12:33 A Network South-East train
It's Thursday, 26th October 1995 and I am on the 12:33 from Chatham in Kent, going to London Victoria, listening to Erasure on dead batteries, with my stomach churning and my paranoia working overtime.
"Will my clothes be acceptable?", "Just as well I bought a return ticket".
No point in worrying about it all now. There's no turning back, just sit back & chill out to the musical pleasures contained in 'Rock Me Gently'.
13:30 Victoria Coach station
Following two other people who look like they are heading in my direction and wearing the same sort of clothing as me.
My panic has ebbed a little as I sit and wait, chatting to the two I followed to the coach station.
14:15 On the Coach
I'm in! I'm actually bloody in! After signing my life away to Mute Records I wait for some word of what is to happen next. [Actually it was a release form, giving permission to be filmed as an extra.]
14:25 Briefing time
We are going to the Docklands! We have been asked not to bother Andy when on set - fair enough - but he may come over and say "Hi" at some time. Now that would be nice. Oh, hang on a mo., what about Vince?
Thought: Hope Sarah (my fiancée back home) is alright.
15:45 On Location
Finally got here. I think we got lost, which is a shame as I am dying for a wee-wee!
The location is by one of the old docks on the riverside, near the City Airport and Canary Wharf and it's getting dark. Hmm, I have this gut feeling I will see the sun rising too.
16:05 Hospitality
Got into a double-decker bus. At least we can keep warm. For the next three-and-a-half hours we sat around, listening to a group upstairs having a sing-along-an-erasure.
Now that was fun. Get off the bus, get on the bus. Oh, what shall I do? Ooo, a cup o' char, excellent!
19:30 He's here!
After a bit more waiting, a brief 50's check by wardrobe and some more waiting (get used to it kid!), word got around that Andy has arrived after a late hair appointment. Typical!
Venturing down to his caravan for a hope of a glance at around a quarter to eight, he makes an appearance for an impromptu photo shoot for fans/extras. What a hero! After about five minutes, he returned to the warmth of his caravan and said he would see us later. Marvellous! 1 was really impressed and got some good photos too!
20:00 Time for Work
Time to go onto set. We are all done up 50's style, ready for a hard night's work.
21:00 Playing the Waiting Game
After more waiting around (that's what show business is all about, luvvy!), the first shots were called, but before that, something not too dissimilar to honey was put in my hair. It smelt nice, but took three days to completely wash out!
Our instructions were to stand still, deadpan, not looking at Andy (if we could see him), or the Spanish Dancer on the 'Octopus' ride. This shot was called several times, but finally got wrapped (I think).
23:05 Well, Laugh
Next up, a shot of two lines of us bursting into laughter then stopping, then laughing again, then stopping once more and so on. Hmm, be interesting to see how that turns out.
23:20 Could this be my starring chance?
With the line of laughter completed, we were told to get some food. But I, along with a few others, decided to hang on for a bit, check out the surroundings, see what was what, and got hauled into shooting another scene where the bikers push past us with one of them clutching a small trophy. I was at the front of the extras - stardom at last! Bet I end up on the cutting room floor. That's the run of my luck!
23:30 Grub up
Food time. Excellent - I'm starving!
Hey, this isn't too bad! Pizza, chips, sausage rolls. I missed the chicken, though. Never mind. It's about now I realise that I am enjoying myself quite a bit. Who cares it's cold. Who cares we still have another 6-and-a-halfhours to go. It's for Erasure and I am loving it!
0:00 Friday Morning
Back to the shoot, which is where we stay for most of the evening.
About 2am disaster strikes. The crane holding the camera following 'floating' Andy breaks a cable and crashes to the ground. Well, I didn't actually hear it crash. The first thing I knew about it was when Andy was swamped by extras on the dodgem floor and I heard various whisperings along the lines that the camera crane had busted and someone from the camera crew was currently being strung up from the Ferris Wheel, or something like that.
Well, I took advantage of this situation and managed to get my Erasure lyric book signed, making my copy of the album even more excellent than it already is.
I have lost track of time now, but I have been standing on the back of a dodgem, riding around on the back (now that was fun!) and taking more photos.
Janet and the Mute rep (sounds like a pop group name, really!) are currently rushing around like blue arsed flies trying to get the names of anyone who can come back tomorrow (Friday) night to re-shoot the 'floating' Andy scenes. Unfortunately I can't make it. God, I hope they don't re-shoot my bits too!
The highlight of the evening has to be bumping into Andy returning to the set from his caravan, so I managed to get a photo with him, along with another EIS member.
Wow, this is turning into quite a night!
Towards the end of the night, we were watching Andy on the Ferris Wheel with the Lily Savage look-alike. That was nice and relaxing, giving most of us a break from standing static and deadpan, except those on the Ferris Wheel. Bet they were cold!
5:00 The Final Shoot
The final shoot of the night was to stand on the Waltzer steps and let the camera zoom in and out from the whole Waltzer. There was a complete playback of the single during this shoot and hey, I know the chorus now!
Well, shooting finally finished at about 6:00 and we left the site at 7:00.
I was feeling tired and cold, but extremely happy. I am going to be in an Erasure video, I had met Andy and he had signed their latest masterpiece for me. If it happened again, I would be there! All that worrying about the 50's clothing was completely unfounded. I was fine, the night was excellent, what an experience!
I would like to thank:
EIS and Mute Film for giving me and all the others the chance to do this
Janet for running things really well and all for us. Thank you very much!
Andy Bell for being so friendly and tolerant with all of us, wanting his signature, to shake his hand or have our photo taken with him. You're a saint, sir!
Erasure for the music.
And lastly, Sarah, my fiancée for not moaning about me leaving her for the night. Thanks babe! :)
Andrew Hopper
Director Max Abbiss-Biro wanted to thank everyone who appeared as an extra. He said he'd never come across such a hard-working, patient bunch of people! A special mention also has to go to Clare Rowley, who helped look after the extras on the first night and hurt her ankle in the process!
