Sneaky Midweek Weekend

We started at the ripe old time of 3pm today so I had plenty of time to enjoy a midweek weekend morning. I watched a film, played games and ran a few personal errands before I even had to look at a single email. It felt like the day was basically over once I landed at base. I wrapped up my job and went to continue my scripting training down on set. Moreso than usual I think the most important thing I took away from today was on set banter. In my current line of work being approachable is important so being a friendly and humorous person to be around is super helpful. Not only was I logging shots, I did it in a light hearted way that hopefully communicated how comfortable I feel doing the gig now.

2nd Unit Superheroes

I told Rebecca that today was the catering beast day for me. Five different places at five different times all to service our 2nd Unit day, and I was the point of contact for all of it. I was slightly stressing about it yesterday, but after I did all the prep and phonecalls it all fell into place easily. I actually spent the entire day learning about eyelines on set behind the monitors. Bless Rebecca, in order to keep me on set, she did the after hours pizza run on behalf of our crew. Made the day a lot more palatable for me and everyone was delighted to get some pizza. I'm shattered now though after being the custodian of another successful 2nd unit. I wish I wasn't so good at helping run them, then I wouldn't keep getting asked back!

Catering Mastermind

Catering Coordinator sound be my credited role on this job. Last night at about 5pm (On a Sunday) I learnt that we had to tee up another 2nd unit special, this one was seemingly but landed with several moving parts and wrinkles that were tough to combat. As such, I am visiting 5 separate food vendors to cater for the day. My morning was spent coordinating all that basically, the when and how of people dining. I did get down to set at the midday point to do some Script Shadowing, it wasn't until I was down there I realized how much I disliked food wrangling. I know I've said it here a hundred times but it often feels like all I do is food, looking to the future I can't wait for that responsibility to be absolved.

Scripty Sunday

Did battle with our printer on the truck at 6:30 this Sunday morning. It's been really well behaved up until now but now we're falling out when I needed it the most. Once I had done another 700 sheets of paper I walked on down to set where I was immediately and unexpectedly deployed into a splinter unit to Script Supervise. What a rollicking 25 minutes that was. After that though I just got to spend time with the main chaps once again and enjoyed a relatively chilled out Sunday shoot. The Producer even bought me and ice cream! That's how easy going the mood was... There are certainly worse ways to kick start a six day week!

Saturday Blues

Seeing as I only have a single day off this weekend, I enjoyed my time off in fast forward. We took one final trip to Wilko and I found myself feeling oddly sentimental. Being a store clerk there was my first ever job, I even remember sitting round with all the new starts for induction, watching a PowerPoint about the perks of being loyal to the company. If you worked there for 20 years they'd offer you some hefty in store discount and some better holidays I seem to recall... Bizarre to think they can't honour that now to hundreds of employees. It was a sad state of affairs inside though, barren shelves in some areas and immovable stock in others, even the Halloween stuff was out but people weren't biting despite the 30% closure sale. 

Rebecca and I did a bit more coordinating on our Canada trip, booking our Air B&B's and a few trains. Still hasn't settled in yet that we're going, guess my brain is still in work mode and getting that all over the line. Six days of back to back filming up next. Wish I felt more rested but we'll make it work.

Power to the Flower

With the job winding down to a close a lot of cast are starting to wrap, naturally this means gifts a plenty for them as a Thank You for all their contributions. Bouquets of flowers have been at the tippity top of my priority list, buying them and keeping them down on set for the very moment they're finished for the job. It's an anxious affair sitting nearby on set with the knowledge that I have to sping into action at the drop of a hat, battling through crew to get a bunch of flowers. I hope they appreciate it all!

Another long week down, but only a single day off before we're back on. It's been grueling recently so all I want to do is rest easy tomorrow.

