Far out magazine releases their list of top 10 film trilogies and the Dollars trilogy makes the list
The 3 films in the trilogy are a fist full of dollars. for a few dollars more, and the good the bad and the ugly. The reason why I mention the 3rd one is that we spoofed it for one of the scenes in the original Tolerance film to highlight the issue of Blue Badge abuse. Here is what Far out magazine hade to say about the trilogy itself
7.
The Dollars Trilogy
(Sergio Leone, 1964 – 1966)
There are few films that have been as influential as Sergio Leone’s beloved Dollars Trilogy which is now recognised as the project that solidified the frameworks of the spaghetti western genre. Ranked among the greatest westerns ever made, this is also a great starting point for those who aren’t familiar with Leone’s works.
Although Leone hadn’t planned on making an official trilogy, they inevitably became associated under the banner of the iconic ‘Man with No Name’. A role which made Clint Eastwood a true film star One of the most accessible and enjoyable trilogies on this list, Leone’s work is truly timeless.
Here is Actors Claire Abbot and Kate Faulkner playing the Good the Bad and the ugly spoof in 3 screengrabs taken from the tolerance film.
Here is Claire Abbot playing the Clint Eastwood part in 2 screengrabs taken from the tolerance film Also included a 2 behind the scenes taken by Rob Martin of the sequence been set up with actors Kate Faulkner Claire Abbot DOP Ian Medley and Director Richard Hellawell
New Material
To learn more about The Good The Bad and the Ugly click here
Memories from a movie set Revisited Part 2 Interviews with Gemma Blagbourgh and Kate Faulkner
Introduction
Hello there and Welcome to a revised edition of a blog that features interviews with the cast and crew for ease of reading this new edition of the blog has been split into 2 chapters this chapter features 2 interviews one with Kate Faulkner who played Mrs Jones in the Tolerance film and the other with Gemma Blagbourgh who played the manager at the cinema both of these interviews featured in the publicity material for the Tolerance film relaunch in 2018
The first interview is with Gemma Blagbourgh who played the Cinema manager in the film one of two Tolerance members to appear in it.
Interview with Gemma Blagbrough Cinema Manager in Tolerance film)
Hi Gemma first thanks for doing this interview it feels funny thanking you after all we have known each other for something like 35 years
Can you believe it nearly 20 years since we made the film what are your memories of making it?
My memories are making the Tolerance film, are the early mornings, which have since stood me in good stead for other things that I have had to do, my cooking skills, or lack of them, with rice in particular, and the long lasting friendships that have been created, and made stronger as we continue to advocate for disabled people and their rights to an active and independent life.
2)As you know the Tolerance film covers 5 main themes Employment Transport Social Life Family and Relationships if you could pick just one which would it be explain why?
The most important theme to me is Employment, the reason being is that if people are given equal employment opportunities, then the other things in life will be easier to achieve, as people will have, the financial stability, Social connection, and the feeling of being valued, for the other aspects life to follow suit. I believe to do this, we need to give Employers the training and opportunity to be as
flexible as they can be. I believe it would be a good idea to introduce Job Carving, This is looking at peoples particular strengths and creating mini Enterprises around this before people go into the wider world of work, as a company I have strived to create a pathway which incorporates Employability Skills Courses, and supported employment opportunities .
3) The Film was originally called Tolerance what does that word mean to you?Tolerance means recognising and working with peoples similarities, and working with their strengths and creating opportunities and understanding so that regardless of different points of view people can work together towards a common goal and be accepting of each other and work together to achieve a common goal, or more understanding society
4) Did you enjoy your acting experience and would you like to do it again in future?
I did enjoy my acting experience, and wouldn’t mind doing it again in the future as long as it was not too long, I prefer talking to and interviewing people.
5) What would you like the Tolerance Project to achieve?
I would like the Tolerance Project to be used as a catalyst for change, and as a learning tool so that with the help of Young People we can change the attitude of society to one that has a more positive view of people with disabilities, although I do not believe that will be fully achieved until the media portray a more positive image of disability on TV and in the papers.
6)Have the issues in the Tolerance film got better or worse in the last 20 years
I believe they have got slightly better but there is still a long way to go, if things were perfect I would not have to be self-employed and doing what I am.
Tolerance Film Kate Faulkner Interview
These last set of questions were sent to Kate Faulkner who played Mrs Jones Julies boss in the film a small part of the interview appeared in Part 3 of my Producers Blog on the making of the Tolerance film.
In the Tolerance film you played Mrs Jones who is the boss to Julie (played by Claire Abbot) who is not really a nice person is it true what they say that the baddies in the movies are often the best parts to play ?
