'Last Chance Harvey'

Not many pupils have the chance to be sandwiched between Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson for three days filming! Amy Younger, Year 9, records the ups (filming with stars AND icecream AND shopping) and downs (being tutored) in her diary.

Day 1: Sunday 4 November

The place was the Grosvenor Hotel and when I got there I was feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I was told to sit down and wait until I was called by the wardrobe department. I went into wardrobe and I put on a silk dress that was really pretty. I was then taken to make-up where they put some make-up on but not very much as I was meant to be playing a child. I was then taken with all the other children upstairs to the children's holding area which had lots of chairs and drinks and food. We had to wait for about half an hour, then we were called down to the set. I was quite nervous at this point. The set was in a big ballroom and there were lots of wedding tables set out. I was at the kids' table which is where Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman were going to be placed as a joke. We spent about three hours saying lines and staring at them as they sat down at the table. We were then called for lunch which was actually very good. Then only a few children were called so all the others including me waited. Then we were done for the day.

Day 2: Monday 5 November

This time wardrobe and make-up was much quicker and was done in the kids' holding area. We were sent down to the set straightaway and we just had to listen to Dustin Hoffman saying his speech at his wedding as it was his 'daughter's' wedding. Then we ate lunch which was very good again and went upstairs where a tutor was waiting. We weren't very pleased but she taught us about Guy Fawkes and then because we were all different ages she helped us with any homework we had. After about an hour and a half, our AD (assistant director) said we were done for the day and I spent the rest of the day shopping.

Day 3: Tuesday 6 November

We went down to the set almost straightaway because we had a lot to do. We were told to watch the bride and groom have the first dance, then we got to dance ourselves. It was the best day and I think the most fun ever. We just had to act ourselves and dance like children. This went on until we were sent upstairs to have more tutoring. This time she gave three of us a poem to perform which was cool. Then we broke up for lunch and afterwards went back for dancing. When we stopped filming we went upstairs to the suite Emma Thompson had with her daughters and ordered a big ice cream sundae.

Amy Younger Year 9