Work experience - Enola Holmes

In September 2018, I had attended BFI film academy, a short course for young students studying film to give an overview of how the industry works. After attending, I found myself more knowledgeable about areas of film I had not yet learnt about. This included distribution of films, from screen to DVD and media publicity, to editing on Adobe Premiere Pro and how a set works, e.g how a boom operator or sound mixer would say 'speed' to confirm the recording. From this experience, I had a mentor who helped develop our script to filming on the course, as his main role in the industry is production. After the course had finished, my mentor, Bradley, had provided the opportunity to come onto the filming set of 'Enola Holmes' starring Henry Cavill, Millie Bobbie Brown and Sam Claffin. Getting in touch with Bradley, I had come onto set to gather a feel of how everything works. I attended three days, the first in location Holborn where I'd mostly seen prop work through horses used in scenes and carriages, to the rest of the experience in LH2 studios.
The first day in LH2 consisted of working alongside assistant directors. I had spoken to actor Louis Partridge whilst being a runner for the rest of the crew providing drinks, taking them onto set, etc. I'd learnt alot on this day, getting a feel for what every role does - networking with the sound mixer, costume and makeup designers, digital imaging technicians, etc, whilst listening to directions given on set through a radio, and learning how the crew communicate with each other using channels. An example being the que when recording starts. Someone on set would indicate rehearsal, this reciprocated by the assistant directors through the radio so everyone on set remains quiet. When the director is happy, assistant directors say 'standing by' for costume designers to come on set to give a re-touch for the actors before final recording begins. A bell goes off on set, all assistant directors shout 'rolling' to indicate to the rest of the behind the scenes crew that set must remain silent. Other phrases such as 'quiet on set' and 'shooting' were also used.

The second day on set consisted of overseeing the camera and electrical department, an area of film I have most interest in. This included speaking to camera trainees. Before going, I prepared questions to ask when in contact with trainees, these included in conversation,  such as how did you get onto set, what did you study- did you go university, etc. I found the answers beneficial, getting opinions from people who have my ideal role, helping me make a decision about further education. Majority of the crew said that they’d not gone to university, and the ones that had, used the other personas met in their future lives and not the actual degree. The crew also showed me their gear, including camera lens’, chargers, and where they keep in this is their trailer. The experience was insightful, and provided me with knowledge about how a film set works, and how roles such as assistant directing and costume design / casting crew fall into each other. Everything I have learnt will further be used when researching and writing for blogger. 
I have also networked and have a camera trainee/photographer's email, and will be in touch with them for further work experience opportunities, most importantly after the extended diploma course finishes.