To shout or not to shout ? That's the question !

[Willy Van der Linden]

I've just started to make a DVD-copy on my casablanca. It will take about
one hour. It gives me the time to write an article about my weekend in Dartmoor.
I was there for the third time to make my film "Until You Smile", a documentary
about my best English friend. His name is Brian Higbee (look at my email
address... It's vanderlindenhig@... ) We've known each other for more than
25 years now. We first met in Cranbrook (Kent.) He then said something like
: "Perhaps we'll be friends for life ... !" He's a folksinger, entertainer
and artist. He was born in London. He lived in Kent for many years and now
he lives in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in the middle of
nowhere, "far from the madding crowd". Strange, isn't it ? In my film I will
try to show why Brian moved to the "Far West" and why he left so many friends
in the pretty village where he lived. Last year I asked one of my Flemish
friends, who is a professional film maker, to help me. I didn't have a good
microphone which is essential when filming a folksinger. I had my scenario,
but my Belgian friend, who's always very enthusiastic or even over-excited,
started to put pressure on me when we were in Dartmoor. I had only asked
him to help me recording the songs, but after a short time my scenario did
not exist anymore... I was unhappy, but I stayed calm. Now I don't blame
my professional friend for it you know. I'm sure he is a good director and
he always has very good intentions. He's always very helpful. He's even the
very good picture of a film maker who makes films for fun, not for money.
Money is not essential for him. He also does his utmost to stimulate beginners.
I admire his positive behaviour. He has already made excellent films. But
now with Brian he began to shout "One, two, three, action ...!" in a very
loud voice. You could hear an echo at the other end of the National Park
! It was very impressive, but Brian did not feel easy anymore. He is always
relaxed, but now I even saw a scared folksinger with a scared expression
on his face. I did not see the real Brian anymore. At home I edited my film
and I sent a copy to him though I was not very happy with the result. Brian
was not happy either. I found that the film was too static. He found that
he looked very tired. That's why I went back to Dartmoor some weeks ago
together with friends of my own club. We bought our own microphone for the
trip and it worked well. One of the friends who accompanied me is a guitar
player himself... That was an other advantage. Brian was cheerful again.
He was in the mood. I gave Brian and young Davy enough time to play music
together. Now I could film a cheerful musician and artist. Brian showed
his real face again. Last weekend I was in Dartmoor with my wife to take
some shots of Dartmoor and the shots I missed for the "finishing touch".
Don't be afraid. I told my Belgian friend all these things and he accepted
everything. Perhaps last year he didn't realize that Brian and I have been
friends for more than 25 years. We know each other's qualities and also each
other's shortcomings.And he didn't know that Brian is a very sensitive person.
So my question is : do you have to shout when directing a film ? I would
say yes, yes when there are many people in the filming scene, but I would
say no when the number of actors is very limited and when you know them very
well. Perhaps you remember I'm also making a film about life in a concentration
camp. Some days ago I organized a meeting with my actors. I explained them
everything. Standing in front of my blackboard in the clubhouse I felt like
a teacher again. But I think it was very useful. The filming session will
take place next Sunday. I think that there will be no need to shout unless
something abnormal happens.

Now I've told you something about my filming in Dartmoor. Could also other
film makers write articles about the films they are making ? That would
be interesting. Making a film is always an adventure. I would like to know
how other friends make films. We could exchange views on film making. I always
read Ken's articles in the Video Magazine and other texts. They're very interesting,
but I miss similar articles on this website. That's a pity. In the mean
time my DVD-copy is ready and I'll have to stop now.

[AnimatioN]

"Willy Van der Linden" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

I've just started to make a DVD-copy on my casablanca. It will take about
one hour. It gives me the time to write an article about my weekend in Dartmoor.

I was there for the third time to make my film "Until You Smile", a documentary
about my best English friend. His name is Brian Higbee (look at my email
address... It's vanderlindenhig@... )

Last year I asked one of my Flemish
friends, who is a professional film maker, to help me.

now with Brian he began to shout "One, two, three, action ...!" in a very
loud voice. You could hear an echo at the other end of the National Park
! It was very impressive, but Brian did not feel easy anymore.

