The most beautiful drive through the Brecon Beacons heading for Aberystwyth and the Ffresh festival. There are still some traces of snow on top of the hills but the sun is shining and I feel so lucky to be seeing Britain in this way. On tour with my own film through spectacular scenery. I can’t help wishing I had a film crew with me so I could jump out and shoot the wonder of it all.
I’ve never been to Aberystwyth. And as I drive down Marine Terrace it reminds me of holidays I had as a child in little Welsh towns and villages along the North Wales Coast. The only difference today is the weather. I never remember any sun in Rhyl in 1972.
We get to The Aberystwyth Arts centre which is part of Aberystwyth Uni and has the distinct campus feeling. It’s the largest venue I’ve done so far and I worry about the distance between myself and the audience, I’ll have a microphone and a lectern but I want it to be a bit loose and friendly and want to encourage people’s questions.
This is my third talk and I feel a little more confident that I can open my mouth and have more than hot air come out. Also, here in Wales Helen and I are joined by the director Philip John . He’s a very experienced TV director and afterwards talks about his early days working with actors and the techniques he uses now for getting the best out of them.
One question from the audience was, “Do you ever feel TV and film critics can bring anything to your work?”
Philip gave a resounding “No” to this, but I had to admit that in doing my own independent film the critics have been hugely important for me. Without their support and comments I’d have had more difficulty getting the film seen. So on Don’t Worry About Me they’ve played a very important role I think.
It brought to mind a review of a play I did once though, the critic said something like, “During this performance a plane flew over the theatre, I don’t know where it was going but I wished I’d been on it.” Of course, I’ve wiped that from my mind…
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