News: Northern Soul - The Film - Latest news - June 2012

[Mike]

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[Guest Byrney]

Looks like its all systems go then. Personally I'm really looking forward to it.

[Mike]

here's the flyer for what seems to be the main nighter event filming

[Guest in town Mikey]

Good to see on going coverage. This is a new one on me tho

The Epiphany of Sound - You Don't Love Me

Hopefully some new guys do have an epiphany, and climb on board the soul train.

[Guest bluebelly]

epitome of sound

[Julie Moore]

Look forward to viewing it ................Will it be any different than the rest?, hope so :-)

[TheBigO]

Epitome of sound - I once introduced it whilst DJing in one of my more 'you really aren't thinking are you' moments as the Eppytome of sound DOH!!!!!

[Guest chrislokeh]

here's the flyer for what seems to be the main nighter event filming

Would have loved to have been there but we dont think our son will cancel his wedding

[spot]

Correct me if I'm wrong but is the guy in this is in the new Pringles ad? It's driving me mad trying to work out if I'm right.

[sir cumference]

Correct me if I'm wrong but is the guy in this is in the new Pringles ad? It's driving me mad trying to work out if I'm right.

Yeah-he was in Hollyoaks a bit ago(So I am told! )

[Wiggyflat]

Just wondered what period this is being filmed in and do you have to wear period costume...ie 74 75 76 etc

[Guest gibber]

Lisa Stansfield is playing one of the lads mum . Also working on a new album hoping it to be released next spring .

Interesting its coming out about the same time as the film. I wonder what will be on it.

[Guest lambrettanik]

Just wondered what period this is being filmed in and do you have to wear period costume...ie 74 75 76 etc

73to 75 i believe.as the dancers have been asked to grow their hair and remove non period badges from non period bags,ive also seen some of the clothes to be worn and its def from the early days of wigan

[Guest lambrettanik]

Look forward to viewing it ................Will it be any different than the rest?, hope so :-)

should be better than the previouse attempt as elaine is going to great lengths to get the dancing,clothes and hairstyles as authentic as poss,from what i can gather expect across between 'kes','billy elliot' type northern realism and throw into the mix 'once upon a time in wigan' and it should be a future cult classic

[Douglas]

I'm glad Richard Searling is involved as a music consultant, it would be crap with Russ W and his usual plugging of mediocre records,Frank 'Crap' Wilson springs to mind.

[Steve G]

Richard, and Butch involved on the musical front - can't go wrong there. Two v knowledgeable people.

Edited July 4, 2012 by Steve G

[Guest Byrney]

The more you look at this the better the attention seems to getting it as right as possible. Butch and Dickie on the music front, dance lessons for extras over how many months, wardrobe dpt that are out scanning for the right gear and written / directed by a top lady on the scene.

Can't think of a better pair of hands to carry the project.

Edited July 5, 2012 by Byrney

[Mike]

a quick its monday nite and still aint on top of things pass on...

As part of Elaine's vision to make Northern Soul the film feel as authentic as possible she has been training young dancers for nearly 4 years and if you've seen the Youtube footage you'll know they're pretty impressive!

Their commitment and passion will certainly make the club and all-nighter scenes come alive, so we are offering an exciting opportunity to contribute to the making of the film by sponsoring one of our dancers.

full info via the website

https://www.northernsoulthefilm.com/sponsor

[thenorwichdancer]

Hi everybody,

I've got a ticket to the filming (oh I've got a golden ticket!) and I wondered if anyone else going can give me a lift from manchester?

Kind Regards.

ps. they havent asked me to grow my hair

[Guest Bluebell]

Got a ticket but no one to go with anyone else in same position ? x

[MartynJJ]

Posted on behalf of the Film Production Team

Blackburn Confirmation Emails..

We've had some messages about people not receiving a confirmation about Blackburn.

We have now emailed everyone we've had a registration from so please check your spam folders.

If you haven't had anything maybe we don't have the right email address for you? In which case it would be best to re-register.

You can click on the link below to go straight to the registration form.

The registration will be closing tonight, Tuesday the 31st at midnight.

