On 9th September 1997 I had arrived at Frampton-on-Severn in Gloucestershire to be in a scene in "Animal Ark", a Television series based on a popular book series by Lucy Daniels about a veterinary surgeon's daughter and her friend who rescue animals in their village .
Frampton-on-Severn was very close to The Wildfowl Trust in Slimbridge which had been set up by Sir Peter Scott and my journey to that location had taken me through the beautiful Cotswold Hills in the early morning of that day as the dawn began to break and the mist was hovering over the hills in an early autumn serenity.
The parts of the daughter and her friend were played by Karianne Henderson and James Simmons and the scene I was involved with was filmed on the village green of that pretty Gloucestershire village.
Tomorrow, I reflect on the first of a three day run on "House of Elliott" in 1991, my only episode on the comedy series "The Brittas Empire" in 1996 and a day on the set of "Judge John Deed " in 2001 with Martin Shaw.
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Friday, 6 September 2013
"NO BANANAS" 1995 :"THE CHOIR" 1994
On the 7th September 1995, I drove down to Tonbridge Wells in Kent to be in an episode of "No Bananas", a wartime mini-series starring Alison Steadman,Stephanie Beacham, Michael Elwyn and Rachel Power.
It was a round trip of 257 miles taking me through the Dartford tunnel en route both ways. It was another long day that had begun at 3.30 am and ended on my return later the same day. My added consolation was that, because it was a war-time drama, I was paid an extra fee for having my hair cut in a short back and sides fashion.
On 7th September 1994, one year earlier, I had driven to Gloucester to be in a mini-series called " The Choir", written by Joanna Trollope. I arrived at the location which was Gloucester Cathedral for a scene that involved many of the principal actors including James Fox, Peter Vaughan and David Warner.
Our scene was inside the Cathedral which filmed a large procession of clergy and a very dramatic sermon from the James Fox character. The local newspaper had printed an article informing the local residents that this scene was being filmed in Gloucester and inviting them to participate if they wished.
Our relaxation area was on a Double Decker bus parked outside in Archdeacon Street which was also being used by the administration assistant. My journey home was via Cheltenham, Banbury and Northampton which took 3 hours on that 200 mile round trip with the added awareness that I would need to make the trip again in mid October for another scene in the Cathedral.
It was a round trip of 257 miles taking me through the Dartford tunnel en route both ways. It was another long day that had begun at 3.30 am and ended on my return later the same day. My added consolation was that, because it was a war-time drama, I was paid an extra fee for having my hair cut in a short back and sides fashion.
On 7th September 1994, one year earlier, I had driven to Gloucester to be in a mini-series called " The Choir", written by Joanna Trollope. I arrived at the location which was Gloucester Cathedral for a scene that involved many of the principal actors including James Fox, Peter Vaughan and David Warner.
Our scene was inside the Cathedral which filmed a large procession of clergy and a very dramatic sermon from the James Fox character. The local newspaper had printed an article informing the local residents that this scene was being filmed in Gloucester and inviting them to participate if they wished.
Our relaxation area was on a Double Decker bus parked outside in Archdeacon Street which was also being used by the administration assistant. My journey home was via Cheltenham, Banbury and Northampton which took 3 hours on that 200 mile round trip with the added awareness that I would need to make the trip again in mid October for another scene in the Cathedral.
"WITCHCRAFT" 1991 & "HONEY FOR TEA" 1993
On 6th September 1991, I was again in Aston Subedge for my third day on the TV series "Witchcraft".
I have described my experiences on this production over the past two blogs but have not yet mentioned the main characters that were played by Peter McEnery, Alan Howard and Clive Wood.
Two years later on 6th September 1993, I was in Cambridge to be in an episode of "Honey for Tea", a mini series starring the very attractive Felicity Kendal.
The scene that I was involved in was filmed on the banks of the River Cam, opposite The Backs at Trinity College. The male co-star of that episode was Nigel Le Vaillant ( who I had acted alongside previously in many episodes of the very popular TV medical drama "Casualty").
I have described my experiences on this production over the past two blogs but have not yet mentioned the main characters that were played by Peter McEnery, Alan Howard and Clive Wood.
Two years later on 6th September 1993, I was in Cambridge to be in an episode of "Honey for Tea", a mini series starring the very attractive Felicity Kendal.
The scene that I was involved in was filmed on the banks of the River Cam, opposite The Backs at Trinity College. The male co-star of that episode was Nigel Le Vaillant ( who I had acted alongside previously in many episodes of the very popular TV medical drama "Casualty").
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
"WITCHCRAFT" 1991 : "EMMERDALE" 2001
5th September 1991 was my second day on the BBC TV drama "Witchcraft" which was on location in Gloucestershire. My day had begun at 3.30am and my 148 mile journey took me via Northampton, Banbury, Stowe on the Wold to the village of Aston Subedge. In those days before sat-navs, when you were reasonable close to the location you had to look out for a "unit sign", a temporary roadside arrow with a letter on it. For "Witchcraft" it was the letter W, but on the second morning I saw a unit sign with ED on it and further along the road was the sign for "Witchcraft". I was later informed that the ED sign was to the location for " The Mystery of Edwin Drood", a film that was released in 1993, that was being filmed near Chipping Camden which was very close to where our location was situated.
I recall on one of my 4 days on "Witchcraft that a couple of hikers who were walking in the area came across our set and said that they had lived in that area all their lives and did not realise that there was a village in the area. It did look very realistic and they were told that it was only a film set that had been specially constructed for the film.
Ten years later on 5th September 2001, I was again in Leeds for my 34th day on "Emmerdale". It was only two weeks ago that I was in Leeds for my 92nd day on the programme. I believe that I will be seen in an episode of "Emmerdale", in the Woolpack, either tonight (thursday) or tomorrow, sitting behind Bernice and Steve and Nicola and Jimmy.
