The shoot is a lonely time for the Producer. The film-set is the nucleus for all activity, everyone is waiting and working in that small space around the camera where the film is actually being shot and the Producer, the one in most cases responsible for getting them all there, is thrust out to the outskirts to watch his child grow from afar. He is not needed on-set, and indeed is not welcome there. I suppose normally this would be a less busy time for the Producer as they simply wait until the footage starts trickling in, or until a problem arises, but this was not my experience. Being my own runner I found that I was doing a lot of just that; running. I don’t know how many times I ran from that production office to the props store (where our set was built) and back again; getting updates so I could make up tomorrow’s call sheet, checking progress so I would know anything that was needed and most of all, rather amusingly, catering! A film crew marches on its stomach and the responsibility fell to me to ensure that tea/coffee, cold drinks, snacks and of course a hot meal were available and replenished each day. Next the role of DIT (the person who backs up the digital footage) needed to be filled and so I ended up doing that as well. So from a lonely Producer I went to being an equally lonely but much busier Producer/Runner/Caterer/DIT. That, I suppose, is the nature of the student film.
Whilst engaged in all these ‘behind-the-scenes’ tasks I had some time to evaluate my attitude and learn some interesting things about myself. I like to be on-set, in amongst the action, and I don’t like the feeling of being an unwanted, even dreaded, presence there. I also like working with others; it challenges me. I can work quite cheerfully on my own, and I do, but I achieve more if there are others for me to bounce off and respond to. I like acclaim, one of my flaws perhaps, and whenever I am working I like to know the fruit of my labour will be noticed and appreciated. And I like leading. I enjoy being in charge, commanding a team and having responsibility. My experience on the shoot of Broken Bubbles has proved to be a gentle illumination that these characteristics are part of my flaws as a Producer. Being mildly disorganised and over-committed is not a major problem as these things can be worked upon and sorted relatively easily, but it seems to me that a Producer is an engine; a quiet but powerful force that fuels the film and most importantly serves the production. This is where my preference of being amongst the action, working with people, wanting acclaim and wanting to lead can become counter-productive because it means I struggle to serve. Without a doubt all that I have done on this shoot; the sitting before a phone or computer, the running of errands, the tidying and clearing of the food table, the organising and labelling of VFX reference shots; all has been a humbling and much needed lesson in serving, for which I am truly thankful.
I am pleased and proud to say that as many as are my failings as a Producer there are just as many strengths of this film. I’ve caught a glimpse of the actors’ performances, I’ve sensed the atmosphere on-set and I’ve even had a peek at some of the footage and I can honestly say I think Broken Bubbles could turn out to be a powerful and special short film. I look forward to seeing it.
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