Hello Willy,
After spending an hour writing all this you deserve a reply......
I have edited your writing down repeating the salient points
to comment on......

I cannot abide those who shout "Camera, action" and all the rest.
If it's 35mm film then of course, the camera has to get up to speed
so a gap is required and all need to know this.
But this doesn't apply in your case, where sound/visuals are in
one machine.

He is always
relaxed, but now I even saw a scared folksinger with a scared expression
on his face.

That isn't surprising. Any director worth his salt should realise
what effects his shouting was having on the actors and stop immediately.
In fact, he should be sufficiently sensitive to realise everything
around that is influencing his actor's performance and do
something about it. Certainly to stop shouting!

That's why I went back to Dartmoor some weeks ago

together with friends of my own club. We bought our own microphone for the
trip and it worked well. One of the friends who accompanied me is a guitar
player himself... That was an other advantage. Brian was cheerful again.

Good,I hope you have ditched the shouter for good!

So my question is : do you have to shout when directing a film ? I would
say yes, yes when there are many people in the filming scene, but I would
say no when the number of actors is very limited and when you know them
very
well.

One only need to raise a voice to enable all those who need to hear,to hear!
"For your ears only," to misqoute an 007 movie!

Now I've told you something about my filming in Dartmoor. Could also other
film makers write articles about the films they are making ? That would
be interesting. Making a film is always an adventure. I would like to know
how other friends make films.

Well Willy, no one else, yet, has taken up the cudgels and after your
spending an hour writing all this whilst your casablanca was cooking(!)
you deserve some comments......
I cannot really help here as I only make animation, sitting indoors
away from the Sun and rain(!) working mostly in an armchair,
except when I am out with my cheap digital stills camera,
taking my oddball photos for my web site, which I seem to do more
and more these days.
However, if I did make other types of film I would always bear
in mine my old chestnuts.....

The zoom shot is grossly over used. ( a pity it was ever invented?)
When it is used the start and end points are seldom established for
sufficient time before the zoom motors get rolling!

Also, we see very little track and crane shots in amateur films.
Although more difficult to do than just pressing a zoom button,
they add flow and presence to a sequence.
It's something that the pro does and the ham doesn't.

Editing is still too slow in parts and many plots so thin that one can
guess the ending at the start. I know how difficult it is to write
great scripts and tell engrossing stories but that is still the weak
department in many films.....even pro ones!
And of course, you know my views on 4:3 being the best overall
*creative* format, which I will most certainly not repeat here!!!

Albert.

[Michael Slowe]

