Video Diary - Thurs Sketch 27th May
Added 2021-05-24 10:08:48 +0000 UTCFoil loves a good design job. He disappears into his world, silent for hours, save for the occasion click, click, click. His head turns from left to right "to see the colours differently", but otherwise his face doesn't change, a poker face of concentration. Its a level of patience unmatched in the group that's for sure. We leave him to it, learning many years ago that hovering behind him when he's designing something is annoying. Also hoovering behind him too, not to mention hoovering while hovering behin- I'll stop now.
30 minutes later, like magic, he comes up with the goods. He's far more understated than i would be... like, he's just designed a top trump card that could conceivably be sold in shops and is like "yes, i think that worked out well". I'd be high fiving strangers, calling my mum. Probably best i don't try and design something. Foil just works away, until its done, not even shouting at the printer. If Foil had a top trump card it would be patience 10. Its so fun designing and printing, we'd almost forget about the sketch
Hog: Confidence in sketch idea - 0
Hog has written some great jokes for this, but he's presented it with rock bottom confidence. Not that his delivery is rock bottom, he gives that gusto, but its his introduction that gives it away. "right, this is probably a pile of shite, but I'll read it anyway, and sure we can see". Foil and myself add jokes ,and away we go!
We spend a little while putting up the set, and lighting it, more than usual it has to be said. I think there's no turning back in terms of making a sketch look good and sound good - we just have to try and keep that standard! We've made our sound cocoon, turned those lights down reeeeeeealllll low and now its filming time.
Arms: Strictness in directing - 9
I'm directing, which is something i really enjoy. I run a tight ship, or at least i thought i did... Alas, with my back turned, m y actors stop learning lines, instead sitting down to play Harry Potter Top trumps. Foil doesnt even know half of the people on the cards but is somehow winning. It gives us our biggest laugh of the day (more so than the sketch ). Here's how it went:
Foil: Hmm... Temper -10?
Hog: what... no, you are shitting me! you beat me in the only category possible!
Hog then handed over ALBUS DUMBLEDORE and Foil produces... UNCLE VERNON.
There's nothing especially adventurous about this shoot, or script, but it is a fun days filming, and I'm delighted to be able to account for it here. - certainly makes me focus on the process, not just the outcome. There's worth in the days, not measured by likes or shares. Perhaps, as I said to the lads the other day, "these are the days, the most fun we'll ever have, the sweet spot." It certainly feels like it
Arms: Happiness 10.
Comments
Same here! There's so much genuine warmth in it. The happiness glows. 🥰
Emma W
2023-06-25 09:26:50 +0000 UTCThis is my most favourite diary entry ever. ❤️
Sudipta Sharmin
2023-06-20 03:47:29 +0000 UTCEverything related to this post was wonderful - Arms' writing and words, pix of Hog, video of Arms & Hog messing, the card game and the sketch that came from this. All wonderful. What are the feelings now, two years down the line?
MissiCz
2023-05-04 01:42:34 +0000 UTCIt's wonderful to read these lovely (and funny!) posts about how much the lads enjoy their work and each other's company. The last paragraph about finding joy in the journey rather than the destination was especially sweet and poignant. (On a lighter note, those cards did look very "real" and I'm sure the game would be a hit with FAHns if it were mass-produced as merch!) Phenomenal awesomeness? A real job? Yes and yes! 😘
selkie
2022-05-15 01:18:27 +0000 UTCReading this brought me so much genuine joy and warmth. Thank you Arms. Please keep writing, always. It's extraordinary.
Emma W
2022-02-16 20:23:01 +0000 UTCLove this idea!
2021-06-22 14:22:57 +0000 UTCNo Monday preview today?
2021-05-31 13:05:32 +0000 UTCI think you could easily make your JobTrumps a winning "merch" product. Loved it then we could give these as gifts to all our pals. In Glasgow here and boy do we need some indoor fun things to do. It is the longest day in 27 days' time and we'll be on the downhill run back to darkness and winter again. Haven't got beyond winter from the last one yet. Now in Covid lockdown since March 11 2020 and still no sign that we can get out of our level 3 lockdown restriction here. Like living in a leper colony. We need something to cheer us up. Thankfully you are het!! Thank you so much for all you do and for all caring so much (we know that it is just Foil really!) Hope that Hog had a very happy birthday and love your direction of the two Seans to get the sketch out xxx
Rose Main
2021-05-28 11:18:20 +0000 UTCYou guys are too clever. Thanks, and don’t change!
2021-05-27 18:15:40 +0000 UTCTangential but: KickStarter is calling - please, please, please make Job Trumps a real game! We need it during our game nights for the precariously employed
2021-05-27 16:02:49 +0000 UTCThanks!
Shannan
2021-05-27 03:51:59 +0000 UTCGood luck! 🍀
2021-05-27 00:33:10 +0000 UTCI just re-watched the attached video and looked at the pics again. For real though, as I contemplate going back to work from this months long medical leave, I'm so jealous of what appears to be such a fun workplace you three have cultivated, and leaves me thinking about how I can somehow start a mid-life new career. If it's not as fun and friendly and congenial a workplace as it seems, please don't disabuse me of the notion that it is (not perfect of course, nothing is, but good). I really hope it is and that this is truly possible in industries other than mine. I love the example these three are making as hardworking and driven professionals without losing the joy in each other or the reason they went into their profession in the first place. Ok, that's the end for my mushy comment. Thanks for the uplift on a dreary day.
Shannan
2021-05-26 19:08:30 +0000 UTC