Three's A Crowd

 Continued to burn the candle at both ends, with limited success this time round. On set I struggled to get into a good mojo due to the cramped work environment. Script Supervisors all tuck around a small set of monitors mostly, with the two there and me tacked on then three is most definitely a crowd and it occasionally felt like I was in the way. Back on the truck I'm being slowly treated like a stranger it feels. One too many 'Nice to meet you, what's your name's jokes have popped up now in reference to how often I'm now down on set. It's starting to get under my skin a little bit, probably because I hate letting people down. This might just have the be the price I pay though to get into the next rung of my career, I'm trying my best to keep everyone happy though, possibly at my own expense.

Lacking Kombucha

Once again it was all systems go for the first few hours of today, then it puttered out so I figured I should try for more on set time. Very glad I pushed for that because I had a lovely time chatting through a lot of things with the team there. Sadly, someone did a run for kombucha which I missed by 5 minutes, if that's the worst thing that happened today then I'd say the day was a net positive.

Back & Forth, To & Fro

Barely sat down for the first few hours of my day. I was loading up my van, driving it between units and doing plenty of back and forth. Once the dust settled I hopped back with the script folks again, it was a quieter day for them overall so I got to see how smaller things are done - it's lovely learning the process and being so close to the director and cast too. It's a whole new world that I'm finding constantly interesting and invigorating.

Triple Town

 I only had a few key jobs I needed to do today, all of which involved driving into the nearby town to collect bits and bobs. I wanted to line all my ducks up in a row so I'd only have to make the one trip... But without fail, everytime I finished my run and began to leave my car I got a message saying 'oh, if you're in town could you...' this happened one time too many today so I went back and forth needlessly - I saw the humour in it all, but in a busier day this would have been a bug bear. Had a whole day back on the truck catching up with my day job. As nice as it was sticking to only one line of duties, I'm already missing being on set.

Conditioned for Air Conditioning

 Didn't have to rely on the MegaBus home at least as Rebecca and I cruised our way back to Bristol. I keep forgetting we're still in Summer though as I was stonkingly warm the whole way back. Rebecca's car doesn't have air conditioning so you just have to treat it like a sauna and never relinquish your true feelings about how uncomfortable the heat is making you feel. I'm quietly mentally prepping myself for another long week at work with split hours that teeter towards night shooting. Wrap is drawing closer now, the marathon is drawing to a close.

Memories of MegaBus

 It's been a hot minute since I've caught the MegaBus up to Londinium. This time five years ago I would have been able to tell you every curve in the route of this coach ride, but now I just sit on the bus (on my reserved seat??) and count the minutes until I can get off. I was in town to wish Rebecca's mum a happy birthday, there was a BBQ and champagne and a Pret sandwich. A low-key affair but a pleasant one nevertheless. I unwantingly spent the afternoon nodding off since I only got a few hours sleep, and the seats on the aforementioned MegaBus were a bit naff. Hoping to catch up on some slumbers tonight so I can hit the working week without panda eyes.

Shooting through the Night

 First day of working splits comes with the added bonus of a lie in which I sorely needed. Got to work at bang on midday but didn't get home til just after 1am... No bother though, the day itself ticked over at a standard Friday pace with everyone keen to get away once wrap was called. I was still parked up by the monitors to learn as much as I could, it was super to watch a lot of scenes run together as well. I'm getting a fun sense of how the show is going to look in it's final stages and that makes me all the more excited.

2nd Unit Scripty

The Callsheet put me down as the Script Supervisor and by golly, that's what I was today. It was like all my training blossomed the moment I stepped into set, I was as cool as a cucumber and did everything well. It felt like after passing your drivering test you go out and learn more driving by yourself - I picked up confidence quickly and it felt great by the end of the day. I gave a few notes to the crew and cast, all of which were taken on board to safeguard the edit. Only bummer today was when a highlighter decided to uncap itself in my jean pockets, I didn't notice until my right thigh was a sunset orange. No one noticed thankfully as we were in a dark room, but first impressions count for so much, especially when it's my big first day... Hopefully not my last either!

