Nick's Radio Times

You can listen to my interviews from my fortnightly show, 'At Your Leisure', at Southside Broadcasting (serving the James Cook University Hospital). Just click on this link Nick's podcasts and listen to audio highlights. There are around 60 to chose from, in alphabetical order, recorded over the last 2 years. The files are stored at Humyo and the player is very easy to use. If you would like to download one or all of the podcasts, it's easy - just get a free Humyo account (with 30 gb of online storage space thrown in). It will only take a minute.
Top Tip: if for some reason the page sticks and says 'loading', just right click next to this and select play. The player will then appear and you can view all the available tracks.

Nick meets Martin Lewis on FIVE TV's 'It Pays To Watch'

London Landmarks and Celebrating the Success of the Olympians

Film opens the door in Saltburn

FILMING has begun to produce a sci-fi comedy by members and staff at MIND, Saltburn.

The Green Door will be shot at locations throughout Saltburn and will comprise short episodes to be broadcast on the web, pictured above Nick Murray filming with Pat Robson and Graham Aitkin .
Eight people are involved in the project, including Steven Thompson from the University of Teesside. The plot revolves around an inventor called Diana Doorsy who creates the green door, which leads to a world of virtual reality.
Nick Murray, day service organiser, said: "It's a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy meets Mr Ben. She uses the door when she is stressed, some other people try to use the door but come out the other side as something else.
"It's good fun. It's a good way of getting people involved in team building and the creative arts as well as raising their confidence."

Read the original story here

That’s a sound idea for Redcar and Cleveland charity

A MENTAL health group has hit the internet with its own radio station.

A Long Weekend in Paris - March 2008

More Than English - A Spanish Holiday With A Difference

Pueblo Ingles for me was a unique holiday experience. 16 English speaking people from Europe & North America thrown together in the beautiful region of Salamanca, in a hotel complex, near the historic village of Alberca. We met up with 16 Spanish participants who wanted to improve their English, through being totally immersed in the language. For eight days we were together, speaking English from breakfast time through till late into the evening. In return we Anglos (as we were referred to), received free accommodation, 3 meals a day including wine, and transfers to the hotel.

A Master of Ceremonies (an MC - there were two in our group) and a Programme Director, organised the activities and events. The one-to-one conversations covered a broad range of subjects. We talked about everything and anything, football, families, jobs, philosophy, holidays, royalty, television, the list was endless. I learnt so much about Spanish life, the culture and of course Spanish people. We often walked as we talked - around this scenic area (a world heritage site). Most evenings we had group activities which were very entertaining. On the second night, I was asked to do a comedy sketch about a mosquito. I'd never done anything like that before, but it was great fun, everyone enjoyed it and talked about it for the rest of the week.

I found the Spanish so friendly and open and we all bonded together very quickly, we felt we had known one another for a long time. We all made new friends, both Spanish and Anglos. Until you attend one of these programmes, you cannot fully appreciate the experience. Many felt it was life changing, their lives enriched by the whole event. There was an awful lot of laughter and as our sole Irish representative Malachy would say, 'the crac was brilliant'. A lot of us didn't go to bed till late, sometimes 3 or 4 am. On two evenings we danced most of the night, to the sound of an eclectic mix of pop, salsa & Spanish music. One morning we had a guided tour of the village - Alberca, followed by a visit to a traditional Tapas and a meal in a local restaurant. Later on in the week we went for a banquet one evening, which again the organisers laid on for us, it was very enjoyable.

If you would like more information about the holiday I went on, visit http://www.morethanenglish.com/anglos/index.asp. The company operates from different locations throughout Spain, with the recent addition of Italy.
An alternative company http://www.vaughntown.com/ offers similar 6 day holidays to different locations in Spain and both provide a chance for you to meet your fellow Anglos at a meal the day before you leave for the programme. Incidentally, the two companies were once the same organisation, but the two founders decided to go their separate ways. Travel to Madrid is straight forward from the north, with cheap, direct, daily flights, from Edinburgh via Easyjet. Puelbo Ingles, will give you advice on accommodation for your time in Madrid.

For me, it was a privilege to share eight days with such a great crowd of people. Some of us are already talking about meeting up again. To paraphrase Jim a Canadian who said a few words at the end of the banquet, 'We came together as strangers, and for a week the Anglos gave the Spanish their voices and their ears and in return the Spanish gave us part of their hearts'. I'm sure you would enjoy the whole experience too.

