My next big project in Motion: Directing
I have been working hard behind the scenes to continue to develop my skills as a motion director, and this production was my most significant professional investment to date.
I finally fulfilled my dream of returning to the Cairngorms, where I grew up, to shoot again. I brought an extraordinary crew up with me to champion the land and the creative talent in this part of the world.
Like any passion project, I also served as the Producer. I'm no stranger to it, and I've coordinated some major projects locally and abroad, both for commercials and personal work. Every time I take on this role, it reinforces my deep respect and admiration for all the incredible Producers out there. When working with any producer on a job, I'm so dialled into what they might need from me and when now. I’ll always aim to prioritise responding to them quickly and try to make their job as straightforward as possible. I understand how much they have to juggle at once.
For this project, it involved sourcing, briefing and co-ordinating a crew of 11 people, including cast, DOP, 1st AC, 2nd AC, AD, costume, makeup & hair team.
In addition to this, I coordinated the camera kit, locations/permissions, transport, accommodation, food, shoot schedule, shot list, treatments, and finally, the call sheets (even if no one be readin' them, they’re getting done).
Oh, and then there's the creative. The reason we're all there.
The cast and crew I've been working with have a strong bond and understanding. My Director of Photography and I have known each other since primary school, growing up together in the Cairngorms. My hair and makeup team and I have been collaborating for years. We are so in sync that we can communicate with just a few reference images and a nod. It's almost spooky how well we understand each other's thoughts, but it's truly magical.
We did also welcome a couple of fabulous new people to the crew.
Every cloud has a silver lining, so when two crucial members of the team had to pull out last-minute, it became an opportunity to build new creative connections. The callouts I made resulted in two wonderful new relationships that brought the perfect dynamic needed on the set, particularly in times of mild inconveniences....like the rain. Of course.
Which brings me to my final note. I’m sending out a personal thank you to everyone who went out of their way to help me find a focus puller for this on only 3 days’ notice. It turned out I happened to be shooting during the busiest week of the year in the whole country! We eventually found someone who turned out to be the most wonderful addition to the team, but wow, it was down to the wire. Again, this goes to show how we all look out for each other and understand how stressful this job can be.
I am incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team, and extremely excited to complete this project. A huge amount of love and respect for the cast and crew who continue to support both my progress and vision. What I loved most of all was watching the way everyone supported each other, especially when the rain fell and we were up against the clock!
I’m really keen to expand my network in motion a lot further. So if you’re reading this and would like to connect with me, you’d make my day.
And for all commercial enquiries (we love these too!), please contact my very lovely agent Scott Choucino, scott@agentatlarge.co.uk. He'd be so happy to help you.
