Professional Practice: Test Shoot Day

On Sunday 19th March, we filmed the test shoot for the Evil Monkeys project. Everything Karen and I had been working towards needed to be completed by the end of the two week period. I had been prop buying for the past 2 weeks and making/customising props. We ensured that all of the props had been put into the studio space by Friday afternoon reading for filming on the 6th Floor at 35 High Holborn on the Sunday. There was quite a lot of props which meant that we had to send them over by taxi and meet them at the door.
I was really excited to work on the shoot as I had been working with the team for the past couple of weeks and was keen to do something very practical. Although, I had enjoyed working in the office, I was very pleased that I was going to be given the opportunity to take part in a shoot.
We started at 8am ready for setting up. Each round would require a substantial set up. I was given the role of a runner for the day, which meant that I was placing props and setting up. This included blowing up balloons and setting out tape on the floor. The Producer/Director was instructing us as to where he wanted everything and how he wanted each set laid out. As a runner, I was also given the role of obtaining any extra consumables needed such as food. This made the job more varied as it meant that I always on my feet and moving around in different locations.
When the filming was taking place, I was able to observe. It was a really interesting learning experience for me to see how a Director in the industry works and how he instructs his camera operators. The camera operators, however, were more than aware of what they needed to be doing which made the Producer/Director's job easier.
We wrapped up at around 6pm and I assisted the contestants to ensure they were fully debriefed after the shoot as well as providing them with towels and ensuring they felt comfortable. I also assisted in taking the set down and clearing everything up which took about an hour. Overall, I had a really enjoyable day and felt like I had been given a variety of tasks, making the role very varied and exciting. Karen was really impressed with the work I had been doing throughout the placement and on the final shoot day, offering to pay me for the final day. The Producer James also asked to have my CV for future projects which assured me that I had made a great impression!