Handing over from one job world to another today. The director of our doc is surrounded with people who care about spreadsheets. This is necessary, because he shoots out of a suitcase and a plastic bag. And then he hands his things to anyone who will take them. The lightwands, his reflector, filters… They were all nobody’s concern. He carried much of his crucial kit in a bag for life, much like all the food for the set. It came with him from his hotel room on the first day on set so didn’t get logged when I did the van pack the day before. I just assumed it was food so left it in the office until someone started losing their shit that they couldn’t find the reflector. Multiple workarounds available, totally not an issue. We never missed a beat on this set artistically despite all the howling. The producer was anticipating potential issues, sure. We got him his reflector.
He left bits with the gaffer whose job it was to light things. He rarely needed anything in that checkered bag for life, it was the bag of someone who isn’t used to filming with an actual team of dedicated lighting professionals. Sure we had two portable light wands in the van, and some basic stands in case there was nobody to hold them. I got them back. But the checkered bag… it was his crap in there. It was the bane of my life. And this morning, knowing he would be flying back soon, I had to try and reunite some of the scattered contents with him. I dropped it at reception at a hotel in Soho.
This morning I had a zoom meeting about some MC and charity auction work. Very much my skillset. Very happy to be involved. It’s an important charity but I don’t know how much I can say so I’ll say nothing.
Then this afternoon into evening I’ve been thinking about my artistic collaborations. It’s something I can’t overlook. I’m an artist as frequently as I’m an actor these days, working alongside all sorts of madness and bringing life to it.
Tomorrow I’m gonna spend one more morning helping with an unload and taking a van back. Then it is done and I’m gonna let some time pass. Time is a healer. I’m fucking proud of the ones I added to the roster in the end. Dan and the gaffer did great. Marco was totally pro as I knew. Mark showed up casual for driving work and it was like it was the end of the world. And I heard the comment that is at the heart of a lot of the shit I’ve had this week. “He’s a fucking actor. He thinks it’s all about him.” Basic ignorance, sadly. Directed at one of us who doesn’t double as an actor.
There are many different personality types drawn to the craft of acting. “Mummy look at me” is a tiny percentage, even if people assume it’s the only demographic. Sure I know how to be big, and when. I’m an extroverted introvert. It is my job to know when to walk into my size and when not to. I deliberately sent myself up with a big dumb funny pointless speech on my birthday.
I think someone got bitten by a rabid actor as a child.
AlBarclay 