Tuesday 25 September 2007

Filming in the Library

Apologies to RT for her reading meme which I am looking forward to tackling, but felt I should give an account of last night first.

Filming got off to a dodgy start yesterday evening as two out of four of us on the panel didn’t turn up – they thought it was today. So a passing poet was roped in plus one of the librarians, neither of whom had done any research, of course.

Looking back, I wish I’d re-read some Hardy as I was sitting next to a retired Know It All (ex-teacher I would guess, though no offence to any ex-teachers who might be reading). She was convinced that whatever she said was right, when she was frequently off topic. I shot her down on several occasions, notably to say that I’d never read Hardy since school as I found him too depressing. Being a Hardy Zealot, this enraged her. She was the sort you could imagine on Mastermind, taking Hardy as her Specialist Subject.

Dermot the producer was good at throwing questions at us and one was, ‘how would you interest a 17 year old in any of these writers?’

For once, my brain worked on time. ‘Sex,’ I said, before my neighbour could give Hardy another blast. She merely looked horrified. ‘Get them to read Mary Wesley. They might pick up a few tips.’

I don’t expect that bit will make it to the final edit, but it will be interesting to see. It’s to be shown on Westcountry at the beginning of December – I’ll let you know details as soon as I find out.

However, Himself came and watched and Dermot seemed happy with it overall, despite all of us drying up at some time or other. I managed to give Daphne du Maurier and Mary Wesley a good plug, although to my horror Hardy won the vote for Westcountry Writer. Pah!

Himself says that autographs are available by post. He's organising that side of it, having appointed himself my agent. Knowing his business skills, I think I’ll sack him before he starts, but he’s Very Proud and told everyone this morning on our dog walk, ‘I’m with a Star, you know.’

20 comments:

Cornish Dreamer said...

Glad all went well FP. Can't wait until it's shown on t.v. If autographs are by post...maybe you could 'post' one next door so that we can say we knew someone famous. :@)

RT

Lesley Rigby said...

You do make me laugh with the wonderful pictures you paint! This book of yours is going to be a GEM.

Any ideas on how the outsiders to the West Country are going to see last nights film as I would love to see it?

Flowerpot said...

RT of course! Mind you, as you have several unofficial copies, I expect they'll be on ebay by this afternoon....

Flowerpot said...

Lesley - What a wonderful accolade, though the book has less humour and more drama. We'll see if an agent likes it first.. As for viewing - I'll ask Dermot (note first name terms now) how it can be viewed and pass the information on. I can't believe I'm writing this!

Lane Mathias said...

As an ex teacher, no offence taken. I'd have shot her down too!

Well done on your tv stardom. You're very brave. You'll have to Youtube it for us:))

x

Flowerpot said...

lane, I'm glad I haven't offended you. As for Youtube, presumably you need a copy of the tape to start off with? I don't know that we will be that fortunate. It's also beyond my minimal technical knowledge so I will have to rely on those with the know to inform me nearer the time.

the rotten correspondent said...

You are a star, Flowerpot. We've all known that.

Now everyone else can discover it too.

Akelamalu said...

If I post you my autograph book would you kindly sign it? ;)

Joking apart it sounds as though it well well. You're a star, you're a star......

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Very exciting! I can't say that I've read any Hardy, but I've seen three film adaptations which I liked: 'Far From the Madding Crowd', 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' and 'Jude the Obscure'. I think your advice for teens was perfect. Snag them in with sex and hopefully they'll stay for the story.

Flowerpot said...

corresopndent - thank you so much. I'm glowing, I really am. Also for your award which I will pass on later this week.

Ak - of course I will sign it!!! Mind you, I cant read my signature, let alone expect anyone else to.

Julia - Hardy is very filmic (someone used that word yesterday and I'm not sure if it is a word but it will do!) and very impassioned as a writer. As I said, not one of my favourites though.

Akelamalu said...

PS You have an award. :)

Irene said...

I am new to your blog and came here through, I think it was, Rotten Correspondence, whom I have been reading for awhile. I have been sitting here reading your older posts and have enjoyed myself quite a bit so far, so I am definitely adding you to my favorite blogs. I have three cats and a dog, so I can understand your tender feelings about them. Besides, it's always nice to discover a blogger who really knows how to write well and with humor and pragmatism. Ciao...

Anonymous said...

Oh my! Could this be my claim to fame? Very well written blog, as always.

Crystal xx

Anonymous said...

Well done - it sounds like you dealt with it (and her!) perfectly....!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

I think that Hardy fan must have been my mother-in-law. No other writer, and certainly none past the 19th century, exists, in her opinion. Good for you to recommend Wesley and Du Maurier. Erica Jong was the favoured writer for sex when I was 17. Much more explicit than Wesley or Du Maurier.

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Glad it all went well!

Flowerpot said...

Ak - many thanks indeed - I shall pop over and have a look!

sweet irene - lovely to meet you and I am bathing in the warmth of your wonderful words. Please come again! You've brightened my day no end.

Crystal - good to see you and how's the novel going?

Graham - well, you can see the proof of the pudding later - to mix metaphors completely!

Flowerpot said...

wakeup - if it was your MIL, please could you keep her away from Falmouth?! Yes I read Erica J when in my teens but a she's not a Westcountry writer I couldnt quote her in this piece!

AOL - good to see you again - hope all's well.

debio said...

I turn my back for a couple of days and return to frind you a TV star.

My first thought was YouTube cos I'll just never get a west country programme here - but I see it's already been suggested. No idea about the technology but maybe we have some time to 'gen up'.

Sorry about the Hardy bore - I enjoy Hardy but have to be 'in the mood' - probably suicidal, if not before, certainly after....

Flowerpot said...

well you know what it's like Debio - fame spreads its net far and wide!!! Yes, will ahve to investigate Youtube further. Presumably you need a tape to start off with. I'm a Yuotube virgin so need a lot of - er - help. Or something.