Mr Pernick's First Outing...

So, I've been working on the script, Pernickety, for a few months and things are finally coming together. Gordon is having his first outing, in the studio at the Engine Room. I've managed to persuade my good friend and semi-professional actress, Kellie Rushbury to come up from Cornwall for a screen test with her on-screen beau, Gordon Pernick.

To my amazement and delight, Nicholas Boulton, (star of recent historical drama, Attila the Hun) loved the script and agreed to take part for free. He's also been in Shakespeare in Love, Topsy Turvy, tons of theatre and he's a regular voice on Radio 4. I know him because he's the son of my parents' neighbours... and after interviewing him at Christmas, I decided that he'd be perfect for the part! And there's no harm in asking...



As co-producer, I arranged for the two of them to come for coffee and Danishes at my house, where we talked about the script, and character motivations. The thing I am most worried about is that they won't have that 'spark'. I needn't have worried - they have bucket loads of chemistry going on! It comes out as soon as we reach the studio; they are laughing and flirting together as we set up the kit. Kellie has done a bit of theatre work and comedy sketches before this, and I know she's anxious about performing with a seasoned pro... but she really came alive as soon as they start the first exercise, an extract from Rising Damp.


After a few takes, Alex (Director) moved Kellie and Nick into a different exercise, with new props. It was amazing to see Alex direct, I've never seen a director at work first-hand, and so I'm watching closely for inspiration. A friend, Josh asked me recently why wasn't I going to direct it? I said I didn't feel confident enough yet - I have the vision, I just don't know how to put it into practise yet.


So, we've set up a bedroom situation that will be the guest room that Kellie's character, Penelope will be staying in when she comes to Gordon's B & B. Alex gets them to play out the same routine, but with different motivations. It is hysterical - I realise now, this is going to be much more of a comedy than a drama! Not that I'm bothered by that... the most magical thing about the screen test was seeing my characters coming alive right in front of my eyes - a lucky and unusual privilege for a screenwriter. Alex was sensitive to my presence and asked me to contribute my ideas.


Nick was exactly how I saw Gordon, and when he swept his hair over in a side parting - we all knew he was going to be the perfect perfectionist. Nick was completely at ease with the crew, he's such a down-to-earth actor, sweet, kind and ever so excitable.



After an hour or so of hard work - it's time to go out and play! We get a lift from Nick's dad into Taunton, and hit the cocktails - hard! From about four, we start drinking and don't stop until it's time for a Chinese and taxi home. Kellie and Nick's chemistry is terrific; they bounce the banter off each other in a competition to get the most laughs, and it works! Lets hope this day is the first of many happy times on the set of Pernickety.

Pernik

How strangely ironic and amusing that the name of the lead character (Gordon Pernick) in my film, 'Pernickety' should make himself known on a shoe box in Chamonix. On our second day, (and a week after our screen test), Sarah, (Iris's flatmate) bought a pair of shoes... nothing unusual about that so far. Later in the day, shoes out, box discarded on the floor; Lilli noticed a label on the side that read: Pernik 2777.


Moments like this make me realise that someone must like what I'm doing, maybe the shoe box was a gesture of goodwill - keep going, you're doing well!

The proof!

Here's the proof, in case anyone thought I was lying about my triumphant skiing...

J'Adore Chamonix

In my last entry, I referred to the Alps, and last week I was in the Alps - a nice little ironic twist of fate! One of my oldest friends is coming to the end of her snowboarding season in Chamonix and after a rather devastating break-up with my boyfriend, my sister and I jumped on a bus to see her for a week of snow, ski and sun...

A bus?!!! Yes, a bus. We don't agree with flying, and buses are cheap! I will not pretend that it's the ideal way to travel, but it can be fun and you see so much more, feel closer to the land you're travelling over. You certainly meet some characters as well, including a tour guide who is definitely going to be the inspiration for my next short film script, and a crazy French man who wanted us to go with him to Alaska and frequently swapped from English to French during sentences just to confuse us! He also wanted my email address, but got the message when I told him I'd conveniently lost my pen...

It took just over 24 hours to reach Chamonix, crossing through Paris, Geneva and then back into France. Having never been anywhere snowy, I was immediately impressed by the mountains gravitas. The air so clear, the light so bright. Chamonix is a bit like a bubble of purity; I can see why so many people stay here for a season and then don't leave... you feel safe, healthy and protected by the vast mountains on all sides. Surely nothing goes wrong here? I didn't witness anything untoward, except of course for the after effects of excessive consumption of alcohol... but that doesn't really count.



I felt a sense of achievement at attempting to ski for the first time, all-be-it on a baby slope, progressing to an off piste blue slope by the end of the day. Iris taught me, bossed me around - making me concentrate, push harder and use my feet instead of my head. I was extremely hungover and uncooperative at first, but as soon as I got the gist, and controlled my erratic left leg, things started to make sense. There really is nothing else like being alone near the top of a slope, surveying the terrain you have to conquer, gliding along with the sun on your back with only the sound of the skis to remind you that you're not flying.

So tempted to do a ski season next year, but I will probably get some professional lessons first though, so I don't have to embarrass myself in front of the three-year-old pros on the baby slopes ever again...

Alpine Flurry

What astonishing weather we had yesterday...

Undeterred by the cold, I decided to go for a run in the morning - it was sunny, with a brisk wind. I ambled up the hill towards Kings Cliff Woods, oblivious to the chill as the sweat started to gather around my brow. As I approached the crest of yet another steep hill to the upper car park of the woods, it began to snow. Soft, light and charming flakes descended, the first I'd encountered for the entire winter!

Like I said before, I wasn't cold due to my rising temperature on the slopes, but it felt very strange to be running in bright, bright sunshine, accompanied by unseasonably timed snow. As I descended the biggest hill on the circuit, I looked East towards Glastonbury, and the hill tops were covered in snow! I could have been mistaken for being on the alps for a split second! (Obviously the hills needed a bit of extra height, but I was happy with my momentary illusion.)