Hi there.
I worked on this film back in the summer of 1997 as part of the camera team.
Just thought I'd post this because some people may have some questions about the filming etc, and if so, I don't mind doing my best to answer them.
Cheers,
-Mark.
Who did you fancy most out of Gorton and Silverstone? ;)
shareHey Mark, Just like to say I loved the film. it would be better than some of the educational crap I've been looking at today (longs story I work for a forum that does homophobic bullying stuff for schools) I'll just say one thing I hated was the coming out scene. it was so unrealistic, I mean how often does that happen... Hopefully never.
So yeah not a question but a comment ;)
Really good film all around.
Would love to see these actors more!
Hi Mark, wow looks like it's been almost 9 years since you posted that, but I'm going to try anyway and hopefully you'll check out this thread again lol.
What cameras did you guys shoot on? And what film stock did you use if you can remember?
What was the most difficult thing to film?
What was the general atmosphere on the set?
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Blimey, has it been that long?!
I remember the camera - it was a MOVIECAM camera. (Dutch or Austrian make I believe). Can't remember the model offhand, but it was definitely a Moviecam make.
Because I was a camera trainee on this film, my initial responsibility was to handle the 'video assist' side of things. That is, record each take onto tape (Hi-8 I think) and have the takes ready to view on a monitor for the director if needed. After a week or so of doing that, I really got itchy feet to push myself forward. I managed to do that by performing more and more 'clapper/loader' duties. I really enjoyed that. The scene at the end of the film (in assembly) was clapper/loaded by me all that day. I remember being quite scared because there were a lot of extras being used and we had a two camera setup for those scenes where Ben had to deliver his emotional speech.
There were a lot of 'end slates' (where you clap at the end of the take) and it was a challenge to know exactly where to hold the board so that Alan Almand (DOP/Camera Operator) could focus on the slate.
It's interesting, but looking at the 'Technical Specs' section for this film, here on IMDB, it lists the camera as being 'Panavision'. It definitely wasn't.
I can't remember the film stock off hand - but I have some of the original negative reports around somewhere.....(I started filling out the daily neg reports, which go off to the lab for processing).
This is all bringing back good memories!
I'll add more later about some of the tricky scenes and being 'on set'.
Cheers.
-Mark
Hi, thank you for replying! I didn't think I would get reply today still, haha.
I watched the film last night and I thought it was really great. It's very interesting reading your posts and hearing from someone who has been on the set. It sounds like you had some great experiences on the set.
I'm currently a film student, mostly interested in cinematography. While watching the film I kept wondering about the lighting setups and the exposure for some shots.
I can imagine how nervous you must have been on that big set day, especially the loading part!
There are a few other things I would like to ask to ask if you don't mind,
In the club scene the lighting seems like it took a long time to set up. Did you guys spend a lot time on those scenes?
How long was the shooting schedule for the film?
Approximately how many people were in the camera department, and cinematography on the whole?
Do you know if there are there any scenes / shots that had to be redone after the initial shooting period?
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Hello again Lemoen.
Nice to hear you are a film student. I hope you are enjoying it! Are you getting to make an actual film on your course? If so, what medium can you use? Is it purely digital now? - Or can you still shoot on good old celluloid if you want?
I studied Film at Southampton Solent University (formerly Southampton Institute of Higher Education) from 1993 to 1997. After completing my course I went straight into working on 'Get Real' through a contact that one of our course leaders had. Very lucky!
I'll do my best to answer your various questions. Firstly about the shooting schedule...I remember being in Basingstoke the second week of August 1997 with the camera team, doing test shoots and prepping for the actual main shoot.
Principal photography began on Sunday 17th August 1997 and ran for 43 days (wrapping on 27th September 1997).
First day of shoot was at the 'Vyne School' in Basingstoke. (Nearly everything was shot in and around Basingstoke). I remember the very first scene was a 'welding scene' in the school (didn't make the final cut).
I'm trying to think of difficult scenes that we shot. Tricky (as it was nine years ago!) - but a few spring to mind.
