I Am Now a First Assistant Director

I really looked forward to the pitch film screenings. I wanted to see the other films and compare them to ours to see if we actually did a good job or if I imagined all of it. But what I really wanted to know was whether I had gotten the role or not.

The film which stood out the most for me was 'Something Blue' mainly because Joe's little brother is adorable but also because it well edited and looked nicer than the others (I'm a fan of blue). Next would be Peter's film as it had a very interesting storyline although it did feel dull at times. I think our film was the best, I'm not even being big headed it's just a fact. I feel like we worked harder than any other group and therefore deserve that victory.

So after the break we came back to find out if we had gotten our roles or not. I remember feeling quite scared. My heart was pumping very hard and I didn't even want to look at  the screen. I was sat next to McDonald and I had to hold his hand because he was shaking so much. I think I was more devastated than him when he didn't get director. I even cried for him so he wouldn't have to. At that point, I thought it was an insult to make him a clapper but thinking about it now, he might actually have one of the best roles. He gets to be on set everyday an enjoy the shoot without any creative or organizational worries. He might be lucky.

I was extremely happy for my peers who had gotten the  roles they wanted. I was so proud so Santa, I knew how hard she had worked on the film even though the end product didn't fully show it because of editing issues. I was also happy for Webster, I really wanted them both to get the roles.

I almost screamed out when Hannah's name came before mine. I was going a bit a crazy…I didn't why her name was there when she had been a producer for the pitch film. I honestly thought I hadn't got it until my name came up. I was in shock for a few seconds and then I became extremely happy. Euphoric almost. I couldn't stop grinning. Then we saw what units we were in and I was over the moon. I had most of my closest friends in my unit but not my best friend which was a great thing. I don't think me and Santa would be able to work together on a project like feature with our roles. We would constantly clash and fight.

I can't believe it. Hard work actually does pay off. I'm sooo proud of myself and the other members of CineCitta for getting the roles  we wanted. I have never been this excited about work before. Now that I've been given the chance, I'll have a lot to prove and I'm ready. If I could stay as happy as I was when I found out I had gotten AD forever, I would never ask for anything else again.

SCRIPT

My first impression of the feature script is not a good one. I haven't read it throughout yet but what I've read so far is enough. I don't think it's good, mainly because it's supposed to be a rom/com but I didn't even crack a smile while reading the first few pages. They all just seemed like cheap jokes. Penis drawing on his face…Really ?  But regardless of my opinion, I'm still willing to make (we don't really have a choice do we). I just hope the directors can bring out 'the funny' in it.

IMDB

Our pitch film is on IMDB I didn't think I'd get my name on there this soon. 

'Something New' - 08.10.2012

Production Meeting

08.10.12

We had a meeting today to discuss final cast members and also prepare for the shoot later on in the week. Everyone was nervous as well as excited for the shoot. I was worried that we weren't prepared enough which such little time between casting and the shoot but everyone reassured me it would be ok.

An issue that concerns me is that we have not yet cast an older Elliot for the final scene. Hannah and Liam are working on this so it should be sorted out soon. But it means I can't schedule that scene in anywhere yet until I know the actors availability.

What I did this week

After cast availability was given to me, I started on the Shooting schedule right away. Turns out it wasn't that different from the rough version. Just had to make a few minor adjustments.

We altered the script one last time to make it perfect.

I finally had all the information I needed to fill out call sheets. I created call sheets for all days scheduled and posted them in the group stating that they were rough copies but the times would not change so everyone could pencil them in their diaries. The child actors both went to school and were only available from 5 on weekends. This seemed like an issue at first, but I was able to schedule around that by planning to shoot their night scenes on Thursday and Friday evening. This meant we would still be able to shoot on weekdays which should save us a lot of time and energy during the weekend.

SHOOT

DAY 1 - 11.10.12

Today started off very well. We came on set very prepared and ready to start the shoot. Once the entire crew had arrived, I read the shooting schedule to them. We then started on set design and gave Domenica a hand with putting up posters and dressing the bed. After prod design was done, I got Webster to set up the camera for the first shot. Once this was done Liam was able to set up his lights.

 Curtis aka Elliot arrived on time and I sent him straight to Domenica to get into costume. When he was done I sent him to Ben while I made sure we were ready to start on set.

We started on time and worked through scene 2 very quickly. Curtis was amazing, he had read the script and knew all of his lines. Everyone was on the ball which made my job a lot easier. We also managed to shoot scenes 9 and 11 fairly quickly as well and ended up finishing quite a bit ahead of schedule which seemed to please everyone.

Throughout the shoot I made sure I let everyone know how long we had left till a break or how many shots of the scene we had left to shoot. I think everyone appreciated this because I was like a personal. They could fully concentrate on what they were doing without being distracted by time. I also tried to keep an eye out for any health and safety hazzards and had to pack extension wires and such to the side at times.

Nothing happened today which particularly worried me or stood out. When I called for silence on set everyone listened. The shoot flew by so quickly and effortlessly. I had no problems what so ever and actually enjoyed the shoot. It was nice to watch everything coming together finally. We couldn't have been better prepared. Although it was our first shoot day, to me, it felt like we had been working together for months. There's something about our group that works really well.

