Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Mar 17, 2019 8:21:32 GMT
Re tv cuts, I recently compared the running times of a series ( not The Sweeney ) recorded from tv with the dvd version, when added together there was nearly 30 minutes missing from the 6 episodes. Well, they've gotta cram all those adverts in about Mis-Sold PPI, Wills, Funeral Insurance and Quick Loans somehow!! - and censor any Politically Incorrect statements!
Tom Clegg was quick to comment on this, when asked about his feelings on cuts being made. His view was that each episode was shot and produced on a shoestring in a limited time - so stories couldn't be too complex. Thus - cutting away bits and pieces in the episodes could ruin the narrative if they cut too much out.
With "Sweeney" and the like; the 'property' (Script) was brought from the writer, and he was then paid a hefty "top up", as a "buy out" (Both John and Dennis were on similar agreements - they would never earn repeat royalties). Once the "property" is brought - it's up to the Producers and owning company to do what they like with it. They can cut/edit/change the script - and even make and cut the film to how they like. (If this takes place, many writers remove their name or use an "Assumed Name") "Tony Marsh" was Troy Kennedy-Martins "pen" name.
The "Buy out agreement" - also proved lucrative for TV Companies, so any repeat fees, fees for sales abroad, merchandise rights etc would go directly to the TV Company.
Ian Kennedy-Martin (on his dispute with Euston films) organised a bespoke deal - where even though he had walked away from the TV series - he still owned the Book, Film and Merchandising Rights. (Thus taking Euston Films to "the cleaners" as he put it). And therefore (quite rightly so) earning good money from the "Sweeney" and having some say over Films and if the series should be brought back.
I would love to see ITV4s Editing Criteria; the BBC did publish their's online - though can't seem to find it now.
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on Mar 17, 2019 8:46:35 GMT
I prefer the old days when there were only two adverts, about 20 mins and 40 mins past the hour, plus those at start and end of show. I’ve lost track of how many there are now.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Mar 17, 2019 11:20:20 GMT
I prefer the old days when there were only two adverts, about 20 mins and 40 mins past the hour, plus those at start and end of show. I’ve lost track of how many there are now. Likewise.
Advertising time on ITV had to be kept to strict guidelines, laid down by the ITA - later IBA. All that got axed by the Tories when they abolished the IBA and introduced the ridiculous franchise bidding system in 1990.
Back to topic...
Not sure if I am correct - though I assumed "Thou Shalt Not Kill" supposed to have been shot at a Shopping Centre in Wandsworth? The story goes, Euston couldn't get permission to shoot a seige in an operational Shopping Centre, open to members of the public.
Instead, they ended up at Brunel University during the summer holidays - which of course, was private property and empty and so they could do what they wanted.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Mar 17, 2019 12:48:09 GMT
That enforced change of location resulted in some of the best outdoor location filming of all four series in my opinion. This is one of my top 5 episodes, I love the feel of the summer heat of 1975.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Mar 17, 2019 13:00:21 GMT
Totally. I think the University location would have worked better - the place isn't busy; kind of isolated and out of the way. So adds to the tension.
In a shopping Centre; the place would turn into a circus with by standers and I feel, wouldn't have been as good.
In a few later episodes by standers can be seen everywhere - especially in "Hard Men"; there is a scene where Regan & Carter take Frieth back to Euston Station - as they walk through the station concourse, there are a number of passers by caught in shot - one of which hides his face from the camera.
In "Jack or Knave" - where Regan & Carter visit a shop to trace some 'bent plates' - you can see the crowds in the background that had gathered to watch the shoot.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Mar 17, 2019 14:08:07 GMT
I like the 70s concrete architecture of the university buildings too, very atmospheric and combined with the summer heat, it made for a wonderfully tense and compelling episode.
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Post by Kenny Dalglish 1979 on Mar 17, 2019 15:12:47 GMT
Brunel University added a quite futuristic, alien setting and more of a sense of isolation. Imagine watching this on blu-ray like all the other episodes if they had been released in HD - I reckon this one would have been one of the more impressive looking ones, looking as if it had been only made recently.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Mar 17, 2019 18:31:39 GMT
Brunel University added a quite futuristic, alien setting and more of a sense of isolation. Imagine watching this on blu-ray like all the other episodes if they had been released in HD - I reckon this one would have been one of the more impressive looking ones, looking as if it had been only made recently. I think it did - though the University building wouldn't have been that old in 1975. Give it another 10-20 years, and I would hedge my bets on it looking like a concrete cancer council carpark.
(See seperate Thread) I posted some photos of the old ATV / Central TV studios in Birmingham - which as since been demolished. That was a Concrete, futuristic looking building - and looked very smart when it was new - as did the old Library nearby. Even 10 years before the studios closed, it had weathered badly, and looked dreadful from the outside. BBC1's "Survivors" about 1- years ago, used the derelict studios as a Hospital exterior and a couple of basement rooms were dressed to become a ward.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 17, 2019 21:03:31 GMT
Can see why the practicality, logistics and cost preventing them from doing it but if they had have filmed it at say Wandsworth Arndale it may have been interesting. This idea and the Thou Shalt storyline might have worked as a Sweeney feature/film you could certainly use that sort of idea today
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Mar 18, 2019 10:04:19 GMT
Can see why the practicality, logistics and cost preventing them from doing it but if they had have filmed it at say Wandsworth Arndale it may have been interesting. This idea and the Thou Shalt storyline might have worked as a Sweeney feature/film you could certainly use that sort of idea today It would have made a good feature.
The "Flying Squad" documentary broadcast in 1989 - showed an operation to stop a hold up at a "Bejam" frozen food store; where one of the villians was shot dead in the street. The interesting bit was at the Police Station, where you find out more about the villains, why they do it etc - and a bit more of a compassionate side to the 'Squad'.
Ideas for Sweeney stories would be a thread on it's own!
The casting of "Thou Shalt..." was totally spot on. Ronald Lacy gives a performance on a par with George Sweeneys on 'On the Run'.
If they did shoot at the Arndale in Wandsworth - I would have thought it would have to be done on a Sunday. Again - costs creep up as everyone would be on double time to start with. Though with pretty much all of the episode being shot in and around the bank - it would have never have been shot on a single or a couple of days.
They would have spent, at least 5 days at Brunel I would have thought!
So the flexibility of the University - being empty for the Holidays; they could hire the site for a week or so, and be left to it. Other practicalities would have to be considered also - from the look of the site, access, parking etc...
I would hate to be a Location Manager - they have to put up with so much crap - esp when it comes to dealing with Council Officials!
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