Camera assistant Gemma Caldwell has just completed filming a behind the scenes documentary for a low budget horror film entitled Within the Woods. A close friend of 13 years, she invites me to her second floor flat in Earls Court after her weekly acupuncture appointment in West London. A career that requires a high level of motivation and long hours sitting in front of a 32 inch computer screen, it is hardly surprising she needs help relaxing. As the voice recorder is switched on, her posture has immediately become rigid and tense. True to form she lights up a slim lined cigarette, a ‘Vogue’ that naturally becomes an extension of herself. “Because of my job”, she explains rubbing her tired eyes “I don’t really have a typical day”. Working extensive hours is something Gemma has become accustomed to. During her time shooting on the Zombie film the crew were required to work, “long nights in freezing cold weather”, and warm practical clothes were a necessity including thick jumpers, a zip up gilet and her ever faithful and slightly battered Ugg boots. As her blond wavy hair falls past her shoulders and dark brown eyes start to flash brightly, she talks about her future ambition of making documentaries in Africa. Her desk is littered with papers, highlighters and notes of reminders but amongst this disarray sit two wooden figurines of a rhino and an elephant, inspirational tools that spur her on to achieving her life-long dream. Her disorganised approach to life is also something she feels is translated through to her wardrobe. She declares that her fashion is, “a bit haphazard … sometimes things match, sometimes they don’t!”, she exclaims laughing. For someone who is always behind the camera instead of in front of it, no-nonsense clothes have become her safety blanket. Fashion is merely an afterthought. However, you cannot help but feel she longs to be rid of her Ugg boots in exchange for, “some really nice shoes”.
No comments:
Post a Comment