Crowning Glory!

A job appeared on Starnow for diners that were happy to eat pizza in front of a camera  for a comedy viral. I'm not the biggest fan of pizza - let's face it, it can be boring to eat but thought I'd apply anyway. I forgot all about it until my mobile rang and I was confirmed for the job - brilliant! I was asked to go along the following day to a place  in Tottenham Court Road. The call time had changed from 10am to 8am which irked me slightly but then again, early start, early finish (honestly, anybody would think I didn't like this job!). Lovely friendly people greeted me when I walked in with a lovely runner asking if I wanted anything from Pret. For once, I declined food and asked for a coffee instead. A man walked in to the room and introduced himself, he was Andrew and was my partner for the day. Three others joined us and after a quick natter we were all set to start. However, what was quite strange, were the actors. Not that they were strange but they were look- a-likes of the Royal family so suddenly Prince Harry was asking about the coffee, Kate was sorting out her make up and the Queen was sorting out an outfit whilst Prince Phillip needed help choosing a tie. It was a very odd feeling as they all seemed very real and it wasn't just me that felt like that judging by the crowd when we went outside!  As for myself and Andrew, our job was to hold hands and to walk up and down and give reaction shots to the fact that the Queen and her family, including a royal corgi were walking down the street to go in to Pizza Hut. Tourists stopped in their tracks to see Kate, Harry, Andrew walking up and down the road. A couple of guys who swaggered around thinking they were very cool, actually thought they were  talking to Kate and Andrew! Not so cool, guys!

Next we returned to the Green room to wait whilst the next shot could be prepared. It wasn't long before the director called out my name and Andrew and I were placed on a table near to the Royal family. They were very interesting to watch as each of them took on their roles. They were very respectful of their characters too and said that they always considered their characters when accepting jobs and deciding  whether to take a job on or not. Mary, who played Queen Elizabeth remained very dignified throughout and was a real joy to talk to especially when she spoke of her time at London Airport when tourists thought she was the real deal!
The Crown Crust Pizza was brought over but we couldn't  eat any of it. It all looked delicious but had been sat around being photographed for a couple of hours so we didn't dare try it. Meanwhile the Royals had theirs, freshly baked but little was eaten as they were all on diets!
One of the Supporting Artists was told to go home leaving just four of us. We suspected that it was the way he behaved in front of the camera, trying look in to the camera and almost blocking  the Royals. It's never a good idea to upstage actors especially when it's Royalty!!

Sushi anyone?

Text: Can you play a restaurant diner in a Sushi restaurant? Of course I could but where was it? It would be in Central London. Job accepted. The base location was actually in Wormwood Scrubs Car Park and early too - 6am which meant everybody driving in as the tubes start at 5.15 so couldn't be sure of getting there on time. As soon as we arrived at the base we were all told to hide our stuff that was on view in our cars - well, considering where we were it wasn't that surprising. I strolled over to where the coffee was being put out and helped myself to some very welcome refreshment, especially welcome at that hour!  People began to arrive and to my astonishment I didn't know a single person there. Normally there is somebody to recognise. It's very odd not knowing anybody - it's a bit like starting a new job - unsure of what to say, who to speak to or what to do. Usually I just head for the dining bus and generally always find someone for a conversation but the bus was full of equipment so was a no go area. Thankfully, it was a bright  and sunny day so that we could all congregate outside for a natter. 

Costume called - over I went -  I was dressed for a business lunch in my usual black business suit. They liked the suit, hated the shirt. I was put into a grey see through shirt which thank goodness,  a vest top was found to go under it to preserve a bit of modesty! Especially as then i was told to lose the jacket. Trendy accessories to be replaced by classic pearls. Returned to the bus to find that all the equipment had been cleared so breakfast was being served. This was a cooked breakfast in a box the type of which you would normally expect to find noodles in - how odd. Still, it was filling and set everybody up for the day ahead.

