Wrapped!

Cast and Crew on top of the Malverns!

Nicotine Love wrapped on 3rd March and what a great shoot it was! I would like to say a big thank you to all the crew and to Candice and Paul. You were all amazing. Everybody worked intensely hard and the energy on set was incredible.

A massive thank you also goes to my Mum and Dad; it wouldn't have been possible without all your help and generosity. I'd also like to thank Bob Richardson for kindly lending us a load of lighting equipment and offering advice whenever we asked for it.

Thank you to my sister Georgie for taking stills for us whenever it as possible on the crammed set and thank you to my brother Ben for helping out with the location shoot on the Malvern Hills. Thank you to all the extras that helped us out with the Grafton Manor location shoot; you know who you are.

I must say Sam Cooney was the best AD I could have asked for, the shoot wouldn't have ran so smoothly and efficiently if it wasn't for you. Laurence Richards, the cinematographer, was nothing short of excellent as I expected and the help he (we) received from Dane Hansen as Camera Assistant/Gaffer was a massive bonus on set and on location.  Josie Kealy the star, the two different styles she created in the house were amazing and the locations were just as amazing. Jimmy Keeping was a top draw sound man, even with the conditions we put him under (mass road and train noise, and windy on location sound with plenty of dogs and walkers by to contend with!). Another thank you to Ed Stone for keeping us all well fed and helping us all out with anything that was needed. And last but not least a huge thank you to Sam Robinson, it goes without saying. You were there to sort it all out and put us into action.

The shoot was intense and tiring but was a fun and rewarding experience for all of us. After watching the footage, I can safely say this will be a good little film :)

Thank you everybody! And much love x

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In the Paper (Bromsgrove Standard)

Page 12 (My Lucky Number)

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Setting Up Locations: Bedrooms and Staircases

by Josie Kealy

The first day of setting up the location for Nicotine Love has gone pretty well!

After a visit from the generous Bob, we made our way to Grafton Manor to find a suitable location for the dream sequence. After looking at three different staircases we decided to use a beautiful old wooden one in their little chapel. This location will be fun to dress up and give some suitable glamour, and we thankfully have permission to use my new smoke machine which I cannot wait to try out!

This afternoon the transformation of the rooms began, starting with Karen and Jeremy’s room (who have been absolute legends in letting us invade their house & even painted their bedroom yellow – a colour they would rather not keep - ready for our arrival!) I have now completed their room save for a few finishing touches, and I am very happy with the result & thankfully so are they! You can see here the before & after:

The kitchen has been cleared and is currently in the process of its transformation! Cupcakes need to be baked! Armfuls of flowers need to be brought! It’s a tough job.

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Home Sweet Home

by Nicholas Raybould

Yesterday Josie and I arrived at my home: the main location for the film. We had a car full of props and decorations and unpacked them this morning. It’s very exciting to arrive on the location you have been visualising for weeks whilst writing the script, even if it is your home of 25 years. I must say a massive thank you to my family, especially my Mum and Dad. Their bedroom has been repainted for the film and after Josie stripped it and dressed it, it looks amazing.

Today we had a visit from Bob Richardson, the very kind and generous lighting expert. He has been so kind as to lend us lighting, stands and grips, gels and filters for the shoot. His experience and advice will bring an extra level to the lighting I think. He must be on the same page as Laurence as he mentioned ‘Painting with Light’, a book Laurence is reading himself. I think they will create a masterpiece with their toys.

In the afternoon we took a trip to Grafton Manor to look for a location for the dream scene. We found a nice curved staircase in a little chapel. When filled with smoke and lights it will look great.

Josie is stripping and dressing the kitchen as I write this and prepare for auditions tomorrow. Will let you know how it goes, I’m looking forward to seeing Candice and Paul play as Angela and Eric around the set.

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