"Willy Van der Linden" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

I've just started to make a DVD-copy on my casablanca. It will take about
one hour. It gives me the time to write an article about my weekend in Dartmoor.
I was there for the third time to make my film "Until You Smile", a documentary
about my best English friend. His name is Brian Higbee (look at my email
address... It's vanderlindenhig@... ) We've known each other for more than
25 years now. We first met in Cranbrook (Kent.) He then said something like
: "Perhaps we'll be friends for life ... !" He's a folksinger, entertainer
and artist. He was born in London. He lived in Kent for many years and now
he lives in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in the middle of
nowhere, "far from the madding crowd". Strange, isn't it ? In my film I
will
try to show why Brian moved to the "Far West" and why he left so many friends
in the pretty village where he lived. Last year I asked one of my Flemish
friends, who is a professional film maker, to help me. I didn't have a
good
microphone which is essential when filming a folksinger. I had my scenario,
but my Belgian friend, who's always very enthusiastic or even over-excited,
started to put pressure on me when we were in Dartmoor. I had only asked
him to help me recording the songs, but after a short time my scenario did
not exist anymore... I was unhappy, but I stayed calm. Now I don't blame
my professional friend for it you know. I'm sure he is a good director
and
he always has very good intentions. He's always very helpful. He's even
the
very good picture of a film maker who makes films for fun, not for money.
Money is not essential for him. He also does his utmost to stimulate beginners.
I admire his positive behaviour. He has already made excellent films. But
now with Brian he began to shout "One, two, three, action ...!" in a very
loud voice. You could hear an echo at the other end of the National Park
! It was very impressive, but Brian did not feel easy anymore. He is always
relaxed, but now I even saw a scared folksinger with a scared expression
on his face. I did not see the real Brian anymore. At home I edited my film
and I sent a copy to him though I was not very happy with the result. Brian
was not happy either. I found that the film was too static. He found that
he looked very tired. That's why I went back to Dartmoor some weeks ago
together with friends of my own club. We bought our own microphone for the
trip and it worked well. One of the friends who accompanied me is a guitar
player himself... That was an other advantage. Brian was cheerful again.
He was in the mood. I gave Brian and young Davy enough time to play music
together. Now I could film a cheerful musician and artist. Brian showed
his real face again. Last weekend I was in Dartmoor with my wife to take
some shots of Dartmoor and the shots I missed for the "finishing touch".
Don't be afraid. I told my Belgian friend all these things and he accepted
everything. Perhaps last year he didn't realize that Brian and I have been
friends for more than 25 years. We know each other's qualities and also
each
other's shortcomings.And he didn't know that Brian is a very sensitive person.
So my question is : do you have to shout when directing a film ? I would
say yes, yes when there are many people in the filming scene, but I would
say no when the number of actors is very limited and when you know them
very
well. Perhaps you remember I'm also making a film about life in a concentration
camp. Some days ago I organized a meeting with my actors. I explained them
everything. Standing in front of my blackboard in the clubhouse I felt like
a teacher again. But I think it was very useful. The filming session will
take place next Sunday. I think that there will be no need to shout unless
something abnormal happens.

Now I've told you something about my filming in Dartmoor. Could also other
film makers write articles about the films they are making ? That would
be interesting. Making a film is always an adventure. I would like to know
how other friends make films. We could exchange views on film making. I
always
read Ken's articles in the Video Magazine and other texts. They're very
interesting,
but I miss similar articles on this website. That's a pity. In the mean
time my DVD-copy is ready and I'll have to stop now.

Willy,don't ask for help when making personal films like you make. I find
that having others (apart from the subject of course) with me cramps my style
and distracts me from doing what I want to do. As to shouting, what for
and who at? You may need to ask for quiet during a sound take but keep the
camera running (it's only tape after all) and ask whoever might be making
a noise to keep quiet.
If you want to know aboutanother film maker's experiences read my piece in
the forthcoming issue of the IAC magasine.

[Ken Wilson]

"Willy Van der Linden" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

I admire his positive behaviour. He has already made excellent films. But
now with Brian he began to shout "One, two, three, action ...!" in a very
loud voice. You could hear an echo at the other end of the National Park

So my question is : do you have to shout when directing a film ? I would
say yes, yes when there are many people in the filming scene, but I would
say no when the number of actors is very limited and when you know them
very
well.
I would like to know
how other friends make films. We could exchange views on film making. I
always
read Ken's articles in the Video Magazine and other texts. They're very
interesting,
but I miss similar articles on this website.

Hi Willy. NO there is no need to shout.Perhaps I should have written about
how I Direct during the series in FVM? There is quite a bit to say on this
subject as I have found that there are different techniques to use depending
on who the actors are. Briefly, some people can just be given guidance, such
as "Walk to here (pointing) say the first line, stop then turn and walk out
of frame on the right" (etc) Others need all kinds of specific instructions
about facial expressions, intonation and so on. My view is, as a non-actor,
that the actor should know how to act their part, if you have explained their
role correctly. I think I re-direct rather than direct. In other words, if
all is going well and the scene is playing as I imagined it, I leave it alone.
If not, I change the elements I don`t like, so "re-directing" the action
another way.We tend to rehearse on camera, so we end up with 5 to 10 takes,
each slightly different as the scene evolves.

Ken.