Thank you and we are looking forward to seeing you all there!

https://northernsoul...-soul-the-film/

[spike1]

Some of the guys who are dancing in the film come to the wheel

Really good dancers and top guys to talk to hope this thing is a great success

Would love to be an extra but at 53 think I'll leave it to these young guns ;)

Spikeeee

[dedji1955]

Some of the guys who are dancing in the film come to the wheel

Really good dancers and top guys to talk to hope this thing is a great success

Would love to be an extra but at 53 think I'll leave it to these young guns ;)

Spikeeee

Don't forget the girls dance at the wheel too and your right Spike their top dancers and very friendly

[spike1]

Don't forget the girls dance at the wheel too and your right Spike their top dancers and very friendly

I did mean to include the girls when I said guys;)

Hope this film is a great success

And it inspires young and old into the scene

And I mean all aspects of the scene

New old upfront just the scene

Ssssspikeeeee

Shown the footage to some of the kids I teach to drive couple of them are dance instructors they cannot beleive theIr eyes

Edited August 3, 2012 by spike1

[Guest lambrettanik]

Got a ticket but no one to go with anyone else in same position ? x

ill be there on my own so if you wanna meet up inside contact me thru here

[Guest lambrettanik]

I did mean to include the girls when I said guys;)

Hope this film is a great success

And it inspires young and old into the scene

And I mean all aspects of the scene

New old upfront just the scene

Ssssspikeeeee

Shown the footage to some of the kids I teach to drive couple of them are dance instructors they cannot beleive theIr eyes

ive had the pleasure of working with theses kids.fantastic all of them,and just to dispel any myths around are they genuine or actors,i can safely say all the kids from the northern sessions in bolton are gen 100 per cent soul fans and were asked to get involved purley because of the fact that they are into the scene before the film was even mentioned and some have their own soul nights ie WYS have a soul night once a month and the black bee soul nights in manchester are run and dj'd by these guys,go and check their events out.

[spike1]

Well said that man!

These people are genuine soulies who love the scene I will get over to the black bee soul club if it kills me;)

[MrsWoodsrules]

I'm going, can't wait, nice little session lined up after filming too, which I'm most looking forward to, should be a good day, hoping to get me kipper on the silver screen, next stop L.A he he.

Aid.

[spike1]

I'm going, can't wait, nice little session lined up after filming too, which I'm most looking forward to, should be a good day, hoping to get me kipper on the silver screen, next stop L.A he he.

Aid.

Ahhemmm

It says they want 16-20 something's not olde worlde crinkles like us:)

[MrsWoodsrules]

Ahhemmm

It says they want 16-20 something's not olde worlde crinkles like us:)

Yeah I know, maybe might get a part as a cloakroom attendant, a dab hand with raffle tickets me :-).

To be honest, just looking forward to the session afterwards, should be a good fun day anyways, can't wait.

Aid.

[Guest blackbeesoulclub]

Looking forward to the filming to start, been a lot of hard work, but doing something you are passionate about makes it easier. Thanks everyone for the kind words. Would love to see you all at Black Bee Soul Club on the 17th August at Kraak in the Northern Quarter of Manchester.

All the best

Paul Bailey

Edited August 5, 2012 by blackbeesoulclub

[TheBigO]

Don't worry Aid there are several of us playing the part of 'old men in the shadows who better not venture out of the darkness' roles :-)) I'm looking forward to the session after the filming stops, been ages since I've stomped the boards at the King Georges! Now, wheres my Brut x

[Anais nin Carms]

We popped in to KGH on saturday afternoon on the way back from the coast , caught a great photgraphic exhibition at Lythem St Anns had a bite to eat and arrived at Blackburn around 2pm to a very hot and sticky film set . Must say the atmosphere at floor leval was fantastic , spotted many talented dancers , possibly the best concentration of great dancers I have ever seen. It was a great experience. Also caught sight of many friends , too many to mention individually. Sorry I missed Sue Parker

Brent looked awesome in his "Bouncers" suit and I was very impressed with the attention to detail down to loads of ashtrays full of fag ends. The heat on the set was unbareable , it was great to go upstairs and watch from above . Heard that the Dj decks are the original decks ! The guy (actor) playing the Dj was brilliant , remember that thing you used to do when you had long hair with a center parting, how you sort keep smoothing the sides down and pushing the hair curtains back , well he got that motion off to a T. and as for the guy that took the lead when the the three walk in .... Nige tells me it was an image of Nige Shaw ! His attitude and manner was identicle.