Oh yes I love playing juicy characters like this it can be tricky sometimes to flesh them out and make them real people and not too cliché though the challenge comes in finding what makes them tick what qualities they have that maybe aren’t shown in the film sequences and learning to love them even when they are being so horrible
2)I know you only have a small part in the film but do you like to have nice small rules or juicy big ones or does it depend on the script
For me its always about the script some of the most fascinating characters are not necessarily in a film or play a lot but are are still incredible to play and can be integral to the story if a character is written well it is a joy to play regardless of how many lines you have
3)In one memorable scene you use a disabled badge to park in a disabled space which leads to the good the bad and the ugly spoof what do you remember about shooting this sequence ?
Oh this was such a fun scene to do Richard (The Director) knew exactly what he wanted so it was easy to understand and play the scene
4)The film was originally called Tolerance what does that word mean to you ?
Tolerance means many things to me an understanding of people with different beliefs or opinions or a fairness and openness when dealing with people different to you
5)Can you beleave its over 20 years since we made the film have you got any other memories you want to share did you enjoy it
I can’t beleave it was that long ago it makes me feel really old it was a really lovely project and I really enjoyed working with every one
Notes
Thank you to Katie and Gemma for the Interviews parts of the various interviews have been used in the following blogs Ability not Ability a producers commentary part 3 Employment International day of Tolerance a special blog
Pictures
Photo of the publicity material produced in 2018 for the Tolerance film relaunch and some of the Behind the Scenes photos that Helen Batty took
screengrabs taken from the Tolerance film thanks to Ian Medley Gemma Blagbourgh as the UCI cinema manager Katie Faulkner as Mrs Jones in the office and in the Good the bad and the ugly spoof
If you liked this blog please consider giving me a small donation or to learn more about us click on the above link Thank you
The Tolerance story so far
A group of plucky young people who called themselves the Toler… Ben Brown needs your support for Tolerance: Abi
Memories from a movie set Revisited Part 1 Richard Hellawell and David Smith
Interviews from the cast and crew of The Tolerance Film
Introduction
Hello there and welcome to a revised edition of a blog that features interviews with the cast and crew for ease of reading this new edition of the blog has been split into 2 chapters.
The first chapter includes a brand new interview with the Writer and Director of the Tolerance film Richard Hellawell interviewed as part of Tolerance film 25th Anniversary celebrations and an interview with David Smith who played Robert in the Tolerance film this interview is taken from publicity material written for the Tolerance film relaunch in 2018.
Interview with writer and Director of the Tolerance film Richard Hellawell
Hello Richard First of all thanks for agreeing to do this interview and agreeing to revisit a 25min film you made 25 years ago.I am going to start off with some personal questions before we talk about the Tolerance film hope you don’t mind
What made you want to first enter the world of film making?
I have always been interested in film but it was after I had finished University and was working as a professional acrobat that I really got into it. I would go on tour with the Ski Team and every tour had a film crew following us to make a promotional video of the show
I would always get in trouble because I was more interested in what was happening behind the camera than in front of it. Over time I began to work on short student films in my spare time until I took the plunge and made my first film Devils Snow which set me on the path to becoming a filmmaker.
When I first met you were both a writer and a director which one do you prefer or do you like both ?
That is a hard one as they are two very different disciplines one is lonely working inside your own mind trying to find story solutions for your characters the other is working with dozens of people trying to find solutions to all manner of problems to make the story work.
. If I had to choose I think creating the story is the one that starts the whole process off and without the script you have nothing so if I could only do one it would be writer but I’d hate it if I couldn’t direct.
When your writing scripts where do your ideas come from ?
Everywhere it could be a piece on the news a story you heard in the pub or even remembering a bit of a dream. It is very rare you just sit down an think of a story they pop up at the weirdest times and something around you makes you go what would happen if? And that’s the start of your script.
Getting your Ideas down on paper how long does it take you to write the script?
That is a how long is a piece of string question I have written a short film in a day and I am currently working on a script I have had in my head for over 20 years.
Retribution my second feature film was a process of thinking about the idea the story the characters for about 6 months then once I started to write it took me about 7 days to complete an 80 page script.
What makes a good director ?
The ability to listen to lots of ideas then make your own decision and stick to it.
Understanding the human being and what motivates them and how to put that across to the audience. Being a Director is not, for me, is not about the technology but the humanity of the story and how that can create emotion in an audience I don’t really know much about cameras.
How did you Set up your own film production company Eclipse Productions ?
That was of the back of my first feature film. I financed the film myself and needed to get some money back to pay the loan I took out so that meant setting up a company to produce corporate films that’s when I started to work with groups like Tolerance to produce information films.
Tolerance Film Questions
The Film was originally called Tolerance what does that word mean to you ?
Tolerance initially meant listening to people and trying to understand where they were coming from even if you did not agree with them.
After working with the group I changed my mind to believing it is not just our job to listen to people but to try and make a difference. We shouldn’t just accept something is wrong we should try and make a change so the word Tolerance to me now means change though I’m sure that’s not in the thesaurus.
