Production Notes Detective Story
This is very rough and not checked for errors.
Back in God knows when, Matthew Jessee cranked out a fist draft of 'Detective Stoy' over night, he kept awake drinking diet coca cola and plucking out pubic hairs. The script was all set to roll as the final project for fellow film school students. Then disaster, apparently comedy was not worthy enough and the script was shelved in favor of some arty crap that had been quickly scribbled on a bar mat.
Four years went by and Matthew hit writers block so pulled out the script and presented to the London Comedy Writers as something new. The positive response convinced him that this script should no longer sit on the shelf and it deserved to be made.
It was at this point Graham Trelfer joined the team the team as a novice producer. He had been unemployed and needed to get out of the house. With little thought that the production would last nearly two years he jumped in head first.
CASTING
The first person cast was Clare McCarthy, she had previously read the role of Ginger at the London Comedy Writers and so it only seemed fitting after a brilliant reading that she get to play the role on film.
A day of auditions were held which produced Paco (Rico), Alex (Steve Forester), Richard (Sergeant O'Rouke and Connie (The Maid). For the pivotal role of Jack three actors were called back and after a grueling audition Steve Cook was cast. The role of Norma saw fearice competition with over 100 actresses applying for the role. Natalie Bromley impressed with the extra material she prepared for the audition and went on to win the coveted role. Claire Aimis who had also auditioned for the role of Norma was cast as Vera and Lloyd took the role of Bruno.
Only a couple of roles remained. The first was Kevin, also known as just simply 'Bartender', but in rewrites his lines grew. As production started the part had still not been filled so 2nd Assistant Director and former actor stepped in. The final role was Clarabell, a key witness to the crimes in the story, this part went to Tristan White, secretary of London Comedy Writers.
PRE-PRODUCTION
With the cast and crew assembled there was little time for pre production. A week before the camera rolled the cast came in for a read through and a rough blocking of scenes. In the meantime Production Designer Chas with Art Director Lauren started to locate props and future for the set.
It was decided that the Jack's office would be built in a studio so walls could be removed and allow for more freedom with the camera. Northwood Studio was picked for its location, cost and facilities. On August xxx, the set building made up of Chas moved in, it became apparent very quickly that this was not going to be quick. At the end of day one giant flats stood up against the walls of the studio with no hint that they would ever look anything like an office. Day 2 was just as much of a struggle and by 6pm it was clear that the set was not going to be ready for shooting in the morning. The walls were still to be painted, the door and window needed to go in and the art direction had to be finalised. The decision was made to pull an all nighter to get the job done.
PRODUCTION
DAY ONE
At 6am a tired set crew were pouring another cup of coffee and making lists of what needed to be completed before the actors arrived in a few hours. A missing doorframe, no light switch and no window, B&Q was not due to open for a couple of hours so there was little to do other than sweep the floor. While B$Q would solve most of the issues it did not solve the missing window. So it was that even before the camera was unpacked the shooting schedule had to be changed to take into account that the crew could not shoot towards the window until it arrived later in the day.
At 8am the cast arrived and hit makeup and wardrobe, the crew tried desperately to re-plan the day as the finishing touches were added to the set.
Technical hitches with microphone slowed down shooting more and it was becoming apparent that a 8pm finish was foolishly optimistic.
Lunch time consisted of pizza and while the cast and crew ate Chas was bashing a window into the place.
The end of day one saw all scenes in the office get completed... but not before midnight. While most of the cast and crew went home a handful stayed back to build the dressing room set for the following day.
DAY 2
Over night the office set was broken down and rebuilt as the dressing room. It had been another all night effort that could not have been done without the help of studio hand Joseph who managed not only keep pace with no sleep but also found the energy to cook and early morning pasta meal.
Filming was again a little slow off the ground and what was suppose to be a light day still managed to drag on till mid-night. After the pizza the day before and Krispy Kremes for breakfast everyone wanted to be a bit more healthy so a huge lunch buffet was provided.
Day 2 saw most of the dressing room scenes shot as well as the interrogation room.
DAY 3
It was another early start but luckily no one had to stay up over night and a couple of people who had previously not seen their bed's finally got to do so.
Early Sunday the crew headed down to XXXX to film the club scenes. These shots required extras to fill out the patrons as Ginger gave a seductive performance on stage. Jamie the productions sound xxxx can be seen as the club's piano player and despite his natural performance he is actually unable to play.
The production then moved on to film scene's Bruno's apartment. The crew who assembled there were treated to a mafia style feast of spaghetti bolognese prepared by Richard Kirbey and Graham Trelfer.
It would be another late finish, but the day ahead promised a late start but its own challenges.
DAY 4
A major scene was on the cards for this day and cast and crew were to due to shoot at mid-day, but there was a problem... the location had not been secured. The scene which sees Jack hunt down a witness was suppose to take place outside a church,fortunately Putney Church were only too happy to offer their services and saved the day.
A night shoot was planned so many of the cast and crew got to go home early while a skeleton crew went out steal shots of Jack running around.
DAY 5
The final day of shooting started back at the club to pick up the missing shots before the cast and crew headed back to the studio to capture the final scenes.
As the hours wore on Connie took the stage for the final shot of the film. The celebration was cut short when it was realised that there was another shot needed. The close up of the Flaming 'O' business card was final thing to be shot.
The crew celebrated with beer, champagne and party poppers before they realising that the set still needed to come down and the studio cleaned up.
POST PRODUCTION
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RE-SHOOTS
Following the rough cut it was discovered that key shots were not up to scratch. Cast and crew were re-united and corners of the sets crudely reconstructed for pickups in the office and the dressing room. The team then returned to grab some final shots from Bruno's apartment.
RE-SHOOTS II
Looking at the finished film it was decided that there was a whole scene missing. Almost year to the day of principle photography an even smaller crew assembled to film an all new scene that added to the suspense leading up to the climax of the film.