Out of the Ashes

I'm not even going to go into my grand absence from here. There's been way too much water tsunami-d under the bridge for that.

However..not sure what happened this morning.

Maybe it was being back at the gym yesterday after injury has caused me not to be able to punch a bag and lift weights for a while...maybe quite a few months' worth of decent sleep have built up a reserve of energy...maybe having taken a b-i-g step back from everything in order to reassess my life and goals has helped? Who knows - but christ almighty - today I'm all-guns-a-blazing. And boy am I back!

First up is my very own first feature development - proper. No pretending here. The gloves are off (actually they're back on, but that's just being back at the gym) and this film will get made if it's the last thing I do. I don't particularly want to Produce it (I will keep my Producer cap on at jaunty angle until such a time as I can hand it over) but I will most definitely be writing/directing. I don't want to be concerned with finances, logistics and feeding a crew - I just want to purely focus on the story, performance, feel and look of what's on screen.

It's a story that wants to be told - it's quite personal to me and so I'm just working out the best way to tell it. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea and will be quite shocking and very dark in parts but heck yeah: I'm all over it. On it, like a car bonnet. It's early days, and it may take a while as I have TV things to work on as well, but who knows, it could turnaround quicker than I imagine.

Here are a couple of little soothing, chilled NSFW videos to go in line with the concept. I'll try and pop back more regularly in the future.

Lx

*Nods*

It's been pretty quiet around Tenacious Towers recently as I've had my nose to the grindstone, face to the floor, with some big deadlines looming - but thought I'd drop by and share a little something.

I wasn't quite sure what that little something was to be but I have decided to share this, my mantra:

"Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting." ~ Goethe

and just for good measure:

"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe." ~ Muhammad Ali

Don't ask me why. That is all. Until next time. :0)

Mi Vida Loca

Hello there

I think I can just about make you out in that dusty corner which was behind the Christmas tree.  Never mind, I'll get the vacuum out and then you'll be all sparkly and new again.

Anyway, here's to 2013. It couldn't be any weirder than 2012, could it?

Well, life's funny little seesaw really went to town on me last year: professionally - higher than mean average, personally - lower than sea level. In fact I nearly drowned in emotion, but hey - I'm still here.

So, 2013? The year that all changes. A big huge shift in everything. I have intentionally cut back on projects as I have come to realise there is only one me and I can't actually do everything at once - I certainly can't work with/for others on a promise of finance 'at some point'.  I do actually need to eat and The Kid needs shoes. More than anything, I know what I can do; I know my abilities and limits; I also know my worth.

The first time this "year-not-planned-out" struck me was when someone asked me what I was kicking the new year off with - I replied with a "Ummm, we'll see" and a shrug.  Shock, horror.  Was I 'just' becoming a Mummy?  Ummm, no - although that would be quite enough on its own. I am fortunate to have some amazing work stuff going on, however, I have made a lot of big adjustments but actually, they work and are pretty good, all the same. I have cut away a lot of the driftwood that has weighed me down or held me back over the years and now every move I make has to count personally and professionally. It's all for me and The Kid, and we're quite a team.

I was going to write a hugely long post about work/life balance, life losses through over-work, working 'clever' and how sometimes PEOPLE are more important, but you know what - that lovely guy, Philip Bloom, beat me to it.  When I first read his post I could have thought, "Oh bugger I was going to say lots of that..." but instead I smiled and said, "Cheers, Phil - I'm going to write a quick 2013 post, switch off and then play Lego with my little boy." Thanks, mate!

Happy New Year all.  Make this the beginning of your new era. I know I will.

Lx

It's here: "How To Be Dead"

It is finally Halloween - and as promised, here is the "How To Be Dead" pilot.

We really hope you enjoy our general silliness and want more, so in the meantime, please feel free to keep on re-watching this pilot episode if you really do enjoy it. You may not realise, but the numbers and analytics behind all this really do matter - it shows us where you are in the world and if we've done something right (or wrong - but hopefully not!).

So...like it? Then 'Like' it, please. Then tell your friends, family, colleagues and enemies to log in, click along, watch it and 'Like' it too - obviously, if they don't like it then don't hold them hostage or anything because that would be a bit silly. Do also feel free to leave a comment or just say hello - Death does get lonely and likes a good read when he's quiet...

