Show Reel

Finished.

So this week was spent filming our Show-reels, another part of this “new thing” my course is trying. Last time our show-reel was focused on our abilities as fighting actors, however, the official purpose of a show reel is to show our acting abilities. And not just abilities in displaying emotion, such a raging wails of horror and sadness and anger and so on, we were actually encouraged to shy away from that. Instead, it’s the subtle details that matter, and first and foremost your ability to listen to your co-actor, not just wait for your cue to talk. 

For this little project, we were once more divided in pairs, and this week we were given each our half-day slots. I worked with Michelle, and our slot was today, Friday afternoon. A camera man, as well as a sound technician was hired in, however, we all had to volunteer (well, “voluntary” kind of) to crew for each other. Two or three people, one on clapper-board, one on continuity, and one to run around doing whatever else needed doing. Needless to say, some did far more work than others. The film director hired in to work with us did not assign us these positions, so we each wrote our names on a list of the different shots (here is where the volunteering-element steps in). And so, some wrote their name often, some just once. Ah well, such is life. 

Two things I will take from this experience: 1, that I definitely want to work with film. There is something special about the atmosphere on set. It’s strict, focused, you must be on your mark, not make a sound outside your line, the director is God. But I love it. 

2. How very difficult it suddenly is just to open the door of a car and step out when there is a camera pointing your way. I got stuck in the wheel. Twice. I have no idea how.