Filming Never Worn

After months of meeting creatives and putting together a crack team, we finally had shooting dates and schedules in place. 

Having done a final draft and a title change (!), it was both a little unnerving and liberating to hand the script over to the director, Sophie Chester-Nash… 

DAY ONE

The whole day was dedicated to our fabulous dancer and choreographer, Grace Ker.Grace created the beautiful dance that is woven between the naturalistic scenes in the short film.  Watching her move through the space, was really inspiring and moving:  she seems to express all the inner turmoil and pain that Jade is feeling but at the same time emoting a real grace and elegance lending an elegiac quality to the narrative. 

It was all hands on deck, with Sophie (director) and Jonathan (assistant camera operator), Grace (dancer), and Alejandra (our AP) all working really hard to get it in the can in a day!  Alejandra stepped up to the plate helping with make-up and costume as well, which involved some artful work with fake blood.  I spent quite a lot of time attempting to not be in shot (and I fear that you might still be able to see my reflection in one instance)!

Between takes, we ate and talked a lot.  And while there were a few technical difficulties, the day was a great success. 

We were all ready for the next phase…

DAY TWO

Out of the studio and into a bedroom, we filmed some of Jade’s scenes where she makes baby ballet shoes for her baby and then realises that she is having a miscarriage. 

We welcomed Chi-Lin Nim onto the set to play the part of Jade.  She bravely and fearlessly threw herself into the role and seemed to transform from her happy, joyful self to moments of true melancholy, horror, and shock in a very short space of time – it was very impressive to watch.  Her trauma was palpable. 

On a lighter note, it is worth mentioning, that as well as acting superbly, Chi-Lin, also did all her own sewing stunts, and very nearly made baby ballet shoes for real.

After an emotional time on Day Two, we were finding ourselves drawn forwards to the next part of the story…

DAY THREE

The final day of filming arrived.  And it was the busiest yet!  With another actress on set, Miri Gellert, who played Ellen, as well as Chi-Lin, and an expanded crew including Sophie, Jonathan, another Jonathan, and Alejandra and I, it was a lot of bodies in a small studio. 

Still, spirits were high.  Alejandra worked on the costumes, while the Jonathans set up under Sophie’s expert guidance. 

Sophie then carried out improvisations with Miri and Chi-Lin to try and get to the heart of the difficult subject matter.  I was drafted in to help with the improvisations playing the doctor who breaks the news to Ellen and then Jade.  Exploring this backstory to what you see in the short, was very emotional and extremely sad, and hit home the message of the story.  It seemed even more important to get the story told.    

Once we got into filming the dialogue as scripted, things seemed to move pretty quickly.  I came into action as a writer, tweaking a few lines here and there, while Sophie worked tirelessly as director to get every shot, every angle, every nuance. 

It was a very productive and poignant day.  

IT WAS A WRAP

And we went en masse for a Chinese meal to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate ourselves. 

It was a great experience and a wonderful chance to work with exciting young talent.  Thank you to everyone involved for your hard work and dedication.  I can’t wait to see the outcome…

Joyce (Writer of  Never Worn)