THE HAPPY LANDS COMMUNITY TOUR

 

Directed by Robert Rae

The Happy Lands

is a Theatre Workshop Scotland Production

supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland

in association with BBC Scotland.

 

Following on from the gala screening, The Happy Lands will be available to view

at the venues listed below to any interested parties.

 

 

DATE	VENUE	TIME
SUNDAY 10TH JUNE	LOCHGELLY ARTS CENTRE	3PM Q&A AFTER
SATURDAY 23RD JUNE	BENARTY COMMUNITY CENTRE	6PM
SUNDAY 24TH JUNE	KELTY COMMUNITY CENTRE	2PM
SATURDAY 7TH JULY	VALLEYFIELD COMMUNITY CENTRE	6PM

 

 

For further details contact the venues on:

 

• Address: Lochgelly Centre, Bank Street, Lochgelly, KY5 9RD 
E-mail: enquiries.lochgellyc@attfife.org.uk 
Telephone: 01592 583367

 

• Address: Benarty School, Hill Road, Ballingry,KY5 8NN 
E-mail: karenc.hunter@fife.gov.uk 
Telephone: 01592 583385

 

• Address: Kelty community center, 90-92, Main Street, Kelty, KY4 0AQ Telephone: 01383 602343

 

• Address: Valleyfield Community Centre, Chapel Street, High Valleyfield, KY12 8SJ 
E-mail: cath.harrower@fife.gov.uk 
Telephone: 01383 602372

 

 

Hello Happ Landers,

Coaches have been booked for the event. One from Edinburgh leaving at 4.30pm and returning at midnight. 

A shuttle bus will run people from The Alhambra to The Glen Pavilion. 

There will also be 2 coaches that will take people from The Glen Pavilion back to selected areas in Fife these will be as follows: 

Coach 1 – Crossgates, Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Cardenden, Ballingry and Kelty.

Coach 2 – Dalgety Bay, Burntisland, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Buckhaven, Leven, Glenrothes and Thornton.

These coaches have a very limited number of places (49 seats in each) and are for people who will struggle to get home after the event. Please only get in touch if you really have no other means of transport. 

You can contact us regarding the above at: gala@theatre-workshop.com

Hi folks. So thats the post-production finished, after nine months of gazing at all your faces on various screens, I’m really looking forward to watching you watching you – if you know what I mean – a bit nervous though, I hope you like it.
Helen and Scott joined me in Glasgow to sign the film off on Friday. What a great job 422 have done for us – like all the crew they have been inspired by the project and given so generously of their time and skills.
Thanks to those who came over for the ADR, John ( the dubbing maestro) was impressed with all your professionalism. To explain the on-line a wee bit – John and Romano have stripped all the sound off, cleaned up the dialogue and then built the soundscape of the world eg inside the Raws you will hear children playing outside, somebody practicing trumpet, a dog barking etc. every footstep, chair scrape or hit or punch has been lovingly recreated! Then on top of that James’s lovely music has been laid, James has been working with Jim Sutherland and recorded a new soundtrack. On the picture front Ian has graded the picture – essentially recolouring frame by frame, to make sure shots match and the seasons are reflected on screen i.e. it gets colder looking towards the end. Jamie has been working on the special effects – sometimes doing work you would never notice eg removing modern signs or writing that we couldn’t get round on location and enhancing the picture by for example doing effects on some of the newspapers we’ve added to help tell the story. All of which has been supervised by Brian – who as a Fifer (Kirkaldy born and bred) has moved it all along. One day last week I walked around the Glasgow building and The Happy Lands was in four suites, beaming out off a dozen screens! Helens been working hard to ensure everyone has been credited, which is ok on the cinema version but the BBC are incredibly tight and prescriptive for the tv version, you’ll have seen how short and quick their credits are. She has been arguing hard to try and get as many on as possible but it really is beyond our control.
It feels almost finished and as Scott said we’re now waiting nervously to see what the hundred plus executive producers think – that is all of you who made the film.
Looking forward to seeing you all and answering your many questions. Robert.
Ps delighted to see Willy Clarke got re-elected!

Hello Happy Landers,

Lots of news for you today – movements mainly.

Robert is over with 422 in Glasgow brining the film closer than ever to completion. Most exciting.

