As the topic under "Odds & Sods" will soon reach its life expiry and disappear for ever ( as do all the Odds & Sods topics eventually) , I`ve been asked to preserve a selection for reference.
I`ll do that over the next few days so please excuse this topic for looking disjointed for a while till I get it sorted.Ken.
I`ll do that over the next few days so please excuse this topic for looking disjointed for a while till I get it sorted.Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 15 Oct 2006 10:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Ken » 21 Jul 2006 03:53 pmIn April,2006,we heard that the Dunkirk scenes in the blockbuster film "Atonement" were to be filmed at Redcar. Several of our members applied for parts and some were successful.
The following is a collection of pics taken by our members, some by those just visiting for the day showing the sets being built and some taken by members (who got parts) during the actual filming.
This was one of the first bits to be built -- the bandstand :-
Ken.
The following is a collection of pics taken by our members, some by those just visiting for the day showing the sets being built and some taken by members (who got parts) during the actual filming.
This was one of the first bits to be built -- the bandstand :-
Ken.Last edited by Ken on 15 Oct 2006 10:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Ken » 21 Jul 2006 07:40 pmThe Olympia gym being extended & "converted" :-
Ken.
Ken.Last edited by Ken on 15 Oct 2006 10:31 am, edited 2 times in total.
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by Ken » 04 Aug 2006 10:35 pmI`m afraid more bombs fell last night. I`ve had to board up our bedroom window & I write this from what`s left of my study. 
:-
Its getting a bit chilly up here !
Ken.
:-Its getting a bit chilly up here !Ken.
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by Phil » 13 Aug 2006 11:02 pmKen as you and your son are going to be local boatmen will be in charge of the Thames Barge pictured below? This is a steel barge built to orginal plans by a cousin of mine in his back yard. He has built this over the last few years . It is being brought up to Redcar this week to be placed on the beach as part of the set for Atonement. How they will get this on the beach I don't know.
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by Ken » 16 Aug 2006 01:59 pmKen got a part as a despatch rider ( or was it Corporal Jones ?) :-
A few days later the make-up girls knocked 20 years off me but I had to endure a "short back & sides" as well as losing my tash.
Ken.
A few days later the make-up girls knocked 20 years off me but I had to endure a "short back & sides" as well as losing my tash.Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 19 Oct 2006 10:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by Michelle » 16 Aug 2006 11:04 pmYes. Well done Ken. There`s a big write up about it in today`s paper. It says that only a fifth of the 6,000 who applied for parts actually got them.
The film is costing £35 million to make.
Michelle.
The film is costing £35 million to make.
Michelle.
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by Kristof » 19 Aug 2006 07:29 pmWe had a run through to Redcar this afternoon and what a difference they have made in just a couple of weeks. There was lots of activity on the beach, roads closed and military vehicles everywhere. Here`s a pic of the beached boat:-
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by Ken » 19 Aug 2006 08:45 pmYes. Its quite spectacular now. Just come in off the beech & taken this one :-
Ken.
Ken.
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by Kristof » 20 Aug 2006 04:06 pmThey were burying some of the cars in the sand, presumably to make it look like they had got stuck on the beach. I hope the tide doesn't come too far in or they might.
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by Ken » 20 Aug 2006 04:58 pmKristof wrote:They were burying some of the cars in the sand, presumably to make it look like they had got stuck on the beach.I hope the tide doesn't come too far in or they might.
You were saying ??
Ken.
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by Ken » 20 Aug 2006 08:27 pmThe CAFE au CADRAN SOLITAIRE is looking a bit sad , but they were still serving tea outside ! 
Ken.
Ken.
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by Ken » 21 Aug 2006 10:20 pmWow. Have I got a tale to tell. Its been a long,long day but what an incredible experience. I`ve only just got home & its after 10pm.
This morning I had 3 different costume fittings in "wardrobe" dept. & then FIVE different make-up departments to attend in succession. Met the director Jo Wright and was introduced to four of the stars. The crowning glory was shooting an incredible scene with James McAvoy late in the afternoon on the beach. NINE takes and the ninth one at 7.30 pm was perfect. The weather couldn`t have been kinder and the late evening sun & shadows were superb.
