THAT summer, and autumn, and winter ....

Which brings me nicely to the summer ....  Apparently there was something sporty on in London over the summer - but I didn't manage to see any live Olympics as I was working.  But before we go there - let's start with the "Ice Bear".

You may notice in the pictures below that there appears to be someone who looks like Ewan McGregor.  This is my cue for a little name-dropping.  Toby (extreme rhs of lhs photo) talked to him about the project ("Ice Bear") and he agreed to be our narrator.  

Mark, Ewan, Ollie, sound recordist, Toby

 

And then there was Philip's exhibition.  Philip and I worked together on "Family Affairs" a long time ago and since then he has been making his career much more photography centred.  His exhibition was at the Mile End Art Pavilion and was called "Sleeping India".  First time I've been to the venue which was rather lovely and great to see a larger exhibition of Philip's work as well as a quick catch up with Philip who I haven't seen for about five years.  Philip would tell you that the catch up was short as I arrived 30 minutes before the exhibition closed on the final day .... He has a website if photography (particularly Indian and black and white) is your thing at http://www.philippinchin.com.

Then Lara came over to London and we managed a few hours to walk around and do the touristy bit.  Lara and I worked together at the beginning of the year on the MMSII project in Dhaka. Whilst we were in Trafalgar Square I "made" her climb the lion.


                                    

And now back to work.  Newman Street Productions is a new production company within the FremantleMedia empire; an empire that makes "Britain's Got Talent" and "X Factor" along with "Neighbours", "Escape to the Country" and an array of other successful productions.  And NS had been commissioned to make a daytime reality docu-drama for ITV.  And so we have "Crime Stories".  Fast turnaround, boutique budget (!) and 20 hours of daytime ITV drama/doc shot in 34.5 days ....

"Crime Stories" crew and regular cast

And then the wrap party ....

Niall and Helenie

Lisa, Marq, Mary

 

Niall, Hayley, Lisa, Kate, Marq

Started to catch up again with friends once the series has finished filming - not much time for a personal life when you are shooting for six days each week for the six weeks.  A night out at a lovely Thai restaurant (Market Thai) in Portobello Road with Kasia and Ramona, both from my days in Romania.  Kasia had to leave after the meal but Ramona and I went off for a drink.  Now noticed that two photos in a row feature me wearing the same clothes - I do own more than one evening outfit ....

Once the filming had finished mum and I managed a trip to the Paralympics - the last day but better late than never - and the semis and final of the wheelchair basketball.  Great atmosphere, full arena, very full-on games.

We managed to make a weekend of it and went to the British Library to look at the Writing Britain exhibition.  Catharine and I had seen it earlier in the year - and I was very happy to go along again.  The only down side was that, whilst packed with literary goodies, I felt it was a little too much to take in with one visit.  

We topped off the weekend with the theatre visit - which was "Shrek"!  There's something very attractive about talking donkeys and green ogres ....  No photos of ogres but thought you might like one of the sculpture overhanging the walkway on the Southbank instead.

                                                             

Then I had a phone call from my friend Viv who thought it would be a good idea to spend the day in Paris - in fact this almost qualifies as ladies who lunches!  So - internet Eurostar booking and off we went.  We had a trouble-free crossing, over-priced Eurostar tea and coffee, and negotiated the Metro, hit on by a guy from New York who thought he was in with a chance (hmmm).  We'd planned to wander off along the Seine and look at art in the Musee d'Orsay.  And then it was sunny!  And since there were no deadlines and no schedules and we could do whatever we wanted we decided to walk into the St Germain area and eat, drink coffee and wander.  Bliss.

By late afternoon we'd arrived in the Palais du Luxembourg and had a little sit down in the rather luscious gardens.  In the far distance the Eiffel Tower ...

                                           

And within about ten minutes those rather thick clouds became the storm which had been promised.  Actually it was more like a deluge - and it just kept on raining.  So we braved it - made our way back towards the Seine and shelter and somewhere to eat an evening meal before we went back to the train.

                                          

So after rain, minor flooding, squelchy footwear and a chill in the air and rejecting two restaurants (first one smelt of cats' pee and the second didn't seem to have anything on their menu) we ended up at "Au Bourguignon du marais".  A corner table, heating on, drying out and the most mouthwatering food I've experienced for a long time.  Ahhhhh.