Lx

Ready. Deady. Go.

Here we are then: the time is almost upon us, and How To Be Dead is ready to be born.  Of course, no-one will see it until it goes live next Wednesday, 31st October; no-one that is except me and Dave, who will probably drive ourselves utterly bonkers with stupid irrational nit-picky quibbles that do not qualify for any time spent thinking about them. But we will.

I hate this 'calm' period.  

This is the bit where we've all done as much as we can but no-one has seen it. It's the ultimate diet part of production when 7lbs falls off for no apparent reason. It's the time when I struggle to sleep for more than 3 hours solid at any given point. It's the "Should I have done xyz?" era.

Hey ho, it'll all be fine. After a nice cup of tea.

Talking of tea - if you are at the London Screenwriters Festival pre-reg drinks tonight, we'll be chatting on the 'Break on Through' panel. Do say 'Hi' if you're there. Failing that, we'll both be around and about the festival most of the weekend anyway. See you there.

Lx

Alive with Death.

Personally and professionally, 2012 has been an utterly mad roller coaster year - I can't believe it is nearly October to be honest, and more to the point, I have survived with my sanity still intact*.

So here I am, still at Tenacious Towers (even though the physical address has changed, we took the turrets and spooks with us), still working my ass off and still juggling The Kid's social agenda - and it's all good.

The end of this February saw the release of "Deviation" closely followed by "Hard Boiled Sweets" in early March, and due to uncanny stuff, I had the pleasure of having not one but TWO features playing at the same time in London's Leicester Square. That was mighty strange and quite cool, however, I was a bit naffed off as I couldn't get both cinemas in the same photograph. Next time I must ensure these uncanny things to happen next door to each other - makes for a better photo opp, y'know?

The summer of 2012 will always remain the Summer of Readjustment in my mind. Moving house, unpacking, packing, dashing off on partial holiday/partial work related stint in Spain, unpacking again (suitcases and house), six weeks' worth of washing, funky day trips to London with The Kid, making dinosaurs out of paper and wood (with The Kid), attending what seemed to be a continual flow of music festivals and car-related days out (with The Kid), trying to build furniture/garden stuff with one screwdriver and a small hammer (with The Kid) - closely followed by big hissy fits (me), tears (me) and the eventual purchase of B&Q's entire toolkit stock (me). A busy summer. And then 'we' went back to school and my 'real' work sleeves got rolled up.

During the early summer months, a brilliantly funny piece of writing by the delightful Dave Turner, was deposited into my mucky hands. Having asked me for some 'Producer' advice, Dave and I had a little drinkie meeting and by the end of it we had agreed to make the Pilot episode for this exceedingly funny new series. With both of us juggling work commitments, children and their poxy summer holidays, we decided to wait until the little bastards darlings went back to school thus giving us some peace to create.  No sooner had the younger generation started back in education, I dusted down my Director's hat which I placed at a jaunty angle to my Producer's hat, and off we went: the result being "How To Be Dead".  Having just wrapped on the pilot filming, I am still on a high about it all. We had the usual issues of people hearing the word "FILMING" and an onslaught of ££££££ signs popped into their eyes, but other than the odd awkward/greedy/rude/illiterate bastard, everything was bloody marvellous.

The cast and crew couldn't actually have been more talented, happy to be involved and lovely to work with if they had tried, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, the whole Post team turn out to be utterly wonderful too.  Who knew? It is amazeballs.

The Pilot Episode will be streamed from the website on 31st October 2012 (very aptly, that is Halloween, in case you'd forgotten), with the teaser trailer coming out a few weeks before.  It's a bit of a tight turn around for the team but everyone is embracing it with open arms, which is really very lovely and quite touching.

I do hope you will watch the trailer and the Pilot when it comes out - I shall pop back here to remind you closer to the time**.  The "How To Be Dead" Pilot promises to be very silly and a lot of fun and in my estimation totally deserves a series on TV, let alone the web.  But we shall see.  Until then...

Lx

* debatable fact, I realise...
** or you can follow HTBD on Facebook and The Twitter or even the man himself

Pssssst...

*shuffles*

Errr, hello? It's me?

