Busy

 Hi...just to let you know I have been a little busy lately..We had to spend some time in Italy..now back in the UK ..Chichester..

I am moving along with the sequel to my fifth Novel.'.Leverage'.and I am working with two writers. One of them has a stage play and the other one..a direct descendant of a famous Eenglish poet and writer..has a screenplay based on his family  Both effoerts are looking good and there is some industry interest.

I hope to find some time for a few more anecdotes..I have been offered some lecture dates where I can tell a lot more stories to film buffs...more on that in 2024. And I have been offered a movie in Morrocco which should be interesting

  Have a great New Year everyone  X    DD

Details. My e-mail is r.jdodd@outlook.com......Tel: 07860 555 794... Chelsy Swann is a pen name. I am about to publish my fifth novel...under my own name as RJ Dodd.

Charleston bar.

 Hi  forgive me if I have posted this before  but it is lost in the mists of time and times have certainly changed

Some years ago..late 1990s I was filming in Charleston VIrginia..we were there for about a month.

Usiusally on a Sunday most of the bars closed down and ubnless you laid some booze in then it could be a dry night.

An assistant sound lad amd myself thought we would take a walk in downtown...which was very quiet..and on the way back we noticed a long dark alley ..at the top end was a sign that said those magical words  BAR..BEERS.

In we went..It was dark inside but avbsolutely popping, music was playing and folk were haveing a great time..We hutled through to the bar..The chatter stopped, the barrman approaoched and asked if he could help,,'Two beers please'

'Are you sure about that.?'

'Absolutely'

'Take a look around'

We did..it was full of black folk,

'What do you see?'

''A bar full of Americans'

He looked long and hard at us, 'You Brits?'

'Yes'

'On the house'

The chatter started up again.

It turns out that we were the first white men to go into that bar.. ever..We had a great evening, invited to the homes of some people and were told we were the first white men that some of the customers had ever had a converstuon with.

I think those days are gone but I do know that the great American Nation can overcome the ridiculous divisions that are slowly ripping their country apart  Get it together folks ,, the rest of the worl needs you.

 STEALING.

Have you ever felt the urge to steal something..to take something that does not belong to you..?

I guess most of us have at one time,  maybe as kids, nicked a chocolate bar or something of little value..

I have to admit that I have never stolen anything..nothing..mainly because of my father who threatened me with dire circumstances if I did.

But one day I nearly committed grand theft.

Some years ago I went to a magical place near Bishp Stortford  in England.

It was a stunning house with a large estate..massive gardens and at the far end was a workshop/ studio.

Dotted among the shrubbery in the garden were some magnificent works of art..all sculptures.

I was there to make a short film of the owner of this place.

Henry Moore.

Probably the most famous sculptor in the world.

I am a fan and I have admired his work in front of grand buildings across the globe  Here I was strolling around his estate and then into his studio where a massive work was in progress.

It was a pleasant and unique day..Eventually we had to say goodbye and before we left I had to visit the toilet before we hit the road for the long journey north.

And there it was  Treasure..masses of it..

Around the spacious and luxurious washroom was a shelf...and on that shelf was  arranged every single miniature model of Moores major art works..they were fashioned in clay and were his first ideas for  the resulting scupltures.

They were also pocket sized. 

During those few moments I had to wrestle with my conscience..do I steal one, which could completely ruin my career or regret not stealing one.

My conscience is clear..the collection was left intact.  But it was a close run thing. 

 Without wishing to offend anyone this is a little gay story.

Some time ago I was contracted to work on a shoot in Manchester England..A nice city and great people .Manchester is renowned for its Gay Quarter..a few blocks of streets in one corner of the metropolis..

 My usual Hotel in the City was booked out so I was assigned another one...yep..right in the centre of the gay community....No big deal..no problem..I have always worked with lotsa gay folk in the industry.

After I had checked in I needed a drink and as it was early evening I went down to the bar...It was crammed full of like minded souls, all gay and noisy...so I went out to find a quieter venue..script/paper to read etc.

I wandered the area and every pub was jam packed with the same clientele until I came across what looked like my sort of place.

.After looking through the window I could see it was busy with lotsa couples..and fairly quiet..so in I went..At the bar I ordered a pint of beer from the barman and settled on the stool to read my paper..The beer arrived and at this point the barman broke into song.."Falling in love again..what am I to do"  I looked up and he was staring straight at me. I took a look around the lounge..Lotsa couples with very glamorous ladies..Not all of them, but some , were sporting off the shoulder dresses , lovely wigs,  matching beards and hairy chests, usually a sequinned dress with designer accessories to die for..

The barman was still singing  as I finished my drink and politely declined the free one he was offering...I walked a mile or so to find a rough old joint and settled in a corner.

The moral of the story...There isn't one  except when you look through a pub window in Manchester to check out the customers make sure you are wearing your spectacles.

 If any visitors wish to leave a comment then please feel free.

Creative Executive Producer.

R.J.Dodd...owner of this blog site and a DoP for over fifty years..

Author of five novels:

The Stack.
Maginty's Quest.
The Sandrunners.
The Fiddler.
The Unknowns......

..has just been offered the job of Creative Executive Producer with a new film company with a good portfolio...

CHUFFED.

Just saying..