Off for a nice hot bath now to get all the grease paint & make-up effects off. Up early again tomorrow when I`ll be drinking beer ( I hope its real !) and playing cards on a barrel on the prom.
Ken.
P.S. If any of you haven`t been down to Redcar yet to see the filming , go tomorrow. Its a sight to be seen.
This morning I had 3 different costume fittings in "wardrobe" dept. & then FIVE different make-up departments to attend in succession. Met the director Jo Wright and was introduced to four of the stars. The crowning glory was shooting an incredible scene with James McAvoy late in the afternoon on the beach. NINE takes and the ninth one at 7.30 pm was perfect. The weather couldn`t have been kinder and the late evening sun & shadows were superb.
Off for a nice hot bath now to get all the grease paint & make-up effects off. Up early again tomorrow when I`ll be drinking beer ( I hope its real !) and playing cards on a barrel on the prom.
Ken.
P.S. If any of you haven`t been down to Redcar yet to see the filming , go tomorrow. Its a sight to be seen.
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by Ken » 22 Aug 2006 10:57 pmAnother long , hard day filming. Didn`t get in till after ten this time. Filming from mid afternoon till almost dark.
What a wonderful day. I featured in several scenes with James Mc.Avoy & when Director Jo Wright was briefing me with his arm round me , someone took a pic & has promised to send it to me.
The scenes were beyond belief. Bombs , fires , thick smoke , injured , dying. Although cameras were not allowed, I smuggled mine on set & took some discreet but remarkable shots whilst filming.
Dont have much time left tonight, but here is one of what used to be the prom :-
Ken.
What a wonderful day. I featured in several scenes with James Mc.Avoy & when Director Jo Wright was briefing me with his arm round me , someone took a pic & has promised to send it to me.
The scenes were beyond belief. Bombs , fires , thick smoke , injured , dying. Although cameras were not allowed, I smuggled mine on set & took some discreet but remarkable shots whilst filming.
Dont have much time left tonight, but here is one of what used to be the prom :-
Ken.
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by Jaynie Girl » 22 Aug 2006 11:09 pmThanks Ken, good piccy. Not often you get to take a piccy of a film set like that 
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by Ken » 22 Aug 2006 11:35 pmThanks Jaynie. I couldn`t got to bed tonight without showing you the last pic I took as the day faded away :-
Ken.
Ken.
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by Benny » 23 Aug 2006 12:12 amThat second photo is brilliant, Ken. If it was in b&w, you could believe it was taken in wartime.
Glad you are enjoying it, keep us posted.
Glad you are enjoying it, keep us posted.
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by Chiana » 23 Aug 2006 06:25 amThey are brilliant photos, wish I got my form in on time.
It was on the news that it is going to be shown next year.
It was on the news that it is going to be shown next year.
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by Ken » 23 Aug 2006 05:47 pmI thought the book was excellent. We were told that the film should be the blockbuster of 2007. The preview is planned for next July & should be showing locally soon after.
Here`s one of the big guns :-
Ken.
Here`s one of the big guns :-
Ken.
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by Ken » 23 Aug 2006 11:23 pmIts been suggested that I move the pics from here to "Photographs" as that`s the most appropriate place & also to keep them as a record ( Odds & sods topics are deleted after a month if they haven`t been added to ).
I`ve quite a few more remarkable ones to post so if no-one has any objections , I`ll edit the "Odds & sods" chitchat bits & move those posting or commenting on the pics.
In the meantime here`s one of the refugees :-
Ken.
I`ve quite a few more remarkable ones to post so if no-one has any objections , I`ll edit the "Odds & sods" chitchat bits & move those posting or commenting on the pics.
In the meantime here`s one of the refugees :-
Ken.
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by Ken » 24 Aug 2006 12:12 amI got my target dates of preview & big screen from the film director himself. Whilst he was giving me directions for my squad`s movements , a reporter asked for a pic.. I caught up with him later & he promised to send me it. It will hopefully show me in conflab with Atonement`s wizz-kid director , Joe Wright.
What a nice guy he is. He not only directed the filming down to every detail, he rallied the troops and almost made us believe we were actually in Dunkirk. The comerade was incredible. This was a pic I took during actual filming having just emerged from my squad`s dug-out. I had the camera hidden under my leather over-jacket so many of the pics came out at odd angles. This one was level and shows some of my buddies for the day from a nearby squad :-
Ken.
