'The Mill'

Well...it's been a while. I'd apologise and explain but there's really no excuse. Instead I wanted to tell you all about a filming set I'd been working on in the February/March months of this year. The first episode in the four-part drama aired tonight, so I thought this post would be appropriate. A period drama, set in Cheshire, England in the 1800s follows the story of apprentices and their place in the industrial revolution.

Filming on the set of 'The Mill.'

It was incredible fun to work on, and having previous experience on other film sets with various crews, I have to say the crew were absolutely lovely and everyone we worked with were so friendly, professional yet welcoming. Lets just say it was a healthy balance of work and play - not like the real apprentices back in the day - I feel for them, it was cold in rags!

Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire. Designed to look again like the 1800s.

It really is an odd feeling when you realise that the scenes you are creating actually did happen over 200 years ago, in the same place you are re-enacting them. It feels almost as though we are bringing these people back to life somehow, in the form of film. And it was truly fascinating learning about the lives of the young apprentices: walking their footsteps down the mill's cobbled streets, accompanying straw-filled beds they themselves were accustomed to alongside realistic costume - you really do appreciate how cold they were when all you have to wear is a limp nightdress and shawl for the dormitory scenes!

Night-time filming at Quarry Bank. An early start for the apprentices!

For me, the experience was incredible and I'm so glad I said yes to such an amazing opportunity. One of my resolutions this year was to say yes to more and through these I do feel I've achieved something. I met some inspirational people, made some fantastic friends and learnt a lot!

Apprentices, Red Jack, Purple Jack and the lovely Debbie from make-up!

If you fancy taking a look at the final product, or you're interested in something that opposes the upper-class period drama 'Downton Abbey,' 'The Mill' continues on Channel 4 next Sunday at 8pm. Check it out!

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Harry Potter

It just occured to me that I haven't actually written a post about my trip to the Harry Potter Studios last month: which, I have to say, was hands down one of the favourite memories of my life so far.

Having grown up mesmerized by the books and transfixed by the films, I always felt a sense of belonging in the world of Harry Potter. I don't know if JK did this on purpose because of the loneliness and burdens she was feeling at the time of writing, but either way she developed something that evoked comfort and a place to escape for millions of readers, whether they were seeking these things or not. It helped.

Because of the connection I had to the narrative, I was always avid and overly-determined in getting my parents to take me to the sets, so I could explore the world physically after doing so both mentally and emotionally. When I was around eight years old, my family finally took me to a castle in Northumberland where scenes from the first and second movies were filmed. A very unusual coincidence was that we bumped into JK Rowling herself just outside of the castle when we arrived. (She was visiting the set as they were still filming on occasional days) I don't remember saying much because I was so young, but I remember her smiling a lot and me staring at her, speechless. She was lovely. I also remember being severely disappointed that the staircases didn't move, but I reminded myself that imagination is the source of extraordinary power.

It was a truly wonderful experience, and definitely made me feel happier than I have ever felt. When it comes to pleasure, warmth, happiness and that 'fuzzy feeling' inside, I'm very difficult to please. But this was different. This was easy. It was also the time when I first learnt to ride a bike! This may seem off topic, but I was adamant that the magic from the castle helped me to obtain this skill. (And I still believe that theory secretly!)

I digress: The Studio Tour! Indescribable. I had to wait a little longer than other 'Potterheads' because it was difficult to get to Leavesden Studios considering I live in the Northwest of England. But the opportunity arose and I couldn't say no. I was astonished at the detail that went into each and every set; props and iconography that you probably wouldn't have even noticed in the films. Amazing. We were only there for five hours, but I would have spent longer - there was so much to see. I just didn't want to leave.

I also learnt so much - I thought I knew everything about the Harry Potter films: I knew the films off by heart and re-read the books so much I've lost count! And yet here I was learning 1000 new things...that's something I love about the series, that no matter how many times you read the books or watch the films, there's always something new to discover. Just like the real magical world.

It seems that I've wandered off on a slight tangent in this post. Maybe I'll write another one soon with more emphasis on the actual warner bros studio tour. With pictures. We'll see.

Speak to you soon.

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Bangor University!

It seems I'm not able to stick to a regular posting schedule on blogger...I do apologise. But life, love and laughter is random, so I guess my posts are irregular on purpose. That's what I'll use as my excuse anyway.

So, what's occurring? I explored the depths of Bangor town and University on Saturday; it's a beautiful little town and the campus buildings itself hold hidden stories, I can tell. I think the other universities have a lot to live up to after witnessing Bangor's idyllic setting and historical structures - it seems perfect for the course I wish to take (Creative Writing and Media Studies) as the entire town makes me feel inspired and I just want to write and create and write and create and write and create!

On another note, the lecturer at Bangor told me I have to submit a small portfolio of creative work when applying for my particular course. I've been writing short stories and opinion pieces for a while now, so I thought I'd try something different as practice and so I attempted a bit of poetry. It's only a rough draft so it's not perfect. But I hope you like it!

The Girl In The Window

There's a girl who sits in her window

All day, every day

I watch her when I can from mine

She seems lonely, but not quite

I thought she glimpsed me once or twice

But I can never be so sure

And when she did I could've sworn

A small smile appeared

She always carrys paper and pen

On the ledge she stays

I guessed to write down happy thoughts

To keep from her dismay

I thought about what she would write

In the hours she spent alone

Stories and tales of happier times

And adventures yet to come

I thought about her happiness

If she felt it, ever

The infinite feeling, an unstoppable force

Controlling the sun, moon and earth

I then explored her dark days

And how her thoughts would change

Whether she simply waited for light

Or let the oceans take her away

I haven't seen her for a while

Maybe she got scared

Her father was not a nice man

I hid when he appeared

Sometimes that was not enough

I could always hear the cries 

I wanted  to stop it but somehow

Didn't have the courage

I read and read to understand 

Why she disappeared

Each book taught me something new

And I almost felt better, almost

I hoped and prayed for her sake

That she was okay over there

For maybe it was better that I

Could not see her anymore

There's a girl who lies beneath her window

Once lonely, now at peace

I smiled for I knew

She loved it where she was

I read a brilliant book once

And there it was, this one page

About mirrors and windows and reflections

And how they are easily mistaken.

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