So Yeah....It's been a while (Insert excuse here)
The Secret Film Project is now in full swing! The pre-production process is a thing of the past and we have now skated into the production stage!
All three groups filmed last week and the young people really rose to the occassion. I had the privellege of being on set (and also filling in as an extra) on one of the films and it was amazing to see young cameramen/women, directors, and boom ladies(the people who operate the boom pole which connects to the boom mic, which then records the sound-just so you all know that I have been listening lol).
The filming took place in the snow, so there were lots of hot drinks, wooly hats and thick coats that made the young people fill out like the Michellin man. But (poor) jokes aside, it caused a few problems with the continuity of filming. For example, the film would look pretty shabby if we see a character leave a house and the grounds is covered in snow but they return when the floor is dry.
This meant that the shooting schedule had to be condensed immensely, at least for the shoot I was a part of. It also gave the young people the opportunity to make some really important decisions about the film; some shots had to be removed and others had to be added in order to make the film feasible. This decision making was managed well by the young people, with the support and advice of the professionals on the project.
The young people were focused and motivated which made the whole experience enjoyable, even the two hours we spent filming the football scenes in the snow, which left many with a sniffle but all with a smile!
All in all; the filming went extremely well and the commitment and skill of all involved was refreshing!
Reece Williams
Peer Mentor and Admin Officer on Secret Garden Film Project