Ten, eleven and twelve

Two days in sunny vauxhall. Horrible place, but home to ETV, a previous employer and company who were nice enough not only to give us a pre-production office space for free, but also kind enough to let us use their office as a location. They're getting a big thanks in the credits.

It also saw the return of Matthew Sim, an actor I have made two short films with, and whose work I love. I was determined to get him in the film, and luckily he was fre to play Mark the office manager, which of course he did with his usual style, turning a two scene predictable character into something all his own.

Tried to do the exterior scenes in a local park, but the mix of planes, shouting kids and the scene just not working proved fatal, so we cut it and did some running scenes instead. Re-wrote the scenes that night, so on Sunday we managed to fit them in on the roof instead.

More office on Sunday, went pretty much without a hitch. Bernado, the 1st AD was unsure about the scene, it played a little slow for him, but that was exactly how I wanted it. Fingers crossed it still works in the edit, because if not I'll look a right twat. Excellent group of hard working extras on both days, who put up with many repeated angles, and, on Sunday, a long scene involving a very painful training session.

Monday and we're in the woods for the role playing scene. Ian looked hilarious with his lord of the rings helmet on, whereas Kieran seemed to enjoy it all a bit too much. Aided by Ben, the Friar, the three of them made for a hilarious adventuring party. Dodged rain all day, had a little trouble with one scene, nothing that a quick re-write couldn't fix, and a good days work was done. I ache all over from all the walking, but got to carry a stick about all day, and you can't ask for much more than that.

The only downside to all this is that you work so hard each day, making sure everything is perfect, it kills you a little bit when you think that you've got to do it all again tomorrow. But I've found an easy way to get round this, I just think of my last job and everything seems just fine.