It's been so long, I've forgotten what you look like!  Oh, but how I have missed all your little japes, and the way your dimples tilt upwards when you laugh!  Ahhh, it's been months since we shared a quiet gin and tonic and munched on chippies.  Yes, yes, I know - you still like ketchup and I still prefer HP Brown Sauce - but some things will never change.  At least we agree on the piri piri mayo side of things - we could never have too much of that good thing, could we?

I trust you've been behaving whilst I have been away?  Good.  I really have been away too - here, there and everywhere. I undertook what felt like a whistle-stop tour of Europe - literally a few nights here, a few nights there and then a few nights everywhere else.  It rained in Cannes, it rained in Andalusia - in the mountains and on the coast - and apparently it's also due to rain in Rome when my path may cross it. I really need to buy more WD40 before my mechanics halt with rust.  The trip(s) were part pleasure, part work and the recces I did whilst in Spain were ever so worthwhile - returning me to the UK with a big smile and a lovely bunch of contacts who will be more than happy to have a film crew irritating the hell out of them for a bit.  It's how I roll.

I suppose you want to know what I've been up to then?  Hmmm.  Complicated.  Lots of stuff.  This, of course, comes with the territory as I am neither one thing or another but all at the same time, and in one pot.  I'm currently writing a TV pilot, producing a different TV pilot¹, producing a very marvellous feature², developing/self-shooting D/P a doco and I'm also looking at a different way of working and production which could be very good fun. "0110: Twisted Tales & Glorious" may be the first victim - I mean, trial - but more on that another time. Well you get the picture - life is good and any more talk of my stuff on my own blog and I shall be accused of self wank publicity - and heaven forbid that should happen. ;0)  I often think it's odd how Producing has crept up on me like it has - but apparently you can't actually call yourself a Producer until your 4th feature, so I guess that makes me a Producer-in-Waiting-Bum.  Well, whatever it is that I spend my days doing, I really do enjoy it and apparently I am quite good at it, which is rather lovely for everyone else, too³.  I do miss the immersive creation that comes with writing and directing though, so there's no chance I could 'just' Produce, I don't think. Although, I have to say, budgets can be quite creative and if the money's right...

More than anything recently, I have been quite studious.  Quiet.  Still.  Observing.  Hiding from the light whilst constantly seeking out talent for in front of and behind the camera, crunching numbers one minute, researching words that go together, the next.  I have now emerged from my shell a little but I fully intend to retreat back very soon.  It's not that I don't love you all, it's just the noise, you see.  The digital white noise, it deafens me.  It's everywhere.  And it has done my head in.  Sorry.  But I only do online when necessary⁴.

Every day I receive in the region of 100-200 emails (some people think I am worth a punt, obviously).  I flag them up to respond, as follows:

1. I will die a painful, torturous death if I don't reply immediately
2. I will self-combust if I don't reply soon because it's so exciting
3. I will die if I don't reply in the next hour
4. Yes, it's important but I'll reply after torturous death, certain death and self-combustion ones
5. I will reply later when I have five seconds to breathe after the death mail
6. I will reply when I remember
7. General news and views - tea break reading fodder
8. Friends and relatives (non work related)
9. I won't ever reply, so fuck off and get out of my life, my face, business & Inbox
10. Spam, Junk and Nigerian Prince Marriage Proposals

Information overload, every morning. And that's just email. So please, if you are waiting for an answer to anything, bear with me. Just don't threaten me or get too sassy, otherwise you will be flagged as No 9 along with the exes. On the other hand if I say remind me in [insert timescale here]...guess what? Remember to remind me⁵: strangely, I said it for a reason!

I hardly ever read any blogs or Facebook pages these days either, so I have no real idea how you all are, where you all are or what you are doing; I find it virtually impossible to 'socialise' unless it's heavily work-related and my livelihood is under threat for not attending.  Having said that, when I do actually catch up with people or bump into them whilst they are also 'doing Soho' (so to speak), it's really lovely to grab a quick cuppa/G&T/Rioja and have a chinwag.