  

In the autumn I was called about a short film called "Sea View" which is one of films in the new BFI shorts series.  However, I was still working so I put one of my friends in the frame.  But, as they say, no good deed goes unpunished so 05.30 I wander off to Canvey Island to appear as an extra - and we know how much I enjoy being in front of the camera.  Still, I'd never been to Canvey Island - and there's a photo below.

                                          

By now we are back to December and my first wedding for years.  Jessica and Tom, in Bristol, on a sunny Saturday afternoon.  Thought you might all like to see photos of the cake(s) - particularly as I haven't put up food photos on the blog for ages!

The wedding cake - a rather sumptuous fruit cake
under this rather unusual exterior

And for those that would rather have cupcakes

And then first thing on the Sunday morning I came back for the cast and crew screening of "Common People".

                                             

This was the film that we worked on in April - the one set outdoors on Tooting Common during the bad weather ....  It's already been accepted in the 2013 Sedona Film Festival and has been entered into others - and I guess will be at a cinema at some point in 2013.  If you want to read more about it then go to - http://www.commonpeoplethemovie.com.

In fact December was a bit of a party whirl - Viv and I went to the British Museum's Christmas party - which was exactly where you would expect it to be - the British Museum complete with live jazz and a chance to wander around the exhibits.

I'd also promised Vivi that she could decorate the tree - so this was the weekend to let Vivi and Alice join with Darin to decorate the tree whilst I cooked an early Christmas dinner....  It was Alice's first English Christmas meal complete with crackers and all the trimmings.

Vivi and Alice

Alice and Darin

And now it is Christmas Eve - the tree is decorated, the food is bought, mum has arrived and the presents are under the tree.  Susan had suggested that our Christmas treat should be "Slava's Snow Show" - and so I'd booked tickets.  If you don't like clowns (and I don't) then you could be distracted by the clown-like clothing. It was fabulous - feel-good, fun, primary colours, mime and interactive (several things I might have avoided if I'd read the blurb instead of taking Susan's word and just booking it!). 

And as the year comes to an end there are all the things that I didn't mention - meeting Vera's baby who is not called Hemingway after all, the Magnum photography exhibition, Anna Karenina, Londonee at Rich Mix, the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne, the 2012-2013 Wildlife Photography Exhibition (which was better than the year before), a large amount of babies - Debs, Sara, Thida, Kiri, Vera - three of them in the same week!  

And then there was the email ....

Hi Mary,

A strange and serious problem...particle boards that we used to construct the studio ceiling and floor are emitting 'formaldehyde'. We kept it uncovered till now for weathering and hoped that it will diminish.

Nice to know that I can help!

Merry Christmas -

Maryx

Shakespeare's Globe to Globe Season 2012

May was theatre month and The Globe Theatre was staging each of Shakespeare's 37 plays, each one in a different language.  So I thought I would indulge in a little light Shakespeare!

I started with "Othello" - the hip hop version from the Chicago - the Q Brothers (there were 4 of them) performed a cutdown of the play with minimal props, a soundtrack, Desdemona played in via the sound system and a sell out audience.

Then it was the turn of "The Tempest" in Bangla,performed by the Dhaka Theatre company and featuring many people that I know from working in Bangladesh.

The Tempest - Dhaka Theatre - May 2012

The blurb on the Globe's website said

"From a land constantly troubled by water, enter Shakespeare’s mariners, wet and speaking Bangla. As well as pioneering new Bangladeshi drama, the Dhaka Theatre, Bangladesh’s most prominent theatre group, has staged The Merchant of Venice and Brecht’s The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui. Often called Bengali, Bangla is one of London’s most widely spoken languages.

The production is a unique combination of Manipuri folk dance from Bangladesh along with traditional Bangladeshi folk songs. Starring Shimul Yousuf as Ariel, Shahiduzzaman Selim as Alonso and Kamal Bayzid as Stefano; and introducing Rubol Noor Lodi as Prospero and Esha Yousuf as Miranda. Directed by Dhaka Theatre founder and Ekusheh Padak award recipient, Nasir Uddin Yousuff."

