Fast Food Joint Blues

Well so far I am too tired (Another 4am end and 7am wake up :) to feel the blues which are coming! They loom like a distant rainstorm... the wind is changing and the rain is coming. However I feel that the destiny of this film and the purity, and the positive vibe of this film will make the rain storm one to enjoy, one that will enhance memories, any tears are of gratitude for an experience that will not be washed away by a few spots of water!...

This is special! The friends and the film! And the experience.

The film has gone from first draft to principal shoot completion in 2 full moons. I think that is nearly unheard of. And we made it for about £1500. Which for what we have is a fucking miracle!

The Audition shoot at the Picture Drome and the Fast Food Joint scenes were I must admit two scenes I was really scared of, but yet again these generous humans come along and give us their space to work in. They leave us to it and hope we respect their space which I hope they know we did.

Thank you to Peter Carr (Picture Drome) and Yasson (And PAPA-4 Cousins) for their generosity and to all those who gave their time up to audition, (And obviously to the crew and cast)

This was the last main day of shooting where we had all day to film not knowing what we would be up against and yet again we were committed, punctual, and it looks gorgeous.

This was Kim's last main scene too and it is Greg's on Monday (I can't wait for the dominatrix scene) I must tell you That these two guys have got an amazing future ahead of them as actors as have John and Ruth. Such talents. The others I haven't yet had chance to see them pushed but I hope to soon. Kim and Greg both leave for London on the 8th I think. This rain storm maybe harder to come to terms with. If I didn't have Beck and Finn and the newly born to be and the gang, I think I'd follow them!

God bless everyone again. What a bunch of talented and moreso fine humans I have come to love
xm

so close

hello beautiful people!

so, it's the night before my final official shoot and i really do not want this experience to end! i just hope that everyone realizes the huge downer we're all going to experience when it's over. i advise all to find something really exciting and new cos otherwise you'll be completely lost!!

tomorrow is one of my most favourite scenes of the film! the juxtaposition of the ballgown and the burger is pure brilliance, can't wait!

to everyone who's been involved thankyou! jesus, if i feel this emotional on the eve i hate to think what my blog might weep and gush after!

mucho love to all
xxx

p.s. thankyou marco, without meeting you and you opening my creative and artistic mind after i lost it god knows where i'd be now. whatever i become, i owe it to you. gush done.

Stills are now on MintrelWallEye Site. . .

I've now placed production stills on the main web site so you can scan through them at your pleasure. Go to The MinstrelWallEye site and click on stills and they're there!!!

XM ;-)

Bus Stop Scene and about 30 Scenes More

This is the first moment since the KINO CAMP-SITE scenes that I've had to contribute and so there is sooooo much that has happened since then but is in normal world time only like two weeks away!
I seem to be living 3 days in each normal day at present and it is getting very very weird the thought of going back to 1 normal day! Although the new addition to my family will give me something to do ;-) I'm sure!!!!

I must say the things been said on this diary will stay with me forever and the positive and beautiful vibe will too. I have learnt so much from this experience with such incredible people! I have learnt that the sky is now the limit with or without a budget! I have learnt that kindness from you guys can actually propel a person into the future fearless! I have learnt that we can do realism, drama, operatic drama, expresionism! I have learnt that we are very good! And we are a non-dependent film company. The photo above and hundreds more that i will sort out for the Minstrel Wall Eye website will show such friendship and expression as can not be seen many places! We are very lucky aren't we? I know I feel so very lucky and if nothing ever goes well ever again I shall know that this was a most special time when I had everything a human should have!