I could be wrong .... this is a constructive comment ...maybe the balcony shot is a faded distance type of shot and scenes are incorporated within it ? BUT

I will say I think they may need to re-think the filiming of balcony though to make it look more authentic they could have done with some young actors intermingled in the crowd above , I would guess at the time not everybody just stood there and stared at the floor as we were all doing :)I would imagine people did record deals from small boxes and mates hugged each other when spotted in the balcony area because they had been missed down below , people smoked and had a laugh upstairs too ? ..... not everyone was positioned to look eyes out front if you know what I mean ?

I didn't go to Wigan Casino , so I could be right off the mark , perhaps someone could elaborate what went on upstairs ? I think 99% of us were shocked to hear we were within shooting range if thats the right terminology ?

We found that we could not go to Blackburn and miss a revisit to that much loved club Tonys Empress , which is literally five minutes around the corner, can't express how it felt to be stood at that shutter and imagine climbing those steps behind it again , surprised to see the paving stone with Tonys on it , never noticed that before ? Sad to see its not in use by anyone anymore ?

Edited August 13, 2012 by Carms

[Steve G]

Thought it was really good Saturday. Elaine is working hard to capture the real spirit of the 70s in the film and the shots we saw certainly did that. The dancers are excellent.

The balcony at Wigan tended to be either "tourists", people asleep or people watching the dancers below.I am sure there was some movement but it wasn't really full of people jiving about like a gospel choir in full flow either....

The thing is you never saw someone over about 25 at Wigan (apart from Brian Rae maybe), so why some 50 somethings thought they'd be in it was funny I must say.

We were debating when clapping at the end of records really came in - 78 maybe?

Anyway looking really good.

Steve

Edited August 13, 2012 by Steve G

[TheBigO]

Carms I know that the general soul encyclopaedia that is the walking love god Taff was involved in ensuring everything was just right (even down to the tats at the time!) and considering he is a bit like the forest Gump of Northern Soul - I.E he's been there pretty much for everything, running through all the major clubs and events like a thread- I think we can say that Elaine and the crew have got it well covered. I too noticed that some the actors were exactly like some of the people I knew even down to the mannerisms etc. I am feeling very VERY confident this could be the film that finally does the scene justice.

[Guest Chris Waterman]

We found that we could not go to Blackburn and miss a revisit to that much loved club Tonys Empress , which is literally five minutes around the corner, can't express how it felt to be stood at that shutter and imagine climbing those steps behind it again , surprised to see the paving stone with Tonys on it , never noticed that before ? Sad to see its not in use by anyone anymore ?

Hi Carms

Tony's has been sitting empty for a couple of years now, it was last used as a dance studio for children. The lease is now back in Blackburn councils hands, unfortunately the building is not safe for public use, they have major issues with dry rot below the sprung dance floor, asbestos and lack of a legal the fire escape.

The interior of the the building still looks the same as when the last niters were held there, the council are looking to refurb the building but at present do not have the funds and probably never will, I know there are plans to video the interior of the buliding for a short documentary.

Best

Chris W

[MrsWoodsrules]

I had a great day, really interesting watching the production team at work too.

We were chatting to Brent & he was off to a gig Nuneaton niter that that evening so a long day for him I imagine, made me chuckle watching a bouncer shuffle during Sealing's set with his dickie bow on, but I think he was spot on for a Wigan bouncer.

Lots of little touches I was impressed with as Carms says, the hair of the actors, & it was generally longer then & the attitude was right on the money.

Also the dj smoking & in generally the smoke filled air.

Not sure about when dj said 'take no prisoners', don't think that type of dialogue would have been used & me personally would drop that.

Another point, the stage was always three rows deep with bags/cassette recorders/coats it was empty.

The balcony was deffo wrong, but not much can you do given what it there.

