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| Tuesday 21st March 2000 | Page 10 of 12 |
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Approaching the Xena: Warrior Princess production camp, heading north It's Renee O'Connor! She can be seen in the centre of the picture, sitting up in the dunes. |
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I approached, I saw that they had now cordoned off the area they were
using for shooting and had three bouncers patrolling further out on the
beach, keeping people away - not that there was hardly anyone else
there that day, apart from me! Once I got close, I thought I'd stop and
have a proper look - after all, a few others were watching already, so
I felt safe to do the same. Although close to the production camp itself, I was still a long way away from the dunes, and as a result could barely see anything, but it was obvious by this stage they were actually filming. I saw a figure clad in black standing to the rear, with a sound recordist holding a boom microphone above him, obviously working on dialogue. Do I risk a picture, I thought? The bouncers were keeping their eyes on the people watching, but I noticed they did occasionally look away, so bided my time. I still didn't see anyone I recognised, either from the cast or the crew Throughout this time, I had been aware of a couple of figures sitting a short distance away from the main filming area, largely obscured from view by the small hill they were obviously sheltering behind, as there was a very chill wind blowing that day. I could only see the tops of their heads most of the time and hadn't paid them all that much attention up to that point, but then all of a sudden one of them stood up and it was Renee! People who know me - and of my boundless admiration for the wonderful Renee O'Connor, one of the most consistently brilliant actresses ever to grace the television screen - will doubtless be amused to learn that my reaction to seeing her in real life was exactly the same as I have always anticipated - I began to shake with excitement, my breath became short and my hands were trembling so much it was a miracle I was able to operate the camera, but use it I did! Just as well really, because seconds after Renee stood up, she was joined by her close friend Lucy Lawless! Ye gods, I could scarcely believe what was happening right before my eyes! If I didn't have the photographic evidence, even now I wouldn't quite be able to believe I hadn't dreamt it! Unfortunately however, the shock of this wondrous and unbelievable vision must have blunted my reaction time slightly (wouldn't it do the same to you?), because by the time the camera actually fired, both Renee and Lucy had turned around and were facing away from me, still clearly visible, but crouching behind a hill and looking up towards the black-clad figure at the rear. Although I hadn't been noticed by the bouncers this time, I knew I had to try for another shot and only had mere seconds to do it... |
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Xena: Warrior Princess filming in progress The figure beneath the boom microphone is Kevin Smith. Renee O'Connor and Lucy Lawless can be seen crouching behind the hill looking up towards him. |
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