How is it that my to do list gets longer as the shoot approaches, not shorter? Surely that it is contrary to all established laws of the universe.
Most of the set is now in place on the stage, although some of it is still laid flat for painting. The amount of work left to do is quite daunting, but I know Ian and his crew will get it done if it kills them.
Yesterday I was able to do some basic rehearsal of the Swordsman with two of the puppeteers, Sheila and Lois, trying out the overhead ceiling rig and the trolley which replaces the puppet’s lower portions for waist-up shots. Again the technicalities proved daunting.
My confidence was signficantly restored by the production meeting last night. The quality of crew that Ian’s artwork has attracted is very impressive. Andrew McEwan as 1st AD is the newest recruit, and along with Abbi (stunts), Ian and Ollie (DOP) we discussed some of the challenges we’re going to face next week getting sixteen set-ups every day.
I can officially confirm that Panavision is hiring us the camera kit used to shoot The Dark Knight – a ridiculously lovely 35mm package with anamorphic lenses, which will make the pilot look very slick and expensive indeed.
And Isabelle’s sword, thanks to Abbi’s efforts with a friend at Pinewood, will be none other than the rapier used by Robert Deniro in Stardust.