The dancers were fantastic, I think they have a hell of a lot right & besides my picky comments I think its gonna be spot on & am excited about seeing it.

Don't want to hear Duke Browner for a while though.

Did anyone else notice the guy from Ocean Colour Scene? I'm sure it was him, but I could be wrong, he was just there as a northern fan like the rest of us I presume.

Aid.

[Pete S]

Thought it was really good Saturday. Elaine is working hard to capture the real spirit of the 70s in the film and the shots we saw certainly did that. The dancers are excellent.

The balcony at Wigan tended to be either "tourists", people asleep or people watching the dancers below.I am sure there was some movement but it wasn't really full of people jiving about like a gospel choir in full flow either....

The thing is you never saw someone over about 25 at Wigan (apart from Brian Rae maybe), so why some 50 somethings thought they'd be in it was funny I must say.

We were debating when clapping at the end of records really came in - 78 maybe?

Anyway looking really good.

Steve

Steve, I have a tape from March 77 where there's clapping after the records, I thought it was later than that too

[Mister Fish]

Steve, I have a tape from March 77 where there's clapping after the records, I thought it was later than that too

I got tapes from '77 with clapping after too. Pretty sure at the '76 anniversary there was appaluse after the records. Anyone got a tape of that?

Edited August 13, 2012 by Mister Fish

[Pete S]

I got tapes from '77 with clapping after too. Pretty sure at the '76 anniversary there was appaluse after the records. Anyone got a tape of that?

Yes got two but no clapping after the records. I am sure that it was after a spin of Garnet Mimms - Looking for you that this started.

[Casper]

what a brilliant weekend at Blackburn ! it finaly all came together and seemed to run like clockwork both days .. the young people were superb and so very pacient with the inevitable stop start of on set filming... we could not stay for the last three hours soul night because we were working at Nunny nighter too , but it would no doubt have been a good session ... a few dancing injurys and sprains with a few by close of play Sunday , but nothing too serious ...

As for authentic ? well overall very very good , sure everyone would be able to add this that and the other... but overall the impression of a night at the casino was done so very very well,and with the upmost care to get it right all the way, after editing will it be even more convincing ... top marks all round ! well done to everyone

pete n' susan ktf

[Steve G]

Don't want to hear Duke Browner for a while though.

Aid.

Good job it was a dub. Think a polystyrene orig of Duke Browner would be starting to hiss by now the number of plays / takes. Bags on the stage is a good point, but the scenes I saw were panning from the back of the hall to the front, and the stage wasn't in shot. Long haired DJ very Curtis / Roberts we thought.

DJs didn't say too much beyond the record and titles and what they did say was pretty muffled at Wigan, and recall Richard occasionally did silly announcements always remember "Lee Moore & The Resourceful Ones and Your love....Keep me....Pissin".

The clapping after individual records is an interesting one, so didn't happen in 74 then? I didn't go that early but did go before I remember clapping each record starting c 77 by the sounds of it. We were also debating if DJs were clapped at the end of sets, not sure that they always were and we thought it depended on the hand over and what the next DJ on said (and whether he got on with the bloke he was following).

Liked the table and chairs laid out, at the back, as close to Wigan table and chairs as you'll get. Not too fussed about the balcony not being the same, as I don't think that'll show too much on the final edit.

[MrsWoodsrules]

Liked the table and chairs laid out, at the back, as close to Wigan table and chairs as you'll get. Not too fussed about the balcony not being the same, as I don't think that'll show too much on the final edit.

We were sat in them downstairs watching some of the early shots (most people were upstairs watching from the gallery then), i told my mate that those three bottles of orange had been on that table for a while & that some of the production crew mustn't want them, as it was so hot & he was gaggin, he took a swig form one of the bottles...........they were props......., with pi*s tasting water in........absolutely cracked me up.

Yeah, generally, think they got it spot on, & after some post production, sure it will be great, can't wait.

Aid.

[Dave Thorley]

Good job it was a dub. Think a polystyrene orig of Duke Browner would be starting to hiss by now the number of plays / takes. Bags on the stage is a good point, but the scenes I saw were panning from the back of the hall to the front, and the stage wasn't in shot. Long haired DJ very Curtis / Roberts we thought.