Today marks Sarah Smith’s last day as TWS’s Development and Administration Manager. She will be moving on to a new position in Glasgow, here’s a wee cheerio note from her:

You should all feel very proud of what you have achieved. My great grandfathers lived in Fife and were on opposing sides in the 1926 strike. One was probably Pug and the other (I like to think) Michael Brogan. You all made my ancestry come to life for the first time. Thank you. I’m going to miss everyone at TWS towers – good luck! Sarah x

Walter Thompson – who has been on temporary placement from BT – has now officially retired – we wish him the very best of luck.

We’re also intending to do a Preview Screening of The Happy Lands to core cast in the beginning period of May at The Regent: Leven Community Cinema. This will be a good chance to ask any questions you may have and to ease the pressure on the day of the Gala Screening (8th June) when friends and family will be in full attendance. More on that to follow.

In a dramatic turn around of events the Friday Update will now become the TWS Weekly Update – and will arrive on assorted days based on pertinence of news.  As if all the above wasn’t enough of a shock to the system.

Have a lovely sunshine sprinkled weekend,

TWS

Hello Happy Landers,

 

This Friday’s update takes the form of a draft list of credits and a draft list of thanks and support for the attention of the cast and crew. These are draft workings and should not be considered a final product. There may be some alignment discrepancies due to wordpress and facebook formatting but fret not, this is not how it appears on our documents. 

 

If you feel there is anyone missing from the cast or crew list and/or that a veritable thanks is owed to please notify us at michael@theatre-workshop.com by Monday 26th March at 09:00 am (at the very latest). Following this cut-off time, these credits will be re-assessed and signed off for the time being.

 

Please also note – at this stage – cast are listed as (Surname, Forename) – once completed it is likely this will revert to (Forename, Surname).

 

Finally to note, cast are currently listed alphabetically, this may not remain the case.

 

Happy reading and have a lovely weekend,

 

TWS

 ————————————————————————————————————-

 

“The Happy Lands”

is a Theatre Workshop Scotland Production

developed and created along with member of the mining communities of Fife, Scotland

 

Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland

 in association with the BBC Scotland

 

Written by

Robert Rae and Peter Cox

with Steve Allan, Lillian King and Ross Wilson

and members of the Fife Mining Community

 

 

Producer

Helen Trew

 

 

 

CLOSING CREDITS

 

Director of Photography – Scott Ward

 

Production Designer – James Helps

 

Costume Designer – Maggie Miller

 

Make-Up Designer – Julie Mackay

 

Editor – Florian Nonnenmacher

 

Musical Composer – James Ross

 

Musical Producer – Jim Sutherland

 

Sound Recordist – Chris Campion

 

First Assistant Director – Stuart Williams

 

Line Producer – Greg Mcmanus

 

Locations Manager – Justin True

 

 

Executive Producers

 

For TWS:   Robert Rae – John Murphy

 

For Creative Scotland:  Andrew Leitch

 

For BBC Scotland:    Ewan Angus

 

 

 

With grateful thanks to:

 

Tony Garnett

 

With thanks for special appearances to:

 

Allan Stewart – Sir Harry Lauder

 

Simon Tait – James Anderson

 

 

ALL CAST

 

