Launch of the Rover 75 Paddy made the launch film for the outstanding Rover 75. This enormous production was shot all over the world on 35mm film and Digi Beta video stock. Cold weather testing was carried out in the frozen wastes of Minnesota on the Canadian border with the help of ski-borne aircraft, teams of huskies and top drivers.         Hot weather testing was in temperatures of up to 125 F in the Arizona deserts and such arid and hostile places as ‘Apache Pass’. A wrangler brought along angry rattlesnakes and a sidewinder for close up sequences which created a few interesting moments. Sunset and dusk helicopter chases with a ‘Vietnam vet’ pilot resulted in exquisite footage. Heavy traffic testing was filmed in Tokyo where jams exist around the clock. The local camera hire company laughed when Paddy told them what he was intending to do in the time, "Everybody starts off all hopeful like this. But the traffic’s so heavy, you’ll be lucky if you complete 10% of your first day’s target. By the second day you’ll be tearing your hair out! By the third you’ll be contemplating suicide!" Not telling you the secret but, with a good ‘recce’, Paddy organised his crew and the shooting so effectively that the schedule was completed on time and many more stunning ‘off the cuff’ shots were added, too. As a relief from the most crowded city in the world, there were pick ups shots on Mount Fuji and by the old temples south of Yokohama. The elegance of Paris by night was the final European icing on the cake - just perfect. The car flowed like liquid through the luxuriously lit boulevards. Tracking shots round the Arc de Triomphe were particularly interesting challenges as French drivers tried to cut us up. Preparing for Capture Recently Paddy has worked on what was one of the most fascinating projects he has been involved with. Eight very fine actors and a large cast of non-actors took part. The set-building, props, wardrobe and make-up support was as large as a feature film. The locations were fantastically realistic. The action was intense and extremely violent. Paddy can’t reveal any more except to say that it was to prepare members of all three armed services for the difficulties of capture. Aspiring to Greater Heights Then there was ‘Aspiring to Greater Heights’ - the world of scaffolding and construction set to Paddy’s poetry and music. This unique, charming and fascinating film arouses enormous interest whenever it is shown. It takes corporate film making to a higher level. Interactive Fire Safety Paddy has recently finished a dramatic fire safety video with Penny Smith, the GMTV news presenter. Described as "fire in your face ", this production stretched the gyro-stabilised Steadicam system to its limits recording fires of every kind imaginable. A panicky evacuation down three flights of stairs and through a labyrinth of corridors is frighteningly effective with the superimposition of billowing smoke. So also is Penny’s presentation, shot against chroma key green screen. Fire and smoke belch around her as she delivers her warnings and advice. It’s very exciting and, at the same time, worrying. It certainly concentrates the mind on all issues of fire safety. Paddy can be contacted via e-mail at paddy@palewell.fsworld.co.uk or at telephone numbers 020 8878 2854 or [Mob.] 07785 263037.

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