Behind the Scenes on “Lovebirds”: Indie Film, Freezing Park, and One Very Distracted Extra
It’s not every day you find yourself juggling filming gear and equipment, a DSLR, and pretending to be a phone-addicted passer-by… all in one shoot.
But in December 2024, that was me, helping out on a short film called Lovebirds. I was roped in (gently persuaded by Dan ;0) ) as a camera assistant, behind-the-scenes photographer, and, eventually, an unplanned extra. Because clearly, there’s no end to my talents.
A Gloomy Day in Victoria Park, Ashford
Let’s set the scene.
It was cold. It was grey. Classic British winter vibes. The kind that makes you question every life choice involving outdoor filming. But we were in Ashford’s Victoria Park, and the energy on set was buzzing.
Lovebirds was being brought to life by director and writer Christian Azzola (co-writer Bex Harvey), with producers Syd Heather and Daniel Eycott steering the ship. It’s a charming, slightly surreal short film about screens, dreams, and the unexpected beauty of looking up.
Even more special, this film was commissioned by Screen Ashford, an initiative launched by Screen South, in partnership with Ashford Borough Council and Borderpoint Films. The programme is all about supporting creatives and growing the next generation of industry professionals in the Ashford area. Through a mix of hands-on labs, skills-based events, and local networking, they’ve built something genuinely exciting for anyone living, studying, or working in the borough.
The Story of Lovebirds
Clive is your classic office drone, bored, lost, and completely glued to his phone. Everyone around him is too. It’s the norm. But one day, as he trudges home through the park, something shifts. He looks up.
That single moment reconnects him with a childhood dream he’d long buried.
Back home, he digs out his old box of keepsakes and decides to give that boyhood ambition another shot.
Enter Delilah. She’s also in the park, snapping selfies, detached from it all. Until fate, and Clive’s rediscovery, brings them together. Their worlds collide. And through one small, chance connection, everything begins to change.
My Many Hats: From BTS Photographer to On-Screen Extra
I was originally there to assist on camera and shoot BTS stills, which, I’ll be honest, is already a great gig. You get to be close to the action without the stress of directing.
But things escalated quickly. We needed a background character walking by, head buried in their phone. Guess who got the part? Yours truly. I channelled the essence of every commuter ever and nailed the “scrolling zombie” walk.
Oscar-worthy? Let’s not get carried away. But I’d definitely call it memorable.
Why I Loved This Shoot
There’s something special about working on indie films. The pace is different. The energy is raw. Everyone’s wearing more than one hat and chipping in wherever needed. It’s creative problem-solving at its best.
Plus, Lovebirds taps into something very real, how disconnected we’ve all become and how easy it is to forget what once made us feel alive.
I’m always drawn to projects that say something, even in small, subtle ways. And this film did that beautifully.
Why This Project Mattered
What I loved most about Lovebirds wasn’t just the story or the shoot. It was being part of something that helps grow local talent and community. Though I do not live in the Ashford area.
Screen South, who backed the film through Screen Ashford, are champions of digital creativity, heritage, and untold stories. As a cultural development organisation, and a National Portfolio Organisation for Arts Council England, they work with partners across the UK and beyond to support talent, showcase diverse voices, and make the arts more accessible. They don’t just fund films, they help people build careers.
Being involved in one of their productions, no matter how small the role, felt like being part of something bigger.
From BTS to On-Screen: My Unexpected Cameo
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Even in minus temperatures.
Being part of Lovebirds reminded me why I love visual storytelling, from framing the perfect behind the scenes shot to helping build a narrative from the side-lines. Every role matters. Every frame tells a story.
And sometimes, the most unexpected moments, like getting cast last-minute as a guy too obsessed with his phone to look up, end up being the best ones.
If you’re curious about more of the projects I’ve been part of, feel free to check out my IMDb profile.