Can you believe its 25 years since we made the film what are your memories of making it?
It does feel like a lifetime ago?.
I have 2 teenagers one just past his driving test so yes it does feel like ages ago but I met David the lead character at a competition (our kids both do trampolining) so it actually feels like last week. I have loads of memories and stories from the project that I share with my students but the main one was the comradely of all the cast and crew.
We had some difficult times but everyone would get together to pull through there was always someone that would gee us up to get through the filming days and it was never just one person everyone joined in for the cause and that’s my main memory but I also do have a few funny stories too.
They are a number of movie spoofs in the Tolerance film Star Wars Officer and a Gentleman and the good the bad and ugly why did you pick those ?
I wanted the audience to enjoy the film and feel like they could relate to it. This is often difficult when you are dealing with a difficult subject like disability and often people will shy away from it as they feel uncomfortable. At the time I had worked on a few films around different disabilities and the productions felt a bit preachy and I saw audiences switch off. So give we had more free reign to make our film I used some iconic scenes and music that I knew the audience would understand and played on them this lightened the mood and hopefully kept people watching and entertained whilst putting the serious message across.
Reading the original Tolerance film script there are a number of deleted scenes including an extended Star wars Scene and A Terminator spoof which I would have loved to have seen. Do you feel sad when things u have written are not recorded or hit the cutting room floor ?
Yes and some of that work is, what you feel to be your best work, so as a writer it is annoying to not see it on the screen. However, as a director you have many balls to keep up in the air and if you drop one just because you want the Terminator scene (that doesn’t enhance the story) then the whole show falls apart. When I first started writing I thought everything had to be in but as you start to direct and produce you soon realise if it is just there because it is cool and doesn’t serve the story it needs to go. Also to be honest if it doesn’t get used you try to slip it into another script somewhere else, you never really kill your babies!
Do you remember the reasons for cutting these deleted sequences ?
Honestly I don’t I’d have to read the original script again with my directors hat on but I would guess that they didn’t fit with the story and message we were trying to tell. It would have been a thet would be really cool moment in the writing or filming stage then we would have come to our senses and say individually it is cool but collectively it’s rubbish.
Getting the cast and crew together how did you manage this and how did find working with a mixed crew of disabled and Non Disabled people?
I loved working with a mixed crew and found it very rewarding. Having a cast and crew of disabled and nondisabled people gave the project a feeling of authenticity that we were not just making a film to improve peoples lives but we were improving peoples lives at the same time and I mean this for all participants in the film. In fact I feel the non-disabled cast and crew got more out of the experience as I think they were more apprehensive at the beginning and became aware that people are just people and the labelling is just bullshit (sorry) as we are all abled and non abled in some way. I found getting the crew together a little challenge as we needed to train some people on techniques and there were some non actors involved too but this is the challenges that make a production memorable. I have worked with non-abled people since and would encourage others to do so as they may learn something about themselves and be a better person for it.
When you saw the finished film how did you feel would you change any of it?
I wouldn’t say the film is perfect and some of the cheesy bits are very cheesy but that was the point when we saw it with an audience people laughed in the right places and people were appalled at the reality of the situation so I wouldn’t change it. I know you are intending to make an updated version which I think is a great idea because things age and need updating I only feel sad that you may be trying to say the same things and after 25 years we as a society have not moved on. I’m proud of what we did the risks we took and the message we told we just now need to find some people in charge with better hearing and they seem to have the disability.
Interview with David Smith who played Robert in the Tolerance film
What made you decide to take up acting as a profession ?
I was in amateur dramatics as a kid and it really resonated with me. I think the thrill of live performance and audience reaction was the initial hook, but I became more and more interested in how performances and material is crafted. I was still a fairly young kid when I resolved to make a career out of it...
Which actors when you were growing up did you like to watch?
I should have a neat answer, but it would be a lie. In fact, I watched loads of stuff - and a huge range of it - but was more into the shows than a follower of specific actors.
Are there any particular film genres you like to watch?
I like a serious drama, a good comedy or a psychological thriller. I love subtlety, so not a huge watcher of blockbusters or slapstick - but there are always exceptions of course.
When you get a script for the first time can you tell more or less right away if its if its going to be a good or a bad one ?
Usually you have a feel - but I always read straight through on the first read, then leave it before going back for a second. If I like it more on the second read, that's a great sign. If I can see mostly holes on the second read, then there's more work to be done!
What are the Good and bad parts about being an Actor ?
Good: range and variety of work. When it goes well, it's a very rewarding gig. I've been lucky to work with some really good people, on some great projects and in some wonderful places.
Bad: the competition for work is huge - and not everyone can deal with the rejection. When a job goes pear-shaped, you're very exposed.