The "Bishaash" team went on the first night - and Liz, Donny and I had front row (circle) seats for the evening.  Waris, Zeeshaan and their family were there along with Rayhan and Nasfim.  Esha said that she could see our faces in the crowd - which was probably very offputting!  The theatre was full and the atmosphere brilliant.  Afterwards we had an emotional reunion with the cast.  I do have a recording of the applause at the end - over 2 minutes of cheering and shouting and a standing ovation.  I'll add this to the blog when I can manage to encode it ....

The second night was the "MMS" team - and Louise and family went along with Michelle and Clem and partied with the team afterwards.  I saw both nights - which was great - watched the confidence as the group enjoyed themselves on the stage.  Again - massive ovation.

I did manage to catch up with Esha and Imogen before Esha went back to Dhaka.  We had a sunny afternoon walking around Covent Garden and looking at the sights accompanied by cups of coffee and drinks on the balcony of the Royal Festival Hall overlooking the Thames. 

And then it was the turn of "Romeo and Juliet" in Brazilian.  This time I was accompanied by Vivi (flatmate) and her friend Alice - who are both Brazilian.  It was a rather surreal performance, a car on stage, the Nurse was a cross between Roy Barraclough and Les Dawson and there was a fabulous atmosphere.  It was definitely more pantomime than I've ever seen before!  

Or as the Globe put it 

"Perhaps the Americas’ most famous production of the most famous play ever, Grupo Galpão’s carnivalesque Romeo and Juliet returns to the Globe with its thrilling mix of circus, music, dance and Brazilian folk culture. The only festival participants to have played at Shakespeare’s Globe before, they bring the promise of a cavalcade of passion."

Afterwards you can wander down to the yard and mingle with the cast and Vivi and Alice had their photos taken.     

Vivi, Brazilian actress, Alice

Brazilian actor with Vivi

And then my Shakespearean viewing was completed with "Coriolanus" in Japanese.  Now this was a little ambitious (!) on my part.  I don't know the play and can speak about 4 words of Japanese (sushi, kiku, kamikaze, hari-kari - running out now).  Their interpretation was minimalist - and there were moments when I was definitely bored and others when I was completely mesmerised.  But it was the point of the season - experience new interpretations of these plays.    

Finally, "Bishaash" transmitted on television in Cambodia - it's second international screening (after the UK).

Yours - very very full of drama -

Maryx

Brings forth April showers ....

So I arrived back in London at the end of February and as I flew in mum flew out for her annual visit to my sister's in Australia.

And so it was time to find a job.  Well actually it was time to catch up with friends and enjoy being back in London and also find a job!  The first social engagement was a private screening at Somerset House of "Riot from Wrong" - Teddy's new documentary dealing with the UK's riots in the summer of 2011.  Teddy and the Fully Focused team are making noise with the documentary and screenings over the coming months would include academics, politicians as well as film festivals.  This was followed by the Wildlife Photography Exhibition at the Natural History Museum and "The Woman in Black" all in the same week.  A couple of weeks later, the Ideal Home Exhibition and a two hour catch up with Carol who was over from Kiruna.  

Alison, Sophie and I went to Bath for Piu's fiftieth birthday celebrations.  We managed to look at the baths, eat (!), and then change into party attire.

The party was fun - Sophie and I seemed to do a lot of dancing (and I was in heels which means pain later!).    But it is piglet who actually tells you how exhausted we were when we got back in.

But enough of the enjoying myself - let's get back to work!

"Common People" is a new British film produced by my friend Darin and it shot in April.  Three weeks of filming - all set outdoors on Tooting Common - amidst possibly the wettest and coldest April in recent history ...  Days of lumpy rain, freezing hands, rain on top of more rain and the occasional stunning sunset.  A great way to get back into working in the UK!  One or two of the crew I knew already, Darin obviously, the DOP and the editor.  A few photos below - not sure how they look so bright and sunny - because it wasn't!  We'll come back to this later.

Kerry (co-director) and Stewart (writer/co-director) 

.

Merlin (sound), Kerry, Michael, Andrew (DOP)

And then it was May - an interview for a job and some more time with friends.  We managed good value tickets for The Duchess of Malfi at the Old Vic Theatre - not sure that Kimberley, Karen or Alison enjoyed it as much as me.