Next, we were off in the mini bus to the restaurant location in Nottinghill. I was paired up with Darren and we were placed at the back of the Sushi restaurant. After an hour or so, the place started to get really warm - air conditioning couldn't be put on due to the slight noise it would give. It had been an early call and no water seemed to be forthcoming..the girl behind me just lay down on her bench seat with her eyes closed. Everybody was struggling to look interested, make pretend conversation and to stay awake!  The sushi in front of us couldn't be eaten either as it had been prepared the day before especially for the filming. We did have to look as though we were eating it though, with chopsticks, which caused a little bit of hilarity as beans shot off plates in all sorts of directions. 

Next came close up shots of the main actors so we scurried upstairs for a welcome cup of water or coffee. We had all been told to leave everything behind at the base so I had nothing to read or do. However, it wasn't long before we were called downstairs to resume 'eating'. We were placed at the front of the restaurant this time, very close to the lovely Simon Baker (seriously gorgeous in real life). Suddenly make up and costume descended on me:

"You're in shot"

"You're definatly going to be seen"

I hadn't the heart to tell them that my name is "Mrs Blur" to the people I work with as usually that's what I am in the background and therefore, this scene was likely to be cut. Anyway, it gave them something to do. I sat by myself reading menus and deciding on drinks to have  with my lunch. Of course, in my head it was much more exciting. I was a business woman waiting in a city restaurant for my lunch time lover - he was late and I was getting impatient. I kept looking towards the door waiting for him to arrive....

"It's a wrap!" 

Daydreams would have to wait, it was time to go home. The mini bus was sent to collect us but the first one was full so five of us said we would wait for the next one. Well, we waited and waited and waited some more. No sign of our mini bus. One mini bus turned up but on its way to a different location where they were filming that afternoon. The driver said he would radio through that we were still waiting to get back to base. Still we waited....One of the people phoned the agency who assured us they would get right on to it. We waited some  more - still nothing. A security man from the film was spotted across the road so we all ran over to him. At first he seemed reluctant to radio across to base but eventually he did which seemed to galvanise the troops in to action and finally a mini bus arrived to take us back to base. Once on the bus, my mobile went off with a couple of messages left by people.  Both of the messages concerned my costume blouse because they thought I'd gone home with it! Bit of a cheek really - they'd noticed that the blouse was missing but not the fact that we hadn't signed out or got our chit signed so that we could be paid!  It was with some relief that I finally got back in to my car, in my own shirt and with water in hand. My mobile went off.

"Re: the job for tomorrow - you are confirmed"

Well, that was a much better way to end the day!

Patiently improvising...

Advert: people wanted to play patients or visitors for a medical corporate. I applied and within a week I had been shortlisted and shortly afterwards received the news that I had the part of the hospital visitor. It was a lovely day and I arrived for my 9.15 call time earlier than expected, as usual. This was in Brentford, a place where I had spent many happy hours living in Brentford Dock.  I couldn't find anybody when I arrived so I mooched about a bit then wondered if I was in the right place.... I ventured in through the doors of this University - still nobody in sight, just empty corridors.  I back tracked, checked my instructions, looked at the board which stated what each floor was for and quickly realised that I needed to be on the ninth floor. Thankfully the lift was working and when the doors opened at the ninth floor  I stepped out into a hospital corridor - how strange! I peered through one door and found myself staring at a bed with a body in it. Now I was seriously worried that I was definitely on the wrong floor maybe even the wrong building. I walked further along the shiny corridor and passed by two trolleys with patients on them - wait a minute - on further investigation I began to comprehend that this was a training hospital floor and all the patients were dummies! It was, to say the least, a little bit on the creepy side.

I heard somebody talking so headed for the voice and found the costume lady who was setting up in a side room. This was an amazing room with floor to ceiling windows over two sides of the room overlooking a sheer drop - good thing I didn't have a problem with heights. 

The actors began to arrive then the door opened and a very beaming face walked in.  a Supporting Artist named Phil who, strangely enough had worked on several of the productions that I had been on and yet, we had never met. We seemed to be waiting around for an awfully long time and apologies kept coming in from the Director for keeping us waiting. Actually, we didn't mind as we had good company, biscuits and coffee. The filming was delayed due to the main actor as he couldn't find the place....He finally waltzed in with a face like thunder and without an apology to anyone. Thankfully he decided to sit outside the room, ear firmly glued  to his mobile whilst we all exchanged glances at each other...no words were said but we all knew what everybody was thinking! 

