Training Wheels

I felt some what like I had jumped in at the deep end when we had our practical practice in the last workshop before filming weekend. I was a little unsure at first, slightly nervous but it was really productive and useful. I feel that because of this exercise I was able to get a feel of what my role during film production should be as stage manager and I think that all of the group benefited, as it helped us pull together as a team.

I didn't know what to expect, the class exercise gave me and the team an idea of what it would be like during filming, it felt really professional. It also made me realise just how organised I as stage manager needed to be. The class practice of course was different because we only got the shot list half an hour before filming and I didn't know how the shots were supposed to look, in so far as where the camera would be etc.

Preparing for Action!

After the meeting I started to think about my role as stage manager and what I would need to prepare for production. As the shot list was at this point incomplete I used the script to make lists for character costume, make up (if any) and props that would be needed. I then began to gather the needed materials so that we would be ready for filming weekend.

I also met up with the main actress at this point to check that she was available for the filming weekend. I went through the script with her, explaining her role within the film and the story and checked that she was still happy to act for us. We then discussed costume as it would be easier for her to bring her own clothes, and the shoes which luckily she had a pair of new ones that fitted in well with the story. This was better than looking for or buying a pair of shoes for the film as we didn't have much of a budget and they would also have to be her size.

I then spoke to the owner of the post office in person to ask if it would be possible for us to film there, I went through the part of the script with him so that he could see what we would be doing. He was very nice and agreed to let us film. I then checked what time would be best for them as they are quite busy over the weekend and we didn't want to disrupt their trade. After this I filled Abi in so that she could add it to the schedule.

I really felt like I was contributing, and I really look forward to seeing everything coming together when we film. Getting the props together, some of which I had to hand make, reminded me of when I went to The Lord of the Rings film convention in London some years ago. I remember seeing the sheer amount of props involved and being astounded at the intricate detail that went in to each prop, no matter how small. I've found that As The Clever Crow Flies blogged their experience of the convention, if you want to take a look-which I really recommend you can check it out here.

Thinking about how much work went into those props really motivated me to get descent props, it also made me appreciate the fact that I'm working on a much smaller film!

Pulling together

In the second production meeting we each brought with us our individual versions of the re-written screen play. We looked at each others and decided on a final draft. I feel proud to say that everyone liked my version decided to use it as the final draft with a few minor alterations. There was a bit of a debate over whether to use a voice over or not. We discussed different styles of voice over such as diary or narrator style. In the end we agreed that it probably wouldn't be needed, that we would be able to express the story without it but that it could possibly be added in post production if we still felt it was needed.

Ideas we scrapped from the original screenplay was the Wizard Of Oz references as we felt that it had no relevance to our plot, however we did like the style of filing in black and white with certain objects in colour.

We then discussed actors of which the producer Abi said she had found actresses for the minor roles, we then decided to use a friend of mine who had expressed a lot of interest in the part to play the character Clare.

Next we addressed the issue of locations. We went through the script and compiled a list of possible locations for each scene. Some of these we knew would be difficult to get permission from and others were in our own homes. I volunteered to try to get permission to film in my local post office to help out. Then we started to compile a shot list and an outline for the schedule.

I really enjoy working with the team that I'm in because everyone is very supportive and I feel that everyone is so far showing the same level of commitment. Even though none of us particularly like the original script we have been given everyone is pulling together to make some thing that we'll all be proud of.