Desperate Romantics

Anyone been watching 'Desperate Romantics' on BBC2? I had (wrongly) spurned it initially as a hokey attempt at updating a period of art that I'm particularly fond off, but have had my wrists slapped HARD after giving it a chance and finding it to be a bit of an addictive jolly romp. The script whacks along with a knowing wink and a lot of slap and tickle - there are acres of heaving bosoms and buttocks amongst repressed gasps as the coterie create art and intense poetry. The 'Brotherhood' of the said Romantics cut a frock-coated swathe through 19th century London. Rossetti, Hunt, Ruskin, Morris, Millais et al are all drawn in broad strokes, but 'DR' sticks close enough to fact (presumed though some of it is) to give it the sniff of authenticity whilst allowing the script by Peter Bowker (he also wrote the fabulous Blackpool) to slap along at great, FUN pace. That's the bottom line - 'DR' is fun, lighthearted, enjoyable and sexy - frothy 'nonsense' (and that's not to damn with faint praise) - I'm loving it. There's also something fantastic about the sumptuous way the script treats its female characters. Most are the lovers, muses and wives of the Brotherhood, but instead of squandering their roles as 'assistants' and mere background to the art, they're given a voluptuousness and life that makes them glow. These are not women as accessories, regardless of whether they are prostitutes or repressed spinsters, these are sharp, real, (in some cases) sexual creatures who are not afraid to speak their mind or satisfy their desires. Amy Manson as the laudanum-addicted redhead Lizzie Siddal, and Jennie Jacques as Annie Miller are particularly good.

There's no doubt that many unpleasant and less salubrious areas of 19th century life are glossed over and romanticised, but this never set out to be a political piece or social commentary, but instead, revels in being an indulgent, saucy, peek behind the Pre-Raphaelite curtains.

I don't care if it's not entirely truthful, in fact I admire it for not being fact-bound. The only bad thing I can say about it, is that it's giving me serious hair-envy. Damn their flowing tresses.

The Devil's Beef Tub

Isn't that the best name for a natural feature - The Devil's Beef Tub! Though I keep accidentally saying 'Devil's Bath Tub' which sort of sounds quite comforting. Anyway, spent yesterday on the shoot of Short 1, up in the amazing hills of Dumfries & Galloway at the aforementioned Tub. High, green, marshy and glorious - I was up there for 9 hours straight and did I remember suncream? Did I heck - I'm a film-maker - I'm hardy. Ooops. Have a face like a skelped tomato this morning - own fault!

Got a bit lost heading down - somehow ended spending a lot of stressful time in Bonnyrigg - but made it in the end. The 'Tub' is a natural feature and stunning, see pic above (own pics to follow). The drive down was pretty glorious too on the A701 (I think) - I can recommend it at the moment, all rolling green and gold with feather pink willow-herb all over the place. And it was sunny (BURN), without a spot of rain.

ANYWAY, (saw a swan and a buzzard on the way down - not together though) they were filming the outdoor sports scenes of the film with paragliders along with the 2 main actors. I have been to a couple sets before but there really is something wonderful about actors delivering your OWN WORDS, and making them come alive - gave me goosebumps - watching people construct something you made up in in your own head - look, there's Alec's walking stick and it looks like you imagined... there's a guy swooping about in a paraglider with his shadow skimming over the hill JUST LIKE YOU IMAGINED - slightly surreal. And there were lots of little things which just naturally changed - and all for the better far as I could see. I did my fair share of mucking in, which I was also thrilled about, as I wanted to be as little nuisance as possible, so it was rather nice to be carting bags and blankets over bouncy spagnum moss, up hills, squishing into wet little burns and getting soggy like everyone else. We also all got bitten raw by midgies and clegs, but persevered (note to self, if ever in boggy moss country again, take head-net-thing like the 1 wise paraglider who had one).

Was invited down by the Director to watch a few things through the monitor, which was EXCITING and felt very privileged. Also got to meet the actors, and most of the crew, who were beyond lovely, especially in the face of sun/midgies/clegs/very steep slopes. Quite a few people made a point of saying to me how much they liked the script, and I had to fight the urge to hug EVERYONE because I felt kind of honoured that they're all wanting to work on it.

I was nervous about going, even more so after Bonnyrigg tried to trap me, but I'm glad I did - it felt like I was really part of SOMETHING exciting. Something that had become bigger than the ideas out of my head and that was GLORIOUS. I want to do more. I have always, and always will, write, but this was different - if film-making is a bug, then I've caught it, good and proper.

a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal

Things have been busy here, and are going to get busier - is this a good thing? Quite probably.

The script was locked for Short 1 last week (except for some minor tweaks which may come out during rehearsals) - one of the happiest and proudest days for me - finally real - job done! Went into Edinburgh to my first crew meeting yesterday - great to see REAL people who are going to bring everything to life. Rehearsals today in Peebles, and then the shoot starts properly tomorrow. Everything seems to be in place, the Director and Producer are happy, and people seem genuinely pleased about the script, so that's a joy and a relief. More than a couple grown men on the crew have confessed to a few tears when reading it - so it looks like the tone is working as intended - touching but not depressing!

Cast are all in place, and will give details next blog once have checked it's ok to be blabbing about such stuff - I'm a newbie when it comes to 'live' projects so don't want to bugger anything up. Am particularly excited about our lead actor - his first film role was in 'Get Carter' with Michael Caine - and he's exactly as I pictured the main character.

I'm going to be an observer on set, and am oddly nervous but excited - don't want to get under anyone's feet. We've been told to bring waterproofs and sturdy footwear as there's a bit of filming out in the wilds, up a hill with some outdoor sports-type people - should be fun. Fellow writers who've already had this experience have also suggested I take a good book as there is 'an awful lot of waiting about'. Bring it on!

Short 2 is shooting middle of September, so am currently tweaking a draft for that. Have learnt a lot during the process of Short 1, so that should help this project. Again chuffed to have lots of good people involved - one thing I learned during Short 1, is that I LOVE the collaborative process, and I'm much less precious about my work than I expected - which is a good thing.

In between finishing Short 1 and getting Short 2 ready, have just heard I got 1 of the 10 places on the BBC Scotland Radio Lab. Getting a radio drama broadcast is an ambition of mine, so was delighted when I heard. A few days in Edinburgh, then 2 days in Glasgow at BBC Scotland in September and October - can't wait - and I now know the book I shall be perusing in between the quiet moments on the set of Short 1 - 'Writing for Radio' - always good to be prepared. It's going to be a busy few months!

(BTW many other blogs and articles have done a beautiful job of this already, but RIP John Hughes, a man who helped form my love of films when I was growing up - I used to be able to quote most of The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller (geek). RIP too to Blake Snyder, a man who created the concise and straightforward Beat Sheet I still often refer to when I write).

Whether you're a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess or a criminal, I hope your August is busy and productive.

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time, in a house on a hill, there lived a man who longed to be free of a secret that only he held tight inside his heart.

He waited for his moment, waited and waited, until one ice-frosted, snow-covered day when his family surrounded him and the goose lay fat on the table, he took his chance and let it leave.

The secret went out into the world and spun and floundered and bit, until it settled in the ears of everyone that sat around the man’s table.

There it grew and festered and became something new.

Until a year from the day, it returned and as another goose lay fat on the table, it revealed itself.

And the man’s world changed forever.

But not in the way he expected it to.

Secrets of the heart never do.