Filming - at last

What a great day!

From initial read-through and spotting any problems through scouting out a location at the hospital (in Leyton) to final take (Hornsey Road) we took less than six hours, and that included a lunch at the Hamlet café (where there was a power cut just after our food was served).

Clive and Kate helped out with tea and wardrobe etc. and Colin did sterling work as our clapperboard boy, and transportation & location manager. Great camerawork from Julie who remained unflappable throughout.

Talya was absolutely brilliant. We couldn’t have got through it all so quickly and efficiently without her.

And it was all very exciting, but we focussed so well. It’s a cliché but the whole team really did run like clockwork.

Bloody freezing up at Whipps Cross, could barely make my fingers operate the camera.

I learned some important things:

-       You really can’t plan too much in advance.

-       Continuity is a bugger, especially when filming scenes out of sequence.

-       Lighting is just SO BLOODY important.

-       Sound tests are crucial in getting levels right – I sound way too loud.

-       Leaving time between start of take and start of action is very helpful

-       Running film on briefly after take is also very helpful

-       Fake blood is incredibly gloopy and staining (although it does wash out)

-       I don’t want to hear my voice on film ever again.