But don't fear, I haven't abandoned all technology as I can usually be found on Twitter a great deal. This is only because 140 characters don't take much thinking and I have a knack of not really noticing unless I have a message, plus it's nice to say Hi to people I haven't seen for ages. (Hi if you're not on Twitter *waves*)

I am also found to be lurking in the dark corners of eBay a lot as I am currently building up my own shooting kit.  I'm basically over there like an elephant running through a car boot sale at the moment, to be honest.  It's fun and I do like to win bids. On the other hand I can get a little stroppy if I don't [Yes, I'm talking about you, you slinky little matte box and sexy follow focus. Just so you know - I would have loved you more...]

Phew. Well, you know what? It's been lovely chatting, but my shell is calling me and I'm starting to get a bit tetchy.  I need to return to my script, the Spanish mountains and Rodrigo y Gabriella.

Until next time.

¹ 0110: Twisted Tales & Glorious of course, where have you been?
² Watch this space. There may be news, soon.
³ Of course, now I will fuck everything up and have to choke on humble pie or eat through a straw for the rest of my days

⁴ eBay is an online necessity
⁵ It's not rocket science. Mad, but not rocket science.

Almost

This week finally sees the screening of the documentary/interview footage I have been working on lately. It will be encompassed within an 'as live' broadcast award ceremony and, I must admit, it's all looking and sounding rather lovely.

Much thanks goes out to the wonderful people who let me and my trusty crew into their lives and stories - there is a vast amount of extremely strong footage to be shown that will be sure to produce quite a few lumps in the throat. What these men, women and children have been/are going through makes what I do seem so damn insignificant, but at least on this occasion I could help orchestrate bringing these marvellous stories of bravery and fights against all odds, into the public domain.

For this opportunity - and all the others heading my way soon - I will be eternally grateful.

Now - onwards.

Gratitude

Hello there.

A little bit quiet on the Tenacious front at the moment. I am nearing finalisation of the 0110 Writing Team but also holed up in an edit suite, having just finished producing and directing some startling documentary footage. More regularly than not of late, life has been taking me to lots of dark places with low oxygen levels, however, the results are always most congenial and by the look of the footage, this past shooting experience is no exception.

Being surrounded by so many courageous and remarkable men, women and children recently and then touched by their truly remarkable stories has been a terribly humbling experience. I've now sat in on the edit for more than 22 hours since yesterday morning - such is the vast amount of gobsmacking and heartrending footage we shot.

The rough edit is very much on it's way now and I can only hope the final cut shows these amazing people for what they are - strong, selfless and without a doubt, heroes.

Looking Back to Go Forward

Hello little ones - what's been happening around here, then? I've tried my best to keep peeking in on you all, but it has proven a bit difficult. Anyhow, here I am albeit for a little bit.

I've come over all reflective during the last week (the thought variety, not the mirroring type) whilst trying to tie up loose ends on various things that have been left all untidy in the far corners of Tenacious Towers North Wing. That's where I tend to pop bits and pieces, y'see - the 'to be confirmed / continued / finished / burned / useless exes' - that kind of thing, and every now and again I have to remove the dust sheets, sift through and tidy up. Because I have been fairly busy of late, ["Hark!" I hear you cry. "I had no idea - you should have said..!" ;0P ] I had to sit down and go back to January no less, in order to clear the decks for the next six months. I had so much shredding to do as a result, but it was fun to go through the last half year in draft form. But where, in God's name, has this year gone, I ask you? In a strange way, I don't feel as though I have achieved much at all, but to tell you the truth, I suppose I have now definitely started laying foundations for the way ahead.

The year started on a real high, having had my short, "Perfect", selected for development by Screen East for Digital Shorts. Although we went through the highs and lows together, my Little Miss Perfect insisted on not behaving herself and caused a lot of headaches and heartache, before falling at Becher's Brook and bailing out of the process. Disappointing as it was at the time, it was actually a blessing in disguise, as following fast on the heels of that news was the early development of my 360 degree cross platform programme outline, "Tweet the Dice", and "#twitstunt", the first snippet of filming for the feature documentary side of the same project. Now at a stage where I can start putting the final pieces of the project puzzle together and getting it 'out there', it's been a fascinating research process so far and I'm looking forward to the next step - I am sure we'll chat more about it at another point.