[Willy Van der Linden]

"AnimatioN" <Animation@btinternet.com> wrote:

Editing is still too slow in parts and many plots so thin that one can
guess the ending at the start. I know how difficult it is to write
great scripts and tell engrossing stories but that is still the weak
department in many films.....even pro ones!
And of course, you know my views on 4:3 being the best overall
*creative* format, which I will most certainly not repeat here!!!

Oh, there you are again, Albert... The discussion about 4:3 is useless. In
shops TV-sets with 4:3 screens are only second hand nowadays.
My TV-screen is also 16:9. In the beginning everybody looked a bit fat on
my new TV, but now I appreciate landscapes on 16:9. They're so impressive.


My apologies my friends, I know that Albert is always trying to stir up discussions
on this forum. Now I realize that it's me who has fallen into his trap ...But
I do not always disagree with him you know. Once he said that things are
changing too fast... Who can deny this ? I still love the sound of a rattling
old 8mm or 16 mm film projector. In our clubhouse we still have some machines
of the "Good Old Days". But now we only use them for exhibitions. The visitors
always cast covetous eyes on them. Those were the days my friends. We thought
they would never end. But now we live in a different world and it's sometimes
difficult to follow the new trends. Today you have bought a new camera, and
tomorrow it's already outdated, and you regret that you have bought the "old"
one. In my club some friends cannot control themselves. They always want
to buy and sell ... I do not want them to sell cameras, casablancas and other
things in my own club... Perhaps you understand why.

[AnimatioN]

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

Oh, there you are again, Albert... The discussion about 4:3 is useless.

Oh dear me o my, it was a joke, Willy, a joke.....like this one.....

If restaurants functioned like Microsoft....
Patron: Waiter!
Waiter: Hi, my name is Bill, and I'll be your Support Waiter. What seems
to be the problem?
Patron: There's a fly in my soup!
Waiter: Try again, maybe the fly won't be there this time.
Patron: No, it's still there.
Waiter: Try leaving the restaurant and coming back again.
Patron: What! OK.
Patron: Done that, the fly is still there.
Waiter: Maybe it's the way you're using the soup; try eating it with a
fork instead.
Patron: Even when I use the fork, the fly is still there.
Waiter: Maybe the soup is incompatible with the bowl; what kind of bowl
are you using?
Patron: A SOUP bowl!
Waiter: Hmmm, that should work. Maybe it's a configuration problem;
how was the bowl set up?
Patron: You brought it to me on a saucer; what has that to do with the
fly in my soup?!
Waiter: Can you remember everything you did before you noticed the fly in
your soup?
Patron: I sat down and ordered the Soup of the Day!
Waiter: Have you considered upgrading to the latest Soup of the Day?
Patron: You have more than one Soup of the Day each day??
Waiter: Yes, the Soup of the Day is changed every hour.
Patron: Well, what is the Soup of the Day now?
Waiter: The current Soup of the Day is tomato.
Patron: Fine. Bring me the tomato soup, and the check. I'm running late
now.
Waiter leaves and returns with another bowl of soup and the check.
Waiter: Here you are, Sir. The soup and your check.
Patron: This is potato soup.
Waiter: Yes, the tomato soup wasn't ready yet, it's still beta cooking.
Patron: Well, I'm so hungry now, I'll eat anything.
Waiter leaves.
Patron: Waiter! There's a gnat in my soup!
The bill:
Soup of the Day ................................... £5.00
Upgrade to newer Soup of the Day ...... £2.50
Access to support ................................ £50.00

My apologies my friends, I know that Albert is always trying to stir up
discussions
on this forum.

WOT! Me guv? Never, never.
Cor, I live in never, never land!

Those were the days my friends. We thought
they would never end.

I can feel a song coming on. "Those were the days my friend...."
Who sang that way back?

But now we live in a different world and it's sometimes

difficult to follow the new trends. Today you have bought a new camera,
and
tomorrow it's already outdated, and you regret that you have bought the
"old"
one.

Not me. I still use oil lamps and my Kodak box brownie.

Albert....shadow boxing.

