‘Between Us’ – 4th Year Grad Shoot Experience
Film Experience
On Sunday 6th March and Wednesday 9th March, I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to be 2nd AC on a 4th year graduate film shoot. The film itself was shot in North Berwick in a stunning estate house by the sea.
‘Between Us’ is a short film drama about a tight-knit relationship between grandfather and granddaughter as they navigate the complexities of dementia. The story is infused with love focusing on the bond and communication created with those who suffer from the illness.
Hollie Raeburn, Writer-Director
Whilst on-set I was able to work within the camera department and access equipment only available to fourth-year students – hello Arri Alexa! – and learn the details of the dynamics and roles in the camera department. As a 2nd AC, my primary responsibilities were as clapper-loader – another term used for 2nd ACs – and managing camera equipment and lighting set-ups.
As an aspiring writer-director hoping to also have a technical background in cinematography, observing how the fourth-years ran the set, managed the departments, and communicated between each other was incredibly insightful and taught me a lot. I intend to take the knowledge gained from this experience back to my own year group and projects.
Working on a set crewed predominantly by women in head of department roles was not only encouraging, but inspiring, and evidenced to me that I could find my place within the film industry someday with more and more female filmmakers paving the way.
As someone with unique life experience dealing with a chronic illness for over 15 years, seeing Hollie take a personal experience of hers and create a beautifully woven, heartfelt narrative based upon it showed me how we can take bittersweet moments in life and make them into something artful and commemorative.
Despite being on-set for 2 out of 5 days, I still took away a lot from the experience and learnt things that otherwise would’ve taken me far longer to realise. I am very grateful to Hollie, Claire, Klaudia and everyone involved for having me and wish them all the best on whatever paths they take post-grad.
Very excited to see the final film!