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Latest activities, events and
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‘ To
the ends of the earth’
This BBC/Power film, made on our doorstep at Tuzi
Gazi Waterfront, brought the best out in quite a few of our
sailors. Some, like Otto Gaipl (“Just Doing”), showed their
carpentry skills by being part of the team building the two ‘ships’,
others practiced their rigging and splicing skills and yet some more
turned actors with bushy side whiskers, pony tails and bonnets. They were
part of the more or less 150 extras who played the roles of either
“sailors” or “immigrants”. Filming started in July and was completed
by the end of October. Most of the filming was done in Richards Bay and some scenes were completed
in Simon’s Town.
Days can get long out there ‘waiting to be on set’
- Sharon Bosse (“Eezicapeezi”), passing time.
Rob Isherwood (“Kaylee-Jean”) and Alan Bosse,
the riggers, seen here with ‘the wooden dead body’ of ‘Colley’ who died
of shame… He was buried at sea.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, HIS BOOKS AND THE FILMS:
The three 90 minute
films are based on an adaptation of Nobel Prize winner, William
Golding’s, sea trilogy: “Rites of Passage”, “Close Quarters” and “Fire
Down Below”. Golding, who died in 1993, uses the world of the ship
as a “modern microcosm in which to explore the themes of human obsession,
love and guilt and our capacity both for self-delusion and brutality.”
He won the Booker
prize for one of his other books called: ‘Lord of the Flies’, well
known to scholars of English literature. It is about a group of young
people marooned on an island – scary stuff of how people can go “off the
rails” when life is reduced to survival and power - a must if you
haven’t read this classic yet!
The project is
thought to have cost around ₤5m, which makes it one of the most
costly dramas ever made for BBC2. The film will be screened on this
channel in April 2005, but if we will ever see it in South Africa,
is another question...
Steven Nicolas (“Benguela Spray”), David Willard (the
Welsh yacht ‘ Celtic Caper”) and Charl Du Preez (‘Tanoa’). - Once again
girls, they are all single and I can assure you they look much better in
jeans, ‘speedos’ and so on, so go for it! O yes, Steven has lately taken
up Scuba diving as well and can hold his breath exceptionally long!
The main actors
include Benedict Cumberbatch, who starred in “Hawking”, Sam Neill, who
played in “Jurassic
Park”, “Dead Calm”
as well as “The Piano”, Charles Dance, and Victoria Hamilton who
starred in “Victoria and Albert”
Kirk Hall (‘Serenade’, moored at Tuzi Gazi), Sharon Bosse,
Gissella Hall, David Willard, Steven Nicholas, Charl Du Preez and Nigel
Cook (‘Puff)’. Nigel’s rustic looks impressed the film makers to
such an extent that he was regularly used in the ‘closer background’ and
even had a few lines so say! Well-done Nigel – maybe sailing should have
been your second career choice – but then again you wouldn’t have
acquired those special looks!
WHAT THE YACHTIES THOUGHT OF THEIR FILMING EXPERIENCE
The cameramen were excellent, with an incredible eye for
detail. They would spot the smallest visual inaccuracy e.g. the actors
not being wet enough - then of course everything would come to a halt and
the actors would be ‘hosed down’.
On set they were constantly reminded of the following most
important rules: ‘never look at the camera’ as well as ‘look as if
you are talking to your mate but never let a sound leave your mouth.’
The special effects techniques were amazing. Eg: onto the big
painted screen, that depicted the ocean, inside the big shed, little
crystal beads were attached, hanging in half circle strings. They shine
when they catch light and look like the crest of waves during a storm!
Water cannons were used to resemble waves breaking over the bow of the
ship, and huge wind generators would ‘create’ stormy weather.
It could be tiring when shots had to be retaken time after time –
sometimes for a whole day! They will not easily forget the
following exclamations that they must have heard hundreds of times:
“Stand by for a take!”; ” Silence!;” “Action!”; “Quiet please!” and ”Roll
sound, roll action!”
They were very well looked after: The food was excellent and
on warm days, out on the ship in the harbour, they were constantly rubbed
with suntan lotion and frequently provided with liquids.
Aquous cream works wonders to make a person look sweaty and wet.
The wardrobe section was incredible: Polaroid photos were
taken of the extras, dressed in their costumes, to make sure that they
wore the same colour scarf etc. on takes related to one another.
The children who took part were ecstatic about the money they
earned, but some of the others thought that the pay could have been a bit
better. However, excluding the waiting times, it was great fun and
quite an enriching experience. A common saying amongst film set
crews is apparently “ Hurry up and wait…”
The ‘After Party’ at the Yacht Club was great fun, with incredible
décor and no money spared to make it a memorable experience for all who
took part.
And finally – the ship was torched on the evening of
21 October. They tried to keep the town’s people away but Mike Turnbull
sneaked in and got these flash photos for which he was severely
reprimanded!
During the storm on Sunday 26 September, sections of the walk-ons
(A, C and D) started to lift and others threatened to
collapse. Thanks to Eric Venter, a team of live-aboards
including Anton Odijk, Neill McDonald, Graham Page-Wood, Deon Louw,
Nigel Cook, Mike Turnbull and Phil Atkinson from the visiting Australian
Yacht “Tramontana”,’ the day was saved. Guys like you
make our hearts swell with pride!
The Port was closed for incoming ships and apparently 60 knots were
measured at the Coal
Terminal Tower!
Many
a drop of sweat shed here...
At the entrance to B walk-on, the yacht ‘Halcyon’, a 43ft
Roberts, has been standing for some time. To commemorate his hard
work, her owner, Heinz Bednarz, has planted a palm tree and added a
plaque at this ‘historic’ sight. It reads: “Rudder and shaft
were modified here in July/August 2004… In memory of this exercise the
name of this palm tree shall be ‘Halcyon / Vienna
– Austria.’
” ‘Halcyon’ will be leaving for Cape Town shortly…we wish them many
halcyon fortnights with lots of kingfishers….
According to the Collins English Dictionary :
(1998) the word ‘Halcyon’ has the following meanings: 1. Peaceful, gentle
and calm. 2. Happy and carefree. 3. Greek mythology: a fabulous bird
associated with the winter solstice. 4. A poetic name for the kingfisher.
5 Halcyon days: a fortnight of calm weather, during the winter solstice.
PLEASE
COME AND SUPPORT YOUR CLUB AND ITS MEMBERS
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