Before I had even finished the final title graphic for "#twitstunt" I had two short films chomping at the bit and went straight into preproduction on "Runner" and "Hostile" with the aim to shoot two shorts in two days. What I essentially wanted to do though, was shoot for four films in two days: a very short cut for Virgin Media Shorts and a looser cut of around five mins for each film. I planned my production days accordingly and we all pushed through the shot lists and schedules like lightning - a totally brilliant couple of days from what had developed into an amazing month in general. With the short versions of both films complete and in competition, and the long assemblies teetering on their edit, I have been enjoying the fun of writing again and two feature treatments have now gone out to find a home this week, one stateside and one closer to home, so I hope something comes of at least one.

On assessing people, places and events over the same period, quite a lot has been and gone too. One best boy buddy upped and left for the heat of Australia, whereas another just upped and left this mortal coil forever, which was really tough. From the sublime to the ridiculous, the untimely departure of my i-Phone made me realise that no-one actually uses their phone for just plain conversation anymore - we all seem to text, IM or email each other - and due to that fact, unless I've been at my 'puter, I have hardly communicated with anyone over the last fortnight. It's very odd. On the up side, I've been on various filmmaking courses and talks to brush up on old skills and learn new ones; attended the excellent "The Story Engine" in Darlington (more on that here); plus I've also gotten to know a ludicrous amount of new folks since January - some of whom have become very special and trustworthy friends already. Then of course, there's The Kid. He turned two a couple of weeks ago and upon being put up to the 'big boys' class at nursery, led a mini revolution up the slide with his girlfriend, causing them to be separated for influencing all the three-year olds to run riot. That's my boy. He also knows which are my films now too - which is very cool. "Hostile" seems to be his favourite at the moment because the bass in the surround mix nearly blows up Tenacious Towers, but I think he actually prefers battering his drum kit along to the music from "Runner". And oh, how I love that...

Even though I promised myself I would, I haven't managed to get to see many shows so far this year, which is really rather rubbish - so that's something I need to start rectifying very soon. However, my summer of music started for real just last night, nose being tickled by Brandon Flowers' feathery jacket in Hyde Park. The Killers really were rather good and the evening was everything I liked an outdoor concert to be.

All this aside, I have to admit, I'm looking forward to a bit of 'me' time in the near future, and so after I complete a little bit of work in Spain very soon, I have decided to give myself a tad of a break in that very place, to refuel before the next wave of production starts in late July, when I will be once again, gearing up to sign cheques and shout 'action'.

So, have I laid my foundations for the right path? No idea, buddy. Only time will tell. I'm just really enjoying the ride.

Catch you soon.

Hostile Thoughts

Yesterday saw me conducting a little off-the-cuff market research. "Hostile" is nearing completion and so I wanted to test it's PG/U viability on a minor - enter Subject S, who, you have to understand, is like something out of "Charlie and Lola".

As she watched the film, I gauged her reactions, most of which were accompanied with a screwed up nose. At the end of it, I asked her what she thought in general: "S'good. But it probably smells." she replied.  

"How do you know it smells?" I asked her, curious, as this is what I had hoped an adult may feel, let alone a child.  

"'Cos there's loads of yuk food lying around, and it's dirty. There probably isn't even proper toilet paper or anything." was Subject S's reply. Very astute, I thought.

"Were you scared at any point?" I probed, wary that the film is quite dark and could appear nightmare-like to a child.  

She shook her head. "No. I just thought she was sad. Why is she sleeping there?" she asked casually. I explained why she was there; Subject S said she understood, but looked a little confused.

"I think she sleeps there on her own, doesn't she?" she replied thoughtfully.  

"Yes, she does." I smiled. "Why do you say that?"

"I don't think her husband sleeps there as he probably sleeps in the next room - which is nice and tidy." At this point she became interested in other things and started to leave. 

"Well, kind of...but why did you think she was sad?" I asked, as Subject S neared the door. 

She rolled her eyes skyward and tutted. "Because she knows she'll need to tidy up before bedtime. Look at the state of her room - I wouldn't want that job!" And off she flounced.

I can't wait to hear what she says about "Runner".

Reflective Shadows

Hello my little pack of voyeurs

The week has been full of real ups and downs - you know the kind of thing? I usually earmark it as post-shoot crash week: it's when I [try to] relax a bit, ease off fifth gear and then suddenly feel a general fight of optimism vs despondency about the future.

