone numbers and names for.

Lights are working well, and we "lit" our first scene on Thursday. Have to be careful of shadow, particularly from the boom mike, but it all worked well in the end, and footage edits well. Sophia did really well in this scene, which she had to do over and over again, ending up on her knees in front of Simon and then falling to the floor! We ended up having a little crowd watching at one point, we are starting to get a "buzz". Also first day for Abi, our leading lady.

Wednesday night we had our first night shoot! Well sort of, I acquired loads of disposable cameras, other cameras and people (Terry, Tom, Kathryn and Steven again!) so we could get the feel of a black and white imaginary slow motion premiere that opens the film. Loads of flashes going off! Lynsey was hired in (not paid but she recieved a cup of tea and a toasted tea cake later!) for the glamour and looked suitably beautiful, Simon looked good too in his tux. All went well, great location discovered by Terry and the moon looked great. A number of takes and in the can! Thanks Lynsey you are our dream lady!

Yesterday, we had another shoot, and would you believe it, an exterior shoot planned and there was a downpour all afternoon. But decided to soldier on, and see what we could do.

It all worked out really well, no-one said this was going to be easy! Were able to grab a few moments here and there to create establishing shots of school, and had some impromtu extras! Then was able to put camera inside entrance and shoot our introduction to John and Rich who play our leading man's best friends. These boys got better and better with every take, and I am pleased with the footage.

We then filmed Abi's (playing Lauren) intro into the movie. What will be her first moments on screen. My good friend Steve Hill came along to play her father, and bought his lovely Audi. We shot inside the car from both points of view and then some nice "waving shots", Steve drove away and all was done! Steve was great, good comedy, so was Abi and all the footage cuts together to make a great opening to our movie.

Just need those train sequences and some key flashbacks and our first moments will be complete. Onto week 2!!