20 days on set

As I mentioned previously I recently auditioned for, and got cast in an un-paid feature film.  (I only clarify "un-paid" lest anyone assume they'll be seeing me up on the big screen just because I'm in a "feature film."  Again, "feature" just means the film is long.)

I happen to be playing the lead in this film and will be in about 98% of the scenes, therefore I will be on set every day during shooting and thought it would be fun to give you all a little look into what shooting a film is *sometimes* like.

Let me start here with a little pre-production intro.

The film is called "Speak to Me in Poetry".  It's one of those films where the main character is stuck in a rut, goes through some sort of harrowing experience and emerges on the other side with some new trait or skill that makes them and the people around them better.  My character is shy and weak - especially around girls - so he wishes - in a wishing well, no less - to be able to speak like a poet.  He wakes up the next morning and can only speak in rhyme.  I won't give a full run-down, but in the end he discovers what he needs and ends up a better man for it.

Because this is not a big-budget film, much of the process is quite a lot different than what you might get from a main-stream studio production.  For example, the director had auditions at his house to save money.  Usually you would go into the studio or at least a public location specifically used for audition purposes.  He was up-front about it though, so I didn't think it was too sketchy.

So, I went, I auditioned, got called back, and landed the role.  

So, there's the set-up.  I'm going to try and write a post for each day on set - about 20 - and let you in on some secrets of the trade, some things I've learned as an actor/filmmaker, and some funny stories as there are bound to be plenty.

And...Action!