Return To the End Of The Beginning

Welcome to the weekend, Acting Fans and other peoples of the Internets, and this weekend it's a most special time of year - yes, tomorrow it's time for the Vernniversary. To celebrate the most auspicious arrival of your favourite Colossal Acting Talent on our humble planet we will be assembling the H&H Productions News Team to anchor rolling coverage of what should really be a national holiday! In lieu of a day off please join me in once again wishing the Vernster a very Happy Birthday and many happy returns!
Anyway as it's his Birthday we've decided a little treat (for you lot) to celebrate the fact is in order before this Monday, that you should already be #SAVETHEDAYing remember, so we dug back into the H&H archives and sifted out this little bit of H&H History. Yes, we're spoiling you again. As a little 'Thank you' to everyone who helped us get this thing off the ground and get the pilot filmed we shot this short on my Dad's camcorder (for effect, yes, yes, okay AND because we are a Low-to-No Budget production) and, after a dust off with a quick once-over, we thought we'd stick it out there for you lot as a 'thank you' for tuning in to the felonious acting of our two struggling thespians.

So there you go a quick look through the wayback machine to the very beginning, we hope you enjoyed it! Oh, and there might be a bit of a connection with the upcoming #SAVETHEDAY event this very Monday, yes, we can be a bit sneaky like that seeding things to come. You really should keep your eyes peeled when watching Harcourt & Haigh, y'know. That's it for this week, Internet Chums & Blogonauts, but of course you still need to #SAVETHEDAY - MONDAY 11TH NOVEMBER to be precise for the Next Phase of 'Harcourt & Haigh:Actors at Large' stay tuned.

TTFN

Christopher Haigh

Interiors

Welcome to this weekend update post, Acting Fans, I'm here today to let you know the two of us at H&H Productions have been at it again. Yes, this morning Vern & I met up once more to take a look at the location for the interior shots of the upcoming Halloween Special, above (and beyond!) the new shop location of our old chum/sometimes guest star/occasional location manager, Simon Shaw, Proprietor X of Legacy Comics.
After getting Simon's kind permission, we ducked past the Counter and up the two flights of stairs to the room at the top. With a bit of tidying up (man-style tidying up, so really just shoving stuff out of the way) and some amateur Feng Shui we got the room set up and, well, it turned out even better than we thought. Then it was time to break out the old Lumix and plan out the shots.

The Cardboard represents [SPOILERS]

Swarthy!

Thinking Time

Are we done yet?

Staring at Nothing

So with Vern having sorted out the 180° we took a few pics, including the ones you see above, as a quick storyboard, experimenting with varying angles and working out how best to capture some of the action. To post them all would potentially be [SPOILERS] so that's your lot for this week!
The site is prepped, now we have our fingers crossed that the weather holds so we can get the exteriors done sharpish, wish us Luck!
Before we go though, one last massive shout out to Simon - a big 'Thank You!' Without his generosity we'd be lucky to even have a trailer filmed. We don't know anyone else who'd put up with our filmic messings-about on their patch (apart from vern's flatmates, cheers to you guys too! Yes, you too, Muta)! As for the rest of you lot, see you on the other side of the Weekend! Keep watching!

TTFN

Christopher Haigh

The Night Tripper

It's the midweek once again, Acting Fans, Time marches on yomping right into, well, March already! Time for a bit of an update on what's what at H&H HQ. As I type it's another misty morning in the Calder Valley, though fortunately no signs so far of the revenant, malevolent spirits of the long dead returning for revenge. Though much like the tension building scenes of a Horror film we (Vern & I) are experiencing an eerie silence, yes we're still yet to receive even an acknowledging 'Thanks but no thanks' from any of the dramatic organisations we've dropped a line to. Ah, well - It's looking more likely that our TOP SECRET EMERGENCY PLAN may have to be dusted off.
In the meantime we have got a little more establishing footage established. After our night shoot last week I had my thinking cap on with regards to figuring out where we might be able to get a more elevated shot of a train or two on the tracks. Over the weekend it came to me - BRADFORD (Oddly enough it was a trip to Leeds that triggered it)! I remembered that the layout of the Bradford Interchange is such that a viaduct road crosses above the tracks and that might be a possible point to set up the shot. After a quick Google Map check I ran the idea by Vern and we decided it was on.
Question was: how to get there? Answer: Pass! More specifically my Metro Pass. Neither Vern or I drive but since I worked in Bradford I've maintained my Rail Zone 2-to-5 Bus & train pass, so I can pop down the line pretty much any time it takes my fancy. I thought I'd let Vern off the hook and be a one-man second unit team this time but rather than lug our Lumix FZ150 I thought I'd experiment with borrowing the Family camera, a Lumix TZ18 (it's a fair do Mum & Dad borrowed my digital camera for ages before they got it). We'd actually already had the camera along on a shoot for a test with the idea of using it as a second camera angle but the only setting we could find that shot roughly 16:9 was the HD setting which, on the 8GB memory card we had, only gave us about 8 minutes. Not great for shooting scenes but no problem when it came down to the shots we wanted now.

