It’s been a funny old week, as I waited for the brand new eBay Collections to launch, and to see for the first time, the tutorial film that a I made a few weeks ago. The anticipation was intense. It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this, and I really wasn’t sure what the film makers would do with all the footage we shot. I shouldn’t have worried, the result is incredible and I’m thrilled to be part of it. More on that in another post, but I thought you might like to see what happened when the film crew descended on my home for a day back in February to make the film.
The team from Germany had chatted to me on the phone, and we met for dinner the night before the shoot. For some it was their first time in the UK so we had lots to chat about. Their agency represents the client in projects like this, and I was keen to understand how this kind of thing worked.
The filming team drove up from London and everyone was at the house by around 9.30am. And that’s when the fun began. I thought it would be best to tell the tale through pictures.
It started as the team began bringing in their equipment, which didn’t seem too bad to begin with.
And then they began to assemble everything.
There was much discussion and debate. Over what, I’m not too sure, as much of it was done in German! I told myself that was a good thing.
After an hour or more, it was time to get into position so the final preparations could be made.
The anticipation was really building for me at this stage. Almost two hours had passed, setting up all the equipment, and after much discussion on how I would speak, and what I would say, we started to film. Feeling very nervous, I fluffed the first take completely, my mind going very blank. After a few more goes, I managed to find my stride and it seemed much easier and more natural.
This is my view, from where I sat for the morning. It was all so fascinating.
With the first part of filming complete, I took a break whilst the team prepared for the next section that would include the actual tutorial. My home started to feel less and less like mine.
And everything had to be just right.
The living room had become the central hub of everything technical, where memory cards were ‘transcribed’ (I have no idea what happened to them really, but this is what I imagine was going on!)
I was amazed at the size of the lights that were used. This one sat outside a window at one point.
Everyone worked really hard, not stopping for drinks or snacks at all until the lunch break at 2pm. After refuelling in the local cafe, we set about filming the ‘selfie’ portion of the film, and some cutaways. (Little clips of silent footage that they use to make the whole thing look slick and professional).
Watching the crew at work was fascinating, there were incredibly creative.
And I was so pleased they wanted to include my fabulous honeycomb balls! Watch out for their appearance in the final film.
Of course we had to take a few pictures to commemorate the event including the obligatory selfie, with Katja the Director from the German team:
And the final group shot, as we assembled outside in the cold:
We finished filming at around 5pm. It had been a long day, but what a fascinating, exciting one. We had rearranged my house and turned it into a film set but by 6pm you couldn’t tell; everything was back to normal.
All of this happened several weeks ago now, and I’d not seen the finished film until it went live on the eBay site on March 6th. And here it is. It will be used on eBay for a year, along with an official portrait. More about my actual collections in another post but for now, here’s the tutorial film.
A huge thank you to the film crew and team. They made this a hugely pleasant experience for me, and were wonderful to work with.
Jen is an interiors writer and blogger and has an insatiable love of home style and decor
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What a day, and such a great experience it looks like. You look great on camera!
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Thank you my lovely!
This is a great idea, watched the tutorial too. How exciting to have a film crew in your house!
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Collections is going to be huge I think Melissa. It really WAS exciting!
What great life experience andm so proufd of you you sound fab!
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THank you so much B xx
Excellent job! I’ve never looked at ebay collections before – Guess How I will be spending my afternoon??
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Hope you had a good afternoon Mary! Just another thing to lose hours in 😉
Awesome I will be following your tutorial soon I promise, but for now can I have the lights and tripod please 😉
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Pretty cool aren’t they!
Hi Jen, oh wow, well done – how cool! You are a natural in front of the camera 🙂 What a long day though – must have been exhausting! Thanks for sharing the ‘behind the scenes’ as well as the finished video, it’s really interesting to see. Antonia xx
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Thanks so much Antonia. Yes a long day, but so intriguing. x
Wow! I never would have guessed so many people were behind the camera, you looked so relaxed and natural! I even fell for the whole ‘I’m filming myself on my phone!’ thing!!!
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I just did what they asked me to Miriam – the whole selfie thing was a bit strange but has worked so well! Guess they know what they’re doing!
Oh Jen, you seriously rock. Is that your house? How amazing is it? but then I should have known it woudl be. Well done, Mich x
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Thanks Mich. Yes my house, well the dining room mostly, if only the rest was ‘done’! x
Amazing Jen – really fascinating stuff and you and your house look fab!
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Thanks so much Emma xx
AMAZING Jen, what a wonderful experience and you are fantastic in the film. xx
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Emma, it’s amazing how they can make you look 😉 x
What an exciting day – the behind the scenes stuff fascinates me – the pictures of the photographers have given me some ideas
Oh my goodness Jen this is utterly awesome! It is amazing where blogging takes you isn’t it? So funny seeing you and your home like this, although I have to say you are a complete natural on camera, a real expert when it comes to interiors and your home is gorgeous.
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Thanks so much Penny! The blogging journey can be unbelivable at times, and quie surreal as I’m sure you’d agree. Still feeling overwhelmed by all the lovely comments. x
Yay! WOW Jen that is so awesome. Well done you!
You look amazing Jen! Such an amazing opportunity for you!!
I’ve been doing the eBay collections thing and just love them!
you look such a pro! wow well done!!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this post and looking at your photos of the day. What an amazing experience and your home is gorgeous, I even spotted a green beaker somewhere …
I’ve watched the film, it’s brilliant and you are a natural on film, next up you’ll be alongside Brad Pitt, who knows what lies around the corner?