Adair, Kevin                                   Davey King                                         

Ahmed, Farah                               Mary Miller                                          

Allan, Stevie                                  Pug Henderson                                               

Arrow, Jez                                     Economic League                                            

Barney, Michael                             Special Constable                                           

Berry, Madeline                             Granny King                                        

Brown, Josh                                  Pat Brogan                                         

Clarke, Craig                                 Andy Jenkins

Clarke, Kevin                                 Michael Brogan                                               

Clarke, Kristen                               Billy Jenkins

Clarke, Wullie                                Regional Union Official                                   

Colville, Patricia                             Jenny Saville                                      

Combe, Fiona                                Lily Wilson                                           

Connors, Rob                    NCO                                        

Crawford, Nikki                  Alison McKinchie                                             

Davie, Bill                           Cllr Proudfoot                                     

Davie, Susan                     Elsie Proudfoot                                               

Davies, Cathy                   Florence Watson                                            

Davies, Rebecca               Rita Hunter                                         

Denholm, Jonean              Molly Guthrie                                      

Denholm, Kielan                 Wee Danny Guthrie                                        

Donaldson, Andrew           Bobby Jenkins                                    

Donaldson, Harry              Jimmy Jenkins                                     

Donaldson, Stacey                        Nancy King                                         

Donnachie, Kim                  Grace MacGregor                                           

Donnachie, Lydia               Sally MacGregor                                             

Donnachie, Simone            Katy MacGregor                                             

Doyle, Aileen                     Gemma McKinchie                                           

Drysdale, Lucy                  Rose McLaughlin                                             

Duncan, Emma                  Annie Brogan                                      

Duncan, Gary                    Walter McInnes                                              

Duncan, Lorraine               Agnes Brogan                                     

Duncan, Rachel                 Kitty Brogan                                       

Feely, Margaret                Granny Guthrie                                               

Forbes, Cameron              Special Constable                                           

Gilby, Bill                            Priest                                      

Graham, Joanna                Josie Young                                        

Hammond, Belle                 Edna Smith                                         

Hammond, Bill                    Henry Miller                                        

Harrower, Colin                 Black Watch Soldier                                        

Houston, Frances              Florence Adams                                              

Hunter, Betty                    Maggie MacGregor                                         

Imrie, Dinorah                   Olivia Jackson 

Fiona Jackson                    Wlliamina

Jones, Aaron                     Wee Baxie                                          

Jones, Alan                       Jockie Johnston                                              

Kimmel, Ronnie                  De-mobbed Soldier                                         

Kinch, Katie                       Sophie Johnson                                              

Kinch, Mary                       Patricia Johnston                                            

Kinch, Niamh                      Nicola Johnston                                              

King, Archie                       Karno                                      

King, Dean                         Whippet                                              

King, Lillian                         Granny Burns                                     

Langtree, Cara                  Girl in Riot and Theatre                                  

Langtree, Katy                  Girl in Riot and Theatre                                  

Langtree, Neil                    Overseer                                            

Langtree, Sean                 Curly McKenzie                                               

Lee, Rebecca                    Amy Burns                                          

MacPherson, Gracie          Dorothy McAlpine                                           

MacPherson, Olivia            Thelma McAlpine                                             

Mackie, George                 Baxter Baxter                                     

McArthur, Donald              Cllr Ayelsford                                      

McArthur, Robbie              Tommy Burns                                      

McBride, Elaine                  Isa Beveridge

Gerry McMullan                  The Laird                    

McGregor, Leeanne           Anabella                                                         

McPherson, Madeline        Martha MacAlpine                                           

Moore, Darren                   Special Constable                                           

Morton, Sharon                 Edna McKinchie                                               

Muskwati, Farooqi             Jacob                                      

Nealon, Matthew               Wee Stan Wilson                                            

Newall, Susan                    Kathleen Adams                                             

Phoenix, Bronwen             Sarah Brodie                                       

Rae, Cormac                     The Gamekeeper                                            

Reilly, David                      Joe Guthrie                                         

Richardson, Heather         Hazel McKinchie                                              

Richardson, Mark              Special Constable                                           

Robertson, Georgie           Baby Masie Wilson                                          

Robertson, Peter              Bob MacGregor                                               

Ross, Lorna                       Lady McKillip                                       

Samet, Winona                  Besie McKie                                         

Seath, Craig J.                  Doctor McCrae                                               

Smith, Lindsey                   Jem McKenzie                                     

Sneddon, Caitlin                Mary Fleming                                      

Sneddon, Ciaran               William MacKie                                    

Sneddon, Karen                Jessie Stewart                                    

Spears, Cody                    June                                       

Spears, Tyler                     Lizzy Guthrie                                       

Spiden, Mark                     Police Officer                                      

Stuart, Linda                     Mrs Simpson                           

Taylor, Drew                     Economic League                                            

Taylor, Megan                   Susie Smith                                         

Templeman, Codie            Elizabeth Wilson

Trewgety, Sol                    Fleeing Miner

Trew-Rae, Nora                Daisy Jenkins                                      

Venters, Rebeka               Rosie Baxter

Stuart Venters                   Accordion Player

Wallace, Jokie                   Dan Guthrie

Wallace, Margaret              Ruby Guthrie

Wallace, Rebecca              Emily Guthrie                                      

Ward, James Barney          Soldier                                    

Watson, Stuart                   Big Tam Wilson                                               

Welch, Steven                    Mine Manager                                     

Wilkinson, Alicia                  Wet Nurse                                          

Wilkinson, Mikayla               Baby                                       

Wilson, D.T.                        Artie Miller                                          

Wilson, Eleanor                   Sadie Wilson                                       

Wilson, Ross                       Jim Burton                                          

Wyzgowski, Theo               Police Officer  

 

