T.W.
Monday 1st December 2008 8:10am [Edited]
15,786 posts
OK... after a fit of Primark Donna twatness - I'm sort of back, part-time (not quite Led Zeppilin, but...)
I s'pose my issues are more to do from the writers' side. I have a big old mouth and an internet forum is a bad place to place air it, especially when you're getting somewhere. Plus I have had personal issues which haven't helped. But that's my own sodding idiocy, of course.
On the plus side I was a "background artiste" on the set of 'Free Agents' today, at the invitation of my producer. We were shooting at the Natwest Tower in London at a restaurant on the 24th floor (I will never make it as a spy). As they are shooting on film it took ages - Q. How many film crew does it take to change a light-bulb? A. Depends on the budget. A(b) Depends on what kind of shadow the light-bulb is casting, or A(c) That's lunch!. (It's been a long day.)
It was very fun - a 4-hour shoot for a 3 minute scene. But the scene was very funny. Stephan Manghan was hilarious (and the chance to watch his performance from a few yards away really helps as a writer) and we were well looked after.
My producer was lovely, introducing me to all I didn't know (including the director) and getting me a prominent extra part. So I utilised not only my walking skills (easy, I've been walking since I was a teenager) but also my sitting down and pretending to talk-the-shit skills. Must of been annoying for the lovely (Rachel) girl who did over 20 takes with me that her own real-life boyfriend had been dumped on-set for me. When we came to the last take, I had had enough and was just starting to talk about masturbation when "Cut" was called. We had amazingly bonded before then. (And best of luck to you in your legal career, Rachel.)
The best point is that I learnt a lot being on set about the process and, as a writer, how the actors' performances make such a difference. On the basis of this one short scene, look out for 'Free Agents' next year. It certainly is beautifully shot and from the scene I saw is very well written.
Apologies for all my git-ness. May disappear, may not. X