More Than English - A Spanish Holiday With A Difference - More Photos

Atonement boost for Redcar Regent

BLOCKBUSTER movie Atonement may have secured a Redcar cinema’s future, its boss believes.
Neil Bates thinks January 6, 2006, will prove to be the key date in The Regent’s history.
For that was the day Atonement director Joe Wright knocked at the Regent door, saying he was interested in making a film.
Twenty months on, the 266-seat Regent found itself hosting the movie’s official regional premiere.
And that, says Neil, shows that cinemas like The Regent have a place in today’s multiplex world.
Sitting in the deserted, 1930s cinema and reflecting on a whirlwind year-and-a-half, he said: “I believe all this has given The Regent a future again and cemented its place as a community asset.
“It’s like the cinema where they shot Peter Sellers’ The Smallest Show On Earth. That survived much longer simply because that movie put it on the map.
“January 6, 2006, was definitely the day which was the turning point for this cinema.”
Only just ranking behind that date in importance was surely September 5, 2007 - the day the Regent was full for two community showings.
But, explained Neil, he prepared unconventionally.
“I did a radio interview at 8am, then I started assembling the print.
“At that point, I said ‘Look guys, you’re on your own now - we’ve got a VIP premiere tonight and I need to buy some shoes.’
“I ran down town, got some and came back to get ready for the afternoon showing.”
Neil insisted on being projectionist for both showings, but he could only begin to relax for the second one - the first time he’d seen the film.
And while he looked on in awe at what unfolded on screen, there was one tinge of disappointment - a fight scene shot in the cinema itself didn’t make the final cut.
He said: “It started in the bar with James McAvoy fighting his way through singing troops, going round the back of the stage and trying to find a drink from a dry tap.
“He then goes on to the stage and spends time behind the screen, beneath images of kissing faces.
“I saw the rushes and it looked brilliant, but so did others and they’ve been left out too.
“But there was so much good stuff and at the end of the day, it’s Joe Wright’s call.
“Hopefully it will all end up as DVD extras.
“But the film itself is wonderful, a work of art. When the Redcar scenes came on, everyone was mesmerised - including me.”

Posted originally by Chris - administrator on September 7, 2007 on the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette website

Saltburn Summer 2007

Redcar roles out the Redcarpet as movie premiere hit town

REDCAR was coming back down to earth today after an amazing day of glitz and glamour.
Delighted organisers believe yesterday’s 1940s event to mark the movie Atonement’s official regional premiere couldn’t have gone better.
Hundreds of people packed The Esplanade all day as excitement leading to last night’s red carpet premiere reached fever pitch.
And today, thrilled Redcar and Cleveland Council leader George Dunning said: “I wish we could put a price on what this is worth to the town! It’s a long time since Redcar has enjoyed such excitement. Brilliant.”
Redcar’s 266-seat Regent Cinema held two showings yesterday - the first a community screening, the second last night’s VIP premiere.
A third showing, for the Teesside extras who played such a special part in the film, was laid on at Cineworld Middlesbrough at the request of director Joe Wright. Mr Wright, who escorted Redcar and Cleveland Mayor Wendy Wall into the Regent, said: “Everyone talks about the scene we shot at Redcar but it would be nothing were it not for the generosity and spirit of the local people.”

Posted originally by Chris - administrator on September 6, 2007 on the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette

"Its only right Redcar should see Atonement first"

ATONEMENT director Joe Wright presented his film to Redcar “with love” - and revealed he’d even sampled a lemontop.
The man behind the movie which puts Redcar on the map gave heartfelt praise to the hundreds of Teessiders who took part as extras.
Speaking before introducing a community screening - one of three showings yesterday - he said filming the BBC film Nature Boy in Middlesbrough meant he already had a “soft spot” for the area.
He said: “We knew working with extras in London, often they are people that have done it before - they don’t have the same excitement, but it wasn’t like that here.
“Today’s incredible - I didn’t quiet expect all this.
“This feels very, very special. I’m very honoured to be welcomed back so warmly.
“I’ve even got my name up in lights over The Regent - mum, I’m on top of the world!”
Of the already famous shot which “tracks” across Redcar’s sands, Wright said they had just one day to get it right.
And of the film’s £15m budget, he admits “quite a bit of it” went on that scene.
He said: “It started as a joke. I came in one day and said ‘you know the steadicam shot we did in Pride and Prejudice, I’d like to do it in one take on the beach’. Then the joke turned into fact.
“When we shot the scene, it was very moving, just to see 1,600 people all giving themselves totally to re-enacting this extraordinary event.
“People are talking quite a lot about that shot. It’s the centrepiece of the film and that’s testament to the lads from this area.
“Without them, that shot would be rubbish.”
Wright said the Regent, which features in the film and hosted two of yesterday’s premieres, was “one of the reasons we shot here.”
“It was like a gift really. It’s a beautiful building and very romantic.”
He said it was a deliberate policy while filming in Redcar that the actors, including James McAvoy, mingled freely with locals rather than huddling away in their trailers.
And he said he got to see a lot of the area while checking it out “six or seven times” before shooting in Redcar.
But had he tried a lemontop?
“Absolutely.”
And the verdict?
“Dee-licious!”
Later, Wright introduced a community screening at The Regent, saying Atonement was “made with love and brought back to you with love.”
He told the expectant audience, crammed into the 266-seater cinema: “We wanted to come and show you the film first because it’s partly yours. It’s only right you should see it first.”

