Smoke down the funnel and seagulls flying backwards!

[NPMR]

I was reminded apropos nothing, in another post, about a RN ship I was working on many years ago (HMS Hermes) when we wanted to film a bunch of Royal Marines coming up from the depths of the ship on the helo/aircraft lift.

However, it wouldn't come to a clean stop. The solution was to run the cameras backwards and let the lift 'drop' - looked perfect, but as you would guess smoke from the stack went down, not up, and seagulls were to be seen flying backwards!

Solution, 'Action' was called just after the engines were slowed (no smoke) and sharpshooters were placed at the stern to shoot at any birds flying near!

After hours of this, the Captain was not amused and eventually we got chucked off his ship and dumped on the end of Malta's runway as he steamed away as fast he could go from maniac film crews!

Happy days, and all paid for by HMG (ie you lot! ) Wonderful.

 

[Talbot]

I have suffered from your ideas of art.

Some few years ago(lots if I am being true), they needed a new recruiting film, and part of it was for a ship entering a foreign harbour in a hot climate (hence wearing white shirt and shorts)due to the short timescales available, my ship was chosen as we were visiting Madeira - but it was february!

The blue arms and legs and enormous goose bumps and shivering wasnt quite what the director was after!

 

[NPMR]

The usual basis for a draft script came from the Navy top brass.

We were just the 'advertising johnnies' dragged in to give the idea a semblance of reason. Money was always tight - so the cheapest way had to be found.

Guess that's why you got the cold job.