The forecast was rain. Great. ‘Well, we can incorporate rain into the scenario,’ I thought. Thomas, Birgitte and Marion from the Danish Union Media Centre were with us on a fly-by training visit, so rain, hail or shine, we were going to film one of the last in the series of ‘Vintage Values’ – appropriately named ‘Journey’s End’.

We arrived on site at the Shuttleworth Collection in Old Warden at 10am and were shown around their amazing collection of vintage planes, motorbikes and automobiles. This is a place of true heritage and has a sense of awe about it – not to mention that the people and volunteers who work there are some of the nicest and most helpful people I have ever met.

We chose our car for the shoot – a 1912 Crossley. What a beautiful looking contraption! Why don’t they make cars like that anymore? It was such a privilege to be able to film and drive around in a car worth £100,000. Our driver, John was fantastic and we had around 4 other volunteers who helped start up the car – (there is a special knack to it!) and make sure that it didn’t overheat.

We had a great day. No rain, our actors were in form and extremely funny. It probably had to do with the fact that Dejan and Deana are actually married in real life so the chemistry was actually very convincing. They drove around the countryside – through a field of sheep – that, by the way were very co-operative which was a surprise because working with animals can be a real nightmare.
Thomas and Freddie certainly burnt off a few pounds pushing the car around so that we could fake a real driving sequence with our actors. I’m sure Tomas was thinking, ‘What have I signed myself up for? This tedMEDIA crew is crazy!’

There were a few moments of tension as the car appeared to be having some issues but we made it valiantly through the day and completed the shoot with weary smiles. Yes! Another one done!

Vintage Values is a series of 12 short films set in the 1920’s silent movie era. They are generally slapstick with a serious edge and a poignant message. The idea is to bring old-fashioned values to a new generation and to get people talking. The series can be used for sermon starters, youth programmes, small groups and Bible studies.

LAST DAY – Vintage Values

WOW! Last day! This series has been a really fun, but challenging series to film. Weather has been a constant issue because we began filming in October 2010 and the weather got worse and worse as winter crept in. This meant that we cut down the series and put off filming until the spring. Actors were getting sick and so many new faces were brought in at the last minute, which proved them to be exceptional in their own light. Let me just say that I am constantly amazed at how willing people are to help out. All of our actors are volunteers and give up their time to act for us. They are a true blessing. I can’t thank you all enough!

We’ve also had some very special moments in this series. A few that come to mind is Hillary from St Albans Abbey Theatre who continuously helped me out with costumes and sourced a beautiful gramophone for me. Also Andy – a small man from the community who is a street sweeper. I chased him down the street in St Albans and asked him whether he would be up for acting in some ‘Charlie Chaplin’ type films and was delighted that he didn’t think I was a complete random freak and heartily agreed. He enjoyed the experience so much that every time I see him in the marketplace he asks when he can be in another one! And also Una Watts from the Shuttleworth Collection in Old Warden who bought into the vision and allowed us to come and film not only at their location but with cars from their vintage collection and where nothing was an issue – even sourcing sheep!

From finding costumes and props to sourcing dry ice for special effects at the last minute, I can honestly say we’ve had a ball. Sam Neves continues to be an inspiration with his enthusiasm and zeal for ministry and taking part as our main character. Dejan Stojkovic continues to make us laugh when he comes out with his own quirky style of improvisation. He tells me, ‘Well, someone has to be bad for Jesus’. I think one of the funniest aspects of all this is that our key characters actually work as pastors! It’s great that they don’t take themselves too seriously and are up for a laugh! And I also have to give a special mention to Deana, our secretary, who stepped in for an actor who was sick and ended up staring in most of the series. Acting came as second nature!

Our last day of filming was once again at Old Warden with Sam and Dejan cramped into a 2-seater vintage car in the bright sunshine. They had a breakdown and Sam was working his hardest to get the car going again. We had some very tense moments trying to get the dry ice to work. Take note: always make sure you have plenty of hot water on hand. The more water – the more steam you get. The sunshine was a welcome delight and with Dragana setting up 3 cameras for every shot and Freddie and Thomas once again pushing around the cars – we had a brilliant day!

It’s been a long road – with plenty of production value that make something like this quite a challenge to film but wow – it’s certainly been worth it.

Vintage Values is a series of 12 short films set in the 1920’s silent movie era. They are generally slapstick with a serious edge and a poignant message. The idea is to bring old-fashioned values to a new generation and to get people talking. The series can be used for sermon starters, youth programmes, small groups and bible studies.