Over my dead body

December 5, 2008

…will I ever do that again!

That’s what I was thinking last night as I trudged into the freezing woods, dressed as a ‘peasant’, my face slathered in Rice Krispies and Golden Syrup. No, I wasn’t taking part in a kinky Satanic ritual. I had volunteered to be an extra for a student film called Field of Corpses.

Now, You won’t be surprised to learn that I was doing this for ‘research’ for my current wip (last chapter looms later!) I knew I was going to be a plague victim but other than that, no one had told me anything. Naturally I assumed I’d just have to lie dead on the grass, eyes shut and that would be it. No one told me I actually had to DIE i.e. roll around groaning, moaning and coughing while being tended to by a bunch of monks.

I hate acting. In fact I haven’t done any. Ever. Not so much as a school play. When I heard what was required (they waited until we were captive on the location) I begged to be allowed to watch.

But Ryan, the lovely young director, eventually persuaded me to have a go, largely because they only had five plague victims and I suspect he was completely desperate. The Rice Krispies were our make up – mixed with Golden Syrup and food colouring they make very realistic pustules, so I’m told.

Anyway, I don’t think I’ll do it again in a hurry but it was, ina bizarre way, kind of fun. The film premieres in July 2009 at the Garrick Theatre, Lichfield. I really, really hope my part is cut.

Thanks to the Foundation students in Film and Television Production at Lichfield University for being very sweet and patient with me. 🙂

Pics courtesy of Lichfield University students.

Comments

1. On December 5th, 2008 at 5:25 am
   Rosy Thornton Says:
   

   You’re a nut!! Sound a hoot.

   xx

2. On December 5th, 2008 at 7:26 am
   Emma Hatton Says:
   

   Sounds like great fun, ight try it with my Brownies, think they would absolutly love it !
   Well done for giving it a go, nice to try and do something different for a change, at least you can say you have tried it now !

3. On December 5th, 2008 at 8:50 am
   Debs Carr Says:
   

   Sounds like great fun. Good for you.

4. On December 5th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
   Hilary Ely Says:
   

   I’m sorry, but the appearance of the words ‘Rice’ and ‘Krispies’ and ‘pustules’ in the same sentence has done me lasting psychological damage – breakfast will never be the same again! Oh well, I’ll just have to convert to Cornflakes.

   The things you do for your art! Brilliant.

5. On December 5th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
   Nell Dixon Says:
   

   It sounds sticky and cold, you’re a braver woman than me!

6. On December 5th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
   Liz Hanbury Says:
   

   Sounds like great fun, P! 🙂

7. On December 6th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
   Phillipa Says:
   

   I am officially barking mad/:) But it did help the students. so they claim anyway.