viewing

This morning we went through all the sections in turn noting any changes/alterations required. This included the intro which threw Libby into a panic because she envisaged every section was about to be completely overhauled. However this proved to be the only major disruption, and we feel tentatively pleased with our efforts.
Libby left after an espresso at 1.30 to drive to Clevedon to cook a celebratory meal for her father-in-law's 91st birthday, then drive to Port Isaac to celebrate a friend's 60th, then to visit the Eden Project, back to Clevedon, drive back to Kent Monday, catch up with correspondence and washing Tuesday, give a lecture in Epsom Wednesday morning before driving back to Film Farm for more tweaking work before we show the film to Mike Goldmark Friday 4th. Scary or what!
Meanwhile Charles has to battle with his VAT and then start putting the sequences together, do all the sound levels and add music.
No rest for ...

epical editing

Today we finally got masses of editing done - starting early and at the beginning, tweaking bits we weren't satisfied with, adding various images and yesterday's efforts, and completing the Super 8 sections which necessitated changes in the script which then of course necessitated sound recordings - since these are made in the cinema on the ground floor and the edit suite is on the 3rd floor we both got in a lot of exercise (which Tigger needed because she'd discovered her trainers weren't packed so she hasn't been able to go for her daily run). We even managed to finish the Venice section - so all sections completed. Yippee!
Although we were both so shattered by the close of the day that Yippee's weren't really vocalised.

Magnificent Morris Minor Moments

Today started bright and early, and the weather was decent too. We packed the car and tootled round to Garry and Cheryl Steele's house where their black Morris Minor, beautifully shiny, was perkily awaiting its outing. Unfortunately Garry wasn't feeling too well so his fellow Morris Minor Mates, Roger Buck and Sandy Hamilton, had agreed to be the stars of the show. And what stars they were - suitably dressed in shirt and tie, blazers, tweed jackets and with a vast array of headgear - charming, affable, ready for any challenge and all conducted with happy smiling faces. We had a fabulous morning, although I was a trifle worried when Charles decided to film whilst sitting on the back of the moving car, and the camera didn't appreciate the huge splash as the pair drove fast through the ford (but it looks great on film!). Charles got some wonderful footage, just a shame we haven't space for more in the final film.
Returned to Film Farm, Libby changed into her black garb, out again to film her speaking to camera.
Returned to Film Farm to grab a bite to eat and discovered Pepper had left Charles a little present - a mouse carefully deposited in his clog!
The morning's filming had then to be logged and processed during which time we both did other necessary tasks. Finally returned to editing, mainly Super 8 stuff.

yet more editing ...

Following the last edit session Charles was again invaded by Jobear for 3 days, followed by a working weekend with Carole Pegg and her husband. Meanwhile Libby caught up with work, tried valiantly to curb the excesses of her garden, took photos of Romney and Dungeness, found some relevant images in the Westminster Art Library and completed her monthly mother visit (via Southwell Minster to look at a Reyntiens window - beautiful place).
We reconvened this afternoon but progress was slow due to repeated incoming telephone calls and a visit from Neo trying to find Christmas decorations (don't ask!) It also transpired that not all of Venice had been logged but this could not proceed whilst editing so the Mac had to be left on all night to slog through everything. Anyway we finally managed to finish the Aldeburgh section before a late supper.
The other task on the agenda was to charge batteries and sort out necessary equipment for Tuesday - a date with a Morris Minor! We're filming the car for the Shell Guide section - the occupants are of course John Piper and John Betjeman.

edit, edit, edit ...

This session lasted 9-15 August, long days ending about 8 or 9 pm, Charles' shoulders giving him jip, generally exhausting - but we're within sight of finishing at last (although then there's the fine tuning). We watched the South Bank film about Piper and Charles practised the Piper voice for quotable quotes. Also a film of Piper by John Burder which is pure gold-dust and we've been able to use certain bits of footage - a fantastic addition to the film.
Another fun time was had watching the Super 8 films and putting together sequences for the start of each topographical area. Charles has a number of Super 8 cameras and as we toured the country would shoot off some film (as in REAL film - not this digital malarky). The completed films were specially processed and then telecined and they have a wonderful quality to them, quite different from the digital. We found some emotive music for the section headers and some labelling which makes it look as if Piper had scribbled a note for himself in a writing pad. Great fun and rather magical.
The other highlight of the week was watching the meteorites on Wednesday evening - Charles was hugely irritated because he saw 1 1/2 to my 4 sightings!