National rail, no strike

 I had been applying for jobs on Mandy.com for a while when a job came up looking for an actress to be cast in three short educational films for Network Rail.  It looked like a great opportunity for Zaynah to work with other actors so I applied.  Imagine how excited I was to receive an email from Zahrah Issacs of Topline film production confirming Zaynah had successfully secured the role.  

The first day of the shoot we travelled from Birmingham by train Milton Keynes and then got a taxi a small station called Aspley Guise. They closed it for the day of shooting and from the time we were there nobody came or even enquired as to where the trains were.. We had a £10 per person budget for lunch but there were no shops to buy anything.  It was a good job I came prepared with a packed lunch with plenty of things for Zaynah to eat and drink.  I had to limit Zaynah's drinking because there were no public toilets, so no liquids for me 😢

The scenario was Ashraya - Zaynah, Jayne - Talia and Tom - Jaden are out on their scooters.  Tom is worried about being in trouble with his nan for staying out longer that they should. As they approach the level crossing the alarm sounds indicating a train is coming, and two adults cross the tracks despite the warnings. The friends have to decide on whether to take the risk and cross or wait for the train to pass. They filmed two different outcomes to explain what could happen based on what they decided to do. One where they risk following the adults to cross the tracks, two kids make it across but the third gets a scooter wheel caught and she frantically tries to free it before the train comes past. The alternative outcome was they wait until it's safe and text Tom's nan to say there are coming home now.  

When we finished for the day we went to my Aunty Angela's in Northampton for a few hours. It would be rude not to since it's only about 15mins by train from Milton Keynes and is on the route to Birmingham. Plus I really needed a sit down on a comfy sofa and a cuppa.

The second and final day of filming was in two locations, the first was in Nottingham at Plumtree station which is just used as a test track. We tried to make it work on public transport but as the call time was 9.30am we would have struggled to make it before 11.30am. Enter Aunty Di who was our saviour by agreeing to drive us for the day. We got there and the safety form I completed only allowed me to go onto the bridge so Di stayed in the car happily watching Columbo on her tablet.  

It was only a short walk to the tracks, up some uneven steps, but Zaynah helped me steady myself as I navigated to the tracks.  The trouble was when we got to the top we were on a sloping embankment which consisted of a grass verge and rubble/pebbles. I was already a bit unsteady on my feet because I was tired from yesterday, the one thing I've realised is that Ataxia and tiredness does not mix. Zaynah wouldn't be able to stay with me and neither could any of the crew. Craig, who was the liaison crew member making sure everything ran smoothly for parents and children could see I was getting concerned and struggling to stop falling over. He arranged with the onsite safety guy's for Di to be allowed onto the tracks without the completion of forms. It would probably be more forms to compete if I fell and broke my neck. One of the rail staff kindly brough me a chair an I sat directly on the tracks, I kinda felt like a damsel in distress but instead if being tied down I was siting on a chair eating a pack of crisps. I don't know if it showed on my face how close to tears this situation made me but I've quickly noticed how easy I am to read. Now I was "safely" sat in my chair I could enjoy the filming.

In the second scenario the kids are arguing about the quickest way to get to the park. The girls want to walk the longer way but Tom thinks it's ok to walk along the train tracks. The two outcomes are they take the risk and walk along the tracks with disastrous consequences or stay safe going the long way to meet friends. You decide lol

 

The last location of the shoot was in Leicestershire, Melton Mowbray station. Which is a busy working station with passengers and trains stopping often.  The scenario was the three kid's are coming home from school and find they have some time to kill before the train to arrive. Ashreya and Tom start getting restless and begin messing around, playing on the platform. Jayne sees the danger and tries to get them to stop but after some convincing she reluctantly plays along. Ashreya doesn't notice that her shoelace is untied and they are getting dangerously close to the platform edge. 

Before filming we went for lunch at a very nice pub called The Anne of Cleaves. All the crew went and Taliah, was there with her dad, so it wasn't long before Zaynah ditched us to play with her new friend, doing TikTok's and messing around. 

With our everyone fed and water it was back to the car so Zaynah could change into the school uniform and find our way to the station for filming. It was a great day, the weather was good, and even though it was still about safety, they got to have a little fun with it.

I think it was great that the kid's all got along so well and it was nice talking to other parents.

The final results of the weekend of work x