I have been holed up in an edit suite for the majority of the week and although we're making headway with the edits of "Hostile" and "Runner", I am an impatient kinda girl and want it all done and finished yesterday. Still, never mind, we're getting there - although the 2 minute 20 second limit and PG/U certification for Virgin Media Shorts has thrown quite a few issues for me to battle with - especially with regard to "Hostile". But one thing is for sure: there really is so much beautiful footage for both films, I will definitely be completing two edits for each.

Then I sit there, staring at the edit screen wondering if these are the films I set out to make? Yes, they are totally - and that's good - but will they appeal to anyone? I have no idea. It's a weird place to be, but I am not making films for any reason except to stretch myself, download some artistic visions to make room for fresh ones, ease my insatiable creative hunger and also, because a few years back, I committed to a 180 degree career change to behind the camera. 

Having spent 17 years in front of the camera (yes, I was a mere child...), I also spent my 'fallow periods' working in costume design, art depts, indie production, BBC production contracts, PA-ing to various Producers and assisting various Directors, Exec Assistant in PR, Marketing and HR - as well as the obligatory waitressing and bar work. None of this I regret, as it has given me an in-depth background knowledge of "business", what everyone is 'doing' and more importantly, what they should be doing in any given situation: it also means I do not suffer fools gladly. But does all that make me a good filmmaker? Again, no idea, and that's the honest truth. So far, the noises about the rough edits have been positive but that's no guarantee of anything; on the other hand, if I am just trying to satisfy my artistic integrity, then why am I bothered about success? Well, actually I'm not, but like most people, I have bills and a boring mundanity to upkeep, and would like to up the income levels from what I love doing the most: and that, my learned colleagues, is telling stories - in a literary and visual sense.

So, here I am, a shiny new and updated CV in hand and my eye on the market. I don't have a gob-droppingly amazing showreel or a long list of credits to my name as a writer, director and/or producer, but I do have a small neat package plus vision, drive, commitment and - hopefully - ability. Over the last month or so, my quest has taken me to Spain and back where I have had meetings about a fairly long term contract that may or may not materialize, and on the slightly less hot but just as sunny (kind of) and far more local side, I am looking forward to meetings regarding the development of one of my feature pitches and a drama-documentary for TV. As usual, lots of ifs and buts, however, opportunities all the same.

Hand on heart, I can say I have had the best time so far this year and one way or another, it has already proven to be a real turning point for me. Juggling this, plus my [nearly] two year old boy has been a tough test, but I've come out the other side unscathed. The boy also seems pretty grounded I am glad to say, although he keeps looking for "Hostile" & "Runner" Production Designer, Jess Alexander, under the spare bed, which is a little bit of a worry as I don't recall her hiding there in particular. I'm sure it's all down to the sharing of "In The Night Garden" stickers over the breakfast table.

I really look forward to unearthing the secrets currently clutched closely to the breast of the next six months of 2009.

Ever onwards.

The Story So Far

A little taster of Mark Spencer's beautiful stills from the shoots last week...as you will see, two very different days. Thanks to all again.

"Runner" 

"Runner" - Cast

Alan McKenna - Josh

Mary Healey - Viv

Mari Gordon- Price - Edie

Morgan Deare - Shopkeeper

"Hostile"

     
    

"Hostile" - Cast

Annette Ross - Charlotte

Crew - "Runner" & "Hostile"

Director of Photography - Neil Oseman

Camera Assistant - Colin Smith ("Hostile"); Max Welch ("Runner")

Production Designer - Jess Alexander

Design Assistant - Alison Bowman 

Props Assistants - Callina Pearson, Molly Lardner

Stills Photographer - Mark Spencer

Make Up, Prosthetics Artist & Wardrobe Continuity - Lucy 'Darkness' King

Spark - Max Welch

Sound Recordist/Boom Op - Sophie Shelton

Production Co-Ordinator - Peter Getkahn

Production Lawyer - Sam Terry

Editor - Neil Douek

Music - Neil Douek

Writer, Director & Producer - Lara Greenway

It's in the Can

Hello angel, 

I like that saying - it's in the can - it conjurs up images of heaving masses of 35mm whizzing as a multitude of camera assistants scuttle around bowing to a Terry Thomas-like Cinematographer. So, in this age of digital tomfoolery, what can we say?  It's in the card?  It's in the hard-drive? Or my favourite quote from this week's shoots - it's on the MacBook Pro, the external drive and the network: I am taking no chances with these babies.

