The Miss Potter Movie Blog

Renee as Miss Potter

On set diary 11/04/06

One week to go on the Isle of Man and counting. Tomorrow we're changing studio location and shooting scenes of the little Potter kiddies and their nanny. It'll be refreshing being in a brand new set. Saw the promotional trailer in the edit suite with Robin Sales (the film's editor) it's so good. He's cut a mini version of the entire film especially for the distributors and crew, which even at a reduced length everyone thinks is delightful.

On set diary 10/04/06

Vitamin B12 jabs in the top left buttock cheek were the order of today. Many of the crew log jammed outside the good Doctors trailer door to have a short, sharp boost of B12. Film legend has it; the sting is worth the energy high that kicks in 48 hours later. Two schools of thought were being hurled about the studio floor. One, the serum will change your life, or two, if you don't have pernicious anaemia it really won't have any effect at all. Surprisingly enough I succumbed to peer pressure and went for the B12 shot. I think I feel different. Well even if it's the placebo effect lulling me into a false hope of feeling more energetic I'm enjoying the buzz.

On set diary 07/04/06

The Isle of Man is infamous for the Manx cat and I discovered the peculiar reason behind the feline breed being born without a tail. It's due to the cat having a rare form of Spina Bifida. In fact their spines aren't fully developed which eventually leads to a relatively short cat life and painful premature death. Charming when can I get one? Actually I should elaborate on the Manx cats; the ones with a stubby tail and at least 2 spinal links have a healthy feline life span. Apparently they make very nice companions. Everything pertaining to the Island is referred to as Manx; pronounced 'Mank'. Unfortunately non-island people have made an association with the words Manx and Rank. Crew frequently exchange one word with the other when describing something they find distasteful eg. 'I think I'm going to be sick, how Manx!' Apologies to the lovely Manx residents your island rocks!

On set diary 04/04/06

Cabin fever on the Isle of Man is setting in. The limited selection available on the after hours hotel menu has been consumed one too many times. Restaurants in walking distance have been frequented on more than couple of occasions and the Douglas High Street at a slow pace ends with in 10 minutes. Oh sweet mercy we have two more weeks to go. A trip to Marks and Spencers is a highlight if you actually make the 5pm closing time. I’m finding that being in studio on continuous days for 6 days per week leads to a mass consumption of tea & biscuits. In fact inhaling any sugar-laden treat to keep the warm lights from putting you in to a drooling slumber between camera set-ups is a fundamental film making technique. Especially now we’re mid shoot and fatigue comes in waves.

On set diary 03/04/06

Yuletide decorations and smell of the Christmas tree’s pine needles are all part of the beautiful Potter House set and Christmas dinner scene. It’s been the prime focus of shooting over the last week. Set walls have been removed and replaced and rooms are continuously being rearranged to fit a number of the camera department’s impressive rigs. The shots created using the camera crane, dollying up and back on a Playstation type remote control box look great on the big screen.

On set diary 01/04/06

I haven’t stop wearing the thermals regardless of the baking temperatures under the studio lights. Sebastian (the clapper loader) keeps urging me to pack them away before I start melting. Regrettably the gale force winds are still howling outdoors and nearly blow you into oblivion. Renee was telling me that her trailer door was almost unhinged when she attempted opening it earlier.

On set diary 28/03/06

Just when you couldn’t believe the sets could get any better today Martin Childs, Production Designer and the Art Department have created the most beautiful turn of the last century house for the Potter family and dressed everything for Christmas. The dining room table looks spectacular, crystal and polished silver from one end to the other. Anyone new to this set just swoons. Although outside this lovely interior is a muddy cow paddy where the production unit’s tent and trailers are perched. Wellington boots are the only way forward.

On set diary 27/03/06

Saturday’s organised Gala function consisted of snacks & free drinks at the hotel bar to loosen everyone up for some social chitchat after a day’s shooting. The evening began with a very civilised tone. As the night progressed and the free drinks came to an end, crew respectfully rolled on into the adjacent bar. Some in hope of hooking up with someone they fancied, but to no avail, I’m afraid nothing scandalous happened. So far, there are only a few budding romances on the production’s horizon. Stay tuned for the next gripping episode of The Days of Our Miss Potter Lives. Rushes last night were impressive. The sets, costume and cinematography all look incredible and on top of that the actors’ performances were really engaging. It’s hard to believe how much of the film has been shot.

