We made a film
Review of filming for Present Company Excluded by Director Ash Arnold
17th November, Swadlincote, South Derbyshire.
It’s 6pm, absolutely freezing, and we’re about to make a film.
Now that Present Company Excluded is deep into post-production, it feels like the right moment to look back at how we actually made it because a short film takes a huge amount of work, a committed group of people, and, in our case, several portable heaters battling for their lives.
Before “Action!”
Making a film is a joy. But it’s also admin, planning, conversations, organisation, juggling schedules, and running on coffee (Iced Latte’s to be specific).
Before a single frame is shot, you’ve got pre-production: building your cast and crew, finding locations, feeding people, planning shots, prepping props, and answering questions you didn’t realise existed. And then suddenly, filming day arrives.
You load the car with equipment, food, and some random props. You get to the location, take a breath, and it’s time to make the thing happen.
On Set
As a director, I like to pretend my job is hard, but let’s be honest I spend the first hour looking busy while the crew do the real graft. Lighting and camera set up on one side of the room. Sound gears up on the other. Hair and makeup get to work under unnecessary levels of stress. And me? I’m pacing around and nodding thoughtfully at things.
Present Company Excluded was no different. The first shot always takes the longest, but my crew absolutely smashed it from start to finish. They were dialled in, focused, and made my life incredibly easy.
The Dream Team
I had an unbelievable crew on PCE each person a specialist, each brought something vital. I had a vision, but they’re the ones who turned it into something real. Massive shoutout to Jacqui Dunn, our fantastic MUA and costume wizard. She didn’t just make the characters look the part she gave them texture, life, personality. But great costumes are only half the story. My actors delivered. Moya and Zane came in knowing their characters inside-out, and it showed in every take. They didn’t just hit the brief they added layers I couldn’t have predicted. And a big shout to Shannon, who knocked it out of the park in her first-ever acting role.
And of course, to our extras: thank you. Sitting for hours in the cold is no small ask, and your dedication genuinely elevated the film.
Looking Back
There’s nothing quite like seeing something you wrote months ago come alive in front of you. Watching performances, shots, lighting, sound, costume and energy combine, that’s the magic of filmmaking.
Present Company Excluded is Shushka’s first “official” film. And hopefully the first of many.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this a reality.
I can’t wait for you all to see what we’ve created.
— Ash Arnold / Shushka Productions