Mmm, compact.

Monday after work I picked up the tripod from Vern and was good to go, which I did that very evening. I had however made a schoolboy error:

 Yep, I forgot to check the battery AND to bring a spare! But:

It was a fraught moment as, set up on the overpass, I pushed the record button and crossed all my fingers as the train slowly pulled in below and the power indicator insistently flashed at me. I got it. Then I saw another trains approaching and set to recording again and...it died. It was a fraught trip home as I worried whether the first shot had recorded properly or not but, when I plugged the camera in, there it was:

Phew, indeed. Pretty much exactly what we wanted. That's it so far this week, Acting Fans, but the week isn't over yet. We have some shenanigans planned for tomorrow but, shhh, that's a bit secret! More on Friday, stay tuned!

TTFN

Christopher Haigh

Milestone

Hello, Fellow Bloggers and Acting Fans and welcome to Fridays blog, which today is very special blog it is our 100th blog! Yeah, oh right, Groovy! And what are we going to do to celebrate this special time for you. Well, actually, erm, filming. Yep - that’s what we’ve been doing today shooting the main exterior scene of Episode 4. I mean, after all, we are actors and poor ones at that so we can’t afford to go out get drunk but, if you wish to donate to our going out funds, then of course please feel free. We have to get on, though.

So we have been out using our guerrilla filming making skills and dodging the rain drops too. In order to get these shots done, we even had to rope in an extra cast member (actually as well as literally but [SPOILERS]) as well for this shoot to be an unsuspecting guard. I can tell you fellow blogger it was an odd kind of shoot today.

"Huh?"

We did in fact get all of the guard footage done, after the rain had held off. The problem was trying to do our scene and main lines was well an experience of traffic, traffic and bloody traffic. It wouldn’t let up and on a road that is normal quite quiet! Honestly, it was nothing like this when we scouted the location. We had no idea what was going on. It was like somebody or something was against us. Damn them whoever/whatever they are (*Shaking fist at sky*)!

Now back to this being are 100th blog I mean, wow, have we really rabbited on for that many posts -  it sure doesn’t feel like we have. And I wonder whom out there has read all of these (and good on you if have) and to those of you who haven’t - why not, I ask? Got something better to do? No? Well get on with it then - the archive's right there on the sidebar. Don't just sit there, click to it!

That’s it for now. Chris has taken the footage back with him and is trying to do a rough cut of this
scene to see whether or not we might need to re-shoot or if some of our line takes are cuttable together. We still have a shoot planned for tomorrow to do the main scenes of episode 3 and, if we have enough time, maybe the pickups we may need for Episode 4. So we have been busy and just in the time for the 100th blog post - have mentioned already that we are up to 100th blog post? We've done 100 of these you know and there ain't no stoppin' us now!
Well, that’s it for now so keep the home fires burning, hombres and chiquitas.

TTFN

Vernon Harcourt

The Last Shot

"Everyone wants a Blog,
You're gonna love it, Blog
Come on and get our Blog
Everyone needs a Blog
Blog Blog Blog!"

Welcome back, Acting Fans and fellow Blogonauts, let’s get down to it. Now what have H&H Productions been up to after last Friday? Well, well, let me tell you - yesterday (4th September 2012) me and Chris had a quick spur-of-the-moment meet up (we didn't have it in the diary as I'm not always available on Tuesdays) mainly for a readthrough of the next episodes but, as the sun was kind of out (flippin' changeable September weather), we decided we would quickly take this moment to try and film the last bit needed for episode one (even though Chris didn't have his costume, we thought of a workaround).
With an idea, our trusty camera at hand and our Guerrilla filmmaking rules in our heads we headed out to do this last shot. After nervously waiting for the breeze to die down, people and/or cars to pass and with Chris fretting about the light condition we still got it in the can and we got a doozy of an outtake as well. (Yep, these are really starting to build up. Warning: This one contains mild peril. To a hat.)

