Here we are in our own city and lucky enough to be showing our film once again, at the BFI on the Southbank. Interestingly, David was under the impression the screening was at BAFTA, and landed himself in the middle of Piccadilly with half an hour to go until the screening. Clearly he needs an assistant. Have I mentioned I am available?
Bill Nighy arrived looking every inch as dapper and debonair as I had imagined. He spoke of the importance of courteousness on set, and how anything less smacked of inexperience and always made you look like an amateur. I find this reassuring as there is nothing I hate more than yelling. If I liked being shouted at I’d have joined the army. (I wouldn’t really. I’d be the worst soldier imaginable and I’d cry all the time.)
I sat in on the screening and was so pleased to hear the audience’s positive reaction.
The cinema was full, not of my friends and relatives for a change, but of real paying movie-goers (actually, I don’t think they had to pay, but you get the gist). It felt like the biggest test of all and I think we passed.
The only negative comment was from one strange chap whose viewing-enjoyment had been compromised by my character apparently having changed her shoes half way through the movie. Which she did not! He was convinced I had changed from heels to flats somewhere in the middle and this caused him some considerable distress. “No,” I said, “I was just walking on sand.” Quick as a flash he came back, “But the shoes changed from beige to brown.” Again, I repeated, “I was walking on sand.” Our film is many things, but lacking in footwear-continuity it is not.
I usually cannot bear the ‘networking’ sessions partly because the word itself makes me want to puke, and partly because I fear I will be exposed as a big fraud. So I generally skulk about in the corner guzzling the free wine and waiting for it all to be over. Not this time! This time I networked my socks off.
Many thanks to Tricia and Jenny at BAFTA for all their help and hard work. Derby next week for the last leg. Onwards…
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