Tolerance Film Questions
I don’t know if you knew this but there was a bit of controversy on the making of the Tolerance film in hiring non disabled actors to play disabled roles if you remember we made all the cast and Crew for the duration of the shoot use a wheelchair 24/7 how did you find the experience?
I wasn't aware of the controversy, but expressed my own reservations to Richard (the director) when we first talked about me playing the role. There's a dream sequence in the film that required my character to walk, so ultimately I felt that was sufficient justification*
I don't really remember that everyone was using a wheelchair - but do remember that I used mine whenever on set. It was really important for me, as I had to learn not to use my legs - so it was useful from an acting point of view. But I was pretty crap at handling it and found it incredibly frustrating, to be honest (although I had the good sense to keep that to.myself!)
The Film was originally called Tolerance what does that word mean to you ?
It's about how we value and welcome those who are different from us, about understanding difference. I prefer “Acceptance”, “Diversity” & “Inclusion” - as they don't load difference with notions of superiority/inferiority.
Of course you were part of a couple in the film with Claire Abbot Playing Julie had you worked with each other before ? and what was she like to work with ?
We'd not worked together before as far as I remember. She was a delight, of course. I hope I was bearable..!
in the Job Centre scenes with Mr Grosenberg who had a voice like a helium balloon as an actor how do you learn to keep a straight face during comedic scenes ?
Learn it inside out, be on top of the material, then use rehearsal to work out any hysterics. The fact that 20 crew are around you and you don't want to waste their time (or wind the director up) helps keep you on the straight and narrow.
5) Can you believe it nearly 20 years since we made the film what are your memories of making it?
It does feel like a lifetime ago?. I remember spending a lot of time on Huddersfield train station (I can't remember what scene it was for),** crashing into kitchen units and hurtling down pavements in my wheelchair. It was a fun gig and there were certainly a lot of laughs along the way.
Notes * David is talking about the Officer and Gentleman dream sequence that was near the end of the film ** This was for the Train sequences in the film Railtrack who gave us most of the money for the film they also let us borrow a train for the day as well as a conductor to get on the Train . David wasn’t in these scenes they show Julie (Claire Abbot) boarding a train to get to work where she also talks to a blind man ( played by Micheal Weaver). Crashing into Kitchen cupboards that would be one of the early scenes at Gemma Blagbourgh’s house where you are making breakfast to the James Bond theme lol hurtling down pavements in your wheelchair another early scene where David is trying to catch a bus to get to work which he misses
Parts of the the interview with Richard Hellawell have appeared in other blogs including Even Better than the real thing With a little Help from my Freinds and a Day of Tolerance thanks to both Richard and David for the interviews.
Pictures
Screengrabs from the Tolerance film thanks to Ian Meadley from The Good the Bad and the ugly and Officer and a Gentleman Spoofs Terminator Poster from 1984 Richard Smith another Screengrab from the Tolerance film this time Tony Green as Mr Grosenberg
If you have read and liked this blog please consider a small donation or to read more about us click on the above link Thank you
The Tolerance story so far
A group of plucky young people who called themselves the Toler… Ben Brown needs your support for Tolerance: Abi
Tolerance Project Extra International Day for Tolerance
Note this blog is a revised version of an article I wrote 4 years ago
Introduction
Today November 16th marks the United Nations annual day for Tolerance to quote the website
It was started by the UN General Assembly, with the goal of getting educational institutions and the general public to see tolerance as a staple of society. And it came after the United Nations declared a Year for Tolerance in 1995.
In 1995, UNESCO created the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance as a way to define and provide awareness of tolerance for any and all governing and participating bodies. That day in 1995 was November 16. Now, as an anniversary of that Declaration, we celebrate the International Day for Tolerance every November 16 to help spread tolerance and raise awareness of any intolerance that may still be prevalent in the world today. Although we should be tolerant every day, it’s always good to have one occasion to remind us just how important tolerance is
What does the actual word Tolerance mean the dictionary defines the word as follows: the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with:
In 1999 I made my own film called Tolerance along with some friends that tried to show what it was like living with a disability with a little fun along the way the word Tolerance is a strange one as everybody I speak to seems to have a different idea about what the word means to them I interviewed some of the cast and crew for the Tolerance film publicity material I asked them this question
The Film was originally called Tolerance what does that word mean to you ?
Richard Hellawell who wrote and directed the Tolerance film answered the question like this when I interviewed him as part of the Tolerance film 25th Anniversary celebrations
Tolerance initially meant listening to people and trying to understand where they were coming from even if you did not agree with them. After working with the group I changed my mind to believing it is not just our job to listen to people but to try and make a difference. We shouldn’t just accept something is wrong we should try and make a change so the word Tolerance to me now means change though I’m sure that’s not in the thesaurus.
