Transport wise, David and I are traveling together on this leg. He’s the designated driver, partly because I don’t have a car and partly because if I did, it wouldn’t be as good as his!
We began our road trip of the West in the midst of an oddly violent and seemingly impromptu snowstorm. I’m sure Peter Cockcroft hadn’t mentioned it. As we drove out of London we found ourselves driving through a giant blizzard that made me grateful not to be a hitchhiker or a sheep. For a while it was like being inside a BMW 5 series-shaped snow globe. All we needed was a sled and a Christmas jumper each.
David told me about his next project and asked me for suggestions of 40-something actresses who could play the lead. Strangely, I kept coming back to me, aged-up a bit. On a bad day and without foundation I can totally pass for 45. Almost. There was also a story about a convict teenager who drinks vodka through his eye. The conversation is eclectic!
The masterclass session at the Watershed went really well, with many participants having made one or more short films of their own, asking interesting and pertinent questions and clearly having much more experience than me in some cases. I was in danger of being exposed as an ignoramus imposter, so I lay low and hid behind the wisdom and experience of David, and Adrian Dunbar who was on the panel with us. My favourite piece of advice he offered to young directors was not to be afraid to give the note “quicker” to an actor. Sometimes all a scene needs is “just to be done quicker.” I like that.
When asked what one piece of advice he would give to aspiring filmmakers, David said they should cast well, and trust their actors. I hope very much he feels he did both on this movie.
Many thanks tonight to Alex at Bafta, Holly at Watershed, Chris Moll for chairing the Q&A, and Adrian Dunbar for answering all the hard questions.
Travelling on up to Aberystwyth tomorrow morning. Apparently there is no motorway. Who knew? David hates the Sat Nav woman but we don’t know how to switch off her irritating voice, so we abandon it completely and wing it till we’re almost there. Makes for an exciting trip!
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