A couple of work courses - First Aid at Work and Safe Management of Productions and then I got the line producer job for a new series.

So - off to do some last minute relaxing before I'm back in the working world.

Maryx

Filming .... and beyond

So it is 2012 - happy new year.

I forgot to tell you about my head.  Well, actually the left side of my face - and the fact that it is fascinating. 

Picture the scene, Dubai to Dhaka flight, it's full and I have a right-side aisle seat sitting next to a rather elderly Bengali gentleman.  He seems quite taken with my profile, particularly the bit with the ear and he spends the whole of the many hours (about 7) of the flight staring at it.  The food arrives, no food just staring, I eat, he stares, I put on head phones - moving my head to avoid thumping him with my headphones - he stares, I fill in the immigration form - he stares, I go to the toilet and return, he takes up his position and stares.  No words, no smiles, no interaction, just staring.  Hmmmm.

Anyway, I've already been back for 5 weeks and managed to shoot the drama inserts for BBC Janala Mojay Mojay Shekha 2 (because you need a long title for a programme every now and again).

It'd been a pretty full-on January with the prep for the shoot for "Raisa in Bangladesh" and the actual shoot itself.  That was full of moments!  So - in no particular order ...

In excess of 20 hours in a car in 4 days travelling to and from location makes a girl go slightly insane (or in my case, closes the deal).  But the upside of this was the creation of my first poem in Bangla - printed for all to read (!) below.

Janjot, khoub kharab.

Ha, ha, ami jani.

Janjot, khoub kharab. 

Mary Hare - 25.01.2012

Now the driving was certainly suffering for my art - but the response to the first poem has been diverse.  Several of the team have laughed - in that nervous way that they do when you are about to tell them off or embarrass them but some of them have started to quote it - the drivers think it's great - and one of the team wants it for their FB status...  Yet, the fame is still just out of reach!  I may be on a tee-shirt yet!


So - to the filming.  A rather boutique sized crew, many familiar faces from when I was filming here before, and 9 days of working in and around Dhaka.  The deal is to create 16 x 90 second inserts for the edutainment show (MMS2) incorporating English language that has been pre-determined by a syllabus.  Oh, and they need the production values of commercials but the money is not quite in the millions (even if you count it in Taka!).


One of the team had managed to secure a day of filming at the international airport both in the arrivals/luggage area and also airside.  This was a bit of a coup (no pun intended with the choice of words).  I wasn't allowed airside - a foreigner with a camera - what could I possibly do with shots of the planes and the runway and the system?!  And then there was the phone call.  


Elizabeth:  Mary, we have a problem ....
Mary:  Okay, what sort of problem ....?


and off we go.  The story goes that the military (airside) decided to scramble a plane (it had been a little quiet for a Tuesday, not much air traffic due to the fog) and it took off rather close to the plane that was coming in to land.  The latter plane's pilot complained - rather graphically - about the situation.  All would have carried on as normal until someone noticed we'd got a camera airside and may well have shot footage of the "situation".  So - the military take our small crew into custody.  Hence the phone call ....


Still, a little later, after screening the footage for the military and chattering about the programme, the team returns. 


Two days later and the phone rings.  We're in a factory outside of Dhaka and not all of the team have arrived.


Elizabeth:  Mary, we have a situation ....
Mary:  Okay, what sort of situation ....?


It would appear that the actress was 20 minutes late getting into the car in the morning.  Not unusual - it's Bangladesh.  Still, 20 minutes is the difference between an empty road, traffic and a traffic jam.  Which meant that the vehicle was later at Gazipur, which meant it was just in the right place to join the ... riot ....  Several hours later - many phone calls -burning vehicles,  and a vast amount of paperwork that will need completing - the team arrives, safely and just in time for lunch (which is exactly where I would expect to find Elizabeth - who can smell food even when you're only planning what to make.  In fact, when they left the vehicle (because the rioters were starting to burn them) she took the team off to a cafe for coffee and breakfast!).  Sallyann - you would be proud - completed the incident report with Elizabeth and she said that she can see it in pictures in her head like a scene from a film!


