Filming stuff

Well I got my first day working on location with a film crew.
And I'll tell you what it turned out to be the most varied days work I think I have ever done.  

First- approaching the location itself (the ferry nearby in fact to pick up the sailors who will be manning a recreating 1900 period western isles skiff-




First shots of the day involve the skiff arriving at the bay and delivering some fish-



The skiff is the smaller boat on the left



And then the sky started doing wonderful things-











The Director, directing a skiff which prefers to listen to nature!-







In case you are wondering what I was doing there at all (I know I was, enjoyable as it was) it turned out I had been called in, apart from as an extra body- I carried equipment, a lot- because there graphics guy had let them down at the last minute. So I got handed an amazing camera to take all the production pictures of the filming (obviously these pics are from my crappy camera I took in between doing the production ones, sadly I wasn't allowed to keep their camera   )and I got to work with the director and cameraman in working out the best shots to make the applying of the few effects required easier. And I also have 7 effects shots to help work on.

And having got the scenes with the skiff it was goodbye to the sailors and off to another cove, this one with beautiful sand beaches, and more stunning skies-







One of the actors, he plays the narrator-



Actors, directors and camera men-



Shooting a scene-



The next scene and some horse stuff- there was a horse film person there to keep an eye on the welfare of animals, and in this case the rider- special rules as the scene requires she has no helmet-











Dramatic scene!



The narrator in costume-



And chatting with the lead actor- who had to get in cold water in nothing more than a ragged kilt and a black top- and believe me it was cold- but he never complained once, was immensely nice guy and took everything thrown at him with a smile-



And the location just kept being wonderfully dramatic all day-







Animals on set!





And after a great day doing just about everything (including hefting driftwood about to make the shot more interesting, opening oysters, remaking a spear prop and a multitude of other things) it was time to go home.

But the lead actor was living on a boat he had moored in a bay, but he was coming into town to stay at a B n B that night to recharge all his phones and stuff- so we had to row out to it so he could collect his belongings.

The row boat had been provided by a local, it had oars that didn't fit the housing the oars sit in, and the housings were lose- half way to the yacht- and now in the dark- the housings gave way, he flew backwards off the seat as he was on the backstroke at the time and as both housing departed the boat,  the oars went with them!  By the time we had even tried to reach for them they were 10 foot away and gone in the dark.  

We were in the dark and adrift on the sea. And there as no mobile signal.  
Sadly also no pictures as it was too dark and they all came out essentially black.

Fortunately we had the wind behind us and the tide wasn't against us, so it was arms for paddles time and a bit of patience and fretting in a tense fifteen minutes before we manage to get alongside the yacht and bring it to its mooing in a more sheltered bay.

But we still had the problem of how to get back to shore, the answer was two bits of square ply wood, a lot of paddling and rock spotting with a torch and eventually we made land again.
Its certainly an interesting business this filming lark- if a little hair raising at times!

That's really neat, Petty! It's awesome that you got to see and be a part of a film shoot. Do you know what the movie is going to be called?

I'll have to read your comments later, Petty, but the pictures look great!

Do you know what the movie is going to be called?- Eldo

Do you know I forgot to ask, there was so much to do. The Director went through the story with me and what they were trying to do and convey, and that was interesting to hear what his ideas and style were. But I never asked what it was called.

Now get back to a proper thread where I can throw some choice words at you!!!  

That looks great Petty!  

Bit of a coincidence with me just posting about scottish filming locations to you over on the Who thread.

I think any film maker would be blessed to be able to work with those locations and with that kind of weather accentuating it.

That last horse is kinda shadow-grey. Just sayin'.

ok. what kind of film is this, can we expect to see any of it when it premiers? what exactly do u do? are there any famous people in it? can i have an autograph if it is ? and erm.. yeah, that was it.

Elthir, don't go there

"what kind of film is this"- Norc

I cant say anything about plot but it takes inspiration from Scottish folklore and faery.

