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Special time on-set
Oct.19, 2010
Matt and I had a really special time on the set of ‘The Hot Potato. Tuesday night was great fun (even if a little surreal). Having a few drinks in a bar full of famous actors unwinding was a real experience but more importantly how we were treated by Ray, Jack etc.
Combined with the crew we met, what a lovely bunch of people. I thought Ray and Jack were really nice and we did thank them for their hospitality when we left but they really did make an effort to help us feel at home, even down to Jack asking if we wanted to have dinner with them. Shame we lost them on the walk . It was amazing meeting Derren Nesbit who played Major Von Happen. Genius, and a character that really had an impact on me as a young boy.
I know that The Hot Potato is going to be a very cool film to be associated with and will enjoy real success. I hope to catch up in November when filming comes to town but in the meantime thank you and the team for letting us share some of the experience of filming.
Duncan Murray Clarke
5th October 2010
Silence…s’il vous plait…
Oct.18, 2010
Ok so just got back from the most amazing experience on the set of Hot Potato in Belgium. First stop was Ghent City Centre in the most beautiful building, where scenes were being filmed.
My husband and I got lost and were going to ask a group of men where we should go, but didn’t as one of them was the charming Mr Ray Winstone, so we kind of figured we were in the right place!! Then saw inspired, productive, Tim Lewiston, who gave us the warmest of welcomes, and told us that we would be left in the capable hands of the lovely , who is just one of the most comical, charming, warm, yet professional ladies I have ever met. Oh I felt like such a VIP.
We had volunteered ourselves to be extras in the film and dressing up was so much fun. We were both put into the capable hands of Howard, who, being the complete genius that he is, picked the outfits without asking our sizes, in the most glamorous 60’s costumes. It was like being a child again, only this time the clothes weren’t 10 sizes too big. Felt so smart. Once we had be preened and painted (hair and make up), we were directed into the restaurant, and asked to sit down. Our brief was to mime talking. Having never tried this before, and knowing that the camera was very close by, I was very nervous but the crew made us feel so at ease. Then the Director called ‘Action’! Ray Winstone, Lois Winstone, Jack Huston and Colm Meaney were in the scene. I felt like such a superstar, especially when Jack told me I looked great. After the first couple of takes I started to relax into it. Next the Director was recording the sound of the restaurants which was great, pretending to be visiting Rome in the 60’s. What an experience!
The rest of the day was spent watching the monitors, as the scenes were being filmed, such a fascinating insight into how films are made and put together.
On Wednesday we travelled to Bruges, and met the cast again, and watched more filming. We both loved every moment, being so close to the action. We met more Investors who were dressed as extras, looking every bit as glam as we had. We had a great day laughing and chatting with everyone. Later that evening we met some of the Investors for drinks, and a chat. Everyone was on such a high, and really felt that their experience had been incredible. We had been made to feel so welcome, and treated exceptionally well. To casually chat to the Cast, and Crew, to be one of the first to watch scenes being filmed, and to be able to get so close to the ‘thick of it’, is one of life’s ‘must do’s’.
We will never forget this experience and now really can’t wait for Hot Potato to be finished, and to be present at the first screening. It will be enthralling to see the completed film and even more astonishing to say “we were there”
Rubina Latif
4th October 2010
A memorable set visit
Oct.13, 2010
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone at Wardour who helped make my set visit so memorable, especially Sonita who never got tired of explaining who was who and got us all to the right place at the right time all day and to the director, Tim Lewiston, who first thing in the morning took time out from his preparations for the upcoming scene to make me feel welcome and make sure I’d got a cup of coffee!
I was impressed by the Belgian crew who were totally professional but at the same time always appeared relaxed. I thoroughly enjoyed filming our “walk on…walk off” extras scene and can’t wait to see it on the big screen. And thank you to all the cast and crew for putting up with us hanging round their set all day!
Once again thank you all for a very memorable day,
Regards, Chris Baird
75 Year old man with a pistol down his trousers
Oct.12, 2010
It’s a Thursday morning at 10am. I am standing on a street corner in Bruges with a 75 year old man, who has a pistol down his trousers. He’s telling me, rather graphically, how terribly uncomfortable it is. Around the corner, out of sight, I can hear some people struggling to move a large wooden bear into a shop.
