Saturday
Feb052011
‘Lights, Camera, Action’ on The Mourning Hour!
Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 10:02PM
I didn’t hear that. Not once. Just one of those sayings that doesn’t actually ring true. There was something similar, but it was actually a little more complicated, a little more ordered and instructional. Something along the lines of “Lock down every one, quiet please. Camera rolling, roll sound ‘speed’ ‘sound rolling’ annddd action!” And away we went. The excitement and wonder had hit home well before that moment though.
The day began at 5.20am. That’s the time I left my apartment for a short cab ride over to the west side of town. Our call time was 7.30am, up in Baraboo, about an hour north of Madison. Given the recent weather, we wanted to leave to take our time on the road. I say ‘we’, I really mean my fellow actor, co-star, and all around great guy Tim, who very kindly allowed me to share a ride with him and drove me up to Baraboo and back. It was him I was meeting in Starbucks at 5.45am.
Speaking of Starbucks, did you know you can ask for a coffee ‘extra-hot’? It was news to me, and I struggled to imagine how or why you would get a coffee extra hot. Nevertheless, ask for it and you shall receive, a coffee with the milk made extra extra hot. Boiled or steamed or something to a higher temperature.
Anyhow, having met up with Tim we were on our way to Baraboo, anticipating what lay in store for us. At 7.15, I walked onto my first ever movie set. It’s only a short film yes, but it was still a fully fledged film set. Director, 1st Assistant Director, Producers, Grips, Sound Guys, Camera Crew, Art Department, Wardrobe, Hair and Make-up, PA’s and so on. There was even one person dedicated to standing in front of the camera with the clapperboard (electronic now, not the chalkboard type I was expecting), announcing what scene and take was next up. At least that’s all I think she did. I was too busy just taking everything in.
We were on location in an old theatre. The Al Ringling Theatre, one of the oldest and best preserved theatre’s in the US I am told. (We have a number similar in type to it in England... not that I am boasting or anything). The set was all ready on stage, and around the theatre spot lights were set up, rails were being laid in the aisle, equipment was scattered backstage, and wires were running everywhere. Breakfast arrived as I was wandering around simply observing all the preparation. A full buffet table was available for us throughout the day, complete with healthy and unhealthy options. Great stuff, much appreciated by everyone, and just one part of what being on set meant.
If you wanted to be lazy, food would be brought down to you in the dressing rooms by helpers. That was where we were taken first- down under the stage to the dressing rooms. Straight to business, I was one of the first in the make-up chair. Twenty minutes later, and a removal of half my sideburns, I was all done-up, complete with foundation, lip gloss and mascara (how manly of me!) and nicely gelled comb over hair style. Next it was on to the costume, suit and a bow tie.
With that all done, I went back to my observations, barely believing I was actually in this position, about to act in a short Hollywood film! There wasn’t too long to wait until we were called up to begin shooting our scene. We were all set in place, with a quick rehearsal, and a make-up touch up (those pesky chapped lips of mine were looking too red on camera) and off we went. Filming what I won’t say. I don’t want to give anything away!
I have a new deep appreciation for the whole film making process now, having spent just one day on set: All the thought and effort; the multitude of things that can go wrong; and the need to get so many different takes and shots. We probably got about 5 minutes of footage, maybe not even that, and we didn’t leave until 9.45pm. 14 hours on set. The need for perfection is going to make for an amazing looking film, but it did entail painstaking shots and actions on set.
We’d film 5 or 6 takes with a long shot, the camera in the distance, then we’d wait 20 minutes for the camera to move to a position for a close up. Then we’d repeat, then the camera would move over another person’s shoulder... and so on and so forth. One thing I learnt... “Let’s do that one more time” actually meant at least three more takes. And then we’d go over the whole scene again to accurately record the sound, with one poor guy standing on box hanging the boom over our heads.
Then we’d be off, not required for the next shot, but needed again soon. At first it seemed so crazy, taking us on and off stage and having actors change costumes and change back again, but I think the method to their madness and the order of the shots was done to minimise camera movement... though as a newbie on set, I cannot be certain of this. For this reason, there was a lot of sitting and waiting around. And we didn’t get finished until almost 10pm. (There was a moment when we thought we were done at 8. We got clapped off set and said our goodbyes, and I was half undressed, before we were called back for another shot).
But I would go and do it all again tomorrow if I could. I wouldn’t change the waiting around and the long day for anything, as it was just an incredible experience. Hopefully not once-in-a lifetime, as I got the film set bug, and I will be back. I got to work with some incredible actors and be a part of something so unique. I met an actor from Heroes, but sadly did not get to work with him, as he was sent home because of sinus infection; things go wrong, adjustments are made, and everything works out. I got to work with Brandon Barash from ABC’s daytime soap General Hospital, which was just awesome. He gave me some great advice on drama schools and some good encouragement for my Yale auditions next week.
I got to be a part of the filming of an award winning script, and learnt a lot that may help me if I ever get around to writing my own script (and hopefully some connections for some help too!). The story is incredible and the film is just going to look amazing. Perhaps even phenomenal. It’s going to be entered into film festivals, and it will win awards. There is a definite possibility it could get to the Oscars. Wouldn’t that just be incredible? Follow its progress at www.themourninghour.com
It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone. All the actors, but more importantly the crew. The directors, the writer, everyone backstage. I don’t know where we would have been without the special order herbal cigarettes, used in place of real ones to protect the health of everyone; or the constant refilling of our drinks of scotch (which was actually watered down cola); or the ironing of the table cloth. Making a film is a true team effort. It’s really made me realise the amount of work and time that goes into making a blockbuster like Lord of the Rings of Titantic.