David Smith who played Robert in the film wrote this : It's about how we value and welcome those who are different from us, about understanding difference. I prefer “Acceptance”, “Diversity” & “Inclusion” - as they don't load difference with notions of superiority/inferiority.
I asked Gemma Blagbourgh and Kate Faulkner the same question and again both their answers were different
Gemma wrote Tolerance means recognising and working with peoples similarities, and working with their strengths and creating opportunities and understanding so that regardless of different points of view people can work together towards a common goal
Kate replied with Tolerance means many things to me an understanding of people with different beliefs or opinions or a fairness and openness when dealing with people different to you
Ian Medley who was our Director of Photography had this to say :Tolerance means to me the ability to listen and understand all views without bias.
Even though you may disagree with a comment, a cause, treatment of another, I never judge. (until someone is hurt)
Pictures
1International Day for Tolerance Logo
2Actor David Smith
3 Gemma Blagbourgh
4 Kate Faulkner as she appeared in the Tolerance film playing Mrs Jones
5 Ian Medley in his role as Director of Photography
6 Director Richard Hellawell with Kate Faulkner
7 Me holding a copy of the Tolerance video
Thank you to Gemma Blagbourgh Ian Meadley David Smith Kate Faulkner and Richard Hellawell for the interviews
Lastly The Tolerance Project is still looking for funding so far we have raised over £1545 towards our £2500 target if you want to help us on this special day please consider sending us a small donation by clicking on the link below
The Tolerance story so far
A group of plucky young people who called themselves the Toler… Ben Brown needs your support for Tolerance: Abi
Tolerance Ability not In Ability A Producers Commentary 25th Anniversary Edition
Part 4 – Accessibility, Social Life and Relationships
My commentary of Tolerance continues and we are looking at the part of the film that deals with accessibility, social life and relationships.
14 minutes 29 seconds Robert goes into town to try and get a birthday card for Julie, but finds some of the shops and cash machines inaccessible. Does anybody know what the drum and bass music is here? Please let me know, so I can add it to the soundtrack playlist
Deleted scene
The next deleted scene is unnumbered in the script, but it would have seen Robert go into a bank to get some money for Julie's birthday present. In the final film, we only see Robert struggling to get some money from nearby cash machines. You can read about banking issues when you have a disability in another blog which is coming soon called Breaking the Bank
Robert wheels into the bank and we immediately see he has a problem with the height of the counters; he has to reach up to put his cheque book in the trough; the counter woman looks at Robert as if he has done something wrong. An assistant taps him on the shoulder and Robert turns with a start:
ASSISTANT: Can I help you?
ROBERT: Why, what have I done wrong?
ASSISTANT: Nothing, but I thought you might like to conduct your business over there.
She points to a table where it is easy for Robert to see exactly what he is doing.
ROBERT: But I only want some money from my account.
ASSISTANT: I can sort it out, so you can see what you’re getting.
ROBERT: OK
The Shooting Schedule says that if the bank scene had gone ahead it would have been recorded on Wednesday 18th August
17 minutes 05 seconds Mrs Jones gets what she deserves as her car breaks down. If you look in the background, you see Jeremy Walker making a sly cameo as Julie’s taxi driver. Well deserved too, as it was Jeremy’s idea to make Tolerance in the first place.
17 minutes 29 seconds
Odeon Cinema sequence it was part of the UCI Cinema chain when we shot the Tolerance film it become an Odeon Cinema in 2006.
Matthew my Brother tells me that that branch of the Odeon Cinema will be shutting soon because of a new shopping development being built as part of the Kingsgate shopping centre.
The pub which also featured in the film and where we had the wrap party The Ropewalk is now also closed for business. according to the camra guide the pub was closed on the 3rd of March 2020 and became closed in the long term on the 3rd of March 2022 its future uncertain.
The last of our film spoofs - this time to An Officer and a Gentleman. David remembers this scene vividly as he quotes it both in his introduction for Tolerance and in an interview he gave me later for the films publicity material.
I don’t know if you knew this but there was a bit of controversy on the making of the Tolerance film in hiring non disabled actors to play disabled roles if you remember we made all the cast and Crew for the duration of the shoot use a wheelchair 24/7 how did you find the experience?
I wasn’t aware of the controversy, but expressed my own reservations to Richard (the director) when we first talked about me playing the role. There’s a dream sequence in the film that required my character to walk, so ultimately I felt that was sufficient justification And David again mentioned the Officer and a Gentleman sequence for the introduction to The Tolerance film
‘I played Rob - a wheelchair user - even though I’m not a wheelchair user myself. At the heart of the film is a drive to see the person not the disability, so maybe it shouldn’t matter who plays the character - but it’s certainly worth thinking through.’
In fact, Rob needs to walk in the film (no spoilers!), and that was the principal driver behind using an actor who was not a wheelchair user.
