I told you I'd be back with a Branch-Line story ;)
DESCRIPTION: As a hosepipe ban and new policeman reach the quiet village of Ffarquhar, Toby feels the effects when he stalls on the main road...
With 'Fire and Smoke!' (that exclaimation mark is very important) I was doing it like a feature film. Lots of moving shots, very snappy and full of action. This is more like a gentle story, in the vein of 'Wind in the Willows'. Gentler story and a bit more humour and wit compared to the angst of the last story I did.
Part of this is down the narration, and Matt, as ever, has done a terrific job on my story. The policeman is a particular high point. Talking of Matt, most of this story is his Ffarquhar route, and absolutely fantastic it is too. Thanks for letting me use it mate. It was a great help :)
Now the story was inspired on a real-life event, when a J70 ran out of water and had to be filled up from the tap in a workman's hut. I thought it was a bit boring, so I decided to block the main road in Ffarquhar, include a hosepipe ban and policeman who is slightly obsessive, in the vein of the one Thomas meets in 'Thomas in Trouble', but redeemable.
Toby's moment of ultimate irony was inspired from something that happened to me, when a hosepipe ban was announced in the East Midlands. I left home for school that morning and came home soaked. I was not best pleased.
That's about it. A much more intimate affair than 'Fire and Smoke!', but all the better for it. All in all, a lovely video to film.
Dry Rails and Good Running,
Daniel