Nov 23rd  -  Everyone on Mull.

Introducing cinematographer Rain Li – our guest blog-itor – who is too busy eating Sesame Sticks to type (or was that the three hot toddies for lunch and the attentions of a famous TV explorer?!)? Another hectic week that ended with packing up the Strand office and everyone finally travelling up to Mull – two trains, one ferry, two taxis and ten hours later….

Pheweee – it’s great to have everyone in the same few square kilometres under the grey & stormy skies. Colin Morgan and Natalie Press arrived on Thursday and have been rehearsing in preparation for the first day of shooting on the 24th. The islanders have been brilliant: hospitable and kind (except for the man operating the tea stand at Fishnish – a famous grump) including the wonderful Bunty McIvor who will play the gossipy Post Office Woman coaching Colin on his Highlands & Islands accent.

Meanwhile

The caterers don’t start until Monday so everyone has been mucking in, like Lukas Moodysson’s ‘Together’ stylee (without the sexual politics, we think!) : making hot teas, sandwiches and evening meals round the pine table. The art department have been truly wonderful with stylish takes on keeping warm (offcuts from the local weavers, shorts, tights & thermals) and wicked senses of humour…

The weather is biblical – full of extreme sunshine, sleet and the inevitable “power” showers. We’ve seen loads of deer, seals, buzzards & kestrels. There are mussel farms, prawns the size of clenched fists, venison chilli and excellent vegetarian sausages..!

We have been arranging another podcast with MarBelle from Director’s Notes www.directorsnotes.com . What with mobile phone reception being sparse and there being only one land line at the Production Office it is very hard to make this happen logistically but with the wonders of skype it is on the cards to happen very soon. I’ll keep you posted.

Wish us luck! We shoot fog outside all day tomorrow….eeek x