What a bloody wonderful week I have had: in fact I have so much to say about both of the shoots and films, that I may, quite literally, bore you to death - so just take it from me, we all had an awesome week!  I had a very specific 'look' I wanted for each film, and I truly believe the images [now] on screen are a total carbon copy of the visuals in my brain. I said to everyone it was almost quite freaky as it was as if someone was downloading my brain onto the monitor before my very eyes: having seen all the footage again over the weekend, never truer words have I spoken.

My casts were incredible: a bunch of achingly talented seasoned professionals - including Alan Mckenna and Annette Ross playing the leads in "Runner" and "Hostile" respectively, Mary Healey, Mari Gordon-Price and Morgan Deare - who all added a buoyant energy on their side of the lens that just kept me rattling through my shot list like wildfire. My crew were totally fantastic and coped admirably with two vastly different shoots - one being a black comedy and the other being a drama (or in the words of one crew member: a total mindf*ck). The second shoot, "Hostile" was always going to be a sh*t of a design job with so little time and so much to achieve, but Production Designer, Jess Alexander, just cracked on with it all and pitched it perfectly, just like I knew she would. I also always had a suspicion I would work extremely well in this situation with my DoP, Neil Oseman. We have know each other for a long time now and worked on lots of projects from voiceovers to feature stuff - but these occurrences have generally featured me on the 'other' side of the camera or mic and apart from my recent promo, this was new ground for us.  However, I was not prepared for the 'unsaid connection' we have forged which allowed us to virtually mind read each other and therefore set up the shots, look and feel of the pieces with very little communal dialogue. It made the shoots very special and happy for all of us and I think that will show in the end product(s).

And so to Post-production tomorrow and back to driving my Editor mad with stories of how his edit suite feels like he's removing my life force with rusty, fetid, blunt instruments of filmic torture :)  I hope to have a rough assembly turned round for both films pretty quickly in order to be moving towards picture lock, music composition and the sound mixes fairly swiftly.

I have the beautiful set & location stills winging their way to me as I type - lovingly snapped by Mark Spencer - and so will post a couple when I have a minute or so, but for now, I have the terribly mundane tasks of cheque writing and contractual paperwork. Zzzzz.

I love it really - every single good and bad second of this crazy, crazy business - but the scary thing is, I am already getting twitchy about my next project. Crikey m'am.

Have a good week all.

Are We At Speed Yet?

Ahem. Hello there. I've been a little bit busy of late but I'm taking five minutes out of my schedule to check you are all okay out here in the big wide web. All heart me, I tell you.

I have no idea where anyone is, what day it is, what you've all been up to or anything beyond my immediate attention radar, as I have been encapsulated within the big, bouncy bubble that is pre-production, with not more than even a nanosecond being trounced by FaceAche, Twitter or Blogosphere.  

The Tenacious Towers' east wing became one major trip hazard recently as it's been heaving with props, costumes, kit and paperwork for a good while now, however, I don't actually feel as though I live at TT anymore, having spent so much time at the production base and the set being created for...oh right, yeah...I'm shooting two short films, you see - "Runner" and "Hostile" - in two days, next week. 

I am tremendously excited and can't wait to work with the amazing cast and crew who have embraced both projects with so much vigour. I'm delighted to announce Alan Mckenna, Mary Healey, Morgan Deare, Mari Gordon-Price and Annette Ross make up my wonderful cast and amongst the vast array of talent found in the crew are Neil Oseman, DoP, Jess Alexander, Production Designer, not to mention the brave man who has jumped straight in at the deep end, Production Co-ordinator, Peter Getkahn - who has even scheduled my emotional breakdown for later next week, after we've wrapped, of course. Good man.

Well, I need to go now and slowly rock with a shot list in my hand or something. Actually, I really do jest, as I am remarkably calm. Of course, Peter would say it's my calm before my storm. He's probably right.

Catch you on the other side of the tempest that is Production.