Curse you, gust of wind! The bane of hat-wearing actors everywhere!

Despite this we now have all of the footage for episode one and, as I am writing this blog, it is being integrated into the completed episode, which is now almost ready to go - barring some minor sound effect tweaks. After that we only have to do a re-cut version of the intro and both of the first two episodes will be ready to go!
That’s about it for now, we are still on with learning our lines, planning the next shoot and looking to assemble additional crew, which hopefully means it shouldn’t be too long away.

Well, as always, keep those home fires a-burning and until the next time...

TTFN

Vernon Harcourt

 

Steaming Along

Hello, Acting Fans and Bloggers, welcome back once again - let’s get to it!
So, I am very pleased to be able to say now that the second episode (of the series run) is now completed, minus the sound effects. I if I do say so myself (which I will) it is very good and funny. I really do think we have done a very good job with this one.

Our new digital camera has made worlds of difference to the production. Mainly being able to watch the rushes, there and then after shooting. So we can pinpoint any mistakes right away and get some re-shoots within the same session without the pain of re-setting the set for continuity on another day.

As a small note though I must say, out of all of the things I have edited, this has been one of the hardest one to do (definite thoughts of getting a second camera spring to mind) but in true Harcourt & Haigh style we have pulled it off (just). And it all works and flows the way I envisioned it to.

So what’s next? What are we up to and when can we see episode? Those are the questions you're all asking. Well, let me tell ya……………….. hahaha - not just yet, Acting Fans, tune in next time same H time, same H place to find the answers and maybe a little more!
Until next we meet, keep the home fires burning.

TTFN

Vernon Harcourt

 

In The Can (Well, Almost)

Hello, Acting Fans, it’s Friday, it’s blog time, let’s do this!

As you well know we have been filming what is currently pecilled in as the second webisode of the series proper (episode order may change at our whims) and I can now report all the main parts of it are done. That’s the main talkie bit, a more physical comedy sequence and few other things that were needed. All that is left to do now are just two shots and this one is in the can!

So what’s next? I'll be going over and reviewing the rushes to see which shots are the best to use (Trust me, there’s quiet a bit to go through with the Lumix (my precioussss!) boosting our shooting capabilities) and then it’s on to planning, sequencing and filming the next webisode which will hopefully be the first one. (Yep, we are doing them out of sequence. We like to mix it up. Also Chris needs to get his skates on and build a prop for episode one!)

Well then, Acting Fans, I’d best back to it so, until the next time we meet and chat, as always keep the home fires burning!

TTFN

Vernon Sutcliffe

From Rushes, With Love

Hello, Acting Fans, it’s Friday and we're back, so let’s do this!
Soooo what have we been up to since we last wrote and talked and filmed?

Well, let me tell you and you will find out. I have been sitting through the dailys, or rushes if you like, looking to see which of the takes so far are the best to use (Note to self: I really need to re-name them after I put them on my P.C. - I'm going number blind) and I can safely say that it is looking very good indeed. And funny, yes, even the outtake of me whacking myself in the face with the gun.
I've been doing something else too, I have been practising with the camera using some techniques that I found online to simulate tracking and dolly shots as some of these shot styles might be useful in future episodes. So I need to get up to speed on these and get them right, hmm, then teach someone else too. Oh boy, I don’t think I have thought this through. Damn it! Oh well, back to it I guess.

As always stay classy and keep the home fires burning and we'll see you next time.

TTFN

Vernon Harcourt

Full Steam Ahead!

The Pilot has landed.

Hello, Acting Fans, welcome back! I hope you all enjoyed the first outing of the antics and hijinks of Harcourt and Haigh. So, what we been doing since it went live? Well, other than doing mass posting, promotion and pimping of the Pilot episode, we have found time and the opportunity to start the next shoot. This very day actually!

Yes, Acting Fans, you have read that right the series shooting has now kicked off and we are in full swing of the filming of the next scenes. All that rehearsal and planning has come to head and is working out great (who woulda thunk it?) while we have been busy filming away most of the day, right up until the camera run out of juice (Note to self: Next H&H Productions Purchase is a spare battery or two). We did work the camera hard and got a lot of the body of the scene done.
We also unfortunately have our first on set injury today. It was me. You see, I managed to accidentally cut my nose during one take. Yes, cut my nose. With a gun. And I do hope you all appreciate what kind of skill that takes. But, yeah, I pushed through the pain, it was only a little cut but, man, it was like a papercut and you know how those sting! And on my nose! Still I manfully carried on and all for you, Acting Fans.

