Final Major Project - The Shoot - John at Joss Bay.

The main aim for Finding Serenity is not only  show the dark side of Bipolar, but provide inspiration for those who have recently been diagnosed or have family members that suffer with the illness. We want to show that mental illness does not stop you from having a fulfilled life, that you can still do the things you love and have a family if you want to. 

For John, he finds his serenity in Music and the Sea. He calls the Sea "His Friend", and it is something he turns to in times of trouble and in times of elation. At two key suicidal points in his life he was pulled to the sea and wanted to end his life in the waves. Yet his love of surfing offers him calm, peace and joy. 

Although he normally surfs in Cornwall and California, I did some research to find that Joss Bay in Kent has a relatively large surf community. As someone who has surfed myself, I read the wave reports at with a forecast of 2-4ft waves, I decided we should go there to film a few sequences with John. He too was surprised that he had lived in the South East all his life and never knew there was surf here. He was over joyed and agreed to come with us. Unfortunately all the surfing shops had closed for the season, so we couldn't rent him a wetsuit or bodyboard, but Lauren brought hers along and decided to take the go pro into the sea anyway, to see if we could recreate the allusion of John surfing in a point of view style. Or just give the impression of what it feels like to surf. I thought this worked really well.

During the shoot we also did a number of sequences with John walking up and down the beach, throwing stones into the sea and playing his beloved guitar. The whole day seemed to uplift him considerably, we could tell instantly the impact the sea had on his mood. This was great to witness and be a part of. John even serenaded the beach with several songs. 

Sound was obviously an issue. On a windy day, I couldn't do a good interview with the equipment I had. However we did manage to record his music, which really is all we needed. 

I made the quick decision to do an interview in the car whilst we were driving. I decided this would show the journey he is going on metaphorically and mentally. He will be the only character in a car, perhaps suggesting the others have found their way of coping, where as John is still very much at the start. 

Unfortunately I was sitting in the front of the car and Lauren was in the back, so I am not quite sure how well the shot would look, as it is from behind him and you may not be able to see his facial expressions. Unless of course she managed to shoot into the mirror which would have been good. Either way, it was a good interview and I am sure we can use some of it. 

Now that we have spent two filming days with John, I believe his story is beginning to take shape. We still need o get some more sequences in his home, and I feel we will also need to get some stronger answers from him.