Week stress

Last night I got a deep tissue massage. I did, at some points, feel like I was meant to confess something, but overall it was worth it. It's been a stressful week!

I had two shoot days this week, both of which went well but there was plenty of tension and nerves leading up to them. Mostly because the client on this film, a mental health charity, kept changing what they wanted us to do at the last minute. We have had to explain to them (in a necessarily patronising email) that filming actually involves a lot of planning and preparation, we can't just wing it. Especially when shooting in prisons - I'm sure you can figure out for yourselves how much time it takes to get security clearance etc to film in a prison. Plus, we need to know who (in terms of inmates) will be filmed, because there are rules about "victim issues" - anyone who has an identifiable victim outside prison cannot have their image distributed in any media. This video might end up on a website, so we have to be careful.

Anyway, both shoots did in the end go well, but there's one more shoot day on Wed (it was supposed to be Fri, as in yesterday, then Monday... you get the picture!) I won't bitch anymore about it or go into too much detail.

I've also been working at iceandfire of course this week. We're launching a new script submission service, Everyone Has the Right, in conjunction with Amnesty International next week. I'll put the link up once the website goes live. Basically, anyone from around the world can enter a play script to iceandfire and receive written feedback. The plays we like will also receive a public rehearsed reading at Amnesty's headquarters in London, and the plays we REALLY like will get further development and dramaturge work, with a view to maybe producing them.

I met up with comedian Chris Mayo on Tues night, who I might talk to in more depth about possible TV comedy ideas, all part of my plan to get out there and meet more people in the comedy scene here.

But the really nerve-wracking event coming up this week, the day before the shoot (I am going to be one big ball of tension!) is a pitching competition at Channel 4. I mentioned it in my last post I think. I'm working on my pitch over the weekend, but I need really good vibes from you all at 7pm on Tues (for those of you in Melbourne that's 6am on Wed! Oh well...!)

Look forward to seeing you all in 3 1/2 weeks. Be sure to email me and let me know your movements over the Xmas period so we can have a drink/meal/coffee/walk together!

x