I met Graham McCowen at the beginning of this year, when we filmed a short concept video for the band ‘4am’. The band decided to shoot a full music video for their song called Dark December and so, knowing how well we worked together, Graham (who directed and produced the concept video) decided to book me for the shoot.

I had to be at a scrapyard in Electron (an area I have never heard of in my life!) at 8am and let me tell you, I am definitely not a morning person! I take ages to wake up and I’m quiet and grumpy until I have my morning tea…which I didn’t get to have because I was running late. Eventually after 45 minutes of driving I arrived on location at 7.58am proud of the fact that I’d got there two minutes early.

I must say that I didn’t realise how emotionally draining it would be to spend an entire day surrounded by cars that have been in horrific accidents where people more than likely lost their lives. As the day went on, it became more difficult to ignore the energies that surrounded the cars.

Although it’s a sad place, there’s a valid reason why the band chose a scrapyard as the video’s location. The music video’s story is very intense, but very touching.

As an actress you have to get into character, become the person you are portraying, and believe you are truly in the situation. Being in that location brought my energy right down to a serious and mellow place.

During the one hour lunch break I had to rush off to go to a call back for an advert, which was on the other side of the world! So, after missing my morning tea, trying to change outfits and make-up in the car while driving to the casting, and not even having a chance to eat anything, I finally got to the casting. In an absolute state I stumbled in and proceeded to lose my car keys. Great.

After the casting, I was in a mad rush to make it back to the shoot location in time. Eventually I found my missing car keys and made my way back to the scrapyard.

The challenge was to go from a serious mood, to a happy and energetic one for the casting, back to a serious mood for the video. It sounds easy, but by the end of the day I was totally exhausted, physically and emotionally.

At 6pm I collapsed into my car with a beautiful t-shirt tan I’d acquired throughout the day, to face an hour of traffic on the way home. Finally I had my morning tea at 8pm.

I always love being on set but it’s really not an easy job, although I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world. Yes, it was a long and draining day but thanks to director Graham McCowen from Pixel Warriors I think the video turned out great! He’s a great director and amazing editor. Check out his site to see what I mean: www.pixelwarrior.co.za.

Have a look at the finished video below. Watch it to the end to understand the storyline fully, then watch it again. I hope you enjoy it!