While on the set of my first movie, I learned a hell of a lot. And I saw a hell of a lot I didn’t understand but will hopefully learn. However, I couldn’t help but having weird feeling throughout as I compared my first filming experience with my 20+ years of theatre experience.

Number 1) As I would see the actors speaking or even hear bits and pieces of what they were speaking, my mind was thinking “They’re talking too softly. They need to speak up.” Then in a smack to the forehead moment, worthy of Homer Simpson himself I would think “D’oh! They have boom mics above them. They don’t need to speak loudly because of that. No wonder the director is not mad”

I’m blushing now. Okay, well, maybe not blushing, but feeling a bit sheepish. Yet, I do use my years of theatre and having it pounded into me to speak up and project in my defense. I must remember the rules are different whenever I get my first line on screen.

Number 2) I would find myself walking around in the background or heading some place and a quick chill would hit my spine and I would think my back was to the audience. *cough* Another smack to the forehead moment. Duh, Heather, there isn’t an audience. Just a camera, and you don’t have to worry about that.

Theatre training again. Honestly.

Number 3) Probably one of the biggest sins of theatre, something you don’t do unless the script calls for it, yes, I am speaking of, CHEWING GUM! It doesn’t matter if you’re in the background or have a speaking part, you never, ever chew gum on stage. It’s very naughty indeed. Yet, there I was, in true 80s fashion, waiting by the roller coaster, smacking on some gum. I know it felt so wrong, but it was so right. How liberating to chew gum when one is “on stage”.

I am sure there are many other differences. But this is a blog, not a book. So I’ll leave it at those three and let those of you who have dealt in theatre give me a good ribbing for me being so silly.