DAY 2 - 12.10.12

Today was the same as yesterday, everything felt effortless and right. I kept to my routine as it worked very well yesterday. So prod design first, camera set up and then lights. Like yesterday  Alex Labelle set up his sound kit as soon as he arrived and then helped everyone else.

We were working with only Joshua aka Alex and he really delivered. We only shot 1 scene which took no time at all and then went on to ADR. Once again we finished early.

I don't know if I'm giving us too much time or if we're just working extremely well. Regardless, it's all working out for the best.

One thing I will say is that it didn't really feel like a shoot because we just shot the one scene. But Joshua was the only cast member available so I thought it would be good to get his scenes over and done with. So although it was an exciting or hard shoot, it was still an efficient one.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow because we get to work with more cast members. It will also be interesting to see what the adults who have been on quite a few shoots and sets, think about us. I highly doubt they'll be disappointed.

DAY 3 - 13.10.12

We were supposed to shoot all the exterior scenes in the day but it's Alex's birthday and he's having a party, so I had to move those scenes to tomorrow.  It meant it was another late start for us but both the crew and cast are not complaining.

I went through the usual routine. Everyone helped with production design today as we had to dress an entire living room (wall paper and everything). By the time we were finished it looked amazing. You actually felt like you were in a genuine 70's living room.

Once the cast arrived, I sent them straight into hair, makeup and costume and then Ben.

We worked at a quick pace again today. Not as quickly as the previous days but we had more cast members to deal with and a lot more to look out for. I'm starting to think we are machines.

One problem that presented itself was continuity during the dinner scene. Keeping drink levels and amount of food on plates consistent was a task we all took part in.

Another problem was Ben's directing. He spent a lot of time talking to cast members today and I had to rush him a little. I think we started a few minutes late because of this.

I think I'll mention it to him in private before we start shooting tomorrow. It's not a major problem and I realise everyone has their own way of directing but sometimes he'll say the same thing about 4 times by phrasing it differently which is just unneeded with adult and experienced actors.

DAY 4- 14.10.12

Today was our hardest yet most fun day. We spent the majority of the afternoon outside by the park shooting all the exterior scenes in the film and then went back inside to shoot some interior night scenes. It was just like the other days despite having so much more to get through. 

We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

01.10.12

Production Meetings

04.10.12

We discussed a variety of things with the Executive Producers today.  I'll just write a list of things I noted down.

Find out accurate info about how long children can work.

The university owns a box of filters - See of that can be borrowed.

A little hairspray on the posters will dull reflections. In 1970s posters were not glossy.

Camera maps can only be done after storyboards and shot list.

I need to note down any location movements for each shoot day.

Get in contact with Alan Rolinson - Collector of 70's merchandise.

Let Liam be script super on set - need someone to deal with continuity.

Sort out final shooting schedule.

Create Call Sheet template.

What I Did This Week

I started script breakdowns with Ben this week. We went through the entire script and broke down each scene by props, costumes, music, equipment, cast, location and a few other things. We managed to fill out breakdown sheets for every scene so on each shoot day, I'll know exactly who and what is needed. It's funny how I knew nothing about breakdown sheets before I started research for this module. They are very convenient and I'm extremely happy I discovered them. Definitely going to be using them on future shoots.

I also made a list of the different needed for the film and sent this to everyone so they could start looking. It was decided quite quickly that we would shoot in Hannah's house for all the interior locations. Conveniently there is also a park near her house so that might be used for the exterior location after Ben and Web go and scout.

The walkie talkies came this week so we had a bit of fun playing around with them. I love how excited the execs were about the walkie talkies, had never seen Chris Leonard smile that much before.

 

I sent an e-mail to Alan Rolinson regarding the 70's merchandise and this was my reply.

I told Wobs this and he was quite confused. The merchandise was a luxury really. we have enough props to pull off a period scene I think. Regardless I've told everyone to find at least 1 70's looking prop.

We held AUDITIONS on the 5th. We used a room on the third floor as the sound stage was unavailable. It went quite well I think. We only had a few turn up, but I think we'll manage to cast the majority of characters. The child actors were amazing but 2 really stood out and I had feeling Ben would cast them for the role of Alex and Elliot. Which he did.

I also created a rough shooting schedule this week. I tried to keep the days fairly balanced as it's the first proper shoot for most of us. I have no idea how well and fast we'll work on set so didn't want to cram too much into one day and fall behind.

I also created a Call Sheet template. I found old call sheets from wraith in my e-mail and use those as a reference. It didn't take long to create once I knew what had to be included. I also requested a CineCitta logo from Liam so I could put it on my paperwork. I just thought it would make them more professional - which it did.

Thoughts of The Week

This week felt quite relaxed to the previous one. I've realised that I'll be doing A LOT of paperwork and I've accepted that. It's kind of fun in a weird way. I can't believe it's been 2 weeks already and I'm still on top of everything. I thought I would struggle with organisation but I seem to be in my comfort zone. Everyone keep telling me what a good job I'm doing which makes me extremely happy.

I'm feeling very positive about this. I'm also really enjoying myself. This is what film making is all about. It's a completely vibe from last year. I enjoy waking up and doing paperwork, meeting with my team and working together to achieve one goal.

"I hope this euphoric phase lasts because I'm loving every moment of it"

Also, I would upload all my paperwork, but there is just too much so I'll just add screen grabs where relevant.