This is not my average Thursday. I’m on the set of The Hot Potato. As an investor in Wardour Pictures, I’ve been invited out to a day of shooting in Bruges to see what’s happening to my money. But somehow I have become an extra in the scene, dressed in a 1960s suit and braces, a heavy coat and hat. Around the corner is the Director, Tim Lewiston and the rest of the crew, the camera, Lois Winstone, a vintage red Jaguar, and, of course, the wooden bear, who normally spends the day outside the doorway of a toy shop. Today, however, he is deemed to be spoiling the look of things, and has to be moved.
The man with the gun is Derren Nesbitt, veteran of Where Eagles Dare. He played a German then, and he’s playing one today. With us are Ray Winstone and Jack Huston. While the bear is being moved, I mention that I really should have gone to the loo earlier. Ray helpfully points out a nearby drain, but I don’t fancy it, especially with a street full of tourists staring at us.
We are still discussing the merits of the drain, when we hear “Action!”. Ray and John head around the corner into shot, and I hear Lois say her first lines. Derren stops adjusting his pistol, and runs around a few seconds later. Then it’s my turn – to walk across the road in the background. Demanding stuff.
Throughout the day, I’m struck by how well everyone gets along, and by the professionalism of everyone involved. Everything is where it needs to be, when it needs to be there. It’s exciting and satisfying to see something tangible happening. Sonita Gale, Associate Producer from Wardour Pictures, kindly shepherds us to lunch with the crew, and then back to the set.
My daughter and I head for the Eurotunnel at the end of the day, confident that we made a good decision to invest. Tomorrow I am back at work, my daughter is back at school with a prized Ray Winstone autograph, and the wooden bear is back in the street outside the toy shop.
Graham Wilde
11th October 2010
Chairman’s thoughts from set
Oct.03, 2010
Belgium Brussels
Château de la Haulpe
Early morning our Line Producer Rob How and new Associate Producer Sonita Gale picked me up for the half-hour drive through Brussels traffic to a wonderful Chateau location near Waterloo. This third day featured Ray Winstone and David Harewood shooting interior scenes. We’re all thrilled to have David join the cast, and I was proud to be able to tell him I was at The Cottesloe to watch him play the best Othello I’ve seen staged. I didn’t manage more than a few words with Ray, I was struck not only by his immense presence on and off set, and by how much fun he was having playing Kenny. You are really going to enjoy this movie when you see it.
I had deliberately chosen the man-in-the-suit look to demonstrate that Wardour Pictures plc means business but I didn’t need to dress up because every aspect of this production was businesslike and professional . Our partners, the Belgian company U-Media and Novak their production company know what they are doing and are great hosts.
Shooting is going well and on schedule. Let me tell you everyone on set I spoke to told me the same thing – our Director Tim Lewiston is bringing it all together brilliantly. I am confident that we can show a very satisfactory return to those with money in Wardour Pictures Plc.
‘The Hot Potato’ News
14th October 2010
Even for the experienced film maker, stunt days bring excitement and trepidation.
Professionalism and planning are the key but even with that you are stepping into the world of controlled risk.
Our driving stunts were co-ordinated by the highly experienced Dutch man-mountain Willem De Beukelaer and his team.
Several practise passes were made before there was a delay as we waited for the morning mists to clear and give us continuity of light for the shots done the previous day.
Finally the moment came and there was a collective hush and holding of breath as the cars sped towards us. As rehearsed, one veered left, hit it's ramp and sailed 20 meters turning in the air before hitting the ground upside down then pitching over it's bonnet to end up on it's wheels facing the wrong direction. The cameras were called to cut and the stunt support team and paramedics raced in to check on stunt driver Lutz Schleisner.
After nervous seconds it was thumbs up from the support team as Lutz was unharnessed and walked away from the specially strengthened vehicle to relieved and appreciative applause. Just another day at the office!
Nigel Pollock -
Art Director
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Tuesday 28th September 2010
Principal photography continued today in earnest in the incredible surroundings of a disused safety deposit vault in Europe's old diamond capital Antwerp.