 

 

-       with thanks to all the supporting community without whom

this production would not have been possible -

 

OTHER CREW

 

Production Team

Jenna Mills – Second Assistant Director

Matt Cooper – Third Assistant Director

 Helen Raw – Second Assistant Director: Community

Rachel Diamond – Production Manager

Jenny Lees – Production Coordinator

 

Art Department

Keiron Sweeney – Art Director

Bob Chappell – Construction Manager

      Janis Hart  – Art Department Assistant Director

Alan Melvin – Art Department Assistant Director

Lillian Brzoska  – Art Department Assistant

Tom Caroll – Art Department Assistant

David Farmer – Art Department Assistant

Vikki McCraw – Art Department Assistant

David Morris – Art Department Assistant

Mark Spiden – Art Department Assistant

Dave Reid – Props Support

 

Makeup Department

Sarah Cairncross – Makeup Artist

Paula Rebanks – Makeup Artist

Karen Farrell – Daily Makeup

Jade Fullerton – Daily Makeup

Alison Kynock – Daily Makeup

Sheilah Mitchell – Daily Makeup

 

Sound Department

Paul Hartman – Sound Assistant

Andrew Walsh – Boom Operator

 

Camera and Electrical Department

Stuart Anderson – First Assistant Camera

Erin Currie – Second Assistant Camera

Ruben Cardol – Gaffer

Minttu Mantynen – Digital Imaging Technician

Grant McPhee – Digital Imaging Technician

Robert Etherson – Grip

Simon Churchill – Electrician

Mark Keane – Electrician

Johnny Wright – Daily Assistant Camera

 

Costume and Wardrobe Department

Kristeen Naismith – Costume Supervisor

Catriona Kennedy – Costume Standby

Claire Lester – Costume Standby

 

Editorial Department

offline

Hazel Baillie – Assembly Editor

Ania Urbanowska -  Assistant Editor

Colin Moonie – Editorial Consultant

online

422 Post Production House

 

Stunts

Carter Ferguson – Stunts

Paul Coulter – Action Vehicles

 

 

Second Unit

Helen Trew – Second Unit Director

Matt Cooper – First Assistant Director

Minttu Mantynen – Cinematographer

Marcin Knyziak – Sound Recordist

Mark Dea – Boom Operator

Alastair Boyce – Camera Assistant

 

 

Trainees

Melanie Hindle – Production Trainee

Michael Kidd – Production Trainee

Emily Thomson – Costume Department Trainee

Kerrie Watson – Costume Department Trainee

Autumn Morton – Camera Department Trainee

Alison Erskine – Makeup Trainee

Farooqi Muskwati – Art Department Trainee

Eric Greive – Art Department Trainee

 

Writing/Script Team

Moira Byrne – Script Supervisor

Roger Smith – Script Editor

Adrian Mead – Script Consultant

Helen Brogan – Writing Team

Susan Fleming – Writing Team

 

Locations

Vikki McCraw – Assistant Locations Manager

Mark Craig – Location Assistant

 

 

Other crew

Vikki Alexander – Director’s Assistant

Abi Ross – Runner

Alan Muszynski – Runner

Natalie Ritchie – Runner

Gerard Paton – Production Accountant

Jez Arrow – Production Accounts Assistant

Fiona Jackson  – TWS Community Coordinator

Neil Langtree – Community Assistant

Walter Thomson – Production Assistant

Ross McKay – Acting Tutor

Claire Wright – Evaluation Support

Sahra Bhimji – EPK

Sarah Smith – TWS Development

Michael Pedersen – Press and Marketing

Rebecca Lee – Stills Photography

Shaun Murawski – Stills Photography

Ryan McGoverne – Stills Photography

 

