There is so much to share with you. So much to digest. 17 shooting days. 55 crew members in total. 4 on-screen vehicles. 2 stunts. 12 cast members. 15+ supporting artistes (thank you friends!) AND we got it in the can.
I am definitely riding a wave and enjoy waking up every day and remembering that we made a feature film! I had my leading acting role in my first feature film! Bruno Centofanti wrote and directed his first feature film! Lukáš Bistřický was the cinematographer on his first feature film! Tori Hitchens designed the costumes for her first feature and it all came together so beautifully.
There were a lot of firsts for the team involved on this project and it made it all the more special. And for a lot of people it certainly wasn’t their first and that has been a great support too.
For sure, there were challenges. Every day was a challenge in its own way (I need some processing time to be able to talk about these) but I just kept reminding myself - and had Bruno alongside me reminding me - to stay focused because, “we’re making it!”
We made our feature.
We. Made. Our. Feature. Film. (say it louder for those in the back!)
We made our feature film(!)
We MaAdE OuRr FeEaTureeeeeeee Filmmm! Wooooooo!
WHAAAAAAAT!
Dream come true.
And now?
We enter post-production 😍
It’s been hard to rest because the excitement and thrill is just so much. My heart feels full. My creative channels feel wide open and it’s just so hard to rest. I am enjoying the surf and I’m exhilarated by the abundant waves.
But as an attempt to relax, I am going to reflect on things that I’m looking forward to doing as a restful reward:
Going to the cinema! It’s been so long that I had free time. I had the joy of visiting Everyman Stratford, wow. For many years, we lived in the Olympic Park, Stratford and if there was an Everyman at the time I would have found myself there day in and day out. I mean look at this place:
Watching a new film course I signed up to where “film meets psyche, where image fractures, and meaning bleeds. From the historical legacy of hysteria to the spectral melancholy of modern cinema, we explore the female psyche not as pathology but as poetry. Why have these terms disappeared from clinical language? What do they still reveal? What do they conceal? Each session pairs film analysis with a psychological inquiry bringing the themes into dialogue with your own lived experience through reflective and applied exercises. This is not a course about diagnosis. This is an act of excavation.”
Popping into visit James at Aesop in Covent Garden and topping up on some spathroom (spa at home in the bathroom) treats. Top of my list at the moment is: Geranium Leaf Body Scrub (purchased today thank you Jacob in Coal Drops Yard) and the sublime replenishing night masque. The masque especially is a top tier treat but my gosh, it’s like having a spa at home and is a luxurious experience, especially for visiting friends. Oh and if you happen to be converting your home into a unit base, then the botanical bathroom deodoriser aka post-poo drops can become essential oils x
Rejoining my Meisner acting sessions with Nicole Gaskell. Although emotionally I feel as though I need to be very gentle with myself and recovery post-feature. My character required me to be very vulnerable and emotional and I loved every second, I just also need to recoup my energy for the next!
Gatherings with friends. I’m looking forward to playing host and welcoming friends over or catching up over a cosy matcha or heart warming coffee or maybe, a calming herbal tea. I’m going to restock on my herbal tea so I’m ready.
Having my mum visit and having time to leisurely go into town and live our London Life together. I grew up in the suburbs of London, Zone 6 Crayford. Mum and I have never been so central and when she visits we act like tourists in our own city. It’s fun to treat ourselves and taste nice food and shop for bargains - we are avid charity shop goers, they are treasure chests waiting for you to find gold. You find unique one-off pieces and supporting various charities.
Start to digest footage from the behind the scenes of our film and start assembling our making-of film (okay the work is starting to creep in on the rewards list already).
Put my mind to the release of the film with the creative assets I’m thinking to create (work related but will be rewarding).
Expand Living with Louise - something that has been very exciting for m
e to explore. Now this one I’ve been thinking about a lot. I’ve got some ideas that I’d like to explore which essentially develop Living with Louise into a bit of a lifestyle brand. I’d love for it to represent freedom somehow, freedom to be yourself, freedom to choose a life based around your interests, freedom to create and express yourself. If you’d be up for sampling or being part of my focus group, please drop me a message - I’d love to share some ideas with you.
I’d also like to purchase this Liquid Death doormat which I think is cool and is giving me Darker Days vibes (Darker Days = the name of our feature).
Of course loads more to say.
But will respectfully park it here.
Lots of love friends, feel free to reach out. I always love to hear from you!
Have you thought about making your own rewards wishlist? Doesn’t have to be something you buy but something you do for yourself.
I could not be happier for you.
But speaking as someone who worked in post production for many years I would of course have to say the film is not quite in the bag yet.
I imagine Bruno has quite a few weeks ahead of him in a dark edit suite somewhere.
But that bit can be fun too.
It's how you get to turn the precious stone you found into a fine jewel
I can't wait to see the results 😁
Well done everyone, especially you Louise. Can't be more proud and happy for you!