Saturday 31st January 2004

It's two and a half months since principle photography, and I felt nervous about going back for this day of re-shooting. I knew inside that I was doing the right thing by the film and that this work would be crucial to 'making' the film. What I did not reckon on was how much fun it would be, and how it would change 'Quondam' for me.

A 7.30am train from London got me into Stoke-on-Trent at 11 o'clock (well, the bus connection from Crewe got me to Stoke at 11) and I met with Darren for a coffee and to talk about where we were going to take his character Jack. I had asked Darren to stop shaving and for a few days before filming to not wash his hair either. I wanted a Jack that was about as opposite to the version we had shot in the hospital, but I needed to convey the new version to Darren properly.

At 1pm the small returning production unit (myself, Director of Photography and Producer Kevin Brett, 1st Assistant Director Katy Waters and our documentarian Ross Lucas) met at the location, this time a homely kitchen, and started to set up. After a cup of tea of course! Katy set about helping to transform Darren by greasing his hair even more with Vaseline and by adding dark shadows under his eyes, while Kevin and I worked out what angles we wanted to use and how we were going to make it look different to what we had previously shot.

Around 2pm (I wasn't keeping a check on the time) we started work with Darren running through his allotted actions in an establishing shot. This shot took the longest number of takes as it took us a while to get 'Jack' to the right state of mind and intensity, but once Darren had nailed it we moved on to the close up.

The action was always meant to be in two parts, with the establishing shot making the audience aware of where Jack is, whilst the close-ups involve the action of the scene. The close-ups were easier as Darren had run through the action a few time by then. The key to the close-ups was timing, to be in the right place at the right time to catch the important action. Kevin's camera work shone as he framed Darren perfectly.

Lastly were a series of shots of Darren lying on the floor which will be used throughout the film. Once more Darren stepped up to the plate with gusto and one particular shot I noted at the time was recorded in complete silence by all, which considering that we would not use the recorded sound goes to show the power of Darren's work.

At 4 o'clock with the last of the film in the can we called it a wrap on 'Quondam' and marveled at the ease and enjoyment of the shoot and how it all looked great. Let me tell you, it did look great. I went on that afternoon to edit the new footage into the film and it changed the power of the film substantially. It feels like a new film, but one that I am instantly happy with and feel with the aid of Steven Coltart's music has the chance of being a very powerful film indeed.

I must admit to being sad that the filming is now over. There was a finality to it that's heart breaking, knowing that soon I'll have to let go of the film. Though, the knowledge that soon the film will be seen by an audience is exciting and something to really look forward to. So I guess that whilst it is the end, it's also the beginning of something that will last forever.