Starring at a blank document, with no idea of passage of time, still wondering where to start from… such was the experience of Day 3! Might be I should just begin at the beginning (and u b ready for a little long read)
After two outdoor schedules, it was time for some indoor and night shoot experience. Day 3 had 8 of us gathering at my abode by 6pm eagerly awaiting a preview. Won’t be exaggerating to say Gops had a first hand critic review experience:) surely a path paved towards acclamation from public? What say you gops?
Over a hot cup of tea with the ‘much needed (?!?)’ nicotine break, Gops debriefed Day 3 to all with a detailed storyboard. Off we started, and believe me I never knew a shoot involved so much work!?! Btw, did I ever say not to choose a Duplex house as a venue ever!:) Felt as if I managed to cover up for all those days of non-exercise, but guys the Joy and Satisfaction at the end is worth each droplet of sweat…
Imagine the fun to turn around a decently maintained room to a bachelors abode?; to follow the directions of ever meticulous director – “Light isn’t sufficient here, nay – workaround? Might be we should have a mirror, might be we should replace all low-volt or white light with yellow-light… so on and so forth”. Running around for infra (realized I had a mini electrical shop:), arranging hero’s costume, going through the script to familiarize the dialogues, spending time with the two ladies to make them feel at home (I better take care ha - director’s and one of the actor’s wives guys:), o yeah arranging for dinner, and the list goes on…. Hectic yes but fulltush fun!
If that was the start, do I even need to explain how the proceedings would have been… Kicked off with a shot of Mahesh seated at the most creative place possible (guesses!) with cameraman and director literally down on their knees, and a public gathering (;) despite this and a running sweat, this was one of the best shots from all three, canned in about 2 hours. Best work should always be rewarded isn’t it? So we treated each other with yummy garlic breads and Chicken pizzas (mouth-watering ha?) and washed it down with chilled coke!
After a feast, off we moved on with the next sequence… by far, the one with “most dialogues”. Little did we realize the challenge awaiting us! Time just flew by between setting positions, camera angles, and getting the heroes to enact the first part… Must have been around 11:00 PM when Mahesh started yawning his way to glory while Gops was explaining the scene!:) 15 mts later it was pack up time as every one’s battery was down; there ended Part I of Day 3 with a promise for more happening Part II.
Now you realize what I meant by “most happening”! Day 3 : Part II witnessed Mahesh reporting on time followed by Gops and Prabhu and a three hours rehearsal session before going in for the actual shoot and Purush joining us. I had a new experience with giving cues to the actors helping them with their dialogue delivery. Any day, rehearsals ensure great results and this was proven yet again! Yup we canned the complete sequence in a matter of few hours, and with a completely satisfied director and crew.
Wound up with quick rushes of the shots and planning for edits, followed by an interesting discussion on different styles of film making… A great end to a great Day 3!
Phew, what an experience! Most definitely, one needs to be ‘prepared to the T’ for a shoot. But as the law of nature is, all this serious effort had equally enjoyable light-hearted moments:) A quick preview of “behind the screens’ shots (coming shortly) will give you all a fair idea of the same.
Can you see the cast and crew learning from experience, them enjoying their work amidst all challenges – Any heart-felt work sure is bound to get its due, so will we!!! Just a few more days and you can see it for yourself. We are off to Day 4, our last shoot schedule along with re-recording… More fun lined up… till then, c you all!