Posted originally by Chris - administrator on September 6, 2007 on the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette website

Atonement Timeline

June 2002 : Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement regularly tops the best-selling books charts.
January 2006: A location crew turns up at Redcar, checking the area out and visiting, among other locations, The Regent Cinema.
March 2006: Redcar and Cleveland Council confirms Redcar promenade is earmarked for transformation into Dunkirk 1940 for a film based on the book Atonement. Recruitment of up to 1,000 extras begins.
May 22, 2006: Production company Working Title Films draws up a draft timetable for the movie, which could see work to build sets begin in early July and closure of the Esplanade from the Regent Cinema to the boating lake at the end of August for filming.
June 26, 2006: Working Title Films announces the start of principal photography on Atonement and confirms the cast list - including Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Brenda Blethyn and Vanessa Redgrave.
July 12, 2006: The dates for shooting at Redcar are confirmed as August 21-24.
August 7, 2006: Redcar’s seafront penguins have been removed from the seafront as the town gets ready for Atonement to arrive.
August 16, 2006: Redcar seafront’s transformation into wartime Dunkirk is nearly complete. It’s also confirmed that for the 1,000 people who successfully applied to be extras, 5,000 missed out.
August 21, 2006: Hollywood rolls into Redcar as filming gets under way on an overcast morning.
August 26, 2006: In a farewell gesture, the Atonement production crew places a full page advert in the Gazette, thanking local people for their efforts.
September 6, 2006: Tallis Pictures say 70,000 people came to see Redcar filming.
December 22, 2006: Working Title confirms a September 2007 release date.
June 16, 2007: Atonement named as curtain-raiser at this year’s Venice Film Festival.
August 16, 2007: Details announced of official regional premiere, to be held on September 5, at the Regent
August 23, 2007: The Vue, Hartlepool, is the first in the region to show Atonement in a special gala preview night.
August 29, 2007: Keira Knightley and James McAvoy attend Atonement’s world premiere at Venice.
September 5, 2007: The Regent hosts the official regional premiere. Also, as a thank you from director Joe Wright, a special extras-only screening is held at Cineworld Middlesbrough.

September 7, 2007: Atonement goes on general UK release.

Posted originally by Chris - administrator on September 6, 2007 on the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette website

Joe Wright: 'I said I needed $4m more for Dunkirk, they said no'

24/08/07 Director Joe Wright tells David Gritten (from The Daily Telegraph) how he achieved the spectacular Dunkirk scene in his acclaimed film, Atonement.

(Pictured above - Director Joe Wright with the author of the novel 'Atonement', Ian McEwan.)

"Atonement includes an astonishing five-minute tracking shot conveying the wastefulness of war as Allied troops gather on the beach at Dunkirk, waiting to be evacuated. "The budget was $30 million [£15 million] - not enough money to do the scene as written in the book, which included air attacks from Stukas," says Joe Wright. "I told [producer and Working Title co-chairman] Tim Bevan I needed $4 million more. He said: 'I'm not giving you more than $30 million for an art film.' That was a liberating moment for me. So now I had one day and 1,000 local extras to create the whole disaster of that part of the war in one location. It was a case of necessity being the mother of invention." Originally, the scene was written as a montage, requiring 40 set-ups, with time-consuming pauses between each one. But Wright decided to spend most of the day at Redcar preparing for a single shot. The scene contains startling images: horses being shot, Bibles being burned, drunken soldiers, a huge beached boat and terrified refugees. James McAvoy's Robbie and two other soldiers stumble through this nightmare, with a camera operator walking backwards in front of them, a heavy Steadicam strapped to him. advertisement "We had that route planned," says Wright, "and walked it through with the actors. We started at 6.30am, and rehearsed and rehearsed. I must have walked the route 150 times. We spent all day getting the extras in place. "The scene wouldn't have had the emotional power had it not been for the community of Redcar, who were so dignified and put their heart and soul into it." Shooting began around 5.30pm, when the light was ideal. The team did three takes, and were trying for a fourth when the Steadicam operator's legs gave out. Still, they got the shot they needed. "It was an extraordinary day," Wright says now. "One of the best of my life."

