Cycling while snow falls...where do I sign?
Windswept and Interesting* - 20/11/24 - 015
Morning all, happy Thursday!
We’re three weeks into November (HOW?!) and the days are getting noticeably shorter over here. Every bit of warm of light and generous heating that can be sought is savoured. Glittery lights are being hung, holiday specials are being sung, and the end of the year grows nearer with each freezing day. This last week, there was even some snowfall!
The last seven days has gone by so fast, quicker than most since I’ve been here. Full of prepping for our film shoot, and working hard as a freelance photographer and at the Leeds International Film Festival, I feel I’ve barely stopped since my plane touched down from Italy.
That being said, let’s get into the recap :)
*CAMERA CLICKING SOUND EFFECT*
After multiple visits, a fair few emails and the occasional questioning of “So are you hiring at the moment?”, the Hyde Park Book Club (aka my favourite place in Leeds), finally deigned to take me on as an on-call freelance photographer.
Hallelujah!
So, I was locked in to shoot five seperate sets, split across two nights of the week and safe to say…I was very nervous. After shamelessly bugging the HPBC for a work opportunity and final being given it, I was suddenly very aware of how well I needed to deliver to keep this relationship going. And although I’ve had my moments in the past of getting too in-my-head about ‘imposter syndrome’ and not having the talent to carry something out, I was proud of how I handled my nerves.
I did my research, trusted my gut, and ended up having the best time. Feeling very comfortable with a camera in my hands again, I quickly gained back my confidence in shooting, and I was in full-swing not long after. It is such a great way to experience live music. My passion for live music photography stemmed from a curiosity I’ve had since I first watched No Cameras Allowed (2011) with Mum, then to a shot-in-the-dark message to Flowermarket back in 2021, and finally to being in a position where I can earn a decent wage from doing something I really love.
How good is that?!
More than 700 photos later, I’ve since been editing madly to get them back to the team on time, and fingers crossed they’ll have me back very soon.
Regardless, I loved every second I got to spend doing it all again, and if anything, its reignited a passion for photography that I’d let slip through the cracks. But, it found me again in the end - and that’s what matters.
Follow your instincts kids, that’s all I’m going to say.
QUIET ON SET!
Its official: Filming has begun for my degree at the Northern Film School.
Split over the course of four weeks, three short film groups are filming each week, across three studios on-campus. My group, UPGRADE, is set to film on the 3rd/4th/5th of December, so we’ve still got a bit of time.
My official roles for this production so far are:
Assistant Producer
Casting Director
Art Director
Caterer
“You know how in the Mafia, they have ‘Fixers’?” Ethan, our Gaffer, said in our team meeting the other day, “Lucy, you’re our Fixer”. This comment made me beam.
To prepare for our upcoming shoot, I’ve picked up an extra role here and there on a couple other productions - BTS/Stills photographer for one (this week), and 1st AC for another (the week after we wrap).
I’ve really missed being on-set. Earlier this year, I worked on a graduation film as an Assistant Producer, and it was the most exhausting and exhilarating I’ve had as a film-student so far. The camaraderie and delirium that hangs in the air as everyone in the space, commit themselves to getting the perfect take.
It’s a bit ridiculous really, working so hard to make something as supposedly temporary and fleeting as a film - and yet we dedicate ourselves to it anyway. All in the name of making something meaningful.
That is why I’m so glad I chose a degree like this. Because despite all I want to do in the world that spans away from film, despite my curiosity for other industries, I am so happy I chose a course that puts me in the same room as people mad enough to commit themselves to a career as fickle as filmmaking.
Put me amongst those people, the creative and crazy ones!
~ ~ ~ ~
Side note: The 90-second film I made for my first semester at Swinburne (called Girlhood) was screened at an ongoing film festival event in a nearby town, Sheffield, called Showroom Shorts. What set this screening apart from others, was that I had the opportunity to be interviewed before the film showed, answering questions about the production, it’s context, and what has led me to living in Leeds.
It’s good to celebrate our victories as they come, so I wanted to share that here while it’s fresh in my world. So then in a year or so when I’m rereading these entries, I can remember the leap I took to make this happen for myself.
“You miss all the shots you don’t take”, and all that jazz.