You can judge for yourselves whether that decision was justified. Perhaps the producers would not make the same choice today. Perhaps the story would be re-shaped to enable the casting of actors with disabilities.
Watching the film again recently Gemma Blagbourgh remembered that her and Helen Batty had to Iron David’s officer suit quite a few times to give the pristine look that you saw in the finished film the flowers that Rob gave his girlfriend Julie proved a a bit of a problem too as Ben Brown remembers oh those flowers that came from one of the films sponsors who owned a flower shop called The flower basket and they were great looked really nice but they kept at my house as I recall over night and we had to water them quite a few times to stop the poor things from dying ha ha
The picture bellow Helen and Charlotte giving each other a hug if you look carefully u can see those dying flowers that Robert gives Julie in the Officer and a Gentleman dream sequence on one of the seats of the bus
Talking about Gemma she was the second member of Tolerance to appear in the film, Gemma appears as the cinema manager. I had the day off that day but the rest of the cast and crew had to get up at 5.30am to shoot the cinema scenes. Gemma said about her Tolerance experience afterwards:
‘Yes I really enjoyed the whole experience of working on Tolerance. The only thing I didn’t like were the early mornings; the earliest being half past five in the morning when I had to film my scenes. It was long hours, but I wanted to show people with a disability that you can work and you can work in positions of authority.’
Deleted scene
Scene 26: (Internal) Cinema Auditorium
The last scene left on the cutting room floor was a short scene that takes place after the montage where we see Robert get the job at the cinema.
I have a feeling that this scene was cut because it didn’t really add much to the overall film. Robert is making a reference to Rocky Balboa’s girlfriend, Adrian, played by Talia Shire in the film series.
Robert and Julie are sat at the very front of the auditorium and are straining to see the screen.
ROBERT punches the air: ADRIAN!!!!
JULIE looks across at him: Who’s Adrian?
ROBERT: Nothing, nobody, just thinking.
JULIE: Well think on this. If you get this job, you can devise a way we can sit in the middle of the cinema and see properly.
Julie laughs at him and grabs his hand.
So Robert gets the job at the cinema and we see a montage of shots of him enjoying his new role to the music of the The Professionals theme music. I like the scene but I would have used the classic Pearl and Dean Cinema Music.
If you don't know what I am talking about click here thanks to YouTube (5) Pearl and Dean 1970s - YouTube
21 minutes 41 seconds Ropewalk scenes. These were all shot on the last day of shooting, so if we all look the worst for wear, you know why. Quite a bit of footage from the Wrap Party was used to form the film end credits
Rob Martin took 3 photos of the last day Some other photos from that last day have recently been unearthed by Tolerance member, Helen Batty, and I have included a few in this blog. Thank you Helen for letting me share these.
*Party scene at the end. If you looking for me in that scene, you will have a job finding me. Blink and you miss me! In addition, there are also a couple of errors with people’s credits; Helen Rees, for example, is incorrectly credited as Helen Briggs.
It goes without saying that I would like to say thank you to all the members of the Tolerance cast and crew, and to all those companies that provided us with donations big and small that made up our £8000 budget.
** The introduction for the film was published on Tumblr website on 6 April, 2018 ahead of the films re-launch on the same day. https://yestolerancepro.tumblr.com/
If you have read this and want to help the Tolerance Project, please follow us on Facebook for up-dated information:or to give a donation please click on the above link to our gofundme page
https://gofund.me/5cf25de4
Or on Twitter @TolerancePro
Notes
Thank you to David Smith and Gemma Blagbourgh for the interviews The Cast and Crew of the original Tolerance film for allowing me to use the behind the scenes photos Rob Martin for taking the photos in the first place and finally Ruth Sharpe for the editing duties.
Also thanks to Gemma Blagbourgh and Matthew Brown for helping me fill in some of the blanks
Like part 3 of the making of blog Part 4 has had quite a bit of new material added to it the making of the Officer and a Gentleman spoof was originally detailed in a Tolerance Project extra piece which has been deleted from our Tumblr page so I have included that material in this new version of the blog as well an extra photo which also came from the Tolerance Extra blog and a load of Screengrabs from the Tolerance film are also new to this version of the blog .