Atonement Film Review - 24th August 2007

I finished filming as an extra in the blockbuster movie Atonement on August 22nd 2006. I didn't realise I'd have to wait a full 12 months and 1 day to see the end result on screen. Well was it worth the wait? The answer is yes. The movie has the meticulous detail you would expect from a director of Joe Wright's calibre.
Richard Brooks (writing in the Sunday Times) said he would be amazed if the jury finds a better film than Atonement to take first place at the Venice film festival on August 29th. He said, "I cannot think of a better British movie in years. Unlike most of our home-grown efforts, it is big scale, yet intimate when it needs to be."

I would agree. The story unfolds and the audience is drawn into the plot from the start. It begins in pre-war England in a large country house with James McAvoy’s character (Robbie Turner) being wrongly accused of rape and being imprisoned and thus separated from Keira Knightley. He is released from prison on condition he joins the army.

This is a love story and more, with the back drop of the Second World War. Although it is not a war film as such, the scenes of the Dunkirk evacuation are some of the best of their type ever executed in cinema history.

The scene that everyone locally will be waiting to see is towards the end of the film. Joe Wright shot the Dunkirk scene in Redcar in one complete take, with no edits. It looks amazing, maybe being part of it made me slightly biased, but the human tableau that McAvoy's character walks through engulfs your senses and I can’t wait to see it again. My only regret is that it wasn’t longer.

Apart from this, Atonement doesn’t disappoint in any department, the acting is first class and the story is engaging and I certainly didn’t guess the ending. I was lucky enough to be one of the 150 people to see a Gala performance at Hartlepool, last night. Pam Ainsley (the Atonement photographer) was also present and she was extremely impressed with the production. I’m sure it will help her Atonement book sales next month.
I will definitely see it again, this time at the Regent Cinema in Redcar, where the building is one of the cornerstones of the great set.
And finally did I see myself? Well possibly, the jury’s still out, until I get my hands on the DVD next year. Enjoy it.

St.Pauls & The Globe Theatre London

London - Chelsea Pensioners Home June 2007

Eton College June 2007

Impressionist Paris April 2007

London December 2006

Paris in October 2006

Amazing Atonement Set Photos

Follow the link and see two excellent photos of the set. You can buy copies of them from the site. I know what I'm getting for my next birthday present: http://www.mysteryme.com/index.php?showimage=256.

Film makers say thanks Aug 26 2006

By Evening Gazette

The team behind the movie Atonement today thanked Teesside for its contribution to footage which is set to become a film industry talking point.
For the past five days, Redcar seafront has been a working film set as 1,000 Teesside extras helped recreate Dunkirk 1940.
Thousands of people have been able to watch from the beach the shooting of footage which, when computer generated imagery is added, will give the impression of 30,000 troops on the sands.
Yesterday was the final day of filming, with all the action taking place within the Corus Teesside site.
Most of the film crew will now leave town, although some will remain to help the council return Newcomen Terrace to its pre-Atonement look.

To place their gratitude on record, Working Title Films have today placed a full page advert in the Gazette, thanking locals for their efforts.
And unit publicist Rachel Kennedy confirmed the week had been a tremendous success.

She said: "It's all run smoothly, the weather's been great and the extras were amazing - they really gave it their all.

"What they've shot on that beach will be talked about by the film industry for many years to come.
"I've seen the rushes and it will blow people's minds.
"All the local lads should be very proud of themselves."


The Newcomen Terrace road closure is expected to be lifted tomorrow , allowing locals a closer look at the bandstand, Ferris wheel and adapted seafront buildings.


Three days of work to dismantle the rest of the set is due to start on Wednesday.

