Here’s a little online promo we made for Barley Hall, a medieval house hidden away down a snickelway in the centre of York and guarded by a printer’s red devil .
It’s an atmospheric and cosy place for a wedding; we’ve filmed a few there. By candlelight.
By the way, it’s unlucky, and this is absolutely true, to look into the eyes of the red devil. Should have told you that earlier. Sorry.
- Frank
Just a quick post to share something with you that our collaborator Arron Dennis has been working on; Nights at the Round Table. It’s the pilot for a new comedy series about war-gamers, and you can watch it here…
This last couple of weeks I have been working at the Leeds International Film Festival as a Digital Assistant. I was part of a crew that included my Nothing Man co-DOP, Dave Beveridge who was trying to balance working on the festival with finishing a very ambitious half-animation, half-photography, half-film project for Our Albert (and yes, I am aware that that constitutes three halves) which you should watch here – it’s only barely longer than 10 seconds, but you wouldn’t believe the amount of time and effort Dave put into it!
Anyway, the main reason for this post, is to share with you the first video we produced for the festival, the highlights from the 11th Night of the Dead horror movie all-nighter. Here it is…
As I write this there is still just under a week left of the festival, so if you can get to Leeds, pop over and see what else is still showing – and if you spot me in my official red t-shirt and pass, come and say hello.
- Adam
More terrific tonsil work from The Choir of Dave, this time backed by The Band of Dave. And once again the members of the band look strangely alike .
The location was the tiny but atmospheric church of St Mary’s at Lead near Towton. Nearby is the scene of the bloodiest battle ever fought in England and there are a few ghost stories attached to the church and the pub opposite (The Crooked Billet) which you might be able to get the landlord to tell you if he’s not too busy. They still practice archery there once a month just in case those pesky Lancastrians decide to have another go.
- Frank
We’re always saying you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your wedding party a great success. Here’s a couple of good ideas from a recent wedding we filmed. Dawn and Jason held their service in St Olave’s church and the reception at the historic and atmospheric Grays Court between the Minster and the medieval walls of York. They arranged a buffet of tempting and colourful sweets in one of the reception rooms next to a dressing up box, 
a couple of picture frames and a polaroid camera. Just add a couple of pints of lager and a bucks fizz for the ladies and you’ve soon got a room full of laughter and relaxed people having a great time.
We shared camera duties with our friend Jim Poyner who no doubt now has a bright future as a blackmailer with his large portfolio of pictures of guests wearing funny hats and moustaches.
Well we had a great time and Dawn and Jason and all the wedding guests were lovely.
So remember. Good ideas = memorable wedding. Loads of money not necessary. Except when it comes to the video of course. Don’t, for heavens sake, skimp on that!
- Frank
Yes, Ralph at Sky”everyone’s a winner”Fest has given “The Bridge of Useful Shortcuts”
a Certificate of Excellence.
Possibly for having a title longer than the film itself.
So thanks to me, Adam, Howard Moseley-Chalk and Moby who all worked tirelessly on this motion picture. Sob.
- Frank
Earlier this summer, our friends in Trespasser Films started pre-production on their first feature film, Nothing Man and I was flattered to be asked by Stephen and Jonny to come on board to film it with them.
"Pull my finger". Photo by Ric Vince
Although I’d previously worked on MilesTone’s CrimeFighters, this was my first opportunity to have a big creative input into a feature film, in the sense that there will be a lot of my work right up there on the screen. This was massively exciting and somewhat nervewracking, but luckily, Stephen and Jonny are both adept camera operators themselves, and I was working alongside the massively talented Dave Beveridge, so that took a lot of the pressure off as we all had each other to consult and lean on (sometimes literally) when we needed to.
Reviewing a take with Jonny, Stephen and actor Paul Mason. Photo by Helene Lott
We shot throughout September, starting at 8am most days and often not wrapping until late…
Production Office, 01:07am.
However, everyone attacked each day with admirable enthusiasm, good humour and (mostly caffeine-fueled) energy. The whole cast and crew were great, and because we were all in each other’s company the whole time, I feel like as well as making some great contacts, I also made some great friends.
I also got to make a cameo too, being beaten to death by occasional Special Day Films camera operator Arron Dennis. See if you can spot us in the teaser trailer…
Although “principle photography” is over, there’s still plenty more work to be done, we even still have pick-ups to film. Watch this space!
- Adam