 

copyright (c) 2012

Theatre Workshop Scotland

——————————–

 

Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland

 

in association with the BBC Scotland

 

LOGO BAY

 

CREATIVE SCOTLAND

BBC Scotland

 

EDINBURGH CITY COUNCIL

 

FIFE COUNCIL

 

ARTS AND BUSINESS SCOTLAND

 

 —————————————————————————————————————

 

The Happy Lands is a Theatre Workshop Production, supported by Creative Scotland through The National Lottery

 

…..in association with BBC Scotland

 

Special thanks to the following partner/funder organisations:

 

City of Edinburgh Council

Fife Council: especially Cowdenbeath, West Fife, Dunfermline and Fife Museums and Libraries

National Mining Museum Scotland

Scottish Resources Group

Volunteer Centre Fife

The Purvis Group

The Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline

The Robertson Trust

The Russell Trust

UNISON General Political Fund

Fife Mining Heritage Group

New Arts & Sponsorship Grants Supported by the Scottish Government in conjunction with Arts and Business Scotland

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation 

The Purvis Group

BT PLC

UNISON Scotland

 

Many thanks to these people:

 

Bill Gilby

Bob Garmony

Iain Munro

Karen Ward Boyd

Nicky Wilson

Bill Fletcher

Gordon Brown MP

Cllr Alex Rowley 

Cllr Willie Clarke 

Cllr Bobby Clelland 

Cllr Stuart McIvor

Lord Tom Sawyer 

Lord Lewis Moonie

John Park MSP

Claire Wright

Pat Richardson

Joe McGuiness

Fiona Forbes 

Rebecca Peppiette

Daxe Moxham

Ian Mcalpine

Dodie Piddock

Tony Makos

Ingrid Campbell

Drew Taylor

John Gallacher

John Stevenson

Alan Wilson

Christina Reid

Jerry Anderson

Richard Falconer

Jock Gibson

Pete Small

Tom Ritchie

Willie Bennie

Alison and Dick Sorley

Val MacDermid

 

And the following businesses and organisations:

 

National Mining Museum Scotland and Lady Victoria Colliery

Fire Brigades Union (UK)

Educational Institute of Scotland

UCS Veterans 

The Regent: Leven Community Cinema

Timpson

Spotless Punch

Kemtex Dyes

Call Clean Drycleaners

Geoffrey Tailor Kiltmakers and Weavers

Khaki Devil Costume Hire

Slaters Menswear

Specsavers (Kirkcaldy)

Bank of Scotland

Mandors

The Cotton Print Factory Shop

B&Q Kirkcaldy

Homebase, Kirkcaldy

Thomas Muir Haulage

Thomas Muir Scrap

Dulux Repaint Initiative

Bosch Tools

Arnold Clark

Evans Easyspace

Kelty Boxing Club

Perth Repertory Theatre

The Byre Theatre St Andrews

Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Markinch Amateur Operatic Company

Scottish Trade Union Congress

Sapphire Print and Design

Diamond Event Services

Mine Rescue Service

BRAG Centre (Paul, John and Terry)

 

(Just Giving Givers)

 

Mary Locke

James Sutherland

Eddy Coulson

Nuala Cameron

Tom Jones

Ruth Connelly

Gordon Dalyell

Andred Calark

Helen Stockford

John Grierson

Pat Smith

Fyonna Scott

Bob Thomson

Lesley Richardson

Mike McCafferty

Robin Smith

Don Henderson

Nick Stacey

Paul Dunn

Andrew Wightman

Neil Carter

Will Kerr

John Simpson

Mark Syme

Bill McMillan

Andrew McKay

Heather Jones

Jim Duncan

Julie Minshull

Geroge Anderson

John Millar

Jim Lister

Louise Szpera

Debbie Coulter

Gerard Stilliard

Dave Anderson MP

Lynn Smith

Iain McMillan

Claire Magennis

Peter Templeton

Nasir Ahmad

Paddy O’Connell

Ross McDonald

Garry Rogan

Andrew Edward

Louise Mark

Kelly Smith

Elissa Elings

Tam and Kathleen Dalyell

Danny Hogan

 

 

 

Hello Happy Landers,

 

A couple of links for your attention this week.