What a nice guy he is. He not only directed the filming down to every detail, he rallied the troops and almost made us believe we were actually in Dunkirk. The comerade was incredible. This was a pic I took during actual filming having just emerged from my squad`s dug-out. I had the camera hidden under my leather over-jacket so many of the pics came out at odd angles. This one was level and shows some of my buddies for the day from a nearby squad :-
Ken.Last edited by Ken on 26 Aug 2006 11:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by Ken » 24 Aug 2006 12:32 amBefore some of the scenes , the director would get the mood right by wandering amongst the "troops" and repeating the background as to why they were there -- how bored they were and how frightened they were , surrounded by the Germans who could have wiped them all out at any time.
In one of the most moving scenes he had a lone piper playing. With the smoke everywhere drifting over the wounded it was eerie. The biggest scene of all started with a group of soldiers singing hymns from the bandstand. Here is a pic I took as they were getting together ready for Take 3 of the big one :-
Ken
In one of the most moving scenes he had a lone piper playing. With the smoke everywhere drifting over the wounded it was eerie. The biggest scene of all started with a group of soldiers singing hymns from the bandstand. Here is a pic I took as they were getting together ready for Take 3 of the big one :-
Ken
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by Ken » 24 Aug 2006 08:50 amFor those who haven`t been near the place it might still be worth a visit though --if only to see how they`ve transformed the prom & houses.
As far as my bike`s concerned , B.K. , I`m afraid I had to dump it !
There was no where else to ride to.
Ken.
As far as my bike`s concerned , B.K. , I`m afraid I had to dump it !
There was no where else to ride to.
Ken.
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by Ken » 24 Aug 2006 09:41 pmThey didn`t !! After lunch you made several loo trips before going on to the beach. You were then allocated 500 mls of water & a couple of mars bars to last the rest of the day out. This meant your fluid intake was used up. However the older guys did still start to feel a bit uncomfortable after several hours.
I was fortunate in having a small squad in charge of the fuel dump. This is me (with the brown leather dispatch-rider`s overjacket) taking a break between takes :-
As our barrels of fuel (a mixture of kerosene & parrafin) had modern Shell signs on them, we had to keep them well covered with a tarpaulin.
This was very "convenient" !
Ken.
I was fortunate in having a small squad in charge of the fuel dump. This is me (with the brown leather dispatch-rider`s overjacket) taking a break between takes :-
As our barrels of fuel (a mixture of kerosene & parrafin) had modern Shell signs on them, we had to keep them well covered with a tarpaulin.This was very "convenient" !
Ken.
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by Firefly » 25 Aug 2006 09:48 amThanks for sharing these experiences Ken. i`ve been following them with interest. its a chance in a lifetime & almost like being there just looking at the photos. i`ve seen lots in the papers but none from such a privleged position with all those people on them.
Fasinating ! i hope youve more.
Babs
Fasinating ! i hope youve more.
Babs
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by Michelle » 26 Aug 2006 08:17 amHow true Babs. The pics in the papers were good but these are far better. Much more realistic with all the people in them.
By the way Ken. When I managed to get down there I noticed lots of horses. What was their part ?
Michelle.
By the way Ken. When I managed to get down there I noticed lots of horses. What was their part ?
Michelle.
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by Ken » 26 Aug 2006 06:42 pmMichelle wrote:How true Babs. The pics in the papers were good but these are far better. Much more realistic with all the people in them.
By the way Ken. When I managed to get down there I noticed lots of horses. What was their part ?
Michelle.
There were 18 of them & they were specially trained "stunt" horses. The french decided to shoot them . As soon as the gun was fired , the horse was trained to "drop down dead". When the double klaxon went at the end of each take, the horse got up again as if nothing had happened.
If only I had the time I could relate lots of interesting little bits & pieces like this. I have a busy week coming up but I`ll try to find time when I can. In the meantime , I`ll try to dig out a pic of the stunt horses.
Ken.