Both Ends

Burnt the candle at both ends once again today as I continued to moonlight as a Script Supervisor while also juggling my day job. It's a balancing act that I'm still having trouble mastering because everyone often turns to me in a bind. Still, it all amounts to the big day tomorrow. My first day Script Supering a full day all by myself. I've done all the prep and have learnt from the best, now I just need to do them and myself proud.

Learning via Exposure

Powered through my morning duties to rush down to set to spend the remainder of the day with the scriptys. I came saddled up with my very own iPad and a paid subscription to the main bit of software they use so I was ready to kick ass. I did a lot more learning overall than I had expected which was great, whenever I started getting the hang of something a new layer unfolds: another plate to spin basically. I'm just about keeping them all going, more importantly I just want to do myself and my mentors proud on the day they hand the reigns onto me.

Mechanical Movements

 The whole crew couldn't quite stomach a Monday. Bleary eyes, vacant gazes and mechanical movements characterized the morning and everyone collectively lamented another weekend that came and went. I empathized entirely, periodically I found myself closing my eyes when I was alone then finding it tough to open them back up to face the world. At least the feeling was mutual across the company. I spent the day on the truck with my usual team today but every fibre of my being wanted me to be down on set. Alas, a few of my duties were teetering into 'negeleted' status so I had to hop back into my emails to sort. Think I got back to a good place today though, really hope I can spend some more learning time with the scriptys again.

Homework at 29?!

Though there was time for Sunday fun, in the back of my mind was one word: Homework. I haven't felt this way in a long time, the creeping dread of putting off a deadline over the weekend. All I had to do was set up my new iPad and load up some software properly but I also self imposed some online learning onto myself too so it all felt like schoolwork. But we did get some nicer things done too, like weeding the garden and meeting up with a friend for coffee. Next week is looking a lot more normal for me but I've also got to cram in some more script supervising training... I watched a film tonight too and I could feel my eyes accounting for shot types and eyelines so I guess I'm ready for it!

Best Gelato

 After waking up at 5am for the past few days I was very excited to have a lie in. Sadly, my body clock had other ideas and jolted me awake at 5:30am (admittedly still a lie in, but a cruel one). I used my Saturday morning playing video games with the cat next to me on the sofa. Once we were both awake Rebecca and I took a trip into town, then later in we met up with Louis and Rachel for a meal at a new nearby restaurant. Rachel also knew of a delicious ice cream place a short walk away, so I indulged in the best gelato I've had all year. Though I've had stuff to do, today was super low key, a much needed day of rest.

Day Three Scripty

Day three with the scriptys and being in and amongst the on set gang. Think people are starting to recognize me down there a bit more and I'm getting a truer sense of what's what. Multiple pennies are starting to drop now in this new line of work. It vastly different to my current world of snacks and paperwork but it's a new challenge that's stimulating me. Though a lot of this week feels like I've been running two jobs as I'm furiously delegating my current duties to other people. I never realized how integral I was to the day-to-day runnings of things until I stop doing them. I all goes to pot without me quietly running errands which is in equal part flattering and eye opening.

Improper Possessions

 Joined the script folk again for some on set goodness, though to my chagrin I was frequently pulled away to do my day job. Worst one was a member of cast mis-read their accomodation memo and forgot to check out of their room. The hotel were miffed and rounded up all of their possessions but it landed in me to go and collect them. Not an uncommon request but could have done without it for sure. Everytime I hope onto set I do learn more and more about the process though, mostly eyelines now which is a mind melter at first but I'm getting the knack of it now.

Intensive Course

Got the nod to do a whole day as a script supervisor sometime next week. My mentor looked me in the eye and said 'Lets start the intensive course'. So I spent the remainder of the day huddled around monitors spotting and note taking to the best of my ability. Rather unluckily, I hopped into what might be one of the busiest spells they've ever had on set. I tried my very best to keep up but it was far beyond my skill level. That's ok though! I was still helpful and everything I did was very much with training wheels bolted on. It was good to see a day operating at full force, it can only get easier from here!

