FEATURE
The time I took a potato to Helena Bonham Carter
Photographers can often find themselves in pinch-me moments, but this particular incident happened a long time before I knew what I was meant to do, and was working on a Hallmark Media production of Merlin.
It was an experience, to say the least, which had quite the cast, from Helena Bonham Carter, as well as Sam Neil, Martin Short.
By Xavier Clarke · The XC Post · Words & Images: Xavier Clarke
The Runner
My role was to assist the runner, which wasn’t exactly glamorous but gave me a little freedom to explore the wonders of Pinewood studio, while taking things, food, and people back and forth from set to office, and finding actors/extras/crew who weren’t where they were supposed to be.
One wet cold afternoon, the canteen called, and someone needed to pick up a baked potato and take it to Helena, after winning a quick Star Wars quiz (c’mon, obviously it was a hydro spanner!), I was on my way to the world-famous Pinewood canteen, passing photos and posters of icons past and present (back then!!), picked up the potato and took it to the trailer in the shadows of the 007 stage.
Here's Your Potato
I knocked on the door, and there was Helena Bonham Carter, right in front of me, and all I could say, with a bright red face, was, Here’s your potato.
She smiled, thanked me, took her lunch, and closed the door.
It was a fleeting moment in time, for me, a meaningful one, for her, not so much, but even though it was an interesting experience overall, the industry really wasn’t for me, which without trying, I wouldn’t have known.
That moment and the experience as a whole, was great and is part of who I am.
Your Story
With my clients, I get to hear some incredible, amazing, and sometimes unbelievable stories.
Have you got any stories that are out of the ordinary? Have you partied on Richard Branson Yacht, marched with mermaids, dined with a celebrity, bumped into a friend on the other side of the world, won an award, cooked for a chef, saved a rhino, hitchhiked around Europe, been in a band, or even been in the tunnels under Brighton Pavilion?
Let us know in the comments below, and if you can include a photo.
Extraordinary Ordinary
All our experiences make us who we are and you can take for granted just how extraordinary your ordinary is.
If it’s time to share your story, for your ideal audience and stand out for being outstanding, or just have a story to share, send a DM or click the link on my profile.
All our experiences make us who we are.
And you can take for granted just how extraordinary your ordinary is.
If it’s time to share your story, send a DM or click the link on my profile.