Ok... I am still a bit shocked about what happened today and even as I write this it feels a bit surreal to try and recreate the exact details. I will try and do that as best as I can here so that a record remains in my memory forever.
I had met Mirren at the Russell Square park to talk over my latest script changes which mostly involved scenes with Ailidh. So we found a bench and were talking through the script.
Then a man strolled past who I thought was Mike Leigh and I starred him out as he walked past. Once he was passed I told Mirren why I had been starring at some guy instead of concentrating on the script.
You know that way though when you see someone in the flesh that you don't really believe is the real person... well this was like that. I joked to Mirren that he would be back in a minute and would be dying to hear about my film.
About half an hour later he came back and as soon as I noticed him coming I got Mirren to check it was him. We then both watched him walk past. Cue slow motion images of Mike Leigh walking past.
Mike behind the camera
Now I love films but in particular I love Mike Leigh films and he has been a huge influence on me wanting to become a film-maker. But... I was too scared to do anything about it. Mirren though, egged me on to go and ask him "to read the script".
So I ended up running after him holding my script in hand. I stopped him... and this is where it goes a bit fuzzy!... I asked if he was Mike Leigh and then I asked if he would read my script. I don't think I really wanted him to read my script but I wanted to speak to him and tell him about my film and I think I just said whatever Mirren had suggested in order to start a conversation with him.
The rest is a blur really. He doesn't read scripts he told me. Which I could have guessed really by what I have read about his methods and approach to film making. He asked about my film and if we were working on it now.
The moment I remember was when he asked "what is your film about?". I remember this because this was the first moment where every cell in my body suddenly realised that I was talking to Mike Leigh, one of my favourite directors, about my film, that I have put so much effort into. I think some words came out of my mouth which vaguely described the film but I became so nervous at that point.
He also told me that he was in the middle of shooting his latest film and had 2 weeks to go on it as well as asking about me shooting my film and on what medium.
Nearly forgot... he was out getting his shopping!
At the end of the conversation we shook hands and he was off and I was feeling like a teenager with a spring in my step!
I think in summary, although the moment flashed by so quickly that I can't really recall the exact words exchanged I got the feeling that he was a really nice man and genuinely interested in what I was up to.
There was definitely things I learned from the situation which are:
- Be prepared to tell someone what your film is about under pressure
- If you meet someone like Mike then give him your contact details. Unfortunately I didn't do this...
- Even if you feel nervous about approaching someone then go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
- Mike Leigh is not just an amazing film maker but a lovely man.
I feel that this is another sign that I am heading in the right direction and that the film is coming together. I am sure I have spoken before on this website about how Mike was one of my influences in film making and I think that meeting him in this way has just given me more belief that I can produce an amazing film that I can be proud of and that people will want to watch!
Lastly... Mike if you ever read this you can contact me at bryan<@>bookedoutfilm.com!