My first film!

Yesterday I had a rehearsal for my first ever film shoot. This is a big deal for me, since I try to steer clear of film/TV stuff (nothing wrong with it, I just prefer theatre to filming). I wouldn't have taken the role at all if it weren't for the fact that it was for my day job. So here's why it's a big deal in summary: 1. I've never done one before, so it's all very new. Luckily I'm working with some very experienced people. 2. I'm performing (!!!!) in it - as a puppeteer. That's especially weird, as I don't normally perform the puppetry either; and the director has never worked with puppets. 3. I'm getting paid (!!!!) by my day job for doing puppetry. What could be better than finally getting to do what you enjoy and getting paid for it. Anyway, I can't reveal much about the film, except to say that it's a viral web advert for my employers, and that when it's done I'll be sure to post it here. (I can't say much about it because the company hasn't officially launched yet, but rest assured when it does, I'll be letting some of you know about it. It's something that some of you may really enjoy using - but it is non-arts related) Back to the film though... We're doing the shoot in the director's flat. Which is so different from preparing to work in theatre. Suddenly I've gone from a few cast on a 6m wide X 3m deep stage and wings, to a 6m wide X 3m deep room with 8 cast and crew and set and puppets stuffed inside - not including the camera and lighting equipment... Rehearsal itself was strange, as I'm so used to doing things chronologically, and suddenly of course we need to film things in segments. I've made a whole new costume for one of my puppets - I'll post a pic later as I haven't taken one yet - but it's amazing how different they look on screen. Whereas in theatre you can get away with imperfections (like a slight dimple in one of the polystyrene eyes, thanks to a bad night's sleep in the puppet's travel bag), the camera just highlights everything. Good thing people will be so busy watching the action and not paying too much attention to anything else. This Saturday we will be doing the filming, and fingers crossed it will be a good first experience of the whole process. Anyone who wants to share their first experience doing something new or unexpected, please add to the blog thread!