But it hasn’t deterred me. Instead it’s made me want to come back for more and more. Here’s hoping there’s many more opportunities like this in the future.
For now folks, that’s a wrap.
The day began at 5.20am. That’s the time I left my apartment for a short cab ride over to the west side of town. Our call time was 7.30am, up in Baraboo, about an hour north of Madison. Given the recent weather, we wanted to leave to take our time on the road. I say ‘we’, I really mean my fellow actor, co-star, and all around great guy Tim, who very kindly allowed me to share a ride with him and drove me up to Baraboo and back. It was him I was meeting in Starbucks at 5.45am.
Speaking of Starbucks, did you know you can ask for a coffee ‘extra-hot’? It was news to me, and I struggled to imagine how or why you would get a coffee extra hot. Nevertheless, ask for it and you shall receive, a coffee with the milk made extra extra hot. Boiled or steamed or something to a higher temperature.
Anyhow, having met up with Tim we were on our way to Baraboo, anticipating what lay in store for us. At 7.15, I walked onto my first ever movie set. It’s only a short film yes, but it was still a fully fledged film set. Director, 1st Assistant Director, Producers, Grips, Sound Guys, Camera Crew, Art Department, Wardrobe, Hair and Make-up, PA’s and so on. There was even one person dedicated to standing in front of the camera with the clapperboard (electronic now, not the chalkboard type I was expecting), announcing what scene and take was next up. At least that’s all I think she did. I was too busy just taking everything in.
We were on location in an old theatre. The Al Ringling Theatre, one of the oldest and best preserved theatre’s in the US I am told. (We have a number similar in type to it in England... not that I am boasting or anything). The set was all ready on stage, and around the theatre spot lights were set up, rails were being laid in the aisle, equipment was scattered backstage, and wires were running everywhere. Breakfast arrived as I was wandering around simply observing all the preparation. A full buffet table was available for us throughout the day, complete with healthy and unhealthy options. Great stuff, much appreciated by everyone, and just one part of what being on set meant.
If you wanted to be lazy, food would be brought down to you in the dressing rooms by helpers. That was where we were taken first- down under the stage to the dressing rooms. Straight to business, I was one of the first in the make-up chair. Twenty minutes later, and a removal of half my sideburns, I was all done-up, complete with foundation, lip gloss and mascara (how manly of me!) and nicely gelled comb over hair style. Next it was on to the costume, suit and a bow tie.
With that all done, I went back to my observations, barely believing I was actually in this position, about to act in a short Hollywood film! There wasn’t too long to wait until we were called up to begin shooting our scene. We were all set in place, with a quick rehearsal, and a make-up touch up (those pesky chapped lips of mine were looking too red on camera) and off we went. Filming what I won’t say. I don’t want to give anything away!
I have a new deep appreciation for the whole film making process now, having spent just one day on set: All the thought and effort; the multitude of things that can go wrong; and the need to get so many different takes and shots. We probably got about 5 minutes of footage, maybe not even that, and we didn’t leave until 9.45pm. 14 hours on set. The need for perfection is going to make for an amazing looking film, but it did entail painstaking shots and actions on set.
We’d film 5 or 6 takes with a long shot, the camera in the distance, then we’d wait 20 minutes for the camera to move to a position for a close up. Then we’d repeat, then the camera would move over another person’s shoulder... and so on and so forth. One thing I learnt... “Let’s do that one more time” actually meant at least three more takes. And then we’d go over the whole scene again to accurately record the sound, with one poor guy standing on box hanging the boom over our heads.
Then we’d be off, not required for the next shot, but needed again soon. At first it seemed so crazy, taking us on and off stage and having actors change costumes and change back again, but I think the method to their madness and the order of the shots was done to minimise camera movement... though as a newbie on set, I cannot be certain of this. For this reason, there was a lot of sitting and waiting around. And we didn’t get finished until almost 10pm. (There was a moment when we thought we were done at 8. We got clapped off set and said our goodbyes, and I was half undressed, before we were called back for another shot).
But I would go and do it all again tomorrow if I could. I wouldn’t change the waiting around and the long day for anything, as it was just an incredible experience. Hopefully not once-in-a lifetime, as I got the film set bug, and I will be back. I got to work with some incredible actors and be a part of something so unique. I met an actor from Heroes, but sadly did not get to work with him, as he was sent home because of sinus infection; things go wrong, adjustments are made, and everything works out. I got to work with Brandon Barash from ABC’s daytime soap General Hospital, which was just awesome. He gave me some great advice on drama schools and some good encouragement for my Yale auditions next week.
I got to be a part of the filming of an award winning script, and learnt a lot that may help me if I ever get around to writing my own script (and hopefully some connections for some help too!). The story is incredible and the film is just going to look amazing. Perhaps even phenomenal. It’s going to be entered into film festivals, and it will win awards. There is a definite possibility it could get to the Oscars. Wouldn’t that just be incredible? Follow its progress at www.themourninghour.com
It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone. All the actors, but more importantly the crew. The directors, the writer, everyone backstage. I don’t know where we would have been without the special order herbal cigarettes, used in place of real ones to protect the health of everyone; or the constant refilling of our drinks of scotch (which was actually watered down cola); or the ironing of the table cloth. Making a film is a true team effort. It’s really made me realise the amount of work and time that goes into making a blockbuster like Lord of the Rings of Titantic.
But it hasn’t deterred me. Instead it’s made me want to come back for more and more. Here’s hoping there’s many more opportunities like this in the future.
For now folks, that’s a wrap.
Reader Comments (1)
Ben, what a great description of your experience and soooooooo exciting!!!! Onward and upward!!! May I have your autograph, please?