That's A Wrap

So now I am at the other end of the tunnel. Except that it wasn’t a tunnel other than in terms of tiredness. The three weeks of filming I have just been through with my director’s hat on has to be one of the most joyous experiences of a long career. From calling action on our first slate in a school in Wandsworth to picture wrap on the upper floor of a restaurant in Gillingham, the entire experience was a joy.

First and foremost, the weather blessed us.After the horrendous weather of May, the bank holiday allowed the sun to shine,and it continued to bake down on us for the entire shoot. We had one drizzly Friday when mercifully we were shooting indoors, but for the rest of the time as a unit we bought shares in Ambre Solaire, and Panama hats. Lucky to have an army of runners keen to hold several umbrellas whenever necessary.

I remember one afternoon taking to thestreets of Forest Hill to film our leading man walking up a steep incline andtalking to camera. This involves a large frame being strapped to the cameraman to house the camera and then giving him the added task of walking backwards while an actor walks up the hill in the heat and forgets his lines several times. But we did it.

I wasn’t sure it was ever possible to be as tired as I was by the end of day 11. Returning home in the evenings, or getting into my hotel room, brought on instant fatigue and the need for a long hot bath. Yet the following morning would always see me ready to leave the hotel to arrive at unit base for a location walk round as the sun rose.

We were lucky enough to have the most wonderful mix of experience and enthusiasm. It was a tremendous joy to work with five or six actors experiencing their biggest job in front of a film camera to date. Eager to do their best, it was great to chat about how to play the camera so they could give of their best as we waited for the various setups to be lit.

And every other day we would have a visit from some people I am lucky enough to have in my address book and call friends. I made some newfound acquaintances with some first rate television actors whom it was a privilege to watch To see them at work in front of the camera, a deft touch of comedy here, an unexpected meaningful look there, brought joy surrounded by a gratitude that they were working. 

We had magic props, designers who produced a constant conveyor belt of delightful daily joys to enhance every setup. Wardrobe placed our enthusiastic thespians in a beautiful colour-coordinated world, and a whole hen party of make-up artists applied coverage as necessary, and much loud entertainment on our nights out with the crew.

To look at the monitor and see the gorgeous work of George our DOP showing the vulnerability of our leading character was a privilege. Mercifully I had the best first assistant director in the world who constantly chivvied me along to keep us on time. All this topped off by a first-time producer for whom nothing was too much trouble.

It’s all in the can now, or should I say it’s all installed several large hard drives waiting to be assembled into what we all hope is a magical story. We might have to use some filters to temper

that beautiful sunshine so that it doesn’t look like a holiday video shot in Benidorm, but when we watch it together at whatever preview screening we organise, we will see that most wonderful thing. A shared experience. 

A shared experience created by all of us, together. 

An experience which we own together. 

Our memory forever.