My weekend in London- work experience

Hi. It’s been a while. Since I have been back at sixth form, I have just been inundated with coursework, personal statement writing and various other activities. My blog list of ideas is now very long! But as I am not going in today because I am exhausted from travelling all weekend. SO. MUCH. WALKING.

So, I spent the weekend in London on the film set of a short film; ‘Cancer Hair.’ It was so exciting as I had never been on a set ever before. I didn’t really know what to expect but I really enjoyed myself. On the Friday, mum and me did a bit of mooching around Oxford Street; whilst getting drenched in the rain. Wasn’t the most pleasant feeling. In the evening I received the call sheet for the following day; which didn’t need me until 2pm! This was nice as it meant I could sort out how I was getting to and from Haringey etc before I had to rush out.

Then on Saturday morning it was all a bit hectic. Trains were delayed; something wrong with the tracks. I thought I was never going to get there. But I did- thankfully! A friend of mine had told me what might have been expected of me as a runner before I went so I wasn’t too underprepared but you never know! Saturday was “much more relaxed” as the producer told me when I got there as the scene they were shooting that afternoon was in a small room with one actress; Laura Aikman. What was really cool was I got to ‘stand in’ while they were sorting out what lense to use for the camera. I had to get really close to the camera so they had an extreme close up of my eye. It looked amazing. I love everything about film- behind and in front of the camera. 🙂

I did various jobs throughout the day, but sadly I couldn’t stay until they finished filming for the day as I had to get like 5 buses, 5 trains and a cab back home. Ok, that was a slight exaggeration but thats what it felt like. Nothing is ever simple when you are relying on public transport!!

Then on Sunday, the travelling situation was much easier. Literally a 1 minute walk from where I was staying. I got there at 12pm and we sorted out all the food for the cast and crew while everything – lights, camera, sound etc was all set up. It was surprising how long this took. Obviously I knew it was a long process but you don’t really know until you’re involved with it. I went out to the shops to get various things and again, did various jobs. I was almost an extra too; which would have been amazing, but sadly as I had to leave earlier (again to get home,) so there would have been an issue with consistency- one scene I would be there and the next I wouldn’t.  But it was still surreal when they said that I was going to be in the film. But what was nice was that I had the chance to just watch from a distance for a fair while to see how everything works and the process as a whole.

 

Overall, this weekend has been amazing and I am truly thankful to everyone involved. I met some lovely people and now have been able to start to build list of contacts and references. My first experience of the film industry was simply invaluable and I am now even more sure that this is what I want to do- in front and behind the camera! 

 

-Chloe