One Day, Two Sets
It so happened that my presence was requested on two sets yesterday for two different productions. The days was long, I got back home completely tired, but it was fun and I am so glad for the experience, albeit not much (what I would define as) real acting was involved.
Can't say much about the first production as I have signed a non-disclosure agreement. I can say that it took place in a national park here in Singapore and the place was just pretty. I definitely have to get back there before I leave (especially since there could be monkeys across the road!).
The fun part that made me feel important was that we have been through hair and make up before the shot and it was done very professionally. It was very short (though there was a delay because of 5 minutes of rain) and there wasn't much acting involved, there were no real character, but more "moving modeling", e.g. "be happy!" "look ecstatic" "interact with the others and still look at the camera".
It wasn't bad, per se, but I hope in the future to have more meaningful performances... Still, it was short and fun, and even though it probably going to be blink-it-and-you-miss-it kind of role, it is still good for the dear ol' resume.
From there I went straight to the set of the indie film. I had interested in that film for some time, for educational reasons. They looked like interesting people I want to work with. Here, too, it was a non-character role (something like assassin #5 or something like that). I have to tell you, it is a challenge to portray a character that is barely in the script. No text, not even a name. I am glad that I wasn't aware to my appearance in custom (I suppose I looked ridiculous) because I was trying to go for a bad-ass assassin. Good thing I am never self-conscious while acting (when I am not, on the other hand...)
The most fun, and note worthy of the experience (that is when I got to be a cast, before that I was helping as a crew member holding the lights. Boy was that tough too!) was that this was my first real action sequence/fight scene. My friend, the stunts coordinator had to come up with the sequence in less than 5 minutes, and he says it wasn't as good as it could have been, and I agree as a Method acting practitioner. It appears that even in fight scenes the basics roles of acting applies: You have to have a reason to what you do, and obstacles. It was hard to come up with reason for question like "why I didn't kill him in the last 500 opportunities I had". Still you try to go on and do as you are supposed to.I was a bit nervous about how to fall (add to that that I didn't want to get my clothes irrevocably dirty). In the end, I took it like a true Method actor: In the fight I was really hit and pushed down, so my fall is totally for real.
Oh boy, did it give me a taste for action scenes!
That indie film sure has it share of problems, but it was still fun being on set and helping. First, again for enriching one's acting experience. Secondly, and more importantly, for the feeling of a true ensemble working to achieve a creative goal, a movie.
What a day! Here's hoping for more (preferably a combination of the two productions!)
Can't say much about the first production as I have signed a non-disclosure agreement. I can say that it took place in a national park here in Singapore and the place was just pretty. I definitely have to get back there before I leave (especially since there could be monkeys across the road!).
The fun part that made me feel important was that we have been through hair and make up before the shot and it was done very professionally. It was very short (though there was a delay because of 5 minutes of rain) and there wasn't much acting involved, there were no real character, but more "moving modeling", e.g. "be happy!" "look ecstatic" "interact with the others and still look at the camera".
It wasn't bad, per se, but I hope in the future to have more meaningful performances... Still, it was short and fun, and even though it probably going to be blink-it-and-you-miss-it kind of role, it is still good for the dear ol' resume.
From there I went straight to the set of the indie film. I had interested in that film for some time, for educational reasons. They looked like interesting people I want to work with. Here, too, it was a non-character role (something like assassin #5 or something like that). I have to tell you, it is a challenge to portray a character that is barely in the script. No text, not even a name. I am glad that I wasn't aware to my appearance in custom (I suppose I looked ridiculous) because I was trying to go for a bad-ass assassin. Good thing I am never self-conscious while acting (when I am not, on the other hand...)
The most fun, and note worthy of the experience (that is when I got to be a cast, before that I was helping as a crew member holding the lights. Boy was that tough too!) was that this was my first real action sequence/fight scene. My friend, the stunts coordinator had to come up with the sequence in less than 5 minutes, and he says it wasn't as good as it could have been, and I agree as a Method acting practitioner. It appears that even in fight scenes the basics roles of acting applies: You have to have a reason to what you do, and obstacles. It was hard to come up with reason for question like "why I didn't kill him in the last 500 opportunities I had". Still you try to go on and do as you are supposed to.I was a bit nervous about how to fall (add to that that I didn't want to get my clothes irrevocably dirty). In the end, I took it like a true Method actor: In the fight I was really hit and pushed down, so my fall is totally for real.
Oh boy, did it give me a taste for action scenes!
That indie film sure has it share of problems, but it was still fun being on set and helping. First, again for enriching one's acting experience. Secondly, and more importantly, for the feeling of a true ensemble working to achieve a creative goal, a movie.
What a day! Here's hoping for more (preferably a combination of the two productions!)