Recently we were in Georgia for the introductory film and the VR film for our museum. A look behind the scenes. Part 1: Lots of Snickers and a missing goat.
Text: Remco Reiding
Just as the film crew has set up the set and unloaded all the equipment in an old farmhouse, a grumpy man comes walking down the gravel path. After years as a correspondent in the former Soviet Union, I fear the worst.
“What are you doing here? Do you have permission? Show me your papers?”, I hear a little voice in my head say.
There goes our recordings, I think, after a year of preparation and a day of flying. But what does the man ask gruffly in Georgian? “Have you seen my goat? I’ve lost my goat.”
We smile and continue our preparations for the first day of filming in a happier mood. Actors and extras are dressed and made up, trash is cleared from the film site and the caterer places bags full of Snickers and bananas next to kettles and instant coffee.
Then, for some, the directing, camera and sound work finally begins. Most of the others smoke a cigarette off-screen, lie on a layer of straw between the fruit trees or strike up a conversation with each other. Because acting is mainly a lot of waiting.
Leading actor Matej (8) is meanwhile amusing himself out of sight of all the adults by knocking yellow leaves off a tree with a stick. Two other young actors are wrestling with each other, laughing.
Until the “ready for recording” signal sounds loud and clear and everyone takes up their positions again.
The Snickers remain on the table. The goat has yet to be found.
