Home |  Diary  |  Archives  |  The Filmakers   |  The Cast  |  MWE  |  Atom Feed  |  Contact

Monday, August 30, 2004 It's Bank Holiday Monday and I've been updating the web-site; how's that for enjoying the summer? Summer? What summer? Today I've been mostly doing the image galleries, putting new stuff up and re-coding the bits that Microsoft's SP2 has decided that it doesn't like. [Geek transmission over] The pictures are wonderful and worth browsing. Go on you know you want to... posted by Nik Taylor  /  10:18 PM Sunday, August 29, 2004 It's been so long since I have written anything for the Blog so I'll make up for it today. It's a Bank Holiday Sunday between shoots. And for the moment all is quiet... It's been an amazing couple of months so far and it's hard to believe we started on the 19th of July. That was a day and a half to start on; unpredictable weather (a mark of things to come), a jolting van ride on bad paths only to return the same way with nothing in the can. Rob and I certainly felt the stress then, Marco being such a precise and careful director, and us motley two trying and stressing over unfamiliar kit. And let's not forget poor Cath (make-up) stuck in a car for two hours. (oh and the actors Lindsay and Buck - nervous for the first day of filming) By the end of that day I think we were all tired and wondered at what the hell have we got into. Chief Brodie looked at us and says "You're gonna need a bigger crew" and we agreed with the hapless shark hunter. Things could have blown up then, but they didn't and I guess that's what working with friends is all about. We got over it, didn't get complacent and worked harder. If we make it they will come.... enter Matthew, king of early boomage and lover of His Master's Voice. Just that one person made a hell of a difference and it began to feel like we were making something special. If we make it they will come... enter Jacq and Joe; the indispensable rest of the crew; multi-talented and multitasking. Words do not do justice. If there were any doubts that this film wouldn't be anything less than wonderful the rushes from the hotel put them to rest. That's the image of the shoot for me so far; Jenny, played ever more wonderfully by Lindsay, sitting on the edge of the bed reading Maurizzio's card. Wow. The Casino scenes on Monday and then a rest(ish). The next shoot could not have been better, a cast coming from all over- "Marco, I am destroyed" rings out on those hot days as Sarah is, once again, put into her corset to slowly bake in the hot August day. If Marco ever showed his metal it was for that shoot. Those images were captured by an eye that sees more than most. Incredible. Why people aren't throwing huge amounts of money at him to make films I don't know. (Just wait 'til you see this Screen Yorkshire, and by the way the blue plastic folder you gave to me is doing just fine). Greg the incredible dying soldier, Sarah and her amazing sunglasses, me actually driving a car! and Rob eating the remains of everyone's Sunday Lunch. And thanks for the water fight Lindsay. And a week where an entire off-licence is consumed by cast and crew. A fun blip in the usually sober continuum. Rest(ish) - Although a wonderful day out by the seaside scouting for locations. :) Beach scenes and Dream sequences- ignoring Matthew's frequent insistence that for a dream sequence to be a dream sequence you must have a dwarf, an apple, and a music box. Marco directed, and Rob and Joe filmed some wonderful images. Those two days really took it out of us. Must be the sea air, but it drains you so completely and slows you down. We got what we needed though the weather turned against us. Rest (ish) and now we look forward to an interesting week of shooting - three major set pieces, but I have to honestly say from what has gone before we are up for/to it. It is an incredible experience working on this incredible film. I've realised why I haven't blogged since we went into production. It's because my words cannot do justice to everyone who has helped out and is still to help out with the film. Everyone deserves so much credit, everyone pulls together and it works. Cast and crew have moved on and continue to move on through this experience getting stronger and stronger. It really does blow me away. I think I'll have a little lie down now ;) - and then the image galleries... posted by Nik Taylor  /  4:54 PM Saturday, August 28, 2004 It's me and you Matt... the hard core on the blog this last week or so :) churches, actors, congregation, cafes, new set of actors, buying a new camera, coffee coffee espresso, coffee, gushing, sad, wobble, beauty, greens reds, or is that sap and russets, schedules, oh my said the lion, coast-lines that dRain the soul mr Hewitt! (the new simon and garfunkel) but finally and the road that falls in to the sea. The rain, the patches of dry the long distance crew the gatherings for coffee and drink drunk so much wake like a sky lark live(r) never so happy ne pas encore.... why doesn't the "S" roll into the fucking "e" ;) Jacques Jacques Mr D or now Jac- U- Line beat bloggs bollox sleep time posted by Marco Zaffino  /  12:26 AM Thursday, August 26, 2004 It was always going to be my intention to work on "Spoken By Crowds" in any spare time I had when I wasn't at work, but as those fuckers decided to