love to all
XM

Last filming.....
Well, after shooting my final scene on Tuesday, I have finally figured out how to use this thing to tell you how wonderful I think you all are. :)
A incredible month (and a bit), has given me so much, my first experience of filming (and by the sounds of it, they're not all like this so i feel very lucky to have been eased in like this ) some amazing memories, and some fantastic bonds with some very special people (that's you guys). Throughout all this also some fine cuisine so thanks Marco and Becky!
A massive Thank you to Marco in general for his magician-like qualities, his constant support and patience, his giving me (and us all) this amazing opportunity, and for it being so amazing, his welcome into his mind and his home, his unconditional love for his family, and his extraordinary (and extraordinarily contagious) laugh!
And of course, without Marco I'd never have been honored by the company of you lovely people for our camping trip, and throughout the individual shoots. But also thank you to you all for quite how lovely you are, as I'm sure Marco's job wouldn't be as easy, and it wouldn't be such a lovely experience if he didn't have such an amazingly competent, dedicated and willing team to support him.
Even within such a short time, we've all had ups and downs, but within such an caring environment, (this could just be me but)the downs seem to be not really all that low, and the highs seem to rocket.
This blog already seems to reflect the film- in that I could write forever, like I could film forever, and it would never be enough.
On that note, I'm sure even if maybe everything I want to say is not possible to say, you may have got at least the gist from this!
~I never want this to end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love to all,
Ruth xx

Wish I could have hung around longer!

I've just read what Kim, Greg and Marco have written about last weeks filming and they've just confirmed what I suspected....that it all went a bit downhill after I left early on Tuesday morning! ;)

I had a fabulous time, so thank you all for that and I really do hope to see you all soon...Marco really has gathered some very lovely people together.

I've uploaded the photos I took from Monday's filming and you can find them here - please feel free to download/print them out as you wish.

Good luck with the rest of the filming!

Davinia x

p.s. If you want to download any of the photos, first click on the photo and then click on 'all sizes'....this will then enable you to download the original 1.5MB file.

Times don't get any better!!!!

Ok so this is my first Blog thingy I have ever done....so bare with me! I kno you all have better things to do with your lives than listen to me ramble on so ill keep it as short as poss!

Firstly I just want to say that the three days we spent up at Becki's mum and dads beautiful home was one of the nicest experiences of my life...was just such a special vibe. (Marco, Becki and Rob will testify that it really doesn't happen very often). Every single person that was present created an atmosphere that I really didnt want to leave, and to echo Betty's blog how do you do it Marco?? you are a magician! The only negative is that now as I sit here I want to be back camping with each and every one of you. Imagine if we could create an Artistic company that combines all of us??Wow!!

So lets talk about the work: To say I was excited about working with everyone is an understatement, and then incredibly it surpassed anything i was expecting. Kim I think marco has almost said everything I feel about the talent you possess, from what I saw its a pretty much a limitless future for you, just keep positive and listen to yourself...thats who you have to perform for more than anyone, yourself, can't wait till we film our other scenes (but no rematch...im retiring from women beating haha). Ruth, what dedication, coming along to be dead and unconscious, phenomenal, and again can't wait till we have our scenes, you are such fantastic company and love our chats about community theatre. I seriously have no shame in admitting I am dragged along on screen by you two, couldn't think of two nicer or more talented people to share the screen with. Rob, I said it to you while we were there but the trust I feel when your behind the camera is so strong its hard to put into words, your connection with Marco allows us actors to focus on our task, and believe me that is no small compliment, these films would be half what they are without you. I just want to say a massive thank you to Becki, so often you are there to make evry little part run smoothly, and never, ever complain or have anything other than a smile....it is soooo nice!thank you!! Then theres the Big Man, Big Daddy C....Marco! You were rubbish!haha! mate I really think its hard to put into words what I feel about your work, about you as a person, and what you have done for me!!Genius is almost to weak a word to use for you, the work you achieve is simply astounding, and for you to feel I am anywhere near good enough to be part of it makes me deeply proud. Also you give us freedom to experiment and more importantly grow with you, and I know that what we learn and discover will contribute beyond our view of the horizon. Thank you so much for having me along mate!!

