Fair Play
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:36 am
It really happened to me. As you know I'm making a dramatized documentary
about life in a concentraction or transit camp during WWII. It's situated
between the Belgian towns of Brussels and Antwerp. Last month I started editing
the film. I had done quite a lot of research. I had read some books written
by historians. I found an ex-prisoner-of-war who could tell his story throughout
the film. He had to stay in Breendonk for more than 3 months together with
his father. I found a German re-enactment group in Belgium and Holland. The
prisoners-of-war, who are members of my club, had to wear clogs while digging
off the fortress. I found these in a theatre group. I also needed 4 coffins
for the execution "ceremony". They could be delivered by the president of
an other film club. He's an undertaker. To make a panoramic view of the camp
I asked the local fire brigade if I could borrow their electronic ladder.
The only expenses I had : my wife Vera was in charge of the catering. She
prepared sandwiches and one day she even offered a snack in a tavern. I also
needed 6 old Belgian uniforms. I had to hire them. Mr Schmitt was the commander-in-chief
who walked round the camp together with his German shephard all day long.
I could find a well-trained "Hound of Baskervilles". Of course I also wrote
a detailed screenplay for that film. In the film all the prisoners-of-war
are members of my club. They don't have any experience, but they did it in
a prefect way (in my opinion of course).
The secretary of our club, Freddy, offered me to make "The Making of ..."
He would be helped by an other friend called Willy Brown. But what did this
man do ? He took shots from behind my shoulder and he made his own film about
the transit camp. He moved to an other club and he already showed his rough
film over there. I was furious though I knew that this man is not one of
the best filmmakers in the world. Luckily the secretary of that club called
me the day after and he told me that Willy Brown had shown his rough film
with spectacular scenes in his club. Some weeks before I had told that secretary
about my intention. All the members of the Board of his club have now decided
to refuse Willy Brown's film in the future. That was quite a relief ! And
I also appreciate their sign of friendship.
Anyway, I don't think that similar things may happen in Britain.
about life in a concentraction or transit camp during WWII. It's situated
between the Belgian towns of Brussels and Antwerp. Last month I started editing
the film. I had done quite a lot of research. I had read some books written
by historians. I found an ex-prisoner-of-war who could tell his story throughout
the film. He had to stay in Breendonk for more than 3 months together with
his father. I found a German re-enactment group in Belgium and Holland. The
prisoners-of-war, who are members of my club, had to wear clogs while digging
off the fortress. I found these in a theatre group. I also needed 4 coffins
for the execution "ceremony". They could be delivered by the president of
an other film club. He's an undertaker. To make a panoramic view of the camp
I asked the local fire brigade if I could borrow their electronic ladder.
The only expenses I had : my wife Vera was in charge of the catering. She
prepared sandwiches and one day she even offered a snack in a tavern. I also
needed 6 old Belgian uniforms. I had to hire them. Mr Schmitt was the commander-in-chief
who walked round the camp together with his German shephard all day long.
I could find a well-trained "Hound of Baskervilles". Of course I also wrote
a detailed screenplay for that film. In the film all the prisoners-of-war
are members of my club. They don't have any experience, but they did it in
a prefect way (in my opinion of course).
The secretary of our club, Freddy, offered me to make "The Making of ..."
He would be helped by an other friend called Willy Brown. But what did this
man do ? He took shots from behind my shoulder and he made his own film about
the transit camp. He moved to an other club and he already showed his rough
film over there. I was furious though I knew that this man is not one of
the best filmmakers in the world. Luckily the secretary of that club called
me the day after and he told me that Willy Brown had shown his rough film
with spectacular scenes in his club. Some weeks before I had told that secretary
about my intention. All the members of the Board of his club have now decided
to refuse Willy Brown's film in the future. That was quite a relief ! And
I also appreciate their sign of friendship.
Anyway, I don't think that similar things may happen in Britain.