fire my ass I guess now I'll have all the time in the world. I don't know if this is the right place to vent my spleen but as all the other guys working on this film are my nearest and dearest I guess it makes sense for them to share my pain. Actually, it's a bit melodramatic to say that I'm in pain, just a bit pissed off! Well HMV, you can kiss my ass for I am in a better place with people who actually appreciate my skills. Thankyou and goodnight! posted by Matthew Fairhead  /  3:15 PM Tuesday, August 24, 2004 What an emotional day. I was watching the rushes of the tiring sea-side days. Beautiful but tiring days,... well I was watching the rushes with Rob and Joe after the guys had mainly gone , and then i watched sonme more after they'd gone. And what a sadness. The silence after such energy and imagery. Wow i cried. and this morning jesus it was like some wobbling spirit leaving my kidneys and the film was allowed to really let rip from inside. The film is such a heart on a plate story, and i trust this set of people with my heart that it is a little tricky when all becomes quiet. and the emotions run rampant... what an amazing time this is... An example,... downstairs Jaq, Cath and Joe are washing up and tidying as they know I'm tired and Becki would so appreciate it. What bloody crew does this. Over and over again. Nik and Lindsay and Rob, Jaq, Matt, Cath, Joe, today has been the slow round off to a magical but exhaaaaauuuusting shoot and I truly love you. And I've said that before a tequilla has touched my lips. Then I'll really really love you. And Ali is always around supporting too. But from a little more distant place. And my Becki. God this is such a lovey speach but I don't give a hell... this is the most amazing experience of my life and Becki is silently there keeping me sane along with all others. (Jaq holding me too) And Katy you are adorable and your acting on the rushes is superb. God Bless you all posted by Marco Zaffino  /  6:54 PM Friday, August 13, 2004 Well with these amazing and intense shoots that are the memories to be of ones lifetime... it's is obvious there has to be a come down. and so I figure I should say when down stuff happens too if this is to be of any use as a logg-age peice of documentation. A couple of days of pure depression. Quite beautifully depressed. With more rain than you can shake a wet shoe at and measely little things to swirl around ones head which are so pathetic it sends you even deeper because of how worthless those thoughts are. Going to do some Yoga now as I cannot be bothered being down any longer. And things are too good to linger in such dole- de- roooooms... Tonight is pop and cake rushes night. Which will be a cool evening I think. It's a shame Rob will be working for the first hour but there is plaenty of footage so he will see enough I'm sure. posted by Marco Zaffino  /  3:17 PM Wednesday, August 11, 2004 The filming for "Spoken By Crowds" is now taking a break and all I can say is that the bits I've been involved with have been very enjoyable. My one scene as Mr Jenkins went well even if we were trapped in a very small, very stuffy office with the remenants of Rob's farts for company. Also, the weekend away filming in Thirsk was great fun and certainly a different way to spend my birthday. Many thanks to Becky's parents for allowing us the use of their lovely, expansive garden. The weather was even kind to us for a change. Much food was consumed and many beverages drunk and it was cool to camp out under the stars. Hopefully we'll have many more joyous filming experiences. posted by Matthew Fairhead  /  1:14 PM Monday, August 09, 2004 Oh my lord, if ever I want to remember why I make films this shoot has to be a bench mark. I mean the footage is beautiful, the acting has made me sit watching the monitor with my mouth open and I have had more notions of not wanting to be anywhere else at this moment, every scene than I have had in my whoe life. I think not acting in it has had a major effect and trusting that these people have got depth enough to deliver challenging roles and emotions. I cannot tell you how every single person has done us proud. The crew are phenomenal and the cast are like totally into it and beautiful. I am so hyped about this. this is a proper bloody film. Thank you every body. I am so happy. and I am so tiiiiiiiireeeed, and would have it no other way. Now ten(ish) days of what the hell do I do now.... hopefully see as many of the filmmakers as possible. Everyone is a delight to be with. Wonderful!!! posted by Marco Zaffino  /  3:53 PM Sunday, August 01, 2004 Sara is here, over from Roma. I've had to wait a couple of days as my blog wouldn't work. But Friday was such a wonderful day. Sara met Nik Becki and I at the cafe. The atmosphere was rejuvenated and ready for the next shoot. Most things organised and ready. But it was the atmosphere that seemed clear and positive. Then yesterday Cath came to our house to do make-up and hair and Sara finally was able to try out the 1880s costumes that Becki has made. They fit wonderfully and now the saint's outfit is being made. Although Becki is asleep downstairs resting;) And coffee at night what a lovely thing... Huddersfield meets la Dolce Vita Later today, rehearsals for Zarathustress (AKA Sara) posted by Marco Zaffino  /  1:21 PM