Heritage Lottery Film project – Vlog – Day 2

Heritage Lottery Film project – Vlog – Day 1

The Spike, Guildford

Today has completely flown by.

I managed to get the essentials into my tiny handbag and remembered to put make-up on. A must for presenting! I was up most of last night as I could not relax and was quite tired but this did not affect me at all! We were an hour late leaving the station due to Oxford’s temperamental and frustrating traffic. The schedule amended we picked up tools at Guildford station and set to recording the first scene. I was filmed in the back of a seven seater car with my director sat next to me, the camera-man and sound lady sat in-front of us. Ellie – back of car director –  was going to attempt to direct through the medium of hand (one of those faces drawn on her hand) but unfortunately this was not one of those things that we picked up and ran with. Had it have been a film for our own ends I think things would have been different.

We had a very personal talk and tour of the workhouse (‘The Spike’) and learnt a phenomenal amount about the setting up and restoration of the building, the history and lives of the homeless. It got us thinking about possible projects to raise the profile of the workhouse.  The lower floor of the building is already used as a community centre and is being used and enjoyed by the local community. Tours are a problem for them as it is hard for them to come by volunteers to carry them out which is a shame. They have a fantastic video that shows the reality of living in and around the workhouse system. They have made it like watching a soap episode so it is really engaging.   Anyone interested in old buildings (as the architecture is great), history, homeless or ‘HLF’ projects should definitely go and see this place. If you can, go when there is a tour as I think that you will get more out of it.

On Monday, I worried that I would feel that I was in over my head but I was wrong to worry. We were very well looked after by our film man (Phil from… someone help me out here) and as it happens I spent all day in-front of the camera rather than behind it. I am a little unsure about how I feel about this. I know that Friday is going to be hectic and I am going to be doing the technicals. It would have been good to have the practice so that we can be swift with the recording. One of my worries today was that we hadn’t been quirky enough with the filming as we want to steer clear of making it a dry film. Whether this will be done through editing, what we say or film angles I am not sure. With the presenting I tried to be as real to life as possible without being too cheeky. Those of you who know me, will know that I can be quite cheeky.

From an OYAP young leaders programme point of view, i am really enjoying the opportunity to get to know people through the medium of long public transport journeys. Not a mode of travel that I normally opt for on long journeys.

Friday is Bletchley park and Pitt Rivers. Until then. I wish you all a good Thursday.

If you have any questions, please ask.

Film-camp for Heritage Lottery.

Today was, as Ellie might say: “crazy-mental!”

It was our first day on a project with Heritage Lottery. We were trained to use a semi-professional camera, boom and cans. In the training we were let loose on New Greenham Park and filmed our imaginary ‘Disneyland Newbury.’ We shot as many scenes as there were positions in the team so that we all had a go at something.  It was loads of fun and it felt like we had a chance to really get stuck into something as a group.

The project that we are being trained for will be all about exploring our personal responses to Heritage sites across the South East which means filming us on site as we are discovering it!

On location at film camp

Very excited about all of this!

Over and out for now.

Becca