 

First off, did you all see that The Happy Lands made Movie Reviews’ list of the top independent films to look out for in 2012? If not here’s take a look here: http://www.moviereviews.co.uk/features/27-uk-independent-films-look-out-2012

 

Secondly, on the UNISON Scotland website this week is the article: The Happy Lands: Fife community creates ground breaking movie – which features interviews and commentaries from Kevin Clarke, Jokie Wallace and Craig Seath.  This article will be published in ‘Scotland in UNISON’ bulleting on 21 March. Thereafter it will go on their blog, twitter, facebook etc.

 

Also, did you know you can watch the trailer for Robert and TWS’s first feature film Trouble Sleeping at – www.trouble-sleeping.co.uk. Trouble Sleeping is now a multi-award winning film having premiered at The Edinburgh International Film Festival and toured the international film festival circuit. 

 

Have a lovely weekend Happy Landers,

 

TWS

Hello Happy Landers,

 

This week Robert and Michael attended a digital distributions and innovation conference in Perth, put on by NESTA, AmbITion and Creative Scotland. Here (along with organisations such as Edinburgh International Film Festival, Scottish Book Trust, Dundee Contemporary Arts and many others) they were discussing some of the technological advancements and opportunities within Scotland’s cultural sector. Essentially this entailed planning how best to make sure The Happy Lands is seen by all the right people in all the right places.

 

TWS Towers have, of course, had its usual flurry of visitors: James Helps was in and along with Walter has been making an inventory of everything that resides over in Kirkcaldy. Ross Wilson also stopped by on route to a poetry reading in Leith.

 

Jez and Walter have been busy rearranging the TWS storage facility to make way for all the incoming Happy Lands gear – some of which will be moving from Fife to Edinburgh this coming month. Jez too has been sourcing 1920s newspaper headlines, cuttings and written artefacts for use within the project.

 

Helen and Sarah have now returned to us from South Uist. Welcome back!

 

Have a lovely weekend,

 

TWS

Hello Happy Landers,

 

The Happy Lands fine cut has now officially made the transition from offline to online, so Robert will be moving from TWS Towers to 422 Post Production House in Glasgow for a couple of months.  You can find out more on them here: http://www.422.tv/ – an interesting bunch.

 

We have had James Helps in paying a visit this afternoon – James is going to be helping us to assess the wealth of props and sets currently living in Kirkcaldy. Volunteers still needed for this relocation mission.

 

Sarah, Helen and Robert have been up in Inverness discussing future projects with follow up meetings and reconnaissance in South Uist next week. All very exciting.

 

Also below we’ve reposted a note from Belle Hammond.  

 

Have a lovely weekend,

 

TWS

 

 

———–

 

 

HI ALL!



 

ARE YOU WAITING EXITEDLY FOR THE BIG EVENT? DO YOU WANT SOMETHING TO DO WHILE YOU ARE WAITING? IF SO WHY NOT JOIN ME!

 



I’M EXPECTING TO RUN A 6-8 WEEK W.E.A.COURSE THAT WILL HOPEFULLY BE A LOT OF FUN AS WELL AS ENLIGHTENING AND INSPIRING.



 

USING MUSIC AND SONG FROM 1926, ALONG WITH MINING SONGS AS WELL AS SOME ORIGINAL MATERIAL, WE WILL EXPLORE HOW SONGS CAN BE INTERPRETED AND PORTRAYED TROUGH DIFFERENT MEDIUMS SUCH AS ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, DRAMA & DANCE.

 



EVER WANTED TO PAINT A TUNE OR DANCE A SONG? – WELL NOW’S YOUR CHANCE!



 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:



W.E.A. (FIFE AND TAYSIDE)


25 MAIN STREET


LUMPHINNANS


FIFE, KY4 9HG


TEL: 01383 510774

FAX: 01383 611996


EMAIL: fife@weascotland.org.uk



 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING ME TRIAL SOMETHING NEW OR WOULD LIKE FURTHER INFORMATION THEN PLEASE USE CONTACT DETAILS ABOVE OR FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY ON 01259 781606 – MOB: 07745068960 – EMAIL: notdingdong@gmail.com 



 

DATES & VENUE TO BE ARRANGED

LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!



