Working on a film

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd put a bit on here about what I've been doing these last few days. I'm currently down in Wycombe filming for a short student film called "The Balled of Jimmy-O" which is looking very cool from what I've seen. It's a very interesting and fantastical fairy tale piece in which I'm playing Jimmy-O, A blind man searching for a way to see. I'll hopefully be able to post a link of it as soon as it is finished filming and editing and such.

Filming really is a strange thing. While it is, in essence, still acting in the same way as theatre work is acting, the work required from the actor seems to have a very different feel to it. It is a very strange thing to experience because it should be easier to act in character for a short amount of time rather than having to put all the concentration in over a long period. It's a very stop/start experience and it sometimes can be difficult to maintain a character when only working in ten second bursts.

It's also an incredibly gruelling experience, both mentally and physically. You wake up at 8 in the morning, Head to set/location, film your shots and end up getting home around 8 or 9 on the evening. Unlike theatre work, it also involves LOTS of just sitting around waiting for the camera operators to set up shots, sets to be dressed according to continuity and for the director to decide just what he wants from each particular shot. Truth be told, the waiting around is probably the most tiring part of the experience because the boredom eventually takes over and then you are suddenly required to get up and do a scene after half an hour of waiting. It's difficult to muster up enough energy to get it done well to be honest but you have to manage it otherwise you can't do it.

I complain but I enjoy the work overall. I'll be home soon and so will post some pictures from set.

See you soon all

Reece