One was in one of the classrooms and I remember the focus puller (John Bremer) had to perform EIGHT focus pulls in one small shot! I was amazed! I think it took quite a few attempts to get right because it was obviously complicated.
Another tricky scene was when Ben (Steven Carter) had to cycle his bike across a roundabout. We had a whole stunt team setup for the sequence. He was meant to cycle across the road and the car (driven by a stunt driver) was going to skid in front of him. Unfortunately, it seemed (to me) that Ben had never really ridden a bike much...he was very wobbly! Anyway, he ended up falling off quite badly and getting quite banged up. After that the stunt was shelved. (Which is why in the finished film, you don't see any cars, you just hear a 'horn' beeping and Ben raising his hand as if to say 'sorry'.)
One of my favourite scenes to shoot however (turning this on it's head) was the disco/club sequence. I loved this for several reasons:
1) It had playback of music in the school nice and loud! So that was fun.
2) Quite a few of the young actors (we were all young!) were excited about this scene. For example, I remember the night before the scene was shot, I kipped over in Patrick Nielson's room (chap who plays 'Mark'.) He was really looking forward to it, because he was going to get to snog Kate McEnery (who plays 'Wendy')!
3) It featured lots of 'Steadicam' usage - and I'd never seen one used in the flesh before. The operator was this amazing guy called Alf Tremontin. My job was to help support him during the sequence in any way I could; whether by moving actors out of the way, guiding him backwards through crowds or just helping him with the camera etc. It was awesome.
4) It was fun! It was a really good way to let off steam and because the whole cast was young, it was just great fun filming that.
You mention about how the scene was lit...The D.O.P on the shoot was a very calm, collected chap called 'Alan Almond'. I thought he was tremendous on this film. If you look at that club scene again, as the camera weaves its way in and out of all the dancing, it just looks superb. Takes years of experience to know how to light like that. Often I would watch him direct lights and filters and stuff and you'd think (hmmm, not sure how this is going to look) - but then you see it on film and it's incredible! The focusing during those steadicam shots was controlled remotely by John Bremer. Fantastic.
Thinking about your question regarding the camera department. Normally there was Alan (DOP), John (focus), me and Damon (Clapper/loaders) and perhaps (when required)one of the grips (Stuart). Obviously this does not include members of the sound department (recording/boom etc).
Because of the nature of some of the scenes (kissing or other such stuff) - the shooting area was often closed down to main crew. But I was one who was always right there, next to the camera. So basically, on nearly every shot, I'm just off camera. It gave me a great insight and I learnt a huge amount.
When we wrapped on the 27th September, I hung around for a couple of extra days (partying, having fun with everyone) before we all disbanded. If there were any re-shoots, I did not know or hear about them...
By the way, if you 'preview' your reply, you will see you have some unwanted text at the bottom of your postings!
Hey Mark, thanks for all your info! As a huge fan of the film it has been great to read more about this amazing film. Only just discovered your website which has in-depth information and photos from the filming of Get Real, really enjoying seeing all the behind the scenes and on set photos. Especially loving all the photos you uploaded from the wrap party, looks like a great time was had. Thanks again :)
sharehttp://www.markalldridge.co.uk/get-real.html
try this site. Mark does reply. He has become a good friend.
Mark,
Do you know if Steven's speech is documented anywhere. I'd like to find a copy of the speech (perhaps only obtainable from the script itself). But, if you are aware of its existence anywhere, please let me know.
Thanks,
Grant
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mank7wszw2j0l3u/Get%20Real%20Transcript.pdf?dl=0
This is a transcript someone posted on bensilverstone.com
If you have not seen this: http://wayback.archive.org/web/20050206180106/http://bensilverstone.net/bsfanfiction.asp
enjoy
Thank you so very much!
shareMost welcome. Most fans of this movie are rabid. Are you new to the movie? No one has posted since Dec.
sharehttp://www.markalldridge.co.uk/get-real.html
Go to this site. Mark usually responds. he has become a good friend.