[Willy Van der Linden]

"Michael Slowe" <michael.slowe@btinternet.com> wrote:

Willy,don't ask for help when making personal films like you make. I find
that having others (apart from the subject of course) with me cramps my
style
and distracts me from doing what I want to do.

Yes, Michael, that's my experience now. Having others with me cramps my style.
Last Sunday my "film crew" consisted of 8 people. They were all friends of
my club. They helped me quite a lot. Each member had a task : watching the
monitor, catering, making up, holding the microphone, squirting water on
the faces of the actors (They were all prisoners of war. They had to work
very hard. They were sweating... ), etc... I was the director and two of
my friends assisted me in checking the screenplay that I had written. Thanks
to them I didn't forget anything. Next time it will be my turn to help a
friend of my club. He has already asked me to carry buckets of water (without
holes in them !). Last Sunday it was great fun. However, when a distinguished
film maker wants to help me - which I appreciate very much - then I feel
a loss of ability to think, to work with my camera, etc... I never get angry.
It would be stupid to be angry because you must always appreciate the willingness
to be helped. An other film maker who is a bit bossy cannot help you while
you are doing camera work and while you are directing. Two directors is
not good. This is maddening for the actors you are working with. That's
the lesson I have learnt. But perhaps I am a bit bossy myself. I don't believe
in the symbiosis of two styles. I think it is always better to make films
on your own, unless you have a brother who is also a film maker (read : Richard
and Peter Rouillard for instance). Of course this is a special kind of
film I am making now. When making a travelogue or a documentary without
any actors then the only member of my film crew is my wife. She carries the
camera and I carry the tripod.

If you want to know about another film maker's experiences read my piece
in
the forthcoming issue of the IAC magazine.
Yes, I'm looking forward to reading it, Michael.

Albert, I think it's not wrong stirring up discussions. When I'm in London
I always enjoy the speeches on Speakers' Corner, but in particular the things
that hecklers are shouting. They always create discussions. That's animation,
isn't it ? Your reply was very funny.

[AnimatioN]

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

Albert, I think it's not wrong stirring up discussions. When I'm in London
I always enjoy the speeches on Speakers' Corner, but in particular the things
that hecklers are shouting. They always create discussions. That's animation,
isn't it ? Your reply was very funny.

Hope my replies are *always* funny in some respect as this forum
gets very boring at times and I try to liven it up..... much too
successfully recently as you saw!
I am on various forums (not video) and I present a different
character on each. I enjoy my Jeckle and Hyde! I leave you to
decide which one on this forum.

The problem with this ol e-mail lark is that although it
introduces one to folk never otherwise to meet, the lack of
eye contact and immediate response can lead to great
misunderstandings...not that you and I misunderstand each other
I hasten to add!
Maybe I am a heckler?....Gee, what the heck if I am!!

BTW, Willy, I simply LOVE good quality chocolates.
Over here in the UK we have a mass produced, so called,
quality choc made by, Thorntons. It's rubbish!
The *very best* are made in Belgium!!!!! Aren't you
glowing with pride?
Albert....choc eater

[Willy Van der Linden]

"AnimatioN" <Animation@btinternet.com> wrote:

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

BTW, Willy, I simply LOVE good quality chocolates.
Over here in the UK we have a mass produced, so called,
quality choc made by, Thorntons. It's rubbish!
The *very best* are made in Belgium!!!!! Aren't you
glowing with pride?
Albert....choc eater

I'm not glowing with pride at all, Albert ! Today in our newspapers and on
TV : "Belgian Lager is Cat Piss". Sorry for the word "piss". The word is
a bit negative, but I have translated the headline in my newspaper word by
word.
A consumers' group called "Test Aankoop" has checked the quality of our
famous Belgian lager beers. The breweries are adding more and more water
to ingredients like hop, barley, wheat or rice. In 1991 the quality was far
much better. Ten Belgians had to taste 6 different lagers without knowing
their trade marks. Most of them said that Dutch lager "Heineken" is the
best ! Please, Albert, do not tell our British friends who are going to
Blankenberghe to attend Unica. Dave Watterson still thinks that Belgian beers
are best ! Some years ago we already had problems with the quality of our
famous Belgian pâtés. Now our beers... next time ...

