We are now at Merlin's tomb. I could have really done with steadicam here but it's making me and Roger be more creative such that when we do start shooting on the steadicam it will be a breath of fresh air.
 
Unfortunately the owner of the tomb has had it cleaned up ready for our shoot. Thus we have to dress back in notes and wishes and prayers to make it long authentic. It reminds me of when we were shooting Boston Kickout in Stevenage and the council would clean the streets before we came to shoot. We had to dirty it up again.

The whole crew have helped dressing the tomb, all pulling together. Daniel has done a great job but Rhys has done some wonderful stuff. A wooden crossed star hanging from a large stick. Many of the crew have also put in their own personal wishes and prayers under rocks by the tomb. I have. Matt, Roger, Jonnie and Cristina have also.

2,26pm

 
Waiting for rain to pass while having lunch. Shot the start of the first scene but having to delay the ending. It is Axle's birthday today. We got her and Julie a cake each as well as some champagne. All the crew song happy birthday to her and were joined in at one point by some school children who were visiting the tomb.
 
I told her "You will remember this a year from now." She smiled.
 
7.52pm
 
Hurtling to the restaurant now as wrapped late because of rain. Being a small provincial restaurant, they prefer us to turn up at 7.30pm! Jonnie just ran over a frog. Being a sweet natured vegetarian guy he feels a tinge of guilt. Me, all I can think of is frogs legs cooked in garlic butter!
 
Shooting round the rain was real nightmare. We even had to do two shots in pouring rain with reflector boards and umbrella's as a canopy from the rain. Probably those shots will have to be ADR'ed. We got everything even a couple of additional ones. Roger whispered to me that getting it despite the rain and falling light had been his wish to Merlin! The last shot in falling light of Malika looking through the hanging cross was a wonderful steal.
 
The high shot at the beginning of the scene was also beautiful. While Callum opening his eyes to see a notebook rather than a cigarette I did a little invisible creeping zoom which should work especially well. Jonnie's performance in the last take was one of the sweetest ones he's given me so far.
 
8.29pm
 
At the restaurant now. I hope we don't have too much more rain as it will really kill our schedule. In any event I have to do another one tonight to compensate for a day off that Jonnie needs. In fact, though, I don't mind a shower in a short scene. I will incorporate it. But a long one will be impossible as it will mean that we may be waiting for the rain. A nightmare situation.
 
Anyway, 13 days and not dropped a scene yet. My only gripe is I still haven't heard any rushes. Only first 3 days mute. That makes me now 10 days blind and 13 days deaf. Ridiculous!