2b Journal Writing Experience

My first day on a film set.

I have chosen to write about these specific days in my life as it is one of those unforgettable moments and experiences you really never forget.

It started with a PING by my college Tanisha Thompson asking me if I was getting up to anything on a Friday or a Thursday  (can not remember exactly what day it was) as she was going to an extra on a film set and was able to bring along with her one or two more extras, I keep forgetting the name of the film as its  one of those simple words that always seems to get lost in my head for some reason but I know the name has Block in it so let’s call it 'KIDS ON THE BLOCK' for now. The film is based on a group of young youths living on an estate which then gets attacked by Aliens, (I know makes you sit and think for a minute) they then become a crew with one leading hero and decide to defend and protect their Block from the Aliens. The film was being film all over South London and my first day on set was being film in Oval 5minute walk away from Oval tube station.  All the extras had to meet in a youth centre were we had to fill in an extra form so we knew what to expect on the day, we also had the opportunity to get to meet the crew members, other extras, make sure everyone had the proper costumes (which was all Black) and have a bite to eat, as I can be a fussy eater at times I just stuck to the familiar things I knew cheese, crackers and grapes. The time table was set for all extras to be at the youth centre by 3pm to start filming by 5pm but unfortunately we didn't start filming until a little after 7pm (but I guess that's just the movie business for). The set was based on Oval high street on a fruit and vegetable stall, we all then put in separate groups and then set in a specific place to stand weather it being next to a phone box, in the corner shops, walking along the pave meant are just at either sides of the fruit and Vegetable stall as I was, I remember how nervous and excited I was finally getting the chance and having the opportunity to be on TV I was ex-tactic about the whole experience. As the director walked on set and sat in his chair the film crew began to pre-pair for filming, I remember just looking around at everyone on set watching as all the extras began grooming themselves, the Boys brushing their jackets cleaning their trainers, Girls checking our make up brushing our hair glossing our lips and looking at each other to make sure we were ready for the camera, because let’s face it we all wanted to look good for the camera. As the evening began to get darker and much colder and we had been on set filming for several hours I began to think about one thing, Why Didn't I Put More Layers On? I just stood there clutching the bag of grapes with my two arms folding listening to the director yell cut over hundred times as we had to retake the scene over and over again and all I could think about was jumping on the number 333 bus to Stockwell, changing onto the 50 bus, get home throw on a couple more layers and an extra scarf and cloves then get back on set to finish filming. We finished filming around 12am lucky for me we were local so I was OK with my journey home but I realised most of the extras didn't really live local, most came from North, East and West so some had to leave the set a little earlier than planned. But having the experience really opened my eyes to the hard work that gets put into these really huge Block Buster movies that's around today, the time , the effort, the cast and crews and and everyone that's involved into making true vision and idea come to life. It was definitely one of those moments in my life I would never forget.