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Format: Digi Beta
Running time: 18 mins
Aspect ratio: 16/9
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Edited on Avid Express Pro
Avid Media Composer/Adrenaline
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 "The Perfect Date" tells the story of a widower who gets asked on a date by the school teacher of his youngest two girls. All taking place in one day, the widower, Tom, is at first a little taken aback but realises he has to move on his with life. He soon finds himself getting advice on dating etiquette from his three daughters and son who try to help him through the evening.
 Work on "The Perfect Date" started in January 2007 with an eight week rehearsal period leading up to the four day shoot at the end of February. Principle photography took place on Thursday 22nd, 23rd, 24th wrapping on the Sunday 25th February. Being a co-production with the ITV West Television Workshop, the majority of the young cast were auditioned through the workshop. Other roles for the part of the single dad and other older characters were sourced elsewhere. For the two younger female roles of 8 and 9 Producer and workshop leader Lisa Ruthven and Producer/Director Paul Dudbridge found Lauren Woodman and Ellie Taylor-Roberts were just perfect. "Both of them showed such a maturity beyond their years which not only aided shooting and taking direction but also fitted nicely with their characters" comments Paul. "I found the best way to cast is to just watch people when they're not auditioning. See how they hold themselves, how do they sit, listen, and act, when not acting. Casting Eleanor Roberts as their older sister was an example. The character had to be taking the place of her Mum in the family and look after her sisters. She had to look like she could handle that grown up "role". There was a gracefulness about her, not excitable or giggly. She wasn't easily distracted and looked focused on what she was doing. That was the character of a 17 year old having to take on her mother's responsibilities."
 Anthony O'Callagahan for the role of Tom was cast after seeing him in a local theatre production of "Ghost Train". He fitted the role in every aspect. The part called for Tony to be a loving family man, be attractive to his new date, and have the build to back up his words when faced with an intruder in his house. The part takes his character though just about every range of emotions possible so Tony had to be able to handle them all.
 The majority of the shoot took place in a house in Warminster acting as the families house. It was chosen as the look of the place had to be fitting with the story and be production friendly. With four bedrooms, it meant that housing film kit and lights was easy keeping it away from the set and the rooms had to be big enough to set the scenes and get a film crew in there too. In addition, the decor was right taking on warm, wooden texture in some areas making the place inviting and comfortable for our characters. Other locations included a school where we see Tom asked out on his date and the evening restaurant for the date itself.
 Being a co-production, the crew were also mainly sourced through the workshop, using the talents and energy of the Production Skills group. Camera operator Simon Pearce comments, "It was the first time using the Digi camera, but it doesn't take long to get to grips with it. My only problem was by the time you have the battery on the back and matte box on the front, the camera is so long, and filming in tight spaces like a bathroom can be problematic." The film was shot on the Digi-Beta format in 16:9 widescreen. Shooting in very low light conditions towards the end of the film meant that the camera had to be able to handle the darkness. The lower end DV formats wouldn't have offered the flexability.
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