Eventually it was time for Phil and I to do our bit. We were asked to improvise a scenario that included why I was there visiting Phil, how we knew each other and what family we had. We decided that I was Phil's co-worker from an I.T firm where  he worked with a fierce boss. Phil was a married man, with a dog and was a problem solver for the I.T firm. I had come to see how he was and to convey messages from people at work especially from the dreaded boss. Next we had to browse through a magazine and make comments:

"What does she think she looks like?"

"Nobody in real life would ever get away with wearing that!" 

The camera was focused on us and our dialogue so we had to be heard having a real conversation. Luckily for me I love improvisation as it can mean thinking out of the box and thinking very quickly on your feet! Both of us were wearing microphones but I have to say had I  known we were going to wear them I wouldn't have worn a dress....especially as the mics were put on in front of everybody!  Fortunately our dialogue went very well, possibly better than the Director was expecting as he came over, took our names and said he would use us again as he was very pleased with our work. We had also made up time so we wrapped almost on time.

Another job done - another friend made and hopefully a future couple of contacts - always nice!!

Seize the day!

Advert on Starnow: Actress wanted for a short film for the Epilepsy Society. It would be filmed in Southampton but all expenses would be paid plus a decent wage. I applied and after the usual "you have been shortlisted.." I was contacted and told I had the job. I had the weekend to research Complex Focal Seizure and as I wasn't quite sure how far they wanted me to go with the seizure I also researched some others just for good measure! I quickly realised that there were very few  videos of adults having a seizure but there were plenty on children so research by reading was the method of choice. Luckily the Epilepsy Society had plenty of information that was easy to read and understand. 

The day of filming arrived and clutching my pink M&S bag stuffed full of clothes, make up, hair brushes and anything else I could think of I set off to the station.  I had to be in Southampton by 10am and having caught the tube, train and taxi I finally arrived before everyone else (of course!). Coffee and introductions over, it was a short walk to the Health store where we would be filming. The clients were there waiting for us - luckily they seemed very pleasant which makes the filming a lot easier. I was given a brief synopsis on what was wanted during the filming and then off we went - talk about a quick start!! 

It really was a lovely day and everybody was friendly and welcoming plus we managed to wrap in just under two hours!

Here's the final video:

Starving!

Advert on Total Talent caught my eye looking for passersby, school teacher and mums for a TV Commercial. Decent pay so I applied. A week later I got a call confirming that I had the job. 

It was a very wet and miserable day when I arrived at Willesden Junction for the 9am call. Base was in the park where three large buses were holding everyone. Having grabbed breakfast, I jumped on board one of the buses and started chatting to a couple of the women. They had been given the job through an agency, which, strangely enough was an agency that I was registered with.  It turned out that the agency had supplied everyone except me - very unusual. Well, I didn't mind as it meant I would have no agency fee to pay and would probably have my invoice paid long before anyone else had their pay.

With breakfast over we were off in a mini bus to a location outside a school. Here, we discovered about 100 children all dressed up as Hank Marvin complete with guitars! They had chaperone's and mums in tow so it was a little bit cramped on the holding bus. This was an easy job, just walk up and down and ignore the Hank Marvins.  I had to laugh when one person behind me had to be shown how to walk...it never fails to amaze me how some people lose all ability to do something so simple when put in front of the camera.  Believe me, I have seen it all, people who suddenly can't clap, walk, run, eat, talk once a camera is on them, yet quite able to do these things when rehearsing without the camera!  

The rain started to pour down relentlessly so we sat or stood on one of the two  double decker buses. I sat next to a 'stage mum' who had two children on the shoot. Invariably doing this job I've always found someone that shares an interest with me and in this case it was our children. I keep referring to them as children but the majority of them were 16 or 17. One of her children had been to audition at the same drama schools as my daughter. What was interesting was that nobody that was on the bus and had auditioned had got a place at any of the drama schools. Yet these schools are very happy to charge £30 for each audition. I later discovered that most of these places want older people with life experience. One school recruits for their show in 3 years time! It's a shame they don't refund the £30 when these kids don't get in. 

