a week of work in the west: part 2, day 2...

Our final day in Torquay was a busy one for all, hence the lack of photos... Running around from location to location trying to get all the shots on a tight schedule, often hindered by cloud and rain... Such is the ongoing battle with English weather. I think, all things considered, we did pretty well.

And so after another long day, an additionally long drive back to London, equipment and crew drop offs, our busy week came to an end. Big thanks to Rich for geeing it up, Danny for teaching me the gripping ropes and Jack and Murren for (occasionally) keeping me entertained on the long drives! Can't wait to get the crew together again! Woop!

 

Cold and cloudy...

Rigging the ride...

Danny and Jig double checkin...

 

Rollin action...

 

The team wraps it up...

a week of work in the west: part 2, day 1...

The second job of the week was a music video shoot for UK band Metronomy, in and around the English seaside town of Torquay. Our camera crew was unchanged, though this time working with the production team at Colonel Blimp and director David Wilson. 

Twas another early rise on Thursday and yet another fine spread for breakfast, (this time care of The Grand Hotel) before heading to the first location; poolside shooting with four lovely bikini clad ladies... It's a tough life for some...

Post lunch we were off to the picturesque Torquay Pier in the hope of lucking in to a stunning sunset. Unfortunately, it never quite materialised, but everyone worked hard to make the most of what Mother Nature offered...

After a long productive day, everyone wolfed down dinner by the bay and we cheers'd a couple o beers to Jack's 25th birthday... Despite Murren's keenness to take to the town in Torquay, the celebrations would have to wait...

 

Poolside posing...

 

David's direct approach to directing...

 

Pool jibbing...

 

Pier posing...

 

Gabriela and the grip...

 

James and the ladies...

 

Ready to track...

 

 Lights, camera, ladies... and Jig...

 

Ready to jib...

 

Joe takes centre stage...

 

Harbour lines...

 

Sunset seagulls...

 

That's a wrap... for today...

 

By The Bay...

a week of work in the west: day off...

Driving driving driving to Mojo House for a day of rest and relaxation... After an enjoyable sleep in, we were treated to an epic cooked breakfast care of Mac and Sally (Jack's parents). They are nothing short of awesome! Jack, Murren and I then gave the film kit a clean before the lads headed to Sennen Cove to jump in the sea... All too soon it was time to leave, so we hit the road once more... Next stop, Torquay...

 

Transit...

 

Breakfast of dreams...

 

And more transit...

a week of work in the west: part 1, day 3

Another early rise for the team this morning to meet up with some cows and their owners near Bodmin Moor. Unfortunately all didn't quite go to plan, but by midday we were back on track, returning to yesterdays beach on the low tide. Everyone got a solid workout lugging gear down and up the 142 steps of Bedruthan and we eventually got out of there just as the water was once again rushing up the beach. 

It was back to visit the cows in the afternoon, joined this time by some moody mist, wind and rain. Though it made the shoot more trying, the vibe was well worth the wetness. Our final shots were up on the misty moor; a derelict house and a windblown solitary tree, with the blanket of mist again setting an eerie tone... 

It had been a productive few days and I could only imagine Ed and James' excited anticipation at the thought of getting their rushes back and seeing their visions come to life. Such is the joy of shooting on film... For them, it was back to the digital world; a flight to Japan the next day to catch up with Katy Perry. For us, to the far SW in search of a days rest, and hopefully some waves...

 

Bedruthan with a beach...

 

Race again tide...

 

The cows are coming...

 

Awaiting the stampede...

 

Queuing cows...

 

Haunted house...

 

Mould and mortar...

 

And that's a wrap...

a week of work in the west: part 1, day 2

Day two got off to an early start as we made our way to Padstow Harbour just after sunrise to meet up with a couple of local fisherman. Braving the changeable, windy weather and the sea sickness that goes with it, Rich, Ed, Murren and Danny ventured out and got some great shots, even managing a dip in the ocean after being dropped at a nearby lifeboat station...

The afternoon brought an unfortunate setback as the tide at our next location was too high to access the beach. We were, however, treated to some classic Cornish afternoon light as golden rays illuminated the windswept waves. Nice when things work out like that...

 

Early birds...

 

Seafaring Stewart...

 

Fishin folk...

 

Off to work...

 

A cyan sky flys by...

 

Murren takes a midday break...

 

Larger than life landscapes...

 

Troubled by a tide too high...

 

Windy warriors...

 

Lovely light...

 

Jig combines work and sleep...

a week of work in the west: part 1, day 1

I was lucky enough, last week, to be given the opportunity to help out on two very different, but equally interesting, film projects both shot on 35mm. My involvement came about care of my surrogate brother Jack Johns and good friend Richard Stewart, an inspirational DOP with whom I'd worked with in 2008 on the Relentless "Powers of Three" project. Thanks peeps!

The first part of the week was spent capturing the Cornish countryside and coast for an art documentary based around Scottish musician Edwyn Collins. Our team was made up of two talented directors Ed and James (who work under the pseudonym D.A.R.Y.L out of the Pulse agency) Rich as DOP, Murren Tullet pulling focus, Jig on loading duties, Danny Laviada as grip maestro, with myself assisting wherever I could for our small crew. 

I learned so much during the shoot and it was just great to be surrounded with creative like-minded people. I'll be posting a few photos a day over the next week from our various adventures and I hope you enjoy. Check out some of the guys' work online through the above links as they really are an incredibly talented bunch!

 

To the woods... 

 

Danny on the build, Murren on the lace...

 

Sunday's rig... He he...

 

Ready to roll...

 

Talent...

 

Talent two... 

 

Green lines...

 

Jig on the load...

 

Murren on the lace...

 

Action!