DJs didn't say too much beyond the record and titles and what they did say was pretty muffled at Wigan, and recall Richard occasionally did silly announcements always remember "Lee Moore & The Resourceful Ones and Your love....Keep me....Pissin".

The clapping after individual records is an interesting one, so didn't happen in 74 then? I didn't go that early but did go before I remember clapping each record starting c 77 by the sounds of it. We were also debating if DJs were clapped at the end of sets, not sure that they always were and we thought it depended on the hand over and what the next DJ on said (and whether he got on with the bloke he was following).

Liked the table and chairs laid out, at the back, as close to Wigan table and chairs as you'll get. Not too fussed about the balcony not being the same, as I don't think that'll show too much on the final edit.

Agree with Steve on a few points here. Clapping was in the latter years and whats with 50 somethings in the dance scene, we might be now, but we weren't then, when the film is based. Also what's with girls in white short 'Bobby Socks'. That is from the early 80's, oldies revival scene, never in the mid 70's. A fair few of the female pretty things in full length evening dresses, never saw that at Wigan, working class girls in 'Maxi length, bib and brace' style dresses maybe. Lastly thought the male outfits pretty good, but kecks were never that short.

All in all think though, Elaine is doing a fab job.

[MartynJJ]

Don't want to hear Duke Browner for a while though.

Amen to that :-). i've had the pleasure to be involved with the Rumworth Dance sessions with Brent since late January this year and every thursday my ears have been onslaught to the strains of Duke bloody Browner as we now call him.

But for that, there was a plus side and thats a 3 day crew pass for filming weekend. Started off on Friday assembling all the dancers at KGH and getting them through costume fitting and make up. About lunchtime I was asked to man the studio at the rear and take all the shots of the dancers and actors in their costumes for cataloging purposes. I took in excess of 300 images. The wardrobe team have done an excellent job amassing a huge variety of clobber. I haven't seen as many pairs of Solatios since....well probably since 1975. Finally got home at 9pm.

Saturday was another early start, assembling at 8. Everyone into costumes and up in the main hall by 10 and then the young extras arrived and a few closed scene shots were run. Then the public arrived. I must admit to being worried that being sat around for so long would be a problem but everyone to a tee was well behaved and patient. Dissappeared off for lunch about 3.30 and came back to a room absolutely rocking during Richard's lunchtime set. You could feel the release of pent up energy in the air, it was palpable. Then onto more of the main crowd shoots. Went home after the main filming abolsutely knackered and ready for....another early start on Sunday.

So Sunday comes, same scenario, landing at 8. Sunday was a more intense session focussed around dialogue, so we spent a lot if time making sure any aches, pains and strains were being taken care of.

Being on the floor we had a pretty good view at times of what the camera was picking up through Elaine's monitor and if nothing else she has got the cinematography absolutely spot on. We are going to be in for a real visual treat when the film is released. There was one particular moment on Sunday in a dance scene with a move so good, captured so well, and delivered by one of the lead actors it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and most of those around me I'm sure judging by the reaction in the room.

I have no doubt that Elaine will do her absolute best to make this film as faithful a reproduction of the Northern Soul scene as she possibly can. Our shared story is in good hands :-)

Edited August 15, 2012 by MartynJJ

[Guest lofthope]

I really enjoyed my day in Blackburn and it looked superb from the balcony. Anyone who has seen the YouTube clips of the dance classes will see how authentic Elaine can make it. I attended several of the London dance classes and the reason I went back each time was just the pure energy that was created in the room by the young dancers. It was worth endurung the same records at each session just to be in the room. It was that sort of experience that first got me into Northern Soul in the mid 1970s and that is what is being captured here.

Meanwhile, we all know that the scene also has some very sad and picky analists (and I mean ANALists not anylists) who will quibble about minute details and miss that the essence of what made the scene great is being captured. I really hope that the saddos do not rule the day by continualy highlighting trivia like the brand of cigarette being smoked ceased to be available in mid 1974, Swan Vestas were more red in 1975, that the average hair length was quarter of an inch longer in 1975, the girls' socks used a different type of elastic before 1978 and that the bouncers' bow tie is made of the wrong material or what ever feeds their pickiness.

