Time to Slow Down!

Wow, what a mad 2 weeks! We finally finished filming last week, and how glad am I! Like I mentioned in my last blog, we had a few 14-17 hours shoots, how amazingly long they were! Our last day filming consisted of being outside in -8 degrees from 9am to 5pm! (Yes, so much for my little rant about the weather!) Luckily, from past experience I knew it would be a long day, and although we were scheduled to finish at about 1pm, that was never going to happen! Not with our group! I knew it was going to be a long day so I came prepared to be standing around in the cold! Fashion was not an option, it was ski pants, thermals and hand warmers all the way! And, unlike some people, I was rather warm apart from my toes and fingertips! It was also a lovely sunny day too so despite the freezing cold, at least the sun was shining and there was something to smile about! Somehow we always manage to stretch things out as long as we can in our group, this time our deadline was the sun setting! I admit, I really hate it, and I do think it's because the majority of us are girls and we all want our say in it. I do feel sorry for the 2 boys in the group as they have so much to put up with! The one thing I have learned from my different experiences in filming is that a good team makes the film. Without the team you have nothing, even if you have a red hot script/actor/whatever...it's the team. Because if the crew aren't happy then the actor's won't be either and it is all reflected in what you produce. In our case, we have a lot of clashing personalities; sure we all get on, but I think the fact that we have to be with each other all the time, we're in another country together, all dependent on each other. Sometimes it gets too much and we end up snapping at each other, but it doesn't help the working environment. That aside, we did all put our best efforts into making this film. We've had some up's and down's with the shoot, as you do, obstacles to overcome, which we did, and now it's finally over we can sigh a breath of relief and think, ok it's time to chill now, let the Editors work their magic, see what they can bring to the film. Then after that in a few weeks time it's my turn to have a play, Sound Design time, and this should be fun! Several of our scenes are set in 'purgatory'...this is our time to get creative!! Fingers crossed I've caught up on all my sleep by then! This is also my chance to get some work done for my research project. Being so full on these last few weeks really takes it out of you and you can't think of anything else but the film, so now at least I have a bit of time to myself just to think!

Work aside, this weekend I've tried to just chill and get over the stress! We managed to catch another Ice Hockey match, it was part of the season play offs so the tension was high! It was a rather violent game and boy were there some injuries! And of course, we won! (I use the term We as I am officially an avid supporter of Tappara-and I just want to belong!) Me and some friends also went out sledging again at the observation tower and once again, we got kicked off our hill by some kid of about 8years old snow boarding! God, you'd think they were born on ski's! With our pride to look after we went for that much welcomed coffee and doughnut! Hmm yum yum!

Naturally, since my last blog where I ranted on and on about how it was getting 'warm', it has snowed non-stop and this morning we had a blizzard which we had to struggle through to get to uni! Although it was 'only' -5 the snow was so thick and we couldn't see where we were going, just wandering into the middle of the road, guidelessly trying to get to the bus stop! It was pretty amazing I have to say, the snow is all fluffy and sparkly...ah the girl in me is coming out again! Although, I am glad it didn't start snowing till after filming had finished, that would have just been a nightmare! Not only the long hours, but the continuity too! Phew!

A lot of the people in our group are now ready to go back home, I on the other hand don't want to leave! I've made some pretty special friends here and it has opened my eyes so much just coming here! I know for a fact that I will be rediculously sad when I leave here, it is leaving a big footprint on my heart and I will not forget this whole experience for as long as I live. Sure, I've wanted to strangle a few people - being surrounded by the same people every day, all day long - and we have had many challenges with our jobs and roles, but at the end of the day, we are here to learn and learn from our mistakes! I know for a fact that everyone is going to walk away from here knowing that they have learned something, something that they will keep forever!

The Filming Begins...

As I have now reached the 'halfway' mark of my trip, it is very apparent that I don't want to leave! I'm having such a great time here I want to stay for much much longer! On the otherhand, some things must be done (such as graduating!) and there are small things which I do miss back in England and Brunei, such as sunshine (from Brunei!) and familiar food and the choice as in England. And these things I only miss when I am lacking inspiration for a meal or just need some warmth! Having said that, I do feel that I have been completely lied to in regards to the weather here! I was promised that it would be -20 here..and so far the coldest has been -12! The average temperature now is +2 and the snow is rapidly melting! We pass a big lake everyday on the bus, and before it has always been partially frozen or comepletely frozen...well the other day we went past it and ther were ripples on the surface! What is this?!! It's practically summer! Haha well as long as I have seen snow here it's ok i guess, I'm satisfied!

The exciting part of my trip has finally arrived! We started filming our film on monday! So far we have been doing night shoots, yesterdays was particularly exhausting! We were filming our Office location for 14hours! We didn't wrap till gone 6.30am (and I think we only finished at that time because we were fighting against the sunrise)! Then we had to pack up, so I didn't actually get home into bed intil 8am! Not only that, I hadn't eaten anything proper since 3.30 that afternoon, we had all been snacking on biscuits and cups of tea all night! So by the time we had finished I felt sick from hunger, but the thought of eating made me feel even worse! A vicious cycle! As much as the entire shoot was physically and emotionally draining, we all had such a great time! We all love doing what we do therefore we don't mind staying till all hours of the morning working! That is the great thing, we all pitch in and get things done (sometimes extremely slowly!) but we don't mind doing it, we enjoy it together which by far is the best experience when you complete something that you've put so much effort into! I really can't wait to see the end result! But not only that, I had my small but crutial (ok a slight exaggeration!) acting role! My back and shoulders did a good job I feel and I had to bump into the main character, I feel my performance was convincing!! Oscars here we come! Luckily we now have a few days to recover from our long stint in the Office before our next long shoot which is monday. I think we're scheduled for a 15 hour day so that again will be fun and games! This time next week should be 'a wrap'!!

Apart from lots of Uni work, I have been trying to fill every moment here! Myself and my flatmate have been making regular trips to my buildings' sauna where we have a good chat and become more at home in Finland! I really enjoy it as it's so relaxing and a great way to de-stress, especially in the past week during pre-production! We also managed to get free tickets to the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra next month, that I am looking forward to a lot! While I was here I really wanted to do some travelling, especially see Tallin and Stockholm, but I really don't think we're going to have time! As unfortunate as it is we are so full on here we don't have any time to spare. On the otherhand, that's just another excuse to come back! We might get a chance to visit Lapland, but perhaps it will be better to go mid-winter when we are guaranteed to be snowed in! The Finnish summer is a must though I have been told, so rest assured, I will be back!