A couple of people have asked me why I am making this film. That question really has two parts. Why this film? and Why so low budget? The latter is simple. To me a film is not good or bad depending upon it's budget. I have made a film for €5m and it was not a better film than one I made for £150k. People think it may be a backward step. I don't consider it so. On DEP we have enough money to make the film the way it needs to be made - just! That is fine. In some ways also, the simplicity of the shoot allows me greater artistic freedom. There are no producerial conflicts for a start, like I had on The Poet.
 
The former part of the question is a little more difficult. I guess it's what drew me to the part. Someone wise once said that a writer only writes one book his whole life, a film-maker keeps remaking essentially the same film over and over again. That is partly applicable. The lead character of the film is actually despite his longings expressed through Tai Chi, spiritually destitute.

Our theme in this film is that of Callum trying find himself. It's not the plot, it's the underlying thread. That thread immediately struck a chord with me. Although not spiritually destitute (!) I, like Callum, am on a journey. His search is my search. As a film-maker, every film is a journey of discovery, many times the journey of the protagonist mimics the journey I experience making the film. For instance I even fell stupidly in love with someone while shooting Boston Kickout in the same fashion that Phil fell for his ultimately unattainable cousin, Shona. It certainly wasn't deliberate though!
 
When we depart for France on Thursday, that's when that journey will step up a gear - for me, for Jonnie, for Callum and for the rest of us! Do I know exactly how it will end yet? Of course not!!!

3.15pm

 
Setting up for the Tai Chi class. It will be quite a race. We have to shoot three scenes in the class and another three in the tea room afterwards. The problem is a class will be an actual happening during our filming and we have to fit in with it.

10.06pm

 
Outside now. No time to think even. Been full on getting through all the stuff. Rosie Fellner's close up at end of film sticks in the memory as something magical. I needed something damn magical to end the film on and Rosie didn't let me down. Also improvised a scene with her using a sword in almost darkness, one light and a 10mm lens. Beautiful.
 
From the moment I met her some 7 years ago I knew just what a great actress she was.
 
Also we did some sweet little tracking shots across the class pulling focus between different movements. I shot the shit out of it really so it should be an editors dream.
 
Rosie just said to me on the street where we are setting up the final shot "I like shooting with you guys, you're so much fun!"
 
10.40pm
 
Now everyone is wrapping gear and drinking beer on the street. Poor Kate banged her head during a hectic part of the shoot and got two bad knocks on her hand while wrapping gear. She is a brave one and is desperate to carry on regardless. We had to nearly pull her out of the van. Rhys got her an ice pack and I got her a beer. Marina, it transpires also has a broken toe. So both are walking wounded but are soldiering on!
 
We have finished the first part of the shoot. The first London part. 8 days. I changed the coverage in one scene tonight to make it simpler but that's the first creative compromise so far on the film. I think it will work that way anyway. I did a slow track in from wide to a 2-shot with lots of background action then a contra track back as Emma walks away - my favourite way to track I think. One shot. 1 minute 20 secs. Second longest sequence shot on the film so far.

11.36pm
 
In the production office now, what used to be Jonnie's flat but has now COMPLETELY been taken over. I haven't had much chance to come here recently and thus have hardly seen Sarah Hutton our wonderful Production Secretary that much so far. Sarah was the second person to come on board the project after Williams. She has been a reliable anchor for the film and is so wonderfully sweet natured and kind and considerate to everyone.
 
I am here sorting out some paperwork. In addition to the production office, we have the equipment store, the camera changing room and everything else here.
 
Earlier I packed my bag ready for France just so I am ahead of the game. It occurred to me I might need to get Jade to put another hole in my belt before I leave. I guess I've lost half a stone in weight already on this shoot. It's not uncommon for me to loose a whole 2 stone on a film. Hopefully, though, the lovely French cuisine we will partake of in Brittany will check this. I'm still well under my ideal weight!

01.05am
 
Home now. We went to the pub afterwards. About half the crew we have now will not go to France on Thursday so it was a sort of au revoir until we get back for the third part of shoot. It was nice to see people bonding, joking and discussing travel arrangements etc. Jade was particularly funny.
 
It's a day off tomorrow as we prepare for the trip. Hopefully I will be shooting just before we get on the ferry at 7am. Getting everyone and everything there on time so that no-one missed the ferry will be a challenge for production.
 
Oh, I almost forgot, some rushes arrived finally, mute unfortunately but least they are here. So that's only 8 days blind!