Okay, so I'd like to tell you more about yesterday!
The event was supposed to start at 11 a.m. but people were coming from 7 and earlier. With tickets, we could sit wherever we wanted so to avoid chaos everyone who came got a number written on his hand and then we formed a really, really long line outside the cinema. That way the best places went to those who came first and it was fair. My number was 252 and got me a place in about tenth row. I was proud the fans were so well organised
At 11 Benedict, Nick Moran, Adam Acland, Adam Selves and the Q&A host Elvis Mitchell came in, sit in a first row and the film started. I was so happy and exited about seeing Benedict that I was worrying how wrong it is to watch a serious film with lot of violence with a wide smile on my face. But the film was so good and I was carried away since very beginning. The light, the sound created unbelievable tension and everyone just focused on watching the film. I almost forgot Benedict was there. After the ovations the Q&A began.
Elvis Mitchell was a very good host. I think Benedict was the person who talked the most but all four participated in conversation and listening to them was a pleasure. Most questions were about the film but they talked about SunnyMarch a lot. That's why they accepted the invitation - to tell people about the company. They said SunnyMarch is very young but they hope to run for many years. They are still figuring out their roles in it; Benedict wants to produce films and he's been thinking about directing; he'd be also acting in some of them. It's very important for him to create proper working condiction. He said people who make a film often do overtime because they have to finish they work before deadline and they have families, children waiting at home - he doesn't want to make films like that. He also said it makes a huge difference when your bosses and coworkers are your friends and he loves it.
They all aprecciate freedom they have as producers. They discuss all decisions, experiment a lot and no one from big companies tells them what to do. They like making short films because it allows them to hire very good people, e.g. the best stunts. It's impossible to hire those people for three months and make a full film but they often find two or three days and that's what you need when you make a short film.
About Little Favour: they rose money and filmed it in 11 days; Benedict had a break between episode 2 and 3 of Sherlock 3 and he went to New Zeland to do some recording for Smaug and he found time to film Little Favour. While everyone were saying how kind and helpful Benedict was during the shooting, Benedict decided he had to prove it and started pouring water for everyone They also want to do a full film based on that story but Benedict joked they might recast and he might not be in it. They were even talking about shooting in Poland. Benedict likes Poland, he finds Cracow beautiful
They were also talking about child soldiers and symbolism (the hand shake between Ace and James, the fact it was Lilah who took Ace's hand, not the other way). Somebody from the audience asked what had happened between Ace and James before but they said it's left for our imagination. Or, if they do a full film, we'll find out.
After the Q&A Benedict received and award called Upstream Award for supporting independent films and not being afraid to do new things. He thanked and said he's glad that despite his roles in mainstream films, his other work is also known and appreciated.
In the afternoon, Benedict appeared on meeting with Nick Moran and he watched The Kid and listened to Nick's Q&A. They seem to be good friends
Unfortunately there were no meeting with the fans during the entire visit. We found out he wasn't allowed to meet the fans due to the contract with Off Plus Camera and it was Karen Milkis' decision - he came to Poland as a producer, not an actor.
I only wish festival's organisers told us about it, we would unterstand and there'd be no dissappointing and pointless waiting outside the buildings. It's the only downside I can think of.
It was an amazing experience, I'll never forget that day and I know how lucky I am to be able to attend a meeting with Benedict. He's a wise, charming man, and he knows what he wants from life. It was great to see him among his friends and listening him talking about his passions.
PS We made a gift for him and gave it to the organisers. We hope he gets it It's a t-shirt, here's a front:
The best known Polish legend is the legend about Wawel Dragon who lived in Cracow (you can read it here) so we laughed Smaug has replaced the dragon for few days
The city on the picture is of course Cracow. On the back of the t-shirt is: "I also did the motion capture" as it's a line Benedict said many times when talking about Smaug.
This amazing t-shirt is made by a talented artist Paulina Kędzia and the photo is taken by Daria Budna.
My photos aren't good bacause the zoom in my camera doesn't work. But there are absolutely fabolous photos on the internet, I watch and download them myself
but I like the idea that we all meet Benedict quite often
Marta wrote:
