Moon of a beach

What's better than working from the edge of the coast, with the beach right across the road? I know, working with the table and chair immersed in the actual beach. That's today's base camp. No, not the latter, the former. But we are still breathing the fresh air and we managed to have lunch with a splendid view. Some would say stuff dreams are made of; but it's work as usual, and as we know, Cape Tonians are not excited by the beach anymore. It's just the Jo'burger in me going ape. I wanted to sign for four hours off "in search for inspiration" for the website. It's a good thing sanity prevailed; otherwise the medical guy would have been called to give me instant inspiration; synthesized.

We are back at the flat we were shooting in on Monday, and going by there brought back flashbacks of heat, getting lost and losing my cool. In retrospect, Monday was supposed to be enough to break me to tears, but I don't break because what doesn't kill you will try again, so I must keep my head above the water. Everyday presents new challenges, personally, for the crew, and for the actors/actresses. We just don't let it run us down; we find the humour in the tumor so to say.

On a more serious note, I suspect I'll be the director by the end of next week. I'm moving up the production ladder quite swiftly. On Wednesday I was an extra, today I was 'knocking off' traffic; which means I have to wear those ridiculously luminous Orange reflector tops and stop random people from moving around when the camera is rolling. If you study this pattern closely you'll realize my deduction and prediction of directing by end of week two. If you can't, you are probably not alone :-)

My admiration and appreciation for the props department is brewing and starting to spill over. These guys create the most amazing backgrounds for the scenes. Today we were shooting 'in a police station'; which of course wasn't really one but was recreated by my new heroes. They have thought of everything. They had missing file reports and zoomed maps that stretched over Cape Town, tracing suspects and found bodies. They even had the picture of the old man, Hendrik Verwoerd, hanging on the wall. This subtly perpetuated the theme of patriarchy and the suppressive government that was Ingrid's father and the status quo. In this scene she has to seek refuge in the station, so all these props emphasize the magnitude of her vulnerability. Much appreciation, it will make for good cinematography.

I think all matriculants from art schools should be allowed a full week on a movie set as a runner; this is the best opportunity to fully interrogate all the departments and see which one fully embodies your personality. There's something for everyone here. As for me, directing, here I come ;-)