 

BELLE HAMMOND

Hello Happy Landers,

 

That’s Robert and Helen back from a very productive trip to the Berlin Film Festival and Market (The Berlinale) where they met all the right people in all the right places. Promotional postcards for The Happy Lands and business cards were spread far and wide throughout this gigantic film event.

 

This week has also seen a number of visits to TWS Towers: with Claire Wright stopping by to meet with Helen and James Ross coming in to meet with Robert regarding the musical composition – which is excitingly near to completion and currently filling the sound pipes of the TWS office.

 

Walter has also made his first trip over to Kirkcaldy to survey the inside of our packed-full storage warehouse. We’re looking for some volunteers to help Walter with the relocation of The Happy Lands sets and props sometime in March – at this stage if you could email us at michael@theatre-worskhop.com – letting us know your name, contact details and availability that would be fantastic.

 

An application is now officially lodged with Edinburgh International Film Festival  – one of many fantastic festivals The Happy Lands may appear at in 2012.

 

Sarah been in Cowdenbeath today to discuss with Fife Council the progression of arrangements with the Area Heritage Groups. In other news we’ve had a report that the Lochgelly Centre has in fact now reopened.

 

Hope everyone had a syrup and sugar filled pancake day and our very berry best for the weekend.

 

TWS.

Hello Happy Landers,

Another Friday, another update – this time with a European arm.

 Both Helen and Robert are currently over in Berlin attending the European Film Market – one of the biggest film markets in the world – within the fold of the Berlin Film Festival.  Naturally they’ll be waving the flag for The Happy Lands like only a Director and Producer team could and we’ll keep you posted about what comes from this. It’s incredible profiling for the film and in turn yourselves.

Can we also say well done to Ross Wilson on what sounded like a very successful book launch last night – rave reviews from Neil who’s in with us today.

Have a lovely weekend,

TWS

Hello All,

 

First off, Helen and Michael have recently returned from a meeting at The Alhambra where they were discussing the details of the Gala Community Screening of The Happy Lands. We can’t tell you anything else right now apart from that the provisional date for the event is the evening of Friday 8th June 2012.

 

Secondly, we thought that since there’s been a flurry of activity on it of recent, that a note from TWS on the imdb page would be useful.

 

We’ve collected all the amendments sent to us on the facebook page and via email and will be making a mass change early next week – so if you’re intending to send us something make sure it’s in by then.

 

IMDB Note

 

Although TWS is the production body behind the The Happy Lands, we do not have final authorship control of the page and were not the ones who initially created it. Much like Wikipedia, imdb is a collectively produced database. Imdb pages consist of a series of  entries gathered by those involved, following an initial entry. All comments submitted are reviewed by imdb and effected if approved. From the submission of a comment to it successfully surfacing on the page can take up to a week.

 

We will, of course, be keeping a careful and constant eye on the imdb listings and will endeavour to ensure that what’s published online is as accurate as possible. We do, of course, welcome your help in maintaining this database, in particular as regards the misspelling of anyone names. However, we would ask that if you do make any changes you do so in a manner which reflects the nature of the role you performed. If you are at all uncertain about any of these details please err on the side of caution and seek advice.

 

Pictures – to insert a picture of yourself as an actor/participant is something we do encourage. However, this is best done by yourselves due to individual take on images.

 

Supporting Actors – we again extend are tremendous thank you to all the supporting actors who made a valued contribution to the production – some of whom we know returned on three or four separate occasions. We do intend to list supporting actors on the imdb and will best endeavour to do so.

 

 

That’s all for now.

 

Have a splendid weekend,

 

TWS

Hello All,

As I’m sure you’ve noticed The Happy Lands website is now live – www.thehappylands.com – it is, of course, worth noting that this is our virtual starting point. The content will be updated fondly and frequently and will become more interactive as we go.

Feel free to also have a glance at the website for TWS’s first feature film Trouble Sleeping – www.trouble-sleeping.co.uk. Look out for its forthcoming facebook page, the film will soon be available for distribution. 

This week marked Fiona’s last days with us and her official departure. We had a fine speech from Robert and a warm send off with goodbye gifts.

Finally please find below a note from Tony Garnett for you all to enjoy – this refers to December’s editing trip to London.