Paradoxically our debutant Director was instantly able to call 'ACTION' on the FINAL scene of his movie " The Hot Potato"!
Such is the magic of the filming schedule!
Following this, an elaborate exterior crane shot co-ordinating a fleet of period vehicles and the best part of 80 costumed extras was expertly dispatched with bravura.
Bring on the morrow!
Wardour Pictures PLC
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Monday 27 September 2010
“The Hot Potato” cameras have started to roll!
After months of careful planning and meticulous preparation, Writer and Director Tim Lewiston for the first time has called “Action!” on the set of “The Hot Potato” . The comedy caper movie will be shot over the next 7 weeks on location in Belgium and London.
If you are quick you still have a chance to share in the success of the movie produced by Wardour Pictures plc, by investing via a tax-efficient EIS Click here for details
Wardour Pictures PLC
‘The Hot Potato’ News
August 16th 2010
Today, Monday 16th, part of our unit moves to Belgium to start in earnest on the Pre-Production for the film. Eurostar are going to be getting a lot of work out of Wardour Pictures in the next few weeks!
Simultaneously there is a technical recce taking place at some of the locations in South London which will be used for the exteriors of C.K. Metals and Kenny’s house. The team are ensuring that parking permits are available, electricity supplies easily accessed, and somewhere for the crew to park, and most importantly of all – a suitable place for the location catering. Napoleon said that an army marches on its’ stomach…..well, a film crew survives or fails dependent upon a ready supply of tea and bacon rolls!
CASTING NEWS : We have secured the services of the talented and beautiful Louise Redknapp to play the part of Irene, Kenny’s wife. It’s a small but very significant part and we are looking forward to witnessing the chemistry between Louise and Ray.
We also now have Colm Meaney playing Harry – a pivotal character who acts as the go-between Ken and his crew, and the Mob-light characters Bill and Ben. Colm will be terrific, and I am certain they’ll all have a lot of fun together.
‘The Hot Potato’ News
August 4th 2010
The Hot Potato is now officially in Pre-Production at Twickenham Film Studios prior to moving to Belgium in a couple of weeks to complete Pre and then start the shoot on September 13th.
We are shooting the majority of the film in Belgium, around Brussels mostly but with some locations in Antwerp. This suits us well as a large proportion of the film’s story takes place outside the UK Delroy Lindo has been cast in the part of Harrison and we hope to have exciting news of the casting of Harry very soon.
Check out all the latest news, pictures and gossip on our Face Book page
Or follow us on Twitter at : http://twitter.com/HotPotatoMovie
‘The Hot Potato’ News
June 14th 2010
This has been a very busy time on the development of the film.
First things first, the Cannes Film Festival: Our sales Agent Colleen Seldin from Locomotive Entertainment in New York launched the film successfully, completing the pre-sales of distribution rights in a number of minor international territories.
In addition, a major UK distributor has expressed keen interest in the film, we met them last week and hope to have exciting news of a positive outcome in a few days time.
Our Production team has been greatly enhanced by the addition of Alan Latham, a very experienced Producer with around 30 completed films to his name. His primary role will be to negotiate and close the complex financial investments in the film. I’m delighted to report that this is going very well. More details very soon…..
We are currently out to Delroy Lindo (The Cider House Rules, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit) for the part of Harrison. We are also out to Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, Greenberg) for the part of Harry.
Post Production – we have completed a deal with a top London Post house who will become equity investors in the film in return for completing all work on the rushes digitisation, digital effects and sound mixing. This company (who we cannot name until we have completed signing of the contracts) have a long and distinguished list of credits in the film post production and we are delighted to partnered with them on The Hot Potato.
Belgium
We currently plan to film a significant part of the film in Belgium where the film is partially set in order to take advantage of the tax incentives for film in Belgium. We are negotiating with a Belgium financier and we estimate that the Belgium investor will contribute 20% of the production budget in return for distribution rights in France and Benelux and an equity investment."
