24/05/06 - SOMETHING TO SHOW

Using the video shot at the read through I was able to create a DVD for cast and crew use. Mainly for Lee. This should work on two fronts. One, it gave me a chance to put the entire read-through down on DVD for Lee to review and look at his performance. This makes such a difference to him just reading in a mirror as the camera shows you how others will see it. It also gave me chance to watch back the read through without distraction and concentrate more. Lee was amazing. I had read all the other parts (quite badly!) but Lee was on fine form and his characterisations were really coming through. Thirdly, I cut a 5 minute highlight reel of some of his best lines and performances. This will be great to show to cast members up front so they can see what they are in for. And also, it gave me an oppotunity to try out the audience laugh track. I think it worked brilliantly and gave a real feel for how the finished thing will play, with laughter in places that there should not be to work a joke. It was very exciting and the whole package DVD can now be used to show newcomers, for Lee to perfect his character, and also to just start defining the whole feel of the show. So....video your read throughs and rehearshals!