I left my mobile phone in my trailer, which is habit for me. Sometimes you’re on set outdoors or in public places and so forth, phone in your costume pocket is far from professional, particularly if it goes off. Also it spoils the line of the clothes, which I literally don’t care about in life but obsess about in work. I’m glad I didn’t have it as it let me pay attention instead.
We were in Gigi’s Hoxton, underground. There’s a little stage there. Last time I went was a fair few years ago, dressed as a mobster for the launch of Monkey Shoulder in the UK, part of a mad event by Coney. Before then, we did a few early Factory shows there. A happy place for me, then. I was surprised when I got out the car.
Glen my driver has a Lexus with heated seats and massage chairs. He picked me up half asleep just after six and I floated on a sea of massage all the way to unit base. I was expecting a beard trim but they liked the badger in full pelt. The whole working day was there, with many different shots on one long scene. Only a few minutes of footage, dozens of people, covering many angles, but it’s the scene where the three leads come together for the first time so care was taken. All three leading actors are delightful humans with a lot more screen time behind them than I have. It is always helpful to observe their ways on set. I’ve brought a great deal into my craft over the years from seeing how the most experienced cast members negotiate strange notes or awkward settings. Much of it, of course, is just knowing when it’s the right time to speak out and when it’s the right time to get on with it and let the team solve it.
And we have a good team running this ship. A clear and pleasant director, and production are similarly clear and carrying no negativity. It never felt unguided or wasteful. They got what they needed and moved on, and wrapped for the day on time. Based on the atmosphere on set, people are happy with where it’s all going and where it is right now. Good to be part of it. Films are a big old venture.
I’m happy to be doing the thing I set out to do, even just as a small part of things. My second bit of filming this year already. Maybe the dragon will bring me fortune. What a lovely day, but I’ve got to go to sleep as it is all happening again tomorrow…
AlBarclay 