Challenge #3: Attend a Secret Cinema event - Part Two: Mission

New employees reporting for duty!

Secret Cinema really is a thing of wonder.

I awaited my 'mission' with excitement bordering on delirium. This was one of the few situations I've been in where I really had a) no control over what would happen and b) no idea what would happen.

My housemate, Leeanne, and I donned our workgear and found our way to Euston Station, which was our rendesvouz point. As soon as we exited the station we found fellow Brave New Ventures employees, marked by their work gear. Immediately a sense of mutual confusion mixed with excited tension was realised - we were all in the same bizarre situation. Who buys tickets to a movie without knowing what it's even called?

Fellow employees ready to go!

One of our illustrious leaders

We followed our leaders towards our destination - a space ship. This is where part of the genius of Secret Cinema is realised - they turned an entire old warehouse into a spaceship. What was even more amazing was that you actually get caught up in it and forget that it's not a spaceship.

We lined up to purchase food and drink tokens and were greeted by different employees who would be helping us throughout the journey and mission. They questioned us about previous missions and gave us tips about our journey.

Throughout the entire mission I couldn't help but be amazed at how carefully crafted each actor's character was. This was at the heart of Secret Cinema’s success: you’re not just looking at a movie, you are IN a movie. The actors aren’t actors, they’re real living, breathing people who answer your questions, give you orders and joke with you. Or, if they’re a droid, show very little emotion.

The brilliance was in the details

The nerves ran higher as Leeanne and I were split up. We’d chosen different jobs so we had to join our colleagues. As I joined my fellow Contamination Officers, we met our illustrious leader. Boasting an American accent he filled us in on the mission and the ship. We followed him through a labyrinth of walkways, past a ‘droid’ who’d just discovered the emotion fear and was testing it out by trying to scare people with sudden noises. Suddenly we went through a dark hallway and emerged, blinking. At that moment I believed I was on a spaceship and that everything I saw was real.

 We were in a hanger of sorts, with smoke, flashing lights and space vehicles. Hanging on the wall were spacesuits and I enjoyed the flips my stomach was doing in excitement. I was in a spaceship!

One of the actual vehicles used in the film

After a quick orientation, we were left to our own devices to familiarise ourselves with the ship and I found Leeanne again. Like a couple of kids we set about exploring the ship. It turned out to be more difficult than expected – we kept going around in circles. Following the maps on the walls, we found an endless amount of things to do.


Even with clear maps we still got lost in the gigantic space

We had a quick nap on the provided HyperSleep areas, we looked at strange creatures in jars, we talked to other employees, all wandering about looking slightly dazed and overwhelmed. You could play 'Ping Tron' or relax with a drink. An employee nabbed us for a 'mission' and led us to the flight deck where we watched the landing and the celebration that ensued.

One room we found was eerie, filled with precious items that people had brought with them suspended from the ceiling in specimen bags.



Eventually the reason for having Contamination Officers became blindingly clear. Alarms began sounding and employees in the know began surrounding people who were clearly infected with some kind of virus. Contamination Officers were called over to section off these people who were going crazy and kept breaking through the barriers.

We were herded into escape pods and off the ship, away from the danger of infection. And suddenly, it was time for the film. After all the speculation, the big question would be answered: what was the film we were in?

The answer? Look carefully at the actual vehicles from the film and maybe you can guess...

 Still not sure? It was Prometheus. Perhaps one of the worst films I've seen for a while.

Fortunately, the true rubbishness of the film itself did not matter. The entire experience from beginning to end was one of the most amazing exercises in theatre I have ever been involved in. Every part of it was seemless and intriguing. Watching the film had an extra layer to it because suddenly all the bits and pieces fitted together. I suddenly understood why there was all that conformity to be part of the Brave New Ventures crew, why I participated in Psychological Training, it all made sense when watching the film.

This is what art, cinema, theatre, creativity, community and imagination are all about. So many elements brought together to build an entire world filled with living breathing people for us to explore.

I will be doing this again. And again. And again.

Challenge #25: Do the Great Gorilla Run



Skiing anyone?

Planet of the Apes became a reality one sunny Saturday in London. Hundreds of gorillas dashed around the city, bumping into people, ruining tourist photos and playing in water fountains.

 

I was one of those crazy gorillas. Instead of sleeping in on that fateful Saturday and enjoying some morning TV with a cuppa, I woke up at a reasonable hour and donned a gorilla suit. All in the name of that incredible charity: The Gorilla Organization.

Gorilla texting

Here is where I plug the true awesomeness of this charity: They help introduce ideas such as sustainable farming into African communities so that the gorillas don't have their habitats destroyed. This is a great charity because even if you don't care about gorillas, you are still helping lift people in Africa out of poverty.

 

So, with the gorillas in mind, I walked a massive 9 and a bit kilometres. In a gorilla suit. This may not seem like a massive feat but have you ever worn a gorilla suit or, indeed, any costume that involves fur and a face covering of some description? I'll just leave you with one thought: sweaty.

My gorilla team

Aside from the joy of being contained in my own sweat, the walk showed me London in a whole new light. Everywhere we walked people were cheering us on and saying 'Good on you'. The positive, helpful, encouraging side of Londoners (who are usually busy, grumpy and pushy) was out in force on the banks of the Thames. And, as corny as it was, it helped me push through the discomfort.



Gorilla selfie at the start line

This was an amazing experience. The feeling of being in a crowd, all united to help one cause was exhilarating. Looking around at the other gorillas was surreal. There were punks, rock stars, cricketers, old fashioned pilots. Gorillas were wearing tutus and bikinis. There was a group of gorillas who spent the entire run finding new things to do. They played in a fountain, amazed by the water, they sat at a table in front of the Tate, they danced to a buskers beautiful music. And they made gorilla noises. It all just added to the general hilarity of the situation and the reality: we were causing havoc on the streets of London in gorilla suits. It seems like a bizarre dream now, looking back.

|It's not everyday you're in front of Tower Bridge in a gorilla suit.

 

Whilst the fundraising continues (we’re over £1000 and still going), my gorilla suit is left to gather dust in my closet. A permanent reminder of the day that I decided to take a stand for gorillas everywhere and had a jolly good time doing it.

To gorilla or not to gorilla, that is the question.

If you want to sponsor me then head to this page and know that your pennies are going towards creating hope, opportunity and protecting one of the animals that make earth such a cool place to live.

Finished!