LOLA Short Film
Set Diary - Day 2

Foto: Lewis Reeves, Alex Vlahos, Anna Brewster, Lola Short Film - Copyright: Nicole Oebel
Lewis Reeves, Alex Vlahos, Anna Brewster, Lola Short Film
© Nicole Oebel

September 22, 2018 by Nicole Oebel @philomina_

...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1


15 September 2018 A glorious sunny morning. A London street. A lively street market. With a brilliant first day in the can, the challenges await. The busy London traffic. The van is late. Parking is strictly time-limited, access to a location that is needed for the shot even more so. Everyone is extremely focused, prepared to hit the floor running as soon as the van arrives. There's a vibe of being in this together. And soon the scene is a go. Anna looks gorgeous, the colour of her jacket pops. "Cut!" The director is happy with the take. "Mark, are you happy?" Consulting with the D.O.P. always comes first. If both are happy there's a "Check the gate", a tense moment where the gate between the lens and the film is checked for hairs or tiny things like that, followed by a set move. This time the set move is followed by a heartfelt "Fuck!" A bag was missing in the scene.

Foto: Ruby Lonsdale, Anna Brewster, Lola Short Film - Copyright: Nicole Oebel
Ruby Lonsdale, Anna Brewster, Lola Short Film
© Nicole Oebel

Today we have a few extras coming in. Everyone is at the right place at the right time. Smiling faces, happy to help. Waiting around they get to see some exquisite steadicam work, and they see Alex, Anna and Lewis going through a couple of very dynamic scenes. Everyone is in motion, focused on making up for lost time. When suddenly everything comes to a halt. A large group of kids move in, looking for a laugh. The D.O.P., calm anchor that he is, tries talking to them, the class clown shouts "I'm an actor!" Deep breaths, the crew go about their work. Eventually the kids cool off and walk away. We lose precious minutes. There's only a tiny moment though that Alex's nerve-endings are on show, when blocking for the scene is done and he stands in front of the monitor, five seconds, face in hands. As the first A.D. yells "Action!" he's back on track.

Foto: Chris Malin, Alex Vlahos, Lola Short Film - Copyright: Nicole Oebel
Chris Malin, Alex Vlahos, Lola Short Film
© Nicole Oebel

Set move. Picking up pace. The director recognises and appreciates good work, he tells people when he loves their work. We have to make a lovely elderly gentleman wait while we are shooting. Alex shares a little belly laugh with him. Keeps a warm atmosphere. He creates an environment of trust and respect. It also means he earns the right to make an unpopular decision. It's about the extras that were booked for more than one scene. "I don't want to see any faces we've seen this morning!" It makes complete sense.

Foto: Ed Sayer, Alex Vlahos, Lola Short Film - Copyright: Nicole Oebel
Ed Sayer, Alex Vlahos, Lola Short Film
© Nicole Oebel

A little something I love about this production? Lewis and Alex know each other from drama school. Alex and Anna worked together on Versailles. Ed Sayer is the Tybalt to Alex's Romeo, from York with love. Ed is here today as a supporting artist, giving it his all in a small scene with big impact. Creative people connecting, real life friendships creating opportunities. Today is mad. Has to be, they are making a short film. They know why they are doing it. They know what they are doing and who they are doing it with. Embracing the madness. Taking control of what they can take control of. "I defy you stars". Romeo's words in Alex's skin are three weeks old today.

Foto: Robyn Fox, Alex Vlahos, Charlotte Jeffery, Mark Nutkins, Lola Short Film - Copyright: Nicole Oebel
Robyn Fox, Alex Vlahos, Charlotte Jeffery, Mark Nutkins, Lola Short Film
© Nicole Oebel

The actors rehearse the next scene. Floor runner Lucy is an extra in this scene. Passing by, Lewis is trying to make her laugh every time. While the director and the camera team are figuring out the next shot Lewis is going through a big scene for the next day. He gives a glimpse into Paul's motivation, things that aren't in the script but were in the writer's heart fleshing out his character's journey. It's an eye-opening moment. I share my own, deeply personal interpretation. How accepting are we really? How accepting have we been ten years ago. Costume assistant Balbina adds her thoughts. Three completely different perspectives. We discuss the wide array of possibilities to understand and connect with the characters, the depth of Lewis's script and how the story is food for thought. His face lights up.

Foto: Alex Vlahos, Lewis Reeves, Lola Short Film - Copyright: Nicole Oebel
Alex Vlahos, Lewis Reeves, Lola Short Film
© Nicole Oebel

We arrive at the last location for today. It's dark outside. The lighting crew work their magic. Timeframe is tight. Lewis looks smart. It's incredible to actually see the actor adding layers to his performance. The subtlest nuances change the scene. Film and theatre director Sir Nicholas Hytner writes "a film actor must be ready to deliver a few perfect seconds at the crew's convenience". Lewis and Alex discuss the scene, working together. Lewis delivers. The director has one more tweak, he needs one more take. But time is up. The crew agrees to give a few more minutes. In this together. Robyn has moved into a separate room. Call sheets, emails and phone calls demanding her attention. Her producer's day won't be over for a few more hours. They are all stars.

Continue Reading (Day 3)...


More info on Lola Short Film and the crowdfunding on Indiegogo.

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