My daughter went to some of the London classes and to Blackburn. She sees Northern Soul as energetic and vibrant.These sesions inspired her. However, on the journey home she commented about some sad old people there trying to spot anything that didn't quite match their memories of 1975...apparently they were so dull and trivial that it gave a very negative view of both them and the scene to my daughter.

Bags on the stage, fair point, but it never occured to me until I read it here. Clapping after records, I have no idea when it came in but don't recall it my first few times at Wigan....but would it make any difference to the film? Authenticity is important, I agree, but it isn't ever going to be 100%. But more than creating a museum of authentic props I want the authenticity to capture the (positive) spirit and excitement that was Northern Soul in the mid 1970s.

To steal a phrase from the Olympics: LET'S INSPIRE A GENERATION!

Well done Elaine, this is looking great.

[Pete S]

Agree with Steve on a few points here. Clapping was in the latter years and whats with 50 somethings in the dance scene, we might be now, but we weren't then, when the film is based. Also what's with girls in white short 'Bobby Socks'. That is from the early 80's, oldies revival scene, never in the mid 70's. A fair few of the female pretty things in full length evening dresses, never saw that at Wigan, working class girls in 'Maxi length, bib and brace' style dresses maybe. Lastly thought the male outfits pretty good, but kecks were never that short.

All in all think though, Elaine is doing a fab job.

There was a craze for girls wearing white socks at Wigan, late 77-ish, they wore them with Clarks red leather sandals, the type we wore as kids, then they started wearing what they called "Granny shoes", they definitely wore the socks Dave.

[Winnie :-)]

There was a craze for girls wearing white socks at Wigan, late 77-ish, they wore them with Clarks red leather sandals, the type we wore as kids, then they started wearing what they called "Granny shoes", they definitely wore the socks Dave.

Maybe even a bit earlier Pete, cos My Mrs had 'granny sandals' and we got married in 77 and she definitely had them before then.

[Stevie T]

went from 73 onwards , we clapped alway through the last 3 records , my trousers at the time were 8" waistband , french flared ( from the hip) and multi buttoned , side pockets etc , at the time ! i cant remember if we clapped after a record , but we certainly put our fists in the air as a salute type of thing

Edited August 16, 2012 by Stevie.T

[Soulfinger]

I really enjoyed my day in Blackburn and it looked superb from the balcony. Anyone who has seen the YouTube clips of the dance classes will see how authentic Elaine can make it. I attended several of the London dance classes and the reason I went back each time was just the pure energy that was created in the room by the young dancers. It was worth endurung the same records at each session just to be in the room. It was that sort of experience that first got me into Northern Soul in the mid 1970s and that is what is being captured here.

Meanwhile, we all know that the scene also has some very sad and picky analists (and I mean ANALists not anylists) who will quibble about minute details and miss that the essence of what made the scene great is being captured. I really hope that the saddos do not rule the day by continualy highlighting trivia like the brand of cigarette being smoked ceased to be available in mid 1974, Swan Vestas were more red in 1975, that the average hair length was quarter of an inch longer in 1975, the girls' socks used a different type of elastic before 1978 and that the bouncers' bow tie is made of the wrong material or what ever feeds their pickiness.

My daughter went to some of the London classes and to Blackburn. She sees Northern Soul as energetic and vibrant.These sesions inspired her. However, on the journey home she commented about some sad old people there trying to spot anything that didn't quite match their memories of 1975...apparently they were so dull and trivial that it gave a very negative view of both them and the scene to my daughter.

Bags on the stage, fair point, but it never occured to me until I read it here. Clapping after records, I have no idea when it came in but don't recall it my first few times at Wigan....but would it make any difference to the film? Authenticity is important, I agree, but it isn't ever going to be 100%. But more than creating a museum of authentic props I want the authenticity to capture the (positive) spirit and excitement that was Northern Soul in the mid 1970s.

To steal a phrase from the Olympics: LET'S INSPIRE A GENERATION!

Well done Elaine, this is looking great.

I couldn't agree more. Fantastic post.