I recall on one of my 4 days on "Witchcraft that a couple of hikers who were walking in the area came across our set and said that they had lived in that area all their lives and did not realise that there was a village in the area. It did look very realistic and they were told that it was only a film set that had been specially constructed for the film.
Ten years later on 5th September 2001, I was again in Leeds for my 34th day on "Emmerdale". It was only two weeks ago that I was in Leeds for my 92nd day on the programme. I believe that I will be seen in an episode of "Emmerdale", in the Woolpack, either tonight (thursday) or tomorrow, sitting behind Bernice and Steve and Nicola and Jimmy.
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
"WITCHCRAFT" 1991
On the 4th September, I arrived at location in a field near a village called Aston Subedge, close to Broadway in Gloucestershire for my first day on a TV drama called "Witchcraft.
On the hillside of this field the production had built a temporary medieval village solely for the purpose of this programme. The TV drama was about a crew making a film about witchcraft. The director gets rather carried away and endangers the lives of his cast.
I travelled from home to location for all 4 days that I was involved in those scenes a total of 580 miles, leaving home at 3.30am and not arriving back until 10pm.
The scene that I remember most clearly is where the Witch Catcher has caught a young witch and placed her on the gallows. He kicked the chair away and she wriggled on the rope until she was dead.
At the end of that shot when the real director shouted "cut". The actress playing the part opened her eyes and the table was placed under her feet and she stood up while the scene was re-adjusted to do another shot.
The rope around her neck was threaded through a strong wire that continued from the top of the gallows to a harness that was attached around her shoulders and waist.
The first time I watched that scene I was surprised how realistic the effect was. We were involved in quite a few "takes" until the director was satisfied.
On the hillside of this field the production had built a temporary medieval village solely for the purpose of this programme. The TV drama was about a crew making a film about witchcraft. The director gets rather carried away and endangers the lives of his cast.
I travelled from home to location for all 4 days that I was involved in those scenes a total of 580 miles, leaving home at 3.30am and not arriving back until 10pm.
The scene that I remember most clearly is where the Witch Catcher has caught a young witch and placed her on the gallows. He kicked the chair away and she wriggled on the rope until she was dead.
At the end of that shot when the real director shouted "cut". The actress playing the part opened her eyes and the table was placed under her feet and she stood up while the scene was re-adjusted to do another shot.
The rope around her neck was threaded through a strong wire that continued from the top of the gallows to a harness that was attached around her shoulders and waist.
The first time I watched that scene I was surprised how realistic the effect was. We were involved in quite a few "takes" until the director was satisfied.
Monday, 2 September 2013
"KILLING ME SOFTLY" 1995
On 3rd September 1995, I was on location in Warwick to be in a scene from the TV movie " Killing me softly" starring Maggie O'Neill (Dr. Alex Redman in Peak Practice) and Peter Howitt ( Joey Boswell in Bread, the popular BBC series written by Carla Lane, that ran from 1986-1991).
I had previously worked in a scene with Peter Howitt in a programme called "Civvies" in 1992 when I played the part of a Chief Fire Officer in one of the episodes which was filmed in Cardiff.
The story of "Killing me softly" was about a female computer programmer who has a torrid love affair with a famous mountaineer and then discovers that he hides a very dark secret.
I was only involved in walking up and down a street in the middle of Warwick which was nowhere near where the torrid love scenes were being filmed.
I had previously worked in a scene with Peter Howitt in a programme called "Civvies" in 1992 when I played the part of a Chief Fire Officer in one of the episodes which was filmed in Cardiff.
The story of "Killing me softly" was about a female computer programmer who has a torrid love affair with a famous mountaineer and then discovers that he hides a very dark secret.
I was only involved in walking up and down a street in the middle of Warwick which was nowhere near where the torrid love scenes were being filmed.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
"CASUALTY" 1998
Yesterday was also one day of the year where I have never been involved in any Film or TV production.
On 2nd September 1998, I was at the studios in Bristol to be in the 15th episode of that years series of the BBC medical drama "Casualty". This was my 4th day on the programme in that year, between 1991 and 2004, I appeared in 60 episodes of " Casualty".
So far "Casualty" is the only programme that I have played a credited role. In December 1997 I played the part of a Boxing Master of Ceremonies who was also the Referee in episode 23 entitled "Taking Sides" which was broadcast in 1998. (View Bobby Civil IMDb).
Previously I had dialogue as a Security Guard and had also been featured as a drunk man in a fancy dress costume, a press reporter, and a casualty from a plane crash. All other appearances saw me either as a visitor to the hospital or as a patient waiting for treatment in A & E.
All my days were based at that Bristol studio by the BBC have now relocated the "Casualty" studio to Cardiff at the same studio that is currently producing " Doctor Who".
On 2nd September 1998, I was at the studios in Bristol to be in the 15th episode of that years series of the BBC medical drama "Casualty". This was my 4th day on the programme in that year, between 1991 and 2004, I appeared in 60 episodes of " Casualty".
So far "Casualty" is the only programme that I have played a credited role. In December 1997 I played the part of a Boxing Master of Ceremonies who was also the Referee in episode 23 entitled "Taking Sides" which was broadcast in 1998. (View Bobby Civil IMDb).
Previously I had dialogue as a Security Guard and had also been featured as a drunk man in a fancy dress costume, a press reporter, and a casualty from a plane crash. All other appearances saw me either as a visitor to the hospital or as a patient waiting for treatment in A & E.
All my days were based at that Bristol studio by the BBC have now relocated the "Casualty" studio to Cardiff at the same studio that is currently producing " Doctor Who".
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