Big Cast

A swift supermarket stop on my way into work prevented the day from divulging into something messy. We had a lot (a LOT) of cast in so they each needed water bottles to work their way through across the day. I got into work super early and my truck looked like a bomb had hit it. The power stopped working and the fridge was starting to pong again. Marigolds on and some scrubbing later and it felt like home again.

It was a big day for the AD team but in Production all was chill. So much so that I managed to hang out with the script team again to learn the ropes of working with three cameras. You need an almighty brain but that's what I'm growing right now.

Super 2nd Unit

 Been a hot minute since my alarm was set for 4am, but I felt oddly perky doing my wake up routine. I guess I had that airport energy when the outside darkness masked the time of day, my cacadian rhythm was thrown off so I only noticed I hadn't eaten anything only after being awake for 5 hours. All my fears about the day crumbling away were unfounded. The shoot went so smoothly from my perspective that there's actually nothing to really talk about. Catering worked their wonders and we got the whole day in the can. The adrenaline is wearing thin now though and only unadulterated sleep can return me to form.

Super Short Sunday

With my one day off this week I did what we love doing most on a Sunday: eat scrambled eggs and seeing friends. These one day weekends are always a bit of a cop out though as you spend most the day feeling like you haven't relaxed enough, then after lunch the Sunday blues hits in before you know it.

I did spend a fair while mentally prepping myself for another big, crazy second unit day. My largest one yet in fact with plenty of SA's and other factors to consider. I've gotten everything ready to the very best of my ability, time will tell if all my prep work was enough.

Saturday Scripty

Shooting on a Saturday occasionally feels like a mufty day, good vibes and sunshine. Today we had rain clouds and more stress than we'd like. I got a chance to step behind the monitors and do some script supervising again though, another whole scene all by myself! It came at a small cost though, I had so much to do to prep for Monday and the scene I was meant to work on kept getting pushed further and further down the day. It was a scramble getting out as a result but we just about made it work. The crew are weary, but there's always a tinge of twinkling tragedy when people ask 'So what are you so ng with your ONE day off?' everyone just says sleep... And that's exactly what I'll do too.

Rag Tag Runners

Dusted off my runner pouch, plugged in a radio and hopped on a minibus down to set - today I was a floor runner. Despite being asked to do it only yesterday I felt oddly calm about getting the day because it was relatively easy... On paper at least. The wrinkle I forgot about was the fact that we had two units shooting in and around the same location. At one point I was given two radios so I could call out which unit was rolling and which was cut so none of us overlapped. We got the day though and I think my squad was really strong - we were all cute misfits but we ran a good outfit. Legs are knackered though, forgot how many steps I used to do in this line of work.

Parked in the Office

A coworker of my wanted some more time aboard the Production Truck so I relinquished my hot desk for them and parked myself up in the office. Been a long time since I was a resident there and now there's banter and lore that I'm totally out of the loop of. I mostly just sat quietly and reconciled my petty cash receipts and dreamed about being back on set...

Well apparently the heavens heard my wish as I got asked to do some floor running tomorrow. Been a long time since I dusted off my runner's pouch... This might even be the last time I ever am just a lil' runner on set - stoked for it though, should be a fun day.

Food, Scramble, Food

My duties returned to food. Gathering breakfast, chatting with caterers, buying a trolley full of snacks and buying pizza for on-wrap recce crews. In between all of this I was scrambling to get a bunch of my work done before the end of play. They're swapping me off the truck for a day tomorrow so I was trying to tidy it out a bit so it's ready to receive the other me. I'll be back in the office keeping busy, good to have an easy breezy one but will no doubt miss base life.

Scripty Alone

 Quickly worked through my morning duties to once again spend some time down with the Scriptys. I was low-key asked to be on standby to help do a scene all by myself should the need arise. 4 hours later I was strappes into a monitor with an iPad in hand and a lot of notes to write up. I ended up doing a full on scene, with cast and dialogue all off my own back. I'd by lying if I said it wasn't stressful, we were running a bit behind so I was playing catch-up a bit but it was certainly stimulating.