If you have read this and want to help the Tolerance Project, please follow us on Facebook for up-dated information:or to give a donation please click on the above link to our gofundme page
The Tolerance story so far
A group of plucky young people who called themselves the Toler… Ben Brown needs your support for Tolerance: Abi
Also Thank you to Doctor who magazine for letting me nick there Fact of fiction format ha ha
Photo captions
Screengrabs from the Tolerance film thanks to Ian Medley
1 Robert (David Smith trying to get his money out of an ATM
2 Jeremy Walker making his cameo apperance in the Tolerance film as Julies Clare Abbot Taxi Driver if it wasn't for Jeremy we wouldn't be making the Tolerance film in the first place thanks Jeremy
3 David Smith Doing his best Richard Gere Impression for the Officer and a Gentlemen spoof
4 The Ropewalk Pub Huddersfield
5 Gemma Blagbourgh playing the Cinema manager
6 and 7 Robert in his dream job working for the UCI cinema
Behind the Scenes photos with thanks to Rob Martin and Helen Batty
1 Paul Lockwood Soundman with Claire Abbot and David Smith
2 Paul Lockwood Soundman 2 with Richard Hellawell Claire Abbot and David Smith
3 4 and 5
The Wrap party
Charlotte Helen Batty and Micheal Weaver Claire Abbot Ropewalk Kevin Spencer Playing pool with Laura Brown Jonathan Lyndley and Richard Hellawell
Tolerance Ability Not Inability A Producer Commentary 25th Anniversary Edition
Part 3 – Employment
My commentary of Tolerance continues and we are looking at the part of the film that deals with employment.
7 minutes 50 seconds Robert is still struggling to get his job interview. I hate to say it, but 13 years later, although the awful phone boxes have all but disappeared, trying to use a cash machine from a wheelchair is still just as difficult.
8 minutes 24 seconds On her way to work Julie is past by a car which parks in a disabled space. Julie is not happy when she realises that the person parked in the space is not disabled, but is in fact her boss, Mrs Jones, played by Kate Faulkner. (www.linkedin.com/in/kate-faulkner-a3264817)
Julie daydreams about what she would like to do to her boss, leading to a spoof of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Don’t worry, Julie, Mrs Jones will get her just desserts later on. The car, by the way, belonged to Gemma Blagbrough’s Dad, Michael. In the scene Mrs Jones Pulls out an orange badge The badge changed Colour in April 2000 to blue The Blue badge scheme itself will be extended in 2019 to cover people with hidden disabilities such as mental health and Autism
We will be covering the issue of blue badge abuse in a future blog called when I'm feeling blue coming soon
This Happened on the 20th of August 2019 click on this link to find out Blue badge permits: Shake-up 'will increase parking demand' - BBC News
For the Tolerance Film publicity material I asked Kate what she remembered about filming the Good the Bad and the Ugly spoof and how she found making the Tolerance film as a whole and could she beleave it was nearly 20 years ago since we made it
Oh this was such a fun scene to do. Richard (the director) knew exactly what he wanted so it was easy to understand and play the scene as he wanted. Can’t believe it was that long ago...makes me feel really old! I remember it being a lovely project and really enjoying working with everyone.
9 minutes 23 seconds Robert’s Job Centre scenes were shot at the Huddersfield Branch of Worklink, which provided disabled people with help when they wanted to enter employment. The organisation was closed in 2013 because of a loss of funding. Mr Grosenberg appears. Due to his high pitch voice, Gemma Blagbrough remembers that his scenes had to be shot several times, because we were all laughing so much. Mr Grosenberg was played in the Tolerance film by Tony Green. like Clare Abbot I have been unable to find anymore acting credits for him.
Lian John who played the unhelpful receptionist in the job centre sequences also doesn’t have any acting credits besides the Tolerance film which is sad the acting profession can be so unforgiving.
According to Rob Martin, the Worklink scenes were shot on 20 August 1999. 17 photos survive of that day’s shooting; most of them show the set up of the Mr Grosenberg scenes with the director, Robert Hellewell, and the actors David Smith and Tony Green.
Deleted scene
Next up is a small extension to the Mr Grosenberg scene in the Job Centre. It is another of Robert's dreams. Perhaps the director felt that it slowed the story up too much, or it did not add anything or perhaps the fact that Grosenberg had a voice like a Helium balloon was enough!
Props list for this deleted scene includes Ski mask Overalls big knife
Robert is looking at Mr Grosenberg. Mr Grosenberg is looking bewildered at Robert’s face, but what he cannot see is Mike Myers standing behind him, wearing a ski mask and overalls, and holding a gigantic kitchen knife. Mr Grosenberg turns to see the knife looming down on him and he holds up his hands to protect himself, as the knife swings down at his fingers.
When Robert complains in the job centre scenes that all he gets offered are training courses and that employers only see the chair and not him, this had all been experienced by Tolerance members and still happens.
It was something I tackled myself in a short film called The Employment Game, which I made as a training exercise prior to working on the Tolerance film.
Where Robert says he has a CV as long as my arm and that he is good at training courses because he has done some many over the years, this is because of my own personal experiences in trying to find work.
I am hoping it will be possible to include The Employment Game on the planned Tolerance website. A blog looking at the making of The Employment game called Just the Job was published on August 9th 2024
11 minutes 19 seconds We cut to Julie, who is unhappy in her work. Mrs Jones tells her that she wants five copies of the work action plan and she needs them now. She later tells Julie that she can have the morning off, but first Julie has to tackle the monster photocopier. We chose the classical music, Car O Fortuna - Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff for the background music to this scene.
