This opportunity all started back in October when I was offered a chance to act in a film project on Dartmoor. The film was a classic Zombie film called "Deadmoor". The 2nd Year Creative Digital Media students had written the script, bought the props and sorted the locations, but needed actors to bring it to life.
So our 2nd Year students were given the chance to play the roles.
Aim: To work alongside the directors and fellow cast members to film the project on location.
Objectives:
- To be professional, well-prepared and organised through-out the process
- To help the directors to realise the script, working with their ideas to set the scenes
- To gain experience of the filming process
- To make friends and stay happy to make the shoot as enjoyable as possible!
2am and still smiling!My first objective was a personal challenge I set myself. I have always prided myself on trying to be the best that I can be in any undertaking, and this project was no exception. I felt that my commitment to the project was of a very high quality. I was always enthusiastic to help out when needed. I always tried to stay focused when necessary, but still balanced this out with laughter to keep the mood and energy up. Part of this objective also looked at my personal organisation skills. I took the option to pack early to give me time to buy any items I might need over the 3 days. I kept in contact with the directors so that I would be prepared with everything they would have expected from me.
The second objective focuses on my input to the filming process. This links in with my overall commitment. From both my own personal reflection and from feedback received on the process, I am happy to say that I have achieved this objective. I was always open to discussing the ideas they had for the scenes, and I was willing to work with whatever they chose to do.
The next objective turned out to be very well realised. By working with 4 different directors, I could experience different ways of working that suit different types of scene. I worked indoors, outside, in a car and in a forest. I also worked with a camera on a boom, stationary cameras, point-of view camera shots and even a camera on a rolling track! I also learnt about the less glamorous side of filming. The endless retakes, the struggle to get the right light, the constant battle for continuity, batteries that run out at the worst possible time, but most of all that filming takes AGES! That is why my efforts to remain up-beat were so crucial. On reflection, I feel I got a very good picture of what filming is like. The directors all said that Deadmoor was a very good example of the ins and outs of life on the film set.
My final objective is always crucial in my eyes. By making the process enjoyable, I feel that you achieve so much more. If you want to enjoy it, you will reap the rewards. This sum up this placement beautifully. The hours were long, the weather was bitterly cold, but I loved every minute of it. I would happily do it again without a moments hesitation. The cast and crew were so friendly, which is always important when there is a danger of tension splitting the group.
Overall, I am confident in saying that it was a fantastic experience and we made great friends over the 3 days of filming. Even though we worked well past midnight on both nights, I still kept smiling and laughing. I felt this was essential to keeping the motivation going when times were getting tough and tempers were fraying.Director's Feedback
“I felt that Louis approached this project with a very professional attitude. He showed a great level of commitment, turning up to every rehearsal, even on short notice and, even though we switched his character only a couple of weeks before filming started, he performed admirably in his role as Kevin”
Richard de Young, Director – “Deadmoor"
