Snapshots from The Beach
"Quiet on the Set! Action!" - Part 2

This day begins very early, at six o'clock in the morning. We are dressed with regular clothes and a small rucksack, the only rule about this is "no white and no logos". The street is empty now, it's still night, we go to the catering area for breakfast, there are some people eating at the tables. We recognize Danny Boyle at one table with other crew peopDanny Boyle, the directorle. No barriers there. We sit with other extras, extremely cool people, one of them tells me: "This is hard, but very exciting", (of course it is). After breakfast one of the casting assistants gives all of us a green bracelet. Then we go to the little bar next to the hotel. We with some other people are selected for the first shot.

The first shot is on the street. The camera is located on the opposite hotel's roof, (they prepared this the day before). Everything looks like the first day with cars, taxis, tuk tuks and small shops. Our role is to shop and walk. I like very much to see the whole process.

Each shot needs between four or five takes. All people are very professional. After this shots in the street, the crew prepare the next shot from inside. Leonardo appears this time. The day is going on. It is a very hot day, all people drink a lot of water and refreshments. Even some people are wearing wet towels around the neck, (Danny Boyle included). The extras are in our area at the small bar. With us is a person named Dave who has to be Leo's stand-in. He is required inside for the light and camera tests. He is dressed like him and has the same height and hair.

The next shot requires us and some other people. From our stand by position we can see when Leo's mum and grandmother arrive. They will be at the set all day. They salute each other with affection. It's time to have the lunch and for some to relax, but not too much.

At the catering area there are Thai and other food. The extras are a mixture between Thai people and backpackers. It's time to talk to each other. After lunch we came back.

The first afternoon's shots take place outside the hotel again, with a lot of people and furniture. Some people are required to shot inside, a friend of mine included. She told us later that the scene was upstairs in the rooms.
The day is long with the hot weather and the hard work, but no-one seems to be tired. They shoot and shoot again.
This is the last day with the extras in it. The rest of the movie will be filmed at the studio. All the extras are excited for that and have prepared a present for Nun, she deserve it, all the time take care of us.
This pic shows some of the extras in the small bar next to the set. The person with their back to the camera is Non who arranges the extras and is very appreciated by all. The picture on the right shows the On On Hotel from the inside. It's very nice uh?. You can see the dressed tables with chairs and the beautiful lights.

Our next role is inside the hotel, we are sitting at a table with other extras. While we are waiting, some crew people prepare the shot. We can see the preparation from inside. Dave is sitting for the camera and light tests and Leonardo is in the back doing reherseals, he's wearing that now famous Thai T shirt and shorts. When all is ready we can only hear: "action!" This is a very difficult take for Leo. He shoots this very close to the camera which is manned by Darius K., in front of him is Danny B. who don't loose any detail. Between takes the make-up artist retouches Leo's face. When Danny is satisfied they finish. Leo shows now a big smile in his face. The work day has finished too, it's late. Then Danny walks to where the few extras are and says: "Thanks for all your work and for being here". I only have to say: Thank you, it was an honour.

It wasan honour for us not only to be a part in it, even though a small part. We were impressed especially with Danny Boyle, always with a smile on his face and saluting everyone. That makes for a very relaxing atmosphere and all of the people can feel it. And for Leo's professionality and hard work. I neither would't forget the rest of the people. I'm sure "The beach" will be a terrific movie. All of them deserve it.

Photographs are copyright Imma M.B.

Principal photography for The Beach took place in Thailand between January and April 1999. Although the film-makers were anxious to stop people watching or taking pictures they couldn't as many of the locations were on public land. If you have any pictures that you would like added to this collection or you want to tell us what you saw, then please contact the webmaster.The copyright for the photographs on theses pages belong to the owner and the pictures cannot be reproduced elsewhere without their permission.

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