Ok I know im rambling on, but there is one more person that i want to mention...little gorgous Finn! Having Finn around is invaluable, I realised in fact that he could be the most important person of all! He shows us how special every moment is. To see the freshness and innocence he sees in the world is a lesson that ALL of us can learn from. We spend so long dismissing the mundane, we forget what made it special in the first place, and thats how I feel about this project and this group of people....special, and never want to forget that, so thank you finny!!

Ok ok im done, cant wait to see you all soon

Greg x x

I've Had the Time of My lieeyayfe.....

Ok you may have a Marco full gush on the cards here so beware:

On the way Kim asked me if I was happy... I returned a text saying 'Oh Yes-What else in the world is there!' or a text to this effect.

I had my love and my Finn and the growing-in-the-belly baby. The sun shone throughout. I was surrounded by 15 or 16 incredible people -who didn't only offer their time freely,.. but we are working on something that when I was writing it, I was so excited about and now when I watch the rushes I cannot not wait to see the next scene and the next scene. That is rare in watching rushes. So I have the best family the best friends and the coolest film to be working on ever! And the sun shone! I say again what else is there. More is this: you guys have fully and totally restored my faith in working like this, for free, for experience and for the joy of new friends, happenings and images that can explode inside one at any time. (Let me include Robin and Ade in this sentiment too). I nearly gave up film a while ago and you guys gave me the opposite ... A commitment and a joy that is not seen by many people. I am so happy and honoured. And will fall over backwards to help if you ever need a camera man or runner...


Let me get to the film. Kimberly Sykes, for any who saw the more intense scenes is astounding. She must be exhausted. Because the number of scenes she did (Over and over again) at the level she had to find, was bewildering. Greg, what a credit to his dear little mum! haha!!! Again the commitment of this man is just tremendous and I can't think of a better guy to be working with (De Niro, Marlon Brando and that guy in the shop in Holly Oaks!)

Rob filming so beautifully and in so much pain, Simon on sound and wobbling under the weight of the boom, John (AKA KINO) just a delight to have there keeping everything solid and strong. Jenny coming up from London to be the awesome maid. And you seriously have the best hair in the world bar me hehe! Oliver and Abbey, having hair stylists and Ol's brother Jez was such a treat. Such fun people, and kind and HAIR!!! A treat! The beautiful Gurj and Si listening and watching the surreal machinations of film and KINO film .... I wanted to get to Ruth and Dave here because Ruth came to be either unconscious or dead, while being one of the kindest and most loving people I've met, And Dave who came all the way from Mars, or Bicester just up the road from Oxford or somewhere from the south just to support and add and to enjoy the energy. You feel safe don't you amongst such angels.

My angels being Becki who catered for us while being 7months pregnant and Finn. Thank you my dear we never needed for anything (tequila)! The most special people and beautiful people i will ever meet!

And a terrific thank you to Jill Peter, Halima and Tris and Jena... for allowing a set of bohemians in to film in and around there home. We owe you about 30k.

Fuck Me!!!

I better edit something good hey!!!

All my love
Marcuccio XXX

3day extravaganza

it's thursday morning and i have an awesome feeling of pride and overwhelming happiness yet even with the sleeping rough and lack of usual luxuries of everyday life i still wish we were all back in our tent village and 3 days of happenings! there's such a downer depression when you get back to normal life after what i can only describe as the most intense and beautiful few days of filming.

the sun shone always which would have been lovely if i weren't in a massive black coat for alot of it and then at night when it was chilly i was wearing a bloody ballgown, he he!

every single person who came on the trip was of priceless value, it was an honour to be around so many wonderful people! how do you find them marco? and in huddersfield? you are a magician!

there's so much more to say but until everything settles in and i come to terms with the enormity of it all, i shall keep stum. putting it into words just doesn't do it justice.

all my love to everyone
betty xx

p.s. i'd quite like a rematch with you greg, i'll kick your ass next time! x

coxwold!