Have a good weekend one and all.

Best of it,

TWS

 

‘Hi everyone. 

 

Helen, Robert and Florian brought a cut of the film down to London for me to see before Christmas. Helen, always budget conscious, had borrowed a cutting room from a friend way out in East London. It took some finding but it was worth it. 

 

Much of the film works fine now, and they don’t need to touch it – on the grounds, if it works don’t fix it. There is still work to do on the opening and closing sequences, which we discussed in some detail. Robert and Florian are still on the ball and being creative, which is difficult after months of looking at the same material. You tend not to see it straight after a while. But they have good ideas, which now are being tried. So it won’t be long before all three can lock the picture off. Then, of course, they will have to put all the sound together and do the final mix etc, but the end will be in sight. 

 

You are all being patient. I know how frustrating it is, but assembling a film out of all the material they shot takes time. I was very encouraged by what I saw. It is honest and vivid and emotionally engaging. You all come through very well.

 

 I enjoyed seeing them again. They came to my place for dinner the night before and were alive the next day, so maybe I’ll get the catering contract on the next one! 

 

Happy New Year to you all. 

 

Tony.’

‘It was with great sadness that I heard about the death of Jim Mackie. From the very start Jim was an enthusiastic and passionate supporter of The Happy Lands project and soon became a key informant. I spent many happy and interesting hours listening to him talk about mining and life in the villages, he was also a good guide to the trust worthiness (or not) of other sources! A regular presence in the office in Crosshill we all grew very fond of him, the grandfather of the project – oor very ain Dey. I know I speak for us all when I say he’ll be sadly missed.’

Robert Rae
Artistic Director Theatre Workshop Scotland

This was also covered in the Central Fife Times – http://www.centralfifetimes.com/news/roundup/articles/2012/01/18/422324-club-loses-a-stalwart/?mode=print

Jim Sutherland and James Ross came into TWS Towers this week. It sounded like a very productive meeting took place and plans for the film score are moving along nicely. All very exciting.

 

TWS captured some fabulous interview footage over the weekend that Robert and Florian are now busy editing. This will be used to supplement the film footage and further contextualise the story.

 

Also www.thehappylands.com will go live next week post some final copy checks – so keep your eyes open for that one.

 

I would also like to present to you – in advance of her departure at the end of next week – a note from our Fiona.

 

I’d just like to say a big thank you to everyone for an amazing year! The role of Community Coordinator was made so much easier having your support, friendship and patience!

 

It’s been a privilege meeting so many interesting people, hearing first hand about our Fife miners, and seeing everyone come together to achieve such a huge goal. I couldn’t fit into this all my favourite bits but I’ll miss everyone coming into BRAG for a cuppa and seeing you all every Sunday.

 

I’m now looking forward to expanding horizons, the first screening, seeing what ‘The Moss’ are going to muster up, and of course continuing to be involved in The Happy Lands, but as a participant.

First off, a Happy New Year to you all – here’s hoping it’s a prosperous and an eventful one.

 

We hope you enjoyed the TWS Christmas card – with full credit going to Rebecca Lee for taking the photo and to Jez for his design finesse.

 

As you know, Helen, Robert and Florian trekked back down to London again in December to visit Tony Garnett. Tony liked the film and particularly thought the acting was superb.  So well done.

 

For reference, a rough schedule for the rest of the project is as follows: 

 

Jan/Feb – offline finish, online start, music score written and recorded, start final evaluation report writing, additional interviews for DVD, begin fundraising and prep for Fife celebration.

 

March/Apr – online finish, music record possibly, report writing, prep for Fife celebration, Entry to Film Festivals etc begins, legacy discussions.

 

May/June – community preview, local PR/Marketing campaign begins, Community celebration.

 

July – final report and evaluation.

 

Finally we’d like to say a HUGE well done and good luck to Fiona – who’s moving on to pastures new at the end of the month. TWS are delighted she had such a good experience and increased her skills and confidence in order for her to develop her career.  She’ll move to the participants list so, fret not, it’s not the last we’ll see of her.

 

With shiny new well wishes for 2012,

 

TWS

 

Sorry folks I have been too busy with family stuff to organise the panto trip. Happy New Year to you all. Helen @ TWS.