When we lived in Prague we were fortunate enough to watch the filming of 'Mission Impossible'.
Prague was a very popular destination for the film industry and still is. The Barnadov Film Studio's were well prepared for the western film makers and obviously far cheaper than many other locations.Post Communist Prague had hardly seen a lick of paint for 40 years and had an amazing charm and quaintness, that with some film editing, one could be transported back a few centuries.
It was exciting to see film crews, music videos and famous stars arrive, to walk into a restaurant and to 'spot' someone became quite common place in the five years we were there.
My husband was also approached by a famous film star who wanted his child to be placed in my nursery class for the duration of his filming, Simon, being totally unfazed refused on thew grounds my class was full. Granted it was but I was gutted as I had visions of meeting him at a parents night and being star struck! Needless to say, Husband was greeted in a less than friendly manner for a couple of days as I sulked!
We did have one film director who placed her son in the school whilst she was filming. He was in my eldest daughters class, and caused quite a few hearts to swoon. Not only for his good look, politeness and charm, but also for all the cool people he knew. I will never forget his class teacher reading on particular weekend diary entry. 'I went to lunch at TGI Fridays with Aunty Uma and Uncle Liam. By this we mean Uma Thurman and Liam Neeson, his godparents! He was a great kid and totally unfazed by fame. Refreshing to see. So was his mum who turned up, dressed like the rest of us for the school events and barbecues and chatted happily to other parents.
However, the highlight and pinnacle has to be Mission Impossible.
Featuring Tom Cruise, who brought with him on set, Nicole Kidman, his wife back then and their two small children. Sadly we don't have many photos of the filming as by and large you were banned from taking photos. We, however had inside knowledge as we sent the youngest teacher down to chat up the lighting crew! It worked and they showed her the whole schedule including all the hotels people were staying in! Bingo!
Actually the lighting crew were very friendly and really interesting to talk too as well.
We went and waited for hours on Charles Bridge with the children to watch one small scene by the river. I am glad we did as Abigail still can remember it today. We saw Tom Cruise briefly.
The other nights I took my teenage class down by bus to watch the evening filming. We saw the car being blown up and endless other scenes. We met Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman on several occasions, each time he went out of his way to talk to everyone who had showed up. One of the children I teach had her camera snatched from her by quite a few big beefy body guards as she broke the golden rule and tried to get a picture of them all!
Apart from the excitement it taught the teens a few valuable lessons.
1. Filming isn't glamourous, its long, cold, boring and a lot of re takes and waiting around.
2. A new interest in how scenes are enhanced and changed by lighting!
3. The enormous amount of costumes and thought that went into each character and design (The costume ladies were more than happy to entertain them in their trailers and show them the clothes.
4. An appreciation for the whole process of making a film.
It was a great experience and our lives became a litter duller once they had left. The film was fantastic and great fun to watch and see what we had seen being filmed, and the children still enjoy watching it today.
In the sometimes monotony of everyday life, it was a wonderful opportunity to have experiences such as these, it made everyday just a little more interesting and exciting. Part of the amazing time we had living and working in such a very unique city.
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