Last night was the first screening of Behind Closed Doors, the film I worked on in the Spring.   All I had seen of the product were the trailers, and so I had no idea what I was going to see.  Its one thing to shoot a film, that’s a process in itself, but the finished product can be very different from what you imagined.  Additionally, I’m one of those actors that does not enjoy watching myself, and in the past I’ve been somewhat tortured by watching video or film of my performances.

So, lets just say that I was a bit uncertain about what I might see when I viewed the film and how I might react to watching myself.

I needn’t have worried.  The film was well edited, and looked great.  The first shot was what’s called a jib shot, and it looked so amazing that I sat forward in my seat.   When I finally made my entrance on screen, I didn’t wince or flinch (a good sign).  I can say that I was relatively pleased with my performance.

One funny thing about watching a film that you were acting in (I suppose its the same if you directed it or had any other role) is remembering what it was like to shoot it, compared with how it looks on screen.  Or more specifically, how quickly it goes by in the film.  For example, I can remember the first night of shooting, in a very cold alley in London, Ontario, from sundown till 3am…and how that scene lasted less than 2 minutes in the film.  Many scenes were like that: it took far longer to film than they took to watch.  I suppose that’s the nature of film.

I do think I have a bit farther to go with my pursuit of the film acting technique.  I think I’m getting better, but I’m not quite there yet.  This is the kind of thing you can learn only by doing, so…I’ll keep doing it.  I think I need to work on my specificity.  At least, that’s what I identify as an issue when watching myself.

I think that’s enough self-criticism today.

But on the whole, I have to reiterate that I am happy with the film.  It looks great, and the cast, crew, director and producers were great.   At the screening I was given a little swag back, containing a couple of small posters for the film, a production still (I gotta get that framed and on my wall), and a DVD of the film.  Afterwards, a small party at a nearby bar, and some great compliments from people involved in the film, as well as from some perfect strangers.

Overall, a good night.