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Ken.by Ken » 26 Aug 2006 11:48 pmAfter some instructions from the film Director , Joe Wright, re the next take & what my squad should be doing, someone took this pic of me with him ---Mr. Big himself !! This is definitely one for the family album. 
Ken.
Ken.
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by Daffy » 27 Aug 2006 11:56 amKen you look so proud and rightly so, thank you again for sharing your experience. There was a wonderful full page advert in last nights local paper from the film makers thanking the people of Redcar, sadly it is too large for our scanner so I can't post it. Wonder if that is normal or if they have a soft spot for us. Daffy
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by Kristof » 27 Aug 2006 06:30 pmNice one Ken. I wish I didn't have to go to work, I would have been there with you.
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by Ken » 01 Sep 2006 05:32 pmchiana wrote:You look a bit tired Ken, is it catching up with you?
Yes,it was. Sorry I haven`t had a chance to reply. As you may have seen since (under other topics), I was off on my travels again soon after.
------ & yes , Computerlass, it was a fantastic experience but they were long days.
Up at 6.30 am & not home till 10 pm.
The Director, the stars & the whole crew were so friendly & accomodating.
I have a few more unusual pics if anyone`s still interested.
Ken.
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by Ken » 01 Sep 2006 07:35 pmO.K. Here`s one fooling about with one of the stars , Paul Marshall, between takes :-
Boy -- is he one big guy ! 
Ken.
Boy -- is he one big guy ! Ken.
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by Daffy » 01 Sep 2006 07:38 pmIs Paul Marshall the big guy? (sorry not up on film stars) and is he holding your hand Daffy
Daffy Last edited by Daffy on 01 Sep 2006 09:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by Ken » 01 Sep 2006 09:16 pmDaffy wrote:is he holding your hand
Do you mind ?? Certainly not ------- he`s cuddling my mate actually !
Here`s a pic of the big guns :-
Ken.
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by Graham » 01 Sep 2006 10:20 pmFantastic subject this. Love your photos Ken.
How I wish i could have got to Redcar to see all this going on. Still,
the film is top of my list to see when it comes out.Well done, KenGraham
How I wish i could have got to Redcar to see all this going on. Still,
the film is top of my list to see when it comes out.Well done, KenGraham
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by Ken » 01 Sep 2006 11:04 pmThanks Graham. The photo opportunities were limitless. Every cameraman`s dream I think.
Ken.
Ken.
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Ken.by Ken » 01 Sep 2006 11:25 pmDuring the filming of the main scene,all sorts of remarkable things were happening as James McAvoy wandered round the troops on the prom & the beach. The big coloured guy threw a drunk through the air , a cyclist rode full speed off the prom & nosedived into the sand, there was a spectacular brawl where both landed on the concrete slope still punching each other in the face ( with us cheering them on ! ), a drunk was hanging on to the ferris wheel as it went round, horses were shot & appeared to drop dead etc.,etc.
Here are a few of the lads who ran down across the beach & into the sea , covered in oil & stark naked. I took this whilst their modesty was covered but it was amusing to see the make-up girls applying black oil to all parts of their naked bodies between each take without batting an eyelid !
Ken.
Here are a few of the lads who ran down across the beach & into the sea , covered in oil & stark naked. I took this whilst their modesty was covered but it was amusing to see the make-up girls applying black oil to all parts of their naked bodies between each take without batting an eyelid !
Ken.
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Ken.
Ken.by WillyLad » 03 Sep 2006 05:28 pmThank you for this insight Ken. It must be only once in a lifetime that such a thing happens in our area. Although I wasnt at Dunkirk myself I know some who were. I wish I could have been in the filming of this. I`d have been over the moon to have been a bit of seaweed on the beach.
Is there any chance of sending me a few photos ? Naturally I`d pay whatever costs.
Thank you ,
Bill
Is there any chance of sending me a few photos ? Naturally I`d pay whatever costs.
Thank you ,
Bill
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by Ken » 08 Sep 2006 08:48 amDaffy wrote:Ken you look so proud and rightly so, thank you again for sharing your experience. There was a wonderful full page advert in last nights local paper from the film makers thanking the people of Redcar, sadly it is too large for our scanner so I can't post it. Wonder if that is normal or if they have a soft spot for us. Daffy
Here it is :-
Ken.
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Ken.
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