Hello world! Welcome back to another blog! In this one I'll be taking you through a few things building up to the finished product of a short film called "Aren't We Having A Good Time". These will include my time as an extra for a scene, a workshop I had on 20th April with director of the film Derry Shillitto (who's also works as a producer), followed by a review of a film after watching it at an event, which also featured some guest speakers, a performance from an inspirational choir and a brief appearance from Nottingham's finest actresses!
My Time As An Extra:
On 15th April 2024 I was lucky enough to be an extra on a short film called "Aren't We Having A Good Time". This was written by Kieran Hardcastle, based on the story of his grandad living with dementia, but how the power of music has helped him through the diagnosis and also showing that during times like this, you need to find the happiness within it. Some people say that being an extra is not a big deal or its not important, when in fact like the ensemble in shows like Les Miserable, they bring the piece together. And also if they're responding to the main characters in the way they should, then they make them look good. So they're more of a big deal and more important than you think. The crew made sure we were well looked after, and everyone on set was so lovely. We were at a place called The Pelican, and it was a snug place. All I had to do was watch some live entertainment. And you know what? I thoroughly enjoyed myself! And Morgana Rowan who sung the song was a really good singer. Even now I still can't get it out of my head! Along with Nic Harvey who taught a few sessions at The Actors Workshop Nottingham, who is a really good guitarist!
The session:
A few days after the filming, I then had the opportunity to come to a session organised by Derry about what he does, how he gets funding for his project and his life as a director and producer. I'll be as discreet as I can in this section without going into too much detail, as I don't want to spoil any secrets.
During the first part of the session he talked about his early stages of career, moving to Nottingham 12 years before the session, where he met my teacher Tim Bryn Smith 8 years before at an event with networking company Nexus. He also mentioned the role of a producer, which was that they were the ones that get the funding and that most of the stuff is in their hands. I also found out that the day I was on set they didn't finish until 12:30 after midnight, so I can imagine how tough it must be to get everything done. He also mentioned about how the narrative of music therapy who helps those with dementia, mentioning a lady from Mexico who got dementia after being shot in the head, but the music allowed her brain to find a new way of communicating. It was honestly mind blowing. And an example of why the arts are important. He also showed a clip from a short film called Word which was released in 2015, and that it took one day to film on a zero budget, but the piece itself looked brilliant. But that's also the reality for most actors when starting out. He also mentioned something quite surprising when filming it, and I won't say what as if ever you meet him or contact him in any form of way I'll let you figure it out yourself. He also mentioned about his latest film "The Correction Unit" and how he had the idea 3 years before the session, and how it's more about the most vulnerable people in society which is young people. Finally one other thing he stated was the length of a short and a feature. For a feature the minimum is 70mins, but for a short, the shorter the better, which is 12mins. This may be slightly over for my film but as I'm writing this, my colleague has cut it down slightly to submit into a category, but at least I know what length I need to aim for the next time I start my new film.
We then came to the Q&A section of the session. I had to ask about disability within the workplace, and that if he met an actor with a disability like mine, would that put him off, and then I explained my reason why. He said that it wouldn't bother him providing I fit the characteristics of the role. He then mentioned someone who is autistic called Paddy Constantine but is doing lots of work, which is living proof that just because you're disabled it does not mean to say you can achieve X, Y and Z. So all in all, a really good session learning more about that side of the industry.
The Film Screening:
It was then time... the film screening! And what a night it was! I got to see old people, new people (which include some volunteers of The Dementia Choir) and some faces which I haven't seen in a long time!
Before and after the screening, there were performances from Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure! This was the first time seeing them live, and they did not disappoint. And after seeing them on a documentary it made it even more special. Before the film they performed their own song "What's Our Story" where it was written by one of the volunteers. This was a beautiful song as we all joined along in the chorus. After the interval they did a Beatles medley. And boy did it get the crowd going which you can see below.
I may not know all of the Beatles songs, but that didn't stop me from getting my grove on as seen below!
And with a lovely appearance from Vicky herself (who had to leave earlier due to other commitments), it really was an amazing performance with a personal touch to it!
The film itself was just mind-blowing. I won't give away too much as I don't want to spoil the surprises, but all I can say is Nicholas Lumley who played Kieran's grandad was a god sent from heaven. His voice is unbelievable and the way he sings is just so pure, raw and honest. Equally Kieran himself did a excellent job, as you can tell it was written from the heart, therefore giving it a more authentic flavour to the performance. But Derry got abit emotional during the thank you, as it was revealed that he had a similar experience with dementia as well after his dad got diagnosed. All I can say on that one is well done Derry for being a brilliant director. Chloe Martin was the producer of the film, and after speaking about her experience working in a care home during the panel discussion, you could see how much it meant to her to be part of something that had a touching affect on everyone! Well done Chloe! And finally, a huge shoutout to Charles Andrews for his little appearance in the film. Once again his casting type suited him to a tea, and if Coronation Street or Hollyoaks were wanting a nurse (as they're always looking for them), then they need to get him on the show ASAP. Well done Charles!
After the interval we had some guests to talk about Dementia and what you can do to help. This included Tom Dennings who specialises in the science behind it all. He mentioned a few things about how it happens, what can control it (as sadly this disease still doesn't have a cure but that doesn't mean to say that all is lost), and what we can do to help. This also made me have abit of a wakeup call, as a family member of mine has currently got the disease, so it made me think if I should get tested early on so then if it is likely for me to get it, I can start looking at getting into some research. But me being the me i am I'm also a worrier, which i think will be the biggest downside to it. But all in all he said, make sure you control your diet, look after yourself and just live your life. He also mentioned how the power of music can help those living with dementia, and it's mainly down to the pitch, tone, rhythm and narrative to the story. So all in all a very interesting and informative piece from him indeed.
The other guest was Ros Heath from Landermeads Nursing Home. Her story on how the care home became where it was today was a journey, as she mentioned that she had to use all her savings and have help from her parents to make it into the best place it is today. And you know what? Sometimes the risks are worth it! She also stated that one person screamed because they felt like it was a prison, and that was where the idea to make it more of a home friendly place. Yes every place is different and not everyone is going to like everything, but her story of the staff not having uniform and the canteen making it feel not like a canteen but more of a kitchen was intriguing. But like the last guest, it was a real insight as to how career's are a key factor into helping those with dementia.
I had to leave during the Q&A but one question that was asked was how to go through a diagnosis where someone was remembering a whole song but not their partners name. I wish I stayed and knew the answer, but after Tom mentioned about a part of the brain that absorbs the music, maybe it's linked to that. And when Kieran mentioned about what we can do to help, even though I left, as I'm writing this, maybe use the power of music to write songs and include their partners name in it. It may not make sense now, but I think in the long run, music and memories combined will hopefully as least make the condition stable for a long time! And one question looking back which I wanted to ask was "Why did they pick the song that Kieran's grandad sung in the film? Was it a self-written piece or a pre-written song that had some sentimental value?"
And that was my review on my time as an extra, how Derry works as a director and producer and the launch of the film itself! I hope you enjoyed this read, and that if anyone out there is affected by dementia, then my message to you out there is that in the words of Stephen Hawking, "When There's Life, There is Hope", there is light, and that you must live your life to the full, especially in those times of uncertainty!
See you soon for another blog. Until next time...
This is The Autistic Actress signing off :)
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