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Standard 10 in filming of "Upstairs, Downstairs"
The cars on the set with the mock hotel entrance behind
As Len Barr's subscription to the
Performing Arts Society had expired, I recently took his 1935 Ten to
South Wales for the filming of the new BBC series of Upstairs
Downstairs.
Having to be at the film base at
7.00am meant leaving Bristol at 4.45am on the coldest Monday morning
for many months. I took a gentle run over the bridge, and then
followed the A48 through Newport and Cardiff, before heading off to
Penarth. While trying to find the appointed place, I spotted an
Austin 20 on a trailer and followed it, hoping it was heading for
the same place. Fortunately it was, and we arrived at a busy
location in plenty of time to unload the Austin and get kitted out
in the wardrobe department. This was where we discovered that the
filming was being done as a summer scene and we had to wear shirt
and tie without the nice thick coats we were wearing. Here we also
met the owner of the Jaguar SS convertible and saloon that were also
being used.
After a quick cup of tea it was time
to head down to the film set on Penarth promenade which could
accurately be described as bloody cold! Not being needed in the
first scene we sheltered in the rowing club until the Austin and
Standard were called for. I lost count of the number of times we
drove through the set and were reversed back to do it all again.
The next scene called for just the
Standard and the same routine of driving forward and back repeatedly
past a mock up of a hotel entrance that had been erected on the
promenade. At one point I went to pull away on my cue and
stalled the engine, with an irate shout of "cut" echoeing
in my radio. I think I managed to redeem myself before filming
stopped for lunch.
The afternoon was spent sheltering
from rain and cold while scenes involving the Austin and Jaguars
were being shot. We were kept on set until 7.15pm despite not
being involved in the last scene. At last we headed back to base where
it was time to get changed, return radios and depart.
I had booked a hotel in Newport and
set off in that direction. Just entering the outskirts of Newport, I
was apprehended by an officer of the law as there was only one
headlight working. After I tried to convince her that it was meant
to be that way, she told me to get it fixed and carried on her way.
A short while later I was parked under a street light peering
at the A-Z when there was a tap on the window and there stood the
same WPC. After ascertaining where I was trying to get to, she gave
me a police escort to the hotel. On arrival I threw my bag in the
room and headed out to find a nice warm pub and a pint or three.
Don't let anyone tell you that filming
is glamorous or fun - it is not! I was on the go for 16 hours before
getting to the pub, much of the time waiting about in the cold and
wet.
Steve Smeltzer
Bristol
January 2012 Thanks for giving us an insight into the exciting world of of a film extra Steve! Phil Homer
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