Now, in the midst of all of this, there is Harriet and Vera.  Harriet is the English Language Consultant for this year and Vera is the production manager.  And Vera has taken a rather drastic route to getting sent back to the UK - she's pregnant.  Hours and hours (sitting in traffic jams) discussing baby names.  Some normal, some terrible, some funny - but for now we're calling the bump Hemingway.  Hemingway is active at night, according to the scan he is a boy, he sleeps during the day, doesn't appear to give Vera morning sickness but does give her heartburn that makes her think she is dying if she eats three enormous meals in one day!
Harriet and I get to be "aunties" as Vera's husband is in Afghanistan and her family are in the UK and Portugal.  The "aunties" are required to go to hospital checks (Harriet), provide pain au chocolat (Mary), gurgle and coo over the foot shot on the scan (Harriet and Mary) and generally ensure that Vera sits down enough and laughs and eats properly and drinks loads of water (but no whisky)!  There are times when the last thing is difficult - but we are THE AUNTIES and we shall win!


During the filming, not that there have been times when we are unbearably bored, we have been deciding on songs to depict each day.  So the day above - I predict a riot ...  The local team traditionally wear very baggy trousers and are becoming masters at MC Hammer's "Can't touch this" - and Utpol, particularly, has mastered the art of that dance.  We have, in fact, a song for every occasion.  But, if there is a time when we just need a song, we now have "our song" which is "put the lime in the coconut" ....  Yes, I know, as you're reading this you're getting concerned again ....  I''ll be back soon!!


And on to mosquitoes...  You may remember that I spent last year sharing my bedroom with Marvin - my very own relationship with an affectionate (!) mosquito.  Well, a little more research, and it appears my relationship, once again, is confused ....  Only the female mosquitoes bite - could go into details about this but the OCD of my research is a little dull, I know. I'm thinking of writing stories about Marvin - and we've come up with a title for a chapter "Marvin lives to bite another day". 

The good news is that, just before I returned, I bought a small digital camera and have been taking a few photos.  The bad news is that I can't seem to use it properly yet and the results are below for your viewing. 


The first photo is in a village called Dhamrai - about 90 -240 minutes drive (!) from Dhaka.  We created the Mela (fete) there in front of the ancient building (it's a Hindu temple).  The wooden arrangement on the right is a bit like a big wheel (there is a name in Bangla and I can't remember it) and it is traditionally the centrepiece for a Mela.  The designer told me that "it's like your Millennium Wheel".  Think that is being lost in translation?

The next two photos are within the village - the first one was in the morning fog - not mist, fog.  The second one mid-morning and it has apparently cleared ....

                        


And the last one was taken at a hotel in Dhaka where we were filming.  Roksana came to a meeting there and tripped over us.  Roksana came to recce with me the very first time that I came to Bangladesh - she is on the photo looking at the art work in Dhaka at the University.  Also on the photo - Elizabeth ("Mary we have a situation ..."), Milon who did my make-up for the launch of 'Bishaash' and Dola who designed and managed to get me into the frock and jewellery on the day and Nahid who is THE sound recordist in Bangladesh.   

Nahid, Roksana, Mary, Dola, Elizabeth and Milon

So - tomorrow is a working day and I'm going to the cinema!  The premiere of "Runway" was today but we are all going tomorrow.  "Runway" is the film that was being completed by Tareque Masud when he was killed in the road accident in the summer along with his DOP, his driver and several of his team.


Now - for those of you who have been counting the days - the original contract was 4 weeks, it arrived and said five weeks and then it was a four week extension and then another 4 week extension and low-and-behold that takes me to the end of February and 4 months instead of weeks.  For Darin - who said "see you at Easter" .. not yet!


So - off to watch a DVD.  The last one was The Descendants - it stops at 5'30" and will play no more.  The one before that was Ghost Protocol which was almost black and white and with a rather large head centre frame.  The one before that was The Ides of March which seemed to have locked in subtitles - which would have been fine, except they were for The King's Speech.  Hmmmm.


Mx

Fruition

Hello Everyone


So, it's the last day of the year - I'm about to go to bed (it's 2230 ....) and the new year is making its way steadily towards us.


This New Year's Eve I have a word - all sparkly and waiting for the arrival of 2012.  2011 was not a good year for the word - they appear before me in some sort of light (let's not go there) and the word for this year just didn't change - it was miserable.


