Lights, Camera, Action!

I received an interesting invitation recently to film an advertisement for a new magazine called In the Know, to be launched soon. The agency had invited three people to film three separate 30 second slots. I have never spent a day like it in my life.

I arrived on location at 8am, and didn't leave until 8pm that night. In the 12 hours on set, we shot seven different segments, none of which would be on screen for more than ten seconds - and we did each one at least 20 times; either because I'm not very good, or because they like to have much more material in the can than they actually need, just to be sure. In one of the scenes there were 70 extras, and as far as I could see, almost as many people behind the cameras. Rocky, the director, was outstanding - handling me with considerable diplomatic skill, his crew with a firm hand, and the extras with professionalism. I learnt what key grips, gaffers and tracks are, as well as what first cameramen, director's assistants and stand-ins do.

It was an experience I much enjoyed, but not something I'd like to be doing on a regular basis. Mary thinks the amount I was paid was obscene, so it's all going into the Archer Charitable Trust.