"can we expect to see any of it when it premiers?"

Well that depends how keen you are to see it, as it will be shown in the large cattle shed otherwise known as my local cinema for its premier.
I imagine it will at some point be available online- but its a short film.

"what exactly do u do?"

I did explain this somewhere above- pay attention!  

My main job is to do graphics stuff- post work mainly, colour grading that sort of thing, some particle effects and 3D compositing (there are 7 effects shots in it).

On location my main job was taking the production photos- location shots, crew shots ect, carrying stuff, helping set up the shots, some work on props, and discussing with the camera man and director any shots that would have any added cgi effects in them and how best to achieve them as simply as possible.

"are there any famous people in it?"

No the cast are all locals, so not famous yet, the cameraman has 20 odd years experience working at ITV however.  

"can i have an autograph if it is ?"

I can give you mine if you've a big sheet of paper and some blue paint-  

Elthir wrote:That last horse is kinda shadow-grey. Just sayin'.

For once we're in complete agreement!  

Wonderful pics! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!  

I'd love to see the finished film if and when its available online, especially if a filmmaker's commentary is available featuring Petty.

Pettytyrant101 wrote:Well that depends how keen you are to see it, as it will be shown in the large cattle shed otherwise known as my local cinema for its premier.

Please let me know the premier date well in advance, as it's rather a long walk....

Pettytyrant101 wrote: I cant say anything about plot but it takes inspiration from Scottish folklore and faery.

Interesting! Maybe ask if you can play a random selkie in addition to your other duties?

But seriously, I would be interested in seeing it someday.

David H wrote: For once we're in complete agreement!

I knew this day would arrive David, huzzah! Although I expected an eclipse of the Sun to occur simultaneously. Or something.

Anyway I shall inform Sharrasi. Such tidings surely need recording.

 Excellent stuff, Petty. I wish I was almost famous like you are now.  {{{Lucky, daggy hole! }}}



Elthir, be warned! While David might have a (minute) knowledge of colour, he has absolutely no taste in the matter.

thanx petty ^^

This looks really interesting!!!!!!!! Keep us posted Petty!!!!!

You know, I think in some ways there are more opportunities in small towns than in big cities. Even with all your editing experience, do you think you'd be called in to work on a film in a big place like Hollywood, Bollywood, (Wellington) or New York?

Will do Tin.

Halfy I would say certainly not- as it was it came about by someone arriving at my door at 10.30pm the night before the filming and telling me about it, and that there graphic guy had let them down, and someone had recommended me.
It was pure word of mouth that only came about because I happened to know someone who was providing one of the horses for the shoot.

Tell you what Petty, bloody good luck to you !   Everyone should have fun in their lives & I really hope you have fun in this adventure ! maybe it could lead on to other things ? but if it doesnt, never mind, you had a great moment in your life ! Does look like the sort of thing ID enjoy, well done for your stroke of good fortune !  

Thats exactly how I am treating it Azriel, its been fun take part in, hugely interesting and something different, if I ever get another chance I will still have enjoyed this.

Now working on the effects shots- took a while for the director and editor to piece together all the shots they wanted, and now I've got all the effects shots and colour grading to do!!

Money where my mouth is time!!!   

Have to admit to an odd sort of thrill getting an email of film stuff that starts with-

An Fhionnuisce Fiáin - Wild Phoenix Film Productions
The contents of this email and any attachments are the property of Wild Phoenix Film Productions and are intended solely for the use of the named recipient(s). The contents of this email may be confidential and should not be communicated to others without written consent from the sender.

I suddenly feel very much part of a production!   

Well I guess we won't be hearing about the contents, then.   

Well I cant put up any footage or screen shots or tell you what the footage is, but.....the effects work itself is not part of the contents of the email seeing as I haven't done them yet. So I can keep you up to date on the sort of effects I am doing, in a general sort of way.

But hopefully, eventually it will be available in its finished form for all to see.