This weekend, instead of filming the main series, we have been shooting some of the platforms – the mini Unseen Skins episodes (or Epidermisodes as Ben Schiffer very cleverly termed them) that appear on the internet in accompaniment to the series itself.

These can be a lot of fun to film, as they are often quite independent from the storylines of the series itself, and feel a bit like doing a short film. Also we quite often get to explore characters or relationships that aren’t touched on in the actual episodes – for example last year I really loved getting to work more closely with April and to look at the friendship between Cassie and Michelle more closely in the first Unseen Skins “I Mostly Do”, as I felt it was a very interesting and realistic relationship that hadn’t been dealt with in Series 1 in that much detail.

We tend to shoot platforms with a reduced crew, which can be quite nice as you feel less aware of there being something of a circus going on around you and you can focus more on your performance. Speaking of crew, there have also been a couple of cameos made by them in the platforms, which make them all the more enjoyable to shoot. If you watch the ninth one “Bye” (which I think may only appear on the DVD) you’ll be able to see Edward K. Gibbon, our costume designer, as a hotel doorman, and Ben Childs, floor runner, as a hot dog seller.

The only slight downside of the platforms is that they tend to be shot at a very frantic pace, which can be quite a shock in comparison to the main unit where you have a lot more time. When I got home today I found myself running around the house in order to do anything, even though I really didn’t need to, just because I’d been used to such a sense of urgency all day. But in reality this is the smallest of downsides, and certainly makes you feel more productive, and eliminates almost all waiting around. So despite my last three days shooting platforms being slightly mad and very cold, they were nonetheless a marvellous time.

Source: www.e4.com/skins