[AnimatioN]

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

A consumers' group called "Test Aankoop" has checked the quality of our
famous Belgian lager beers. The breweries are adding more and more water
to ingredients like hop, barley, wheat or rice. In 1991 the quality was
far
much better. Ten Belgians had to taste 6 different lagers without knowing
their trade marks. Most of them said that Dutch lager "Heineken" is the
best ! Please, Albert, do not tell our British friends who are going to
Blankenberghe to attend Unica. Dave Watterson still thinks that Belgian
beers
are best ! Some years ago we already had problems with the quality of our
famous Belgian pâtés. Now our beers... next time ...

At about £1,50 a pint over here it's a great way to get
Cirrhosis of the liver. Many of our youngsters are drinking
and eating themselves into early graves.

Brewers are no different to other makers of mass produced
products in that they maximise profits wherever they can.
......Ah, but your chocs are still the best!

To get back to amateur film, has any amateur film maker
yet made a serious documentary on this problem of
youngsters' health??
If not, isn't it high time someone did?

Albert....high on chocs!

[Willy Van der Linden]

"Ken Wilson" <wilsonkenneth@granadamedia.com> wrote:
We tend to rehearse on camera, so we end up with 5 to 10 takes,
each slightly different as the scene evolves.

Ken.

I feel a bit easier now, Ken. I also end with 5 or 10 takes. I started making
my first fiction film about 5 years ago. The Spanish pupils of the European
School were my actors. Their teacher had written the scenario. Now I have
more experience and I tend to make dramatized documentaries or travelogues.
Sometimes I even have 5 or more takes of a 'pan', of a 'tilt up' or 'tilt
down' of a street, square or whatever. Members of my club laugh with it
and call me a maniac. But you never can tell. It still happens that there
are 'drop outs' in the tape, even in a DV-tape, and then you are happy that
you have taken a certain number of filmshots. Some weeks ago I asked SS-soldiers
of a re-enactment group to be my actors. The president of that group seems
to be a very honourable man. He said that sometimes people think that they
are fascists. We are not, he said firmly ! A few young guys in his group,
however, seemed to be very motivated when they had to kill one of my prisoners
of war. It was strange ... Their movements and their mimicries were exactly
what I wanted. In fact I didn't need a second or third take. It was a bit
frightening. One even had a suggestion and I was pleased with it. It was
an advantage to have such fanatic actors, but yes ... Sometimes people ask
me : how many DV-tapes of 60 minutes have you used to make your film with
a length of 20 minutes ? Then I must admit : 15 to 20 ! It means 15 to 20
hours of film ! Yes, I sometimes exaggerate. For my Cotswolds film my camera
was turning during the whole polo match. It my happen that a polo-rider falls
off his horse and then you have a spectacular shot. It happened at the Cheltenham
Races last year. A horse ran into the banisters. It was hurt. It was unconscious
for some time. You can see the accident (the fall) in my film. 10-15 years
ago a 8 mm or 16 mm filmtape of 3 minutes was extremely expensive. Now a
VHS-, SVHS- or even DV-tape is much cheaper. So why not filming all the time
?
Some time ago you wrote an article in FVM saying that it's better to choose
'professional actors', Ken. Am I wrong ? I think it was you who has written
this. I still remember something like that. In Belgium a few film makers
always succeed in recruiting TV-stars. They keep saying that these actors
don't want to be paid. I didn't have to pay for my SS-soldiers either, but
actors must be paid to earn their bread. It's their job ! I think it's a
challenge to work with members of your own club. It's a matter of directing.
Of course, sometimes you need more than 10 takes when working with them.
But it's worth doing it, I think. From time to time I am surprised about
the hidden talents of some members. And there is one more advantage : it
works stimulating. In my club there are members who don't want to make films
at all. They enjoy watching films and they are always willing to act. You
also need such people in your club. They are welcome.