Jessica sent me a link to a website in America where a woman has established a site specifically for the word you choose for the year.  Not that I'm going to waffle on about copyright since we all choose our own word - but ...


So - we are about to move on.  The word for 2012 - roll of drums - is FRUITION.  It's a healthy word (starts with "fruit") and it, hopefully, means that all those late nights at work, those meetings, all that investment in careers, relationships and life in general comes to a wonderful conclusion.


Happy New Year to you all - hope you are celebrating in whichever way makes you happy and let's look forward to 2012 - the Olympic Games (sure there will be stories), the Queen's celebrations (sure there will be cake) and another year of travelling around the world so that you can get photos of me in traffic with an elephant.


With love
Maryx

Four weeks .... yes, just four weeks ...

Okay - so here it is "Mary, would you like to return to Dhaka for 4 weeks and work on 'Kamal's World'?".  Sure - why not!  So the contract arrives and it says 5 weeks ....

And here I am again.  It's nice to see that some things haven't changed since I left in April.  The Dhaka end of the operation didn't confirm who would meet me at the airport, where I would be staying or anything else that a traveller might find useful.  Luckily I've been here before!

And then - to use the Asian phrase - "same, same".  I get to the hotel and unpack and the next morning wander into the office.  Met by lots of people that I recognise and a few new faces.  And also the request that I could move out of the hotel and into the newly vacated apartment that belonged to the research team (and which was empty the night before ...).  Trying this time, not to have to move so many times (ie not any more).


And the highlights for the 4 weeks have been:


shooting Kamal's World in the same studio I spent 9 months in for Bishaash along with a director called Don who has more than a passing resemblance to Father Christmas


seeing an elephant - having my eyesight and sanity questioned in a rather incredulous manner (are you sure, was it pink?) by one of the team and the confirmation in print of a hathi janjot (elephant (in a) traffic jam).


So - to prove there was an elephant - a view of the elephant on the main Gulshan Road (imagine Regent Street in London) amidst the ever-familiar traffic jam.

So - flight for Christmas looms.  As ever, too many things to do and not enough time - but we shall soon deal with that!

Mx

The condemned woman ate a hearty meal ...

Hello


So - a few days staying with Susan was just what the doctor ordered before I ventured back into the bowels of the BBC World Service Trust in Dhaka.


In fact it was four days of eating, long sleeps and peace and quiet except for the times when we were talking and laughing.


I'm writing this a while after the weekend and it already seems so long ago.  But things do stand out.  You may, or may not, remember that I helped Susan on the day she moved into this house several years ago.  To her disgust, I haven't managed to visit since then.  This may or may not have something to do with the amount of work that needed doing - and the opportunity to completely experience the transformation (which is my version).  This transformation is incredible.  Doorways moved, roof sorted, windows with light, heating and warmth, loads of installations - kitchen, bathrooms - the list goes on.  From a house with issues and challenges (I seem to remember the chimney being an issue and the heating being a challenge to name but two) it has grown into a beautiful, relaxing and peaceful home.  


Add to this - lots of home-made food, apples from the garden (which has also evolved over the time), breakfasts overlooking the pond with wildlife, trips out into the countryside, fairs and boutique-style shops with local produce and stuff. 


Actually - now I start writing it was more - fish and chips at the Anchor Inn in Beer which I had earned since Susan MADE me walk for miles along the beach (with the most enormous seagulls ever). 


So - a couple of photos below - just to give you an idea of it all - let's see if I can remember the names of the places...
     

Chesil Beach

Seagull at Beer

Ham Hill

Ham Hill is "an iron-age hill fort and quarry for golden-coloured hamstone" (to quote Susan) and the site of the sight above.  A leisurely sunset, autumnal colours and generally relaxing end to the day.


I've been trying to persuade Susan that she wants to make her garden into an infinity garden (like the infinity pools you see in flash holiday programmes but for a garden).  I've looked it up on the ever-faithful Google and can't find one - so it could be a first ....  The downside of this could be if I keep banging on about it I could be volunteered to do it!!  Still, she does seriously have a beautiful garden and an incline and a great view at the infinity end.


So - off to do all those last minute bits of packing for the 4 weeks in Dhaka and back for Christmas (watch this space).


Mx