Last Sunday I, along with many members of the CCA program, went to Watford Junction to see the soundstages where a majority of the Harry Potter films were made. Perhaps not the most cultural outing, it was nothing short of a blast for me. I got to try my hand at a new form of public transit, and see the process and making of a franchise that quite literally grew up alongside me, which was very sentimental. I took about 200 pictures (my favorites being the sections that had some of the concept art for certain creatures in the series, and the outdoor portion with the fronts to the Hogwarts bridge and #4 Privet Drive), drank butterbeer, and spent too much money on merchandise. All fun aside (well, not all fun), visiting the Harry Potter lot provided me with an unexpected benefit: I got an inside look at the sets, sound, and artistic design of the world. Being a man of theatre, and someone who is considering going into production as a profession, it was absolutely astonishing to watch short video clips and see pictures of the professionals building all the sets, props, and set dressing that went into Hogwarts. Though I wasn't necessarily going for a professional learning experience, I definitely walked away with one (and a picture of me with the door to the Chamber of Secrets!).
With the start of the week came the start of everyone's internships, mine included (though not until Tuesday night). After everyone came back on Monday, telling me about their first day and their experiences, I was nervous that I might not have the same kind of run-of-the-mill, "here's the toilet, here's photocopier", first day that my friends had had, since I am the only one in the program interested in theatre, and since my hours are so vastly different from everyone else's. I put my worries aside on Tuesday though, and with my head high I went in for my first day. Low and behold, it was nothing to fear. Extremely routine theatre business, in fact, and I imagine I'll be able to handle anything the Rose throws at me over the next five weeks.
That's not to say working for the Rose will be easy; I spent a good portion of my work hours on my feet each night, and I worked Friday night and Saturday morning as well, which is quite unlike the rest of the CCAers. But, on Friday a friend of mine from GWU came to visit London, and I spent the day with her before work, which was a breath of fresh air that I wasn't even aware I needed. Being around the very nice, very funny people in my program has been lovely, but something about getting a taste of home warmed my heart in a way I wasn't expecting. I must be a bit more homesick than I realize...in any case, running around the city coupled with an extra night and morning's work had left me pooped, and I was happy to relax with my buddies during the day on Saturday. Though I did see We Will Rock You, the Queen musical, after work on Saturday, and IT. WAS. A. BLAST. I've never had a theatre experience quite like it. Sure it had a plot, which was thin, and sure there was some acting, which was fine, but the music (from my favorite band of all time) was unbelievable, the singing was unfathomable, and the energy was crazy. I felt like I was at a rock concert, almost watching Queen live. I had to buy a Freddie Mercury t-shirt (canary yellow though, I have to say, is not my color).
All in all, this week rocked me, and I hope my remaining weeks are just as hectic, and just as awesome. Until next time,
Danny
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