Anyway, the weather had cleared and we moved over to the High Street causing a bit of a stir with the locals as the music blared out and the miming and dancing began. Most of the adults weren't used in this part so we climbed back on to the bus to swap stories of past jobs and to exchange names of good agencies whilst berating the bad! 

After a very long time queuing for lunch and having eaten it in very cramped quarters we were asked to get back in to the mini bus again and traveled to the other side of the park. Yet more rain so we all sheltered under our umbrellas watching the kids do their thing until we were called upon to walk up and down outside the park. Excitement grew as word went round that this could be the last scene of the day.....but, no it wasn't. We were moved to a block of flats where we observed lines of children going up and down stairs....whilst we all stood there, not being involved at all and there we stayed for the next hour....

Funny, isn't it how some people think filming is exciting!!

Stormy Weather!

On the site Total Talent, a job advert caught my eye. It was for a documentary on the Boscastle floods and the ad was looking for someone to play the mother, Kim Evans, similar

age to me with short blond hair. I sent off my application but, to be honest, didn't expect to hear anything back.

A few days later my mobile rang - I'd got the part. It was to be shot at one of my favourite studios, Wimbledon Studios so  later that week I  set off with a ridiculous amount of clothes as I'd been told to expect a lot of water...Having suffered from delayed underground trains, as well as a dying phone I finally made it albeit 15 minutes later than the call time. Fortunately everybody else had the same problem so I was one of the first to get there. When I arrived, I was shown to costume which was to be a peach top with a denim skirt which was too wide and too long - oh well! I was also given white plimsolls to wear. The studio was outside, I guess because of the water so it was a bit like filming in a garage  but four times the size. I was introduced to my 'husband' , my three children. and the lady from the visitors centre who would be rescued with us.  Next came the introduction to the cold water pool.... The children went in first and they were truly amazing not a complaint from any of them to accompany their shivering  frames. As we stood there, waist deep in water, my 'husband' made the mistake of looking down with his glasses on - of  course they slid down his nose and straight in to the pool! A man in a frog suit entered the pool and swam round to find them but to no avail. Maybe, someone said, a second set of glasses could be used? Not so, according to Health & Safety as this meant some glass specs were in the bottom of  the pool and could very easily be trodden on. Finally, when we were all shivering our bits off, the glasses were spotted and duly rescued.  Our day continued with a climb up a ladder to the purpose built attic where we huddled together and sang songs such as The wheels on the bus,  Old MacDonald's Farm and if you're happy and you know it. As this was taking place, a 3D camera hovered above us as we shivered in time to the songs.  Next came the wind machine (we obviously didn't look cold enough) which was directed straight at us. Against this wind my husband tried to find a way out by climbing out of the window on to which rain was being directed. It was very cramped, wet and cold yet still no complaining from the three children! Eventually and thankfully lunch was called and it was off for some dry clothes and hot food from the canteen. Wimbledon Studios are fabulous with their food and selections and the choice was between lamb, fish and a vegetarian option followed by chocolate mousse or cake! Of course all this food started to make us all feel a bit sleepy and lethargic especially as we knew that we were in for another soaking! 

The attic was being taken apart so that it could be put on to the floor for close ups of the escape via the window so we went and sat in the 'Train' by the Police Station to re-record our singing and our screaming. Luckily, as we were inside there were no passersby!

Once we were back inside we were  given the dry spare set of our costumes except, there was no spare costume for my denim skirt so it was back into a soggy skirt...This time we had to all crouch down beneath the attic (now on the floor)  and attempt to climb out of the window whilst having some serious rain aimed at us. Once husband was out I had to help the children climb out so they could stand on the roof. Luckily I didn't have to climb out as the  skirt would never have made it - so I stood within the window frame and looked upwards at the invisible helicopter. It's difficult to describe how it feels knowing you're about to open a window and have cold water aimed at you when you're already cold and shivering...

Finally, it was a wrap and we were soon back in to our  nice cosy and warm clothes although we all looked a bit bedraggled with out wet hair and no hair dryer in sight. Fortunately it was a warm April day so by the time we had walked to the tube we had begun to dry out. We must have looked quite a strange sight, with such wet hair and not a bit of make up left in sight either!!