“The idea is that she’s had a big bust-up with Cromwell in the tent over there …”
Sophie pointed across the rushing waters, and Sarah could just see a tent beyond the soldiers, with pennants flying.
“So she rides through the battle on her not-so-trusty steed down to the jetty there — hops in that little rowing boat, crosses the river, climbs the castle wall — and leaps straight into the arms of her true love Charles I.”
“Zac Portman? Who can blame her?” said Sarah.
“ Exactly .”
“So is there a stunt woman — to do the action stuff?”
“Ah well here’s the thing,” said Sophie. “Young Zoë prides herself on doing all the stunts herself. Horseback, rowing, stage fighting — that’s her thing.”
“So she’s actually going to do the ride, then cross the river, and climb the wall?”
“Yep.”
“With explosions going on all around her?”
“The most explosions ever in a single scene in a British film.”
“But isn’t that incredibly dangerous anyway — even without all the accidents that have been happening?”
“Total madness,” said Sophie. “But amazingly good copy. And the explosives team is very professional, very experienced. This scene alone will sell the whole movie. No matter how awful the rest of it is to watch.”
Sarah shook her head.
“It sounds crazy,” she said.
“Oh, it gets worse,” said Sophie. “Our talented, innovative director has got permission to lay charges in the river. So as sweet Lady Ann rows her little boat gently down the stream, it’s going to be like a World War Two naval battle down there.”
“Hang on. Aren’t you at all worried that something bad’s going to happen?” said Sarah.
“You know what they say, darling,” said Sophie.
“All publicity is good publicity …” said Sarah.
But before Sophie could reply, a helicopter appeared at speed from behind the castle. Sarah watched it as it roared overhead, made a tight turn and landed in the field near all the trucks.
“And that’ll be the studio execs,” said Sophie. “Which means I’m back on the clock.”
“They coming to watch the scene?” said Sarah, still watching the helicopter as its rotor blades slowed.
“Don’t want to miss their money going up in smoke.”
Sarah saw the helicopter door open … and Ludo the producer climbed out. Behind him, two men in suits and a smartly dressed woman followed.
“She’s going to regret those heels,” said Sarah.
Sophie laughed as she walked ahead: “Pair of Jimmy Choos in every port, I expect. Why don’t you grab a tea and I’ll find you later,” said Sophie, looking at her watch. “Last chance — we’ll be shooting in an hour.”
Sarah watched her head back towards the catering truck and then followed.
On the way, she checked her phone.
No message from Jack.
So no luck identifying the culprit.
Maybe it was going to be down to her.
But right now — she didn’t have a clue.
It could be anyone on the crew. Any of the actors. Or the producers.
Or even Zoë herself.
Time to see what the kids had been getting up to.
She walked up the gentle grassy slope towards the makeup trucks.
18. A Different Angle
Jack sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.
He’d lost count of how many times he’d seen this scene: Zoë running across the room; Karl embracing her; the dialogue playing out …
There must have been twenty takes at least, all from the same position, although about half way through the morning, the camera appeared to have moved a couple of feet to one side.
Apart from the actors, the only people he’d seen in shot were Alphonso and occasionally Fraser. And Ludo turned up once to say something to the actors.
But otherwise — just guesswork as to who else was in the room.
Until Zoë collapsed in the last take …
The cameraman had instinctively followed her fall so the shot had all the crew in frame — and he’d kept shooting for another minute at least.
Wait a second, Jack
Sophie pointed across the rushing waters, and Sarah could just see a tent beyond the soldiers, with pennants flying.
“So she rides through the battle on her not-so-trusty steed down to the jetty there — hops in that little rowing boat, crosses the river, climbs the castle wall — and leaps straight into the arms of her true love Charles I.”
“Zac Portman? Who can blame her?” said Sarah.
“ Exactly .”
“So is there a stunt woman — to do the action stuff?”
“Ah well here’s the thing,” said Sophie. “Young Zoë prides herself on doing all the stunts herself. Horseback, rowing, stage fighting — that’s her thing.”
“So she’s actually going to do the ride, then cross the river, and climb the wall?”
“Yep.”
“With explosions going on all around her?”
“The most explosions ever in a single scene in a British film.”
“But isn’t that incredibly dangerous anyway — even without all the accidents that have been happening?”
“Total madness,” said Sophie. “But amazingly good copy. And the explosives team is very professional, very experienced. This scene alone will sell the whole movie. No matter how awful the rest of it is to watch.”
Sarah shook her head.
“It sounds crazy,” she said.
“Oh, it gets worse,” said Sophie. “Our talented, innovative director has got permission to lay charges in the river. So as sweet Lady Ann rows her little boat gently down the stream, it’s going to be like a World War Two naval battle down there.”
“Hang on. Aren’t you at all worried that something bad’s going to happen?” said Sarah.
“You know what they say, darling,” said Sophie.
“All publicity is good publicity …” said Sarah.
But before Sophie could reply, a helicopter appeared at speed from behind the castle. Sarah watched it as it roared overhead, made a tight turn and landed in the field near all the trucks.
“And that’ll be the studio execs,” said Sophie. “Which means I’m back on the clock.”
“They coming to watch the scene?” said Sarah, still watching the helicopter as its rotor blades slowed.
“Don’t want to miss their money going up in smoke.”
Sarah saw the helicopter door open … and Ludo the producer climbed out. Behind him, two men in suits and a smartly dressed woman followed.
“She’s going to regret those heels,” said Sarah.
Sophie laughed as she walked ahead: “Pair of Jimmy Choos in every port, I expect. Why don’t you grab a tea and I’ll find you later,” said Sophie, looking at her watch. “Last chance — we’ll be shooting in an hour.”
Sarah watched her head back towards the catering truck and then followed.
On the way, she checked her phone.
No message from Jack.
So no luck identifying the culprit.
Maybe it was going to be down to her.
But right now — she didn’t have a clue.
It could be anyone on the crew. Any of the actors. Or the producers.
Or even Zoë herself.
Time to see what the kids had been getting up to.
She walked up the gentle grassy slope towards the makeup trucks.
18. A Different Angle
Jack sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.
He’d lost count of how many times he’d seen this scene: Zoë running across the room; Karl embracing her; the dialogue playing out …
There must have been twenty takes at least, all from the same position, although about half way through the morning, the camera appeared to have moved a couple of feet to one side.
Apart from the actors, the only people he’d seen in shot were Alphonso and occasionally Fraser. And Ludo turned up once to say something to the actors.
But otherwise — just guesswork as to who else was in the room.
Until Zoë collapsed in the last take …
The cameraman had instinctively followed her fall so the shot had all the crew in frame — and he’d kept shooting for another minute at least.
Wait a second, Jack
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