INDELIBLE FRECKLES

Deja vu: we’re a full week out from shoot.

Last night was a read-through with the cast, with Mr Hargreaves, Ms Oliver and Mr Forster attending. Read-throughs are always interesting. Actors will either read their lines flat, conserving their energy, or with a bit of energy to feel out whoever they’re trading lines with. For my part, I have to remember that a read-through is just that: everyone literally reading through the script out loud. It’s not the place to give notes; it’s a time to note secretly to yourself what’s dead in the script and to get a feel for how the actors are approaching their characters.

After the read-through there was a Q&A where relationships were discussed and defined. I used to dread such conversations. I used to think, I, the Writor, have conured these words to come out of the mouths of yon characters, and they are what they are. Actors need more than that. As do the production designer (“What sort of vibe do you want in this location?”), the cinematographer (“How do you want to pace this scene?”) and so on.

Sure, it’s fun to quote Harrison Ford‘s “acting school of ‘let’s pretend’” and write actors off as a bunch of high-maintenance nonces but remember that they’re not just your mouth-piece – nor are they some Hitchcockian puppet who must respect your authoritah.

They’re a fellow collaborator.

Treat and direct ‘em right, and they’ll make you look good.

Enough pre-prod avoidance. Kirk out.

Yes, campers, you read that right:  we’ve been pushed back two days.

Ah the joys of low-budget film-making.  Better than no-budget film-making.

But, barring -, actually, better not tempt fate.

CAMERA – Mr Meikle is calling in favours and yea, we have vision.  (This gig was to repay a moral debt I owe him; this isn’t quite working out the way I’d intended.)  Just need to confirm that the flesh-puppets actors are still good for the adjusted dates.

AUDIO – Mr Rea had difficulty sourcing an assistant so I offered to grovel to my alma mater.  Gerben Cath very generously listened and has offered to help.

CAST – I was hoping to confirm all five cast members but it’s looking a bit iffy with that damned schedule.  I won’t invite bad juju by invoking the last cast-member’s name.  Not that I’m superstitious or anything.

With the schedule being put back and the amount of pre-prod being ploughed through this week, I’ve even had thoughts of mowing the lawns this long weekend.

Whoa, tiger, go easy, boy.

(No idea if I’ve got the right lingo but this diary’s gonna be cheap and nasty.)

Pre-pre-prod has been ramping up the last couple of weeks.  Fighting over budgets.  Okay, squabbling.  No, fighting.

Whatever, the budget has been stretched as much as it can be.  I thought it was already stretched but it’s amazing where you can find savings.  And still pay people.  And feed them.

Actors – check.

Heads of department – check.

Schedule – in progress, virtually a check.

… Okay.  Camera has been unable to source camera gear.  It looks like shifting the schedule back one day.  I can deal with a day’s delay.  I hope and pray the cast and crew (excluding camera, of course) can handle the delay, too.

It’ll be fine.  I keep telling myself that:  it’ll be fine. It’ll be fine.

What the hell.

This should be interesting.

I can’t just refer to what is taking over my life as a short film for ever.

It’s got a name:  To’ona’i, a short film about a couple of siblings who try to deal with the loss of their older brother.

A month from now, I’ll laugh and maybe even tear up about this time.  For the moment, all I can feel is the pain.