According to Rob Martin’s notes, Julie’s work scenes were shot at somewhere called Oakmead on 19 August 1999. There are 37 colour photographs in total, including Kate Faulkner going over her lines with Claire Abbot and director, Richard Hellawell, as well as the setting up of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly sequence. Those taking notes on how many script pages were shot on this day 9 pages of script were recorded in all the most of the entire shoot.
To read more about the issues surrounding disability when looking for a job please read the 3 part blog give us a Job written by Gemma Blagbourgh and myself as well the Tolerance Project extra pieces about Gemma Blagbourgh’s book how to build your business piece by piece you can find out more about the book by clicking here How To Build your Business | Jigsaw Training (jigsaw-training.org)
My commentary will continue in part 4, which will look at the aspect of the film dealing with accessibility, social life and relationships.
In the meantime if you want to help the Tolerance project read about or give a small donation at our gofundme page by clicking on the above link
The Tolerance story so far
A group of plucky young people who called themselves the Toler… Ben Brown needs your support for Tolerance: Abi
Photo Captions
All Screengrabs taken from the Tolerance film thanks to Ian Medley
Pictures 1 to 3 the Good the Bad and the ugly spoof
Picture 4 Mr Grosenberg played by Tony Green
Picture 5 Lian John as unhelpful Job Centre receptionist
Picture 6 Julie Clare Abbot facing the Monster photo copier
Behind the scenes photos with thanks to Rob Martin
6 Kate Faulkner going through her lines with Actress Claire Abbot
7 Kate Faulkner going through her lines with Director Richard Hellawell
8 Oakmead set up shot for the Good the Bad and the ugly spoof
9 Office shot shot set up with Claire Abbot
10 Oakmead set up shot for the Good the Bad and the ugly spoof (2)
11 Worklink Ben Brown Richard Hellawell
12Worklink with Mr Grosenberg actor Tony Green and Ian Medley
13 Picture 8 Worklink Tony Green David Smith Becky Quartermaine
Notes
Quite a bit of new material is included in this version of the 3rd part of my Producers commentary details about the Orange disabled Badge changing colour to Blue Worklink closing and the Blue Badge Scheme extending to people with Hidden disabilities was originally included in an extended version of the article which has now been deleted from our Tumblr page.
Thank you to Kate Faulkner for the interview
Also Thank you to Doctor who magazine for letting me nick there Fact of fiction format ha ha
Hi Just thought I would update you with some exciting news, the Tolerance blog will soon be releasing a new interview with the Director and writer of the Tolerance film Richard Hellawell. Who talks about the making of the Tolerance film for the first time in 25 years and its a very revealing interview I learned things about Richard I never knew about I am not going to say anymore .
Thanks to Richard I will be updating some of the Tolerance blogs including memories from a movie set which has now been extended to 2 parts a new edition of a special blog looking at the international day of Tolerance as well as with a little help from my freinds
Thanks for reading
Ben
Picture Director Richard Hellawell sharing a joke with actress Clare abbot who played Julie in the Tolerance film thanks to Rob Martin
It was 25 years ago today sorry to misquote the Beatles but still Tolerance film celebration plans revealed
Hello there to misquote the Beatles SGT Peppers Lonely Hearts club band its 25 years since me and a group of friends made a film called Tolerance a disability awareness film that look at what it was like to live as a young disabled person in the 21st Century to celebrate the 25th birthday of the film I will be releasing a number of new blogs here are the details:
We start with Just the Job Revisiting The Employment Game a one off blog looking at the making of the 10 min film that inspired the Tolerance film this revised version includes new material about how a pair of classic childrens TV programmes helped to provide a soundtrack for the film itself this blog will be released on the 9th August 2024.
Tolerance Ability not in Ability a Producers Commentary (4 parts)
A revised version of the part making of blog written by me the first chapter to be released on the 16th August the very first day we started shooting the film.
Thank you for the music (2 Parts) looking at the films soundtrack a revised version of the original blog with new material the first part will be released on the 16th September with Chapter 2 the following week.
A series of articles looking at the film spoofs featured in the Tolerance film begins with My dear girl looking at the making of James Bond Dr NO this is another revised version of a blog I wrote 2 years ago extended to (3 Parts)
This is followed by Jumping the Shark a blog in (2 parts) looking at the Jaws Franchise other blogs in the series will look at The Good The bad and the Ugly (3 Parts) Officer and a Gentleman a one off blog the Rocky series The Final Countdown (3 Parts)
We will looking at the classic TV series the Professionals I am also working on some content I can’t tell you about that yet more on that soon