So that’s it for today, now on to mapping out the rest of shooting (we are indeed living the life, high diddledy dee). As always keep the homefires burning and if were not back by next Friday leave a message and we’ll get back to you, to you, to yooooooooouuuuuuuu!

TTFN

Vernon Harcourt

 

Testing 1,2...1,2

Hello, Acting Fans, it’s Wednesday blog time so here is what we have been dong since the last time you checked in.
Well, the new camera (Panasonic DMC-FZ150) has arrived here at the H&H production office yesterday. We have been playing around with it since and we have to say we are so very much pleased with the camera - it is, in a word, AWESOMETACULAR!!
Oh, yes, it is indeed. We have tried it with both the in-built stereo mic on board and our external mic jacked in with a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm adapter and, let's just say, so many more options are open to us now. I really can’t fault this camera. At all. In fact I think, I think I may be in love.
And, just for you lot out there (we do spoil you), here is some of the test footage from this week. This is piece of steady cam-style test footage all done free hand with the camera mounted on the closed tripod, with me manning the camera and my limber co-creator acting as test subject.

One more thing - this something BIG which gonna happen, well my dear Acting Fans, all I'm gonna say for now is it WILL be worth the wait and all of this build up to it and now we might just have to give TWO surprises, we sure do spoil you lot, don’t we.

So that’s it for today I'm off to play with the camera some more, as always keep the home fires burning and we'll be back real soon...

TTFN

Vernon Harcourt

We Have A Winnah!

We are back in business!
Hello, Acting Fans, it’s Friday and time, once again, for a new blog/update of the ongoing events at H&H productions HQ.
What’s happened since we last spoke (um, I mean read or is it mebbe wrote)? After much debate, lots of on and offline research, juggling of finances, begging, scraping, scrabbling, scouring the pockets of our spare trousers and looking down the back of the sofa, we have got some additional fundage together and at last decided on the camera that we are getting, and gone and got it!

 
It's the Panasonic Lumix FZ150 and should be on it’s merry way to the H&H offices soon, Amazon be praised. We did some research on it and it seemed the best camera for us (at an affordable price for our Lo-to-No Budget) and it does everything that we want it to and, maybe (fings crossed), a little bit more too. It may not be the Canon 550D we had our hearts set on but with the Lumix we don't have to settle for a reconditioned unit to keep the cost down, we can invest in a spanking new camera with warranty, and it's ours - ALL OURS! MWAH HA HA HA *Ahem* Even though it's not a DSLR like the Canon (it's what you might call a high-end bridge camera) it produces the quality of video image we require and it has an external mic socket (the only camera in it's price range we've found that does) as well as it's own stereo mic. We just had to get a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm jack adapter for the external mic socket so we will be able to connect our own external mic up to it, and it is done! So, Groovy, the series can once again commence onwards.

TTF…..

But, wait, wait, wait - hold on! There's more to come here……We are starting our official count down to SOMETHING BIG as of…oooof…ooooof…ooooooooooof…
NOW! Yes, we do in fact spoil you but this time it really is BIG, and when I say big I mean BIG. Bigger than any mere Promo or Trailer  - So what is it? I hear you cry, well, well, my dear, darling Acting Fans there will be more on that later.


Oooh, I am SUCH a tease.

Until next time keep the home fires burning and we’ll be back!

TTFN

Vernon Harcourt

Shop Around

Hello, Acting Fans, welcome back we’ve missed you. So you may be wondering what have we been up to?
Today here at H&H production, well, we haven't been here at all today - we went out and did some Retail Therapy (Retail Therapy on a Lo-to-No Budget? Yep, window shopping)!

What were we out looking for? Costume? Yet more props? Gullible impoverished actors?
Nope, something far more important but what can be more important than the above mentioned?

Wishing on a falling star...

"I know how to make an entrance!"

"Too literal? Nahhhh."

"Wow, These Alarm cords are really sensitive! Honest officer, just ask the shop manager. Where is he? Oh, he's a bit tied up at the mo."

Yes, Acting Fans we were out scouring for information on a potential new camera after the last one died on us (it is an ex-camera, it videos with the choir celestial). And we can’t show you the show without a camera to record it with - I mean it would have to be some sort of live show or something and that woul……… Hang on a minute, hmm, maybe that’s not such a bad idea.

So, erm, anyhoo as always stay classily,

TTFN

Vernon Harcourt