David Rudkin talking about the origins of Artemis 81


Origins of Artemis 81 from pebblemill on Vimeo.

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Specially recorded interview with writer David Rudkin talking about how the drama ‘Artemis 81’ came about. ‘Artemis 81’ was transmitted in 1981, when producer David Rose still headed up the English Regions Drama Department. The drama was a three hour epic about the battle of good and evil, starring Hywell Bennett and Sting. Alastair Reid was the director, Dawn Robertson the associate producer, Jenny Brewer the PA, Roger Gregory the script editor, Ian Churchill the camera operator, Bob Jacobs and William Hartley were the production managers, and Mick Murphy was the AFM.

Nice Work – photos by Willougby Gullachsen

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

Nice Work was produced at Pebble Mill in 1989 by Chris Parr.  David Lodge wrote both the original novel and the screenplay.  The series starred Warren Clarke as Vic Wilcox, the managing director of a ‘Rummidge’ engineering firm, and Haydn Gwynne who played Robyn Penrose a young university academic.  It was filmed on location around Birmingham and the Black Country, including Birmingham University (where David Lodge was a Professor).  Vic and Robyn are thrust together on a business/academic scheme where Robyn was told by her Head of Department to shadow Vic.  After an initial reluctance they come to a mutual respect and friendship, especially when Robyn prevents Vic being tricked by a German engineering company.  Janet Dale played Vic’s wife, Marjorie.

The series was directed by Christopher Menaul, designed by Ian Ashurst, with Paul Woolston as the DoP.  Will Hartley was the 1st AD.

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Ice Dance – photo by Willoughby Gullachsen

Photo by Willoughby Gullachsen (Gus), no reproduction without permission.

Ice Dance was a ‘Screen Two’ drama which went out in March 1989.  It was written by Stephen Lowe, directed by Alan Dosser and produced by Michael Wearing. The drama starred Warren Clarke, Joanne Allen, Andrew Fletcher, Amanda Worthington and Helena McCarthy. It followed the story of a pair of young skaters from Nottingham, whose dream was to emulate Torvill and Dean.

This photo features cameramen Keith Froggatt and Steve Saunderson on the crane, and 1st AD, Will Hartley on the left under the crane.