[Ken Wilson]

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

Some time ago you wrote an article in FVM saying that it's better to choose
'professional actors', Ken. Am I wrong ? I think it was you who has written
this. I still remember something like that. In Belgium a few film makers
always succeed in recruiting TV-stars.

I don`t think that I said "Professional" actors Willy, but if this is what
I implied, then it was incorrect. Perhaps I said people who behave "professionally"?


The actors I use actually are in an area which may be described as amateur
AND professional.To explain...
I think we have a pool of acting talent in our area in Wakefield which I
have luckily tapped in to. The theatre group are talented amateurs, but many
of them aspire to turn professional and quite a few of them are part-time
extras on TV shows and a few have had one or two lines in drama shows. They
have day time jobs as well and act on stage for the amateur theatre group
and of course for me in amateur film. So basically the line is a bit blurred
all along the way between amateur and professional.
Of course, I do know that pro actors who are "resting" between jobs, will
often do work in amateur productions for free, if asked. The acting union
Equity don`t seem to discourage this practice, though they of course DO LIKE
their members to be paid at least a minimum rate whenever possible.

Ken.

[Willy Van der Linden]

"Ken Wilson" <wilsonkenneth@granadamedia.com> wrote:

The actors I use actually are in an area which may be described as amateur
AND professional.To explain...
I think we have a pool of acting talent in our area in Wakefield which I
have luckily tapped in to.

Many thanks for telling me, Ken. I didn't know that your area is Wakefield.
In the City edition of "Wakefield Express" dated 22 February 1985 you could
read on the front page + photo : "A group of top-level (=exaggerated !) Belgian
dignitaries called in to see Wakefield's Mayor, Cr Mrs Joyce Beech, before
taking a party of local youngsters for a week's holiday." In that year I
offered 50 Crofton High School pupils a surprise holiday in Willebroek, the
place where I live. They were all miners' children... The boys and girls
stayed with host families and visited Brussels, Waterloo, Antwerp Zoo and
Rubens' house in Antwerp. I remember that I had to give a speech in English
in the town hall of Wakefield. I was in mortal fear. Everything was filmed
by one of the members of my club. It was an 8mm film. At that time I didn't
film myself yet. I wrote commentary texts for the members of my club. That
was 20 years ago ! Time passes very quickly ! The children must be in their
thirties now.

[Ken Wilson]

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

Many thanks for telling me, Ken. I didn't know that your area is Wakefield.
In the City edition of "Wakefield Express" dated 22 February 1985 you could
read on the front page + photo : "A group of top-level (=exaggerated !)
Belgian
dignitaries called in to see Wakefield's Mayor, Cr Mrs Joyce Beech, before
taking a party of local youngsters for a week's holiday." In that year I
offered 50 Crofton High School pupils a surprise holiday in Willebroek,
the
place where I live. They were all miners' children... The boys and girls
stayed with host families and visited Brussels, Waterloo, Antwerp Zoo and
Rubens' house in Antwerp. I remember that I had to give a speech in English
in the town hall of Wakefield. I was in mortal fear.

Well well. What a small World it is! 1985 was the year that we got married.
(June 8th)
So 20 years for us this year too.
I am sorry that I do not seem to have a copy of the February 22nd copy of
the "Wakefield Express" as my back issues do not go back that far!!!

Ken.

[Willy Van der Linden]

"Ken Wilson" <wilsonkenneth@granadamedia.com> wrote:

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:


I am sorry that I do not seem to have a copy of the February 22nd copy of
the "Wakefield Express" as my back issues do not go back that far!!!

Oh, don't look for a copy, Ken. I have it. And we still have the film. Of

course, you remember ... it was the time of the Great Mining Strike. It started
in 1984. We visited a coal-pit, but I don't remember which one. The miners
looked exhausted. Two children had just lost their father. A mass of coal-dust
suddenly moved away while he was collecting bits of coal for his stove.
The poor man got buried. The winter 1994-1995 was terribly cold. I still
have a letter from Arthur Scargill. He gave me the address of Crofton High
school. But I was not one of his friends you know. Now it's time to watch
that film again. I still had my black moustache. Now it's white !