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/news/tm_objectid=17631658&method=full&siteid=109975&headline=film-makers-say-thanks-name_page.html#story_continue

THE ATONEMENT - PHOTOS AND DIARY

Nick on day two of filming on the beach



















My friend Mike Edwards in charge of his army vehicle

Mobile phone photos

Photo 1:The French Cafe (part of the Regent Cinema)
Photo 2:The Regent Cinema
Photo 3: Nick on the promenade
Photo 4: View of the beach



 

Atonement - DAY ONE DIARY

After sending off a couple of emails and not hearing anything back, I thought my bid to take part in a Hollywood film had stalled. However to my surprise I got the call ten days before filming asking “would I be available on 21st & 22nd August?” I said of course and looked forward to trying on my costume. Would I be a British officer, a Nazi, a French refugee? Well I went to the Redcar Leisure Centre and was offered a British privates uniform. Trying it on I realised it was going to be as itchy as anything wearing it for 10 hours a day! Incidentally, the uniforms were made in Poland for £100 a piece.

Monday 21st came and we were asked to register at 8:30 am and wait in the large hall of Redcar Bowl. There was 1000 of us along with 300 crew members milling about. It felt like the first day at a new school or college, people from all walks of life; students, managers, bouncers, cleaners, and a day service organiser.
I got a dresser to help put me into my uniform. The attention to detail was amazing. I had my uniform checked 5 times on the first day to make sure it was all correct. The kit I had was quite complex with extra bags and a rolled up cape attached, it looked good, but meant I couldn’t take any of it off without having to be re-dressed.

The waiting around and queuing was the most challenging part. From queuing for costume there was line for make-up. The substance applied resembled chocolate sauce and it was put all over my face, ears, neck and hands. Then I had some conditioner applied to my hair to make it look a bit rough. I had stopped shaving and so had some stubble to add to the effect.

Breakfast was on offer, they always say an army marches on its stomach well we were all well fed and watered. The assistant director (Michael) and director (Joe Wright) give us a talk about the importance of being an extra and what we would be doing over the next few days.
Lunch came and went and we waited and waited and finally got onto the set at 4:00pm. The scene was immense. The set was terrific and exceptionally well staged.

There was only the one scene lasting a minute, with James McAvoy coming over a sand dune to see this amazing site in front of him. The sand dune was in fact on the back of a lorry with JM slowly looking through the grass with the camera behind him. I was situated in a long line waiting to board a boat (to be added later by CGI special effects). You may get to see me if you pause the DVD in the right place. Also there will be 30 of me as the cinema version will replicate the 1000 extras into 30 000. The scene itself even if it was padded out could last no longer than one and a half minutes. But it was shot with 5 cameras and we had 9 takes. A third AD (assistant director) stood with us and was in costume in case he appeared in frame. By the end we were all tired of standing it was 7.30 pm before we wandered off the beach and back to get changed and have something to eat.

Photo 1: Some of the brave lads who had to skinny dip!
(photo taken by jabsy - see more photos at www.redcar.net)
Photo 2: Can you spot me in this shot above?
Photo 3: A view from the promenade
Photo 4: My former Southside Radio
co-presenter Ian Richardson

The Wait Was Too Much For Some
Middle: Michael the assitant director
Bottom: The scene is set

Nick - Ready For Action

Atonement - DAY TWO DIARY

Day two was equally awesome in terms of scale. We (the extras) followed the same routine although there was some rivalry starting to develop between the teams, with the blue team always heading out first to start the filming and being first in line for any meals. I was in the yellow team. The scene on the second day involved the leading actors walking through a human tableau which had been built up layer by layer. You just had to admire the sheer professionalism and artistry of the directors and their crew who put ideas and designs together and made them reality. Nothing was left to chance. The scene opened where I was standing with my fellow extras. The scene would last four and a half minutes in the cinema. To bring that to fruition we stood around for 6 hours on the beach. First, there was a rehearsal and then a long wait while the tide went back out.

I decided to have a look on the promenade on the pretext of going to the toilet. The vista from above was even more impressive. I got to visit a French café at the side of the cinema and popped into a disused gym to use the gents. There I came across 6 young lads naked apart from army boots and dog tags. A female make-up artist was applying make-up to practically every part of their bodies, to give the impression that they were covered in oil. These brave lads had to run through the crowd into the North Sea. I’m glad I missed out on that scene. Eventually I returned to the beach and after several takes, we had to call it a day as the sun set and the light disappeared.

I have lived in Redcar all my life, but have never experienced anything like that before. I was always a fan of cinema but being part of such an epic was amazing and something I will never forget. Now I await the cinema release in September 2007, the DVD release so I can freeze frame my performance, and the new heritage signs to appear shortly on the A174 road saying, ‘Welcome to Atonement Country’.
Additional photos available at www.redcar.net (just register to see the forum)
& http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andy.lochrie/atonement3.html