On set photos

Recreating that authentic winter feeling

Attempts to get the cast to join in with a game of musical chairs never quite caught on...

Lights, camera...

On set diary 24/03/06

First week of shooting in studio on the Isle of Man is finishing. The sets are lovely and it’s nice to be indoors. We arrived Tuesday from London on a chartered flight that was somewhat delayed due to engine trouble. We ended up moving planes and getting in 4 hours late. The previous day was a rest day that I spent out and about searching for wet weather gear and warm boots. The spring collections are in and it turned out to be a mission to find anything in my size. I’m so glad I took the plunge and decided to invest in an outward-bound wardrobe. The Isle of Man has torrential downpours with winds that almost blew my porridge right out of its polystyrene bowl on the way to back to the trailer. The rain comes down in sideways gusts, rattling down the rows of trailers. On leaving the hotel this morning the ocean opposite was splashing down on to the footpath and parked cars. All you could see was a sea of white horses and waves the size of me. Bracing after 3 days of sunshine and calm waters. This is the side of the Isle of Man everyone warns you about.

Renee as Beatrix Potter

  Here's the first still of Renee on set and in character ...

On set diary 16/03/06

It’s the second day at the Blue Bell railway and it’s below zero.. brr. My leather Converse are just not cutting it today, my feet have gone numb. The SFX people are still making rain for each take. Mr McGregor is soaked to the bone for this scene. I’m sure he’ll turn blue by the end of it. I love watching Ewan and Renee acting on the video split as they shoot. It’s sort of like watching the movie unfold on Tele with no crew or equipment in view. Only problem is you’re left gagging to see the next scene. Dailies of today’s work will look great on the big screen.

Just hoofed off to the nearest town to get the camera crew & Chris piping hot Starbucks coffees. They absolutely loved it; on arctic days real coffee is liquid gold. Well I’m lapping up the over heated trailer as I write this blog. My eyelids are getting heavy I could so easily nod off… and this is where the bracing cold weather comes in handy, to jolt you into a vigilant state after a big cooked lunch.

On set diary - 15/03/06

Blue Bell railway is like turning back in time. The SFX people are making the rain and steam and the extras are milling about in period costumes filling the platform with bustle. Every shot is looking so nice. The sun is out its always here when it’s not needed. The gaffers are blackening out the sunny skies to add to the atmosphere of a big down pour. The whole crew is staying in Sussex for 2 nights, should be a laugh. The countryside around here is lovely, rolling hills and lush green.

On set diary - 12/03/06

The set is looking so pretty with a layer of snow. My hands are almost frozen solid as I type, the temperature is so cold and seeing the fake snow I’m sure makes it feel even colder. Ewan looks great in his top hat and tails and Mr & Mrs Potter’s outfits for Barbara & Bill are really beautifully designed by Anthony Powell (costume designer).

On set diary - 09/03/06

It’s day three of Miss Potter’s shoot and my legs are already weary. After being in the office for most of pre-production I haven’t quite adjusted to long hours of moving around and the stamina of the rest of the film crew. I’m the director’s assistant and along with my general P.A. role I’ve been asked to write some film’s blogs of what’s happening on set when I get the chance. Chris Noonan, the director of this picture, is a friend from Australia. We met a while back when I asked to interview him for a film school assignment. Always being generous with his time he agreed and we’ve remained in contact ever since. Lucky for me I was working in London and he got me involved as his PA on this picture. It’s been an eye opener to see the crew grow to the large size it is now for production and so lovely to watch scenes be shot after several months of preparation.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the Miss Potter movie blog. In case you didn't know, Miss Potter is the biopic of the life of celebrated children's author Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit and many other tales. The film's being directed by Chris Noonan, who also directed Babe and stars Renee Zellweger in the title role. Ewan McGregor also features, as Beatrix's publisher and love interest, Norman Warne, and Emily Watson plays the part of his sister Millie. The movie is currently shooting with a 2007 release date in mind. Be sure to check in here regularly throughout the production for more updates, images and information. Enjoy!