VISUAL AID
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!
Perhaps the highlight of my week, and the most glorious thing that’s happened since winter has settled in to Leeds - snow!
I’d been at my friend’s house for the night, playing some music and catching up, when I looked after his shoulder toward the street-view, to see the street was being covered in snow. Having only seen snowfall once or twice before in my life, I naturally got all giddy and forgot everything I’d been doing up until that point. My friend, Calvin, did the same.
“It never snows this early” he said.
Lucky me!
After bidding Calvin goodbye, I rode my bike, Betty, home in the snowfall. As unsafe as that may sound (and I’ll admit yes it was a bit unsafe but, as if I was going to pass up a chance to ride home in snow), it was nothing short of cinematic. I was grinning so much that my face hurt, (though I’m sure the cutting cold air didn’t help). All downhill and with few turns, I was fortunate enough to spend the ride mostly gazing in awe at the snow. I felt like a little kid, woohoo-ing the whole way as I weaved my way back home.
Have a look for yourself…
Specks of ice wedged itself onto any bare piece of skin I couldn’t cover, and despite wearing my gorgeous red leather gloves that my practically-Aunt Jane bought me for my 21st, my hands were numb from the journey.
Rosy-cheeked and reeling from the adrenaline, I can say that nothing has made me more excited for spending Christmas over here than seeing snow fall from the sky.
I know I sound like a broken record, but my oh my, it really is the little joys that make the world go ‘round.
HONOURABLE MENTION: THURSDAY NIGHT
For the sake of wanting to remember the moral of this story, I want to put this video here. I filmed the video not thinking I would share it, but for the sake of being true, and from feeling so happy with how things turned out, I want to save it here.
CURRENT OBSESSIONS
Watching…
Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire
Ever since getting back from Scotland, Sylvie and I have been wanting to do a virtual watch-party of the Harry Potter series. Finally, we found the time and as suspected, the 3-hour video call was packed with catching up, chatting about Xmas/NYE plans and even a bit of movie-watching.
Dish Podcast videos
My new favourite podcast, I love listening to this show while I make my own meals. The best episodes I’ve heard so far have to be the ones with Stanley Tucci, Richard E Grant and Saorise Monica-Jackson. Would highly recommend!
Listening to…
Borstal and Spaceman by Monster Florence
The best songs of Monster Florence’s performance that I shot on Thursday. I couldn’t help by dance to Borstal, and when Spaceman came on, the whole crowd sang it back to them. It was one of those shows that felt electric. How lucky was I to have had the chance to see it for myself?!
What A Devastating Turn Of Events by Rachel Chinouriri
This is a fantastic album that I stumbled across the other day. Poppy, honest and undeniably catchy, this was a great shout on Spotify’s behalf. Never Need Me and My Blood are my favourites at the moment. I’d give anything to create a song that feels as electric as Never Need Me (particularly from 2:45 onwards). That’s the plan now anyway.
Big Ideas by Remi Wolf
To accompany the 1-hour train journey from Leeds to Sheffield, I finally got around to listening to this Remi Wolf album. I’ve never gone out of my way to listen to her before, but I liked the sense of fun and tongue-in-cheek-ness of this album. She’s just here to have a good time, and I can appreciate that. Cinderella and Soup are the favourites.
BYE FOR NOW
Another entry for the ol’ archive.
I write this to you now sitting in my room with a new sleepy-eyed roommate - my best friend Meg. Flying all the way from Australia (therefore, horrifically jet-lagged), Meg will be staying with me for the next week and I’m SO EXCITED!
Like a kid showing off their favourite toys, I can’t wait to give Meg the ‘grand tour’ of Leeds, have her meet my friends and go on a few adventures while she’s here.
Things really can’t get much better than this.
Anyway, time to go for now.
Lots of love to you all, have yourselves a great day, a glorious week and I’ll see you in the next one.
Til then <3
Enjoy the time with Mega - Mix xxx
Over the moon for ya Lucy Lu! You truly do be seeing the glistening light in every day.
Such a packed week of amazing things! And it's not amazing things that have happened to you, but amazing things that you have made happen and sought after!
Also, that snow looks like it would've been so fun to cycle through!
And wishing you and Meg have the most splendid time!