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Issue #8 - March 3rd 2010
Our Sales Agent, Colleen Seldin, returned from the Berlin Film Festival where she was attending the sales event very excited by the level of interest already being shown in The Hot Potato. She is now planning for a major sales push at the Cannes Film Festival in May, which we shall be attending to publicise the film, and obtain Pre-sales agreements from as many foreign territories as we can gather.
Ray Winstone who we originally approached for the part of Harry, is now looking at the latest draft of script with a view to playing the main part of Kenny. In the event that he takes on this much larger and more significant role, we will be approaching Eddie Izzard to play a re-written version of the part of Harry.
Ray is currently recovering from a nasty bout of mumps and will get back to us in a couple of weeks, but he’s very excited about the movie and looking forward to being involved come what may.
However, because Ray is not available till the end of the summer we have pushed the shooting schedule back to early autumn to accommodate him, so that we’d be shooting throughout September and into October.
More news when we have it!
Peter Joly - Executive Director - Wardour Pictures Plc
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Issue #7 - February 15th 2010
Latest news on the film – following a meeting this week we can now confirm that Ray Winstone is attached to the film.
He is very excited about the project and looking forward to joining the team which is growing each week.
Tim Lewiston is working on the latest draft of the script to tighten some of the scenes, our Sales Agents, Locomotion in New York, are preparing a campaign for Cannes, and we are looking at a number of possible locations for the actual filming later in the year.
Peter Joly - Executive Director - Wardour Pictures Plc
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Issue #6 - January 26th 2010
Latest Casting news : Jack Huston who is now on board to play Danny.
We had a meeting last week where we introduced Jack and Lois Winstone (Carole). Not only did they get on well, they looked terrific together as a couple which bodes well for the picture.
On another front altogether, but perhaps even more exciting news, is that we have appointed Colleen Seldin, who is a former Senior Vice-President of International Distribution at Miramax and now runs Locomotive Entertainment Group in New York, overseeing sales and distribution on Film and Television content across a wide array of genres.
At Miramax, Colleen developed and implemented international release strategies for such films as There Will Be Blood, Cold Mountain, Finding Neverland, Chicago, Sin City and Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2.
She is very excited about the project and is advising us with regards to casting, marketing etc.
We at Wardour Pictures are very happy to be working with Seldin at Locomotive and are looking forward to working with her selling and marketing the film around the globe.
The plan is to launch “The Hot Potato” at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and thereafter to sell the film at the major international markets they deem appropriate for the film.
The Northern Ireland scouting trip was very useful in as much as it was decided afterwards that there were simply not enough suitable locations there for us to proceed. So we are busy looking to the other regions in the UK, all of whom are proving to be very helpful.
We are also opening discussions with the Film Council and BBC films who may want to come in as Co-Producers.
That’s it for now, but as things are starting to hot up post-Christmas I will be updating here more frequently so keep checking in for breaking news.
Peter Joly - Executive Director - Wardour Pictures Plc
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Issue #5 - December 9th 2009
Latest Casting news : Tim Lewiston, my fellow Director and a friend of the actor Jack Huston (John Huston’s grandson and Angelica Huston’s nephew) approached him to play the part of Danny, and having read the script declared he would be delighted to play the role.
This is excellent news because, apart from Jack being a splendid actor in his own right, he has three films coming out in 2010, and will be appearing in the next of the Twilight saga – ‘Eclipse’. This will give him a high profile in the audience’s minds and help the promotion of ‘The Hot Potato’ a great deal.
We have also approached Jonny Lee Miller for the part of Kenny, and await his response.
Next week Tim Lewiston, along with Tim Hutchinson, our Production Designer and Rob How, our Line Producer, are visiting Northern Ireland to discuss the film with the Northern Ireland Film Commision and to have a look at possible locations, and Studio space. I will report her in a week or so on their progress.
Peter Joly - Executive Director - Wardour Pictures Plc
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Issue #4 - November 17th 2009
We have successfully relocated our offices to Twickenham Film Studios in the south west of London. This gives us more room, with additional room to expand when we go into Production of The Hot Potato next year, and gives us the extra buzz of working in a film studio environment.
