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!!
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