A small film crew is visiting my even smaller cottage on Sunday, to create a short film of my life with MS.
I had great chats with both the producer and creative director this week, working out the best angles and what to focus on.
Here’s what went through my mind:
Best angles – will there be a make-up artist?
Can I be contoured and strobed to slim my pudgy face down?
Will there be a generous amount of Photoshop in the final editing?
My cottage is dark (yay), almost like being candle-lit. Result. Then I found out they’ll be bringing super-strong lighting. Meh.
Focus – we chatted about my life with MS, what inspires me, what motivates me. Writing seems to be the strong theme – in fact, it seems as if, through my blog, I am writing my way through MS?
All this got me thinking. They will film hours of footage, to be reduced to a few minutes. What do I want to convey? What is important?
For me, the beauty of writing is that I can make mistakes. I can delete, add, rewrite. Perfect for MS; I’m the one in control, even if my dodgy typing fingers have other ideas.
However, I’m understandably anxious as I’m probably the least photogenic person on the entire planet and I have a slight lisp. Plus a Scottish accent. And the pudgy face. Hair up or down? I haven’t been to the hairdresser since January.
Despite all the negatives, I said yes.
What does it matter? I may carry a little more weight (ok, a lot, but I’m working on it). I may have a pudgy face (perhaps they can film me from the nose up?). I may lisp, but that’s me.
Ultimately, I think I have a lot to say, and a lot to talk about. Sure, MS was a wrecking-ball, but we rebuilt and I think this will shine through.
You heard it here first, but we also have The Teenager on record, agreeing to be filmed. He might not wake up until 1pm, but he’ll be there. After all, he is the main focus and the reason I get up every day and carry on.
Do you think they’ll send a catering van?