Twickenham is a small film studio by the standards of Pinewood and Shepperton, but is ideal for our purposes as it is easily accessible by road and rail (direct from Waterloo). There are three shooting stages here and the infrastructure and experience directly to hand which will be crucial when the cameras start to roll and we begin filming. We will also be able to edit and complete the sound mix on-site, so our new base is ideal for taking the rest of the project, and any subsequent projects through to completion.
Check out the studios at : www.twickenhamstudios.com
Peter Joly - Executive Director - Wardour Pictures Plc
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Issue #3 - November 4th 2009
We are delighted to announce that we have appointed a new Chairman of Wardour Pictures Plc.
Tony Townson was appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Wardour Pictures plc on 8th October 2009 to represent the interests of the “B” Shareholders on the Board of the company.
He is an Honours Graduate of Durham University who, after a period in the Middle East working for Grand Metropolitan plc, has enjoyed a successful career in industry running and growing his own family business, a leading UK sign and graphics company. In 2003 Tony was appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Redman Whitley Dixon Ltd., the top UK-based international super-yacht interior and exterior design company, to steer the thriving young business through a period of substantial growth and consolidation.
Tony will use his wealth of business experience from different backgrounds to ensure that the Board of Wardour Pictures always operates within sound commercial disciplines and in the best interests of all investors and shareholders.
With reference to the casting – Hugh Dancy has become unavailable due to theatre commitments on
Broadway. So we have approached Johnny Lee Miller for the part of Kenny and we await his response.
Rob How, our Line Producer, is currently looking into possible locations, and we will post an update as soon as we have any further news.
We are also currently interviewing for a Costume Designer, as this is another crucial creative element to add to the team and a main building block in the design of the film.
Peter Joly - Executive Director - Wardour Pictures Plc
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Issue #2 - September 30th 2009
Two main bits of news since my last blog:
Firstly and very sadly we lost our dear Chairman Anthony Burton very suddenly a month ago. He was inspirational to both Tim and myself and we miss him greatly.
We are in discussions with another party and hope to be able to announce the appointment of a new Chairman very soon. You, as investors, will be the first to hear about this as soon as the appointment is confirmed.
Secondly we met with Lois Winstone, Ray Winstone’s eldest daughter, to discuss her playing the role of Carole. She was very interested in the part, full of ideas and excited about the prospect. We are also very excited as she would seem to be perfect for the role, and her enthusiasm for it is just what we are looking for.
It is all subject to contract but we hope to make her a formal offer in the near future.
In fact, Jeremy Zimmerman, our Casting Director has just returned from working on a film in Africa and is currently on the case tracking down the rest of our cast so we hope to have more casting news very soon.
The list of investors grows day by day – (you all know who you are!) and we are busy working on other elements of the financing structure, including a deal for all Post production on the film.
Again, we’ll let you know as soon as anything else is confirmed.
Peter Joly - Executive Director - Wardour Pictures Plc
‘The Hot Potato’ News
Issue #1 - &; August 10th 2009
Dear Investor,
Welcome to the first Hot Potato Investors’ newsletter.
If you’re reading this, it means you have made the excellent and wise decision to become an investor and are looking forward to joining the Shareholders in Wardour Pictures in their first (of many we hope) film-making ventures.
So, where are we so far in this process? We begin with an excellent script (a copy of which you may purchase and read for yourself – details in the Information memorandum p.16).
A number of key technical personnel have agreed to work on the film when it shoots next year, and our Casting Director, Jeremy Zimmerman, is busy hunting down just the right cast for us. You will have already seen the list of Actors we are approaching, and if this changes I will inform you as we go along.
As we go about the process of continuing to raise the finance, a number of other elements will be falling into place – locations, confirmed cast, sales and distribution information, and shooting schedule among them. I will be updating you here on a weekly basis of all progress made.
As you will know from the Information memorandum, the plan at present is to shoot the film early next Spring; exactly when and where we will be confirming in the coming months. On occasions there may be opportunities for Investors to become involved in the shooting, and I will update you on those as well.
That’s all from me for the present. I will update this page next week with all the news so far.
Peter Joly - Executive Director - Wardour Pictures Plc
Wardour Pictures Plc Production