Documentary: enthusiasts and trainspotters wanted for Summer 2011!

[Documentarian]

Hello everybody,
This is my first post on this forum so go easy on me. I am a filmmaker from Doncaster and I have always been intrigued by seeing the trainspotters at the railway station. I have been pondering over the idea for a while and you guys are the first to hear about it, obviously without support from the enthusiasts I would be unable to go ahead.

I am looking at making a short 10 minute documentary into the hobby and I'll need a few volunteers of all ages to be involved in it.
Filming will not commence until summer 2011 when all relevant permissions will hopefully be in my back pocket.
If the end result is to my satisfaction I hope to enter it into a few film festivals.
Any suggestions etc would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards

-Documentarian
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Could somebody move this to NR General for me please?
I realise that I have posted it in the wrong one

 

[stuartmoss]

I once thought about doing exactly the same for my MA thesis, in place of written work. I think it would make a really fascinating subject if you can really get into the minds of those you feature. Hope it works - good luck. PS i'll tell my Dad, he's a Donny regular.

 

[Documentarian]

Cheers Stuart,
Yeah I want to get to know the people that I focus on, It's not going to be a documentary on trains, it's going to be a documentary on people who like trains, what they take with them, their friendships with each other and the relationships with the people who work at the railway stations!
I'm excited about it, the working title is "Spotting Trainspotters" but that may change depending on what I end up with.
-Documentarian

 

[Oracle]

I have PM'd you!

Years ago a guy who 'worked for' Channel 4 wanted to do a series on people with unsual hobbies, including at least one railway enthusiast. However he wanted people that had a house full say of railway material to look good on TV. My material is road-orientated but by then was mostly stored in boxes in a lockable storage facility so it never went further (with me).

I do find the guys at Eastleigh interesting to watch, and on one occasion how one particular chap ignored the rules and stepped off the end of the platform in order to get a shot. Needless to say within a short time an official pounded the tarmac towards him and gave him short thrift! Rule 1: don't do anything stupid especially in view of the CCT!

 

[deltic1989]

Hi there im up in Donny fairly regularly, and would like to take part. Even though i have a face that im told is more suited to radio.

 

[Documentarian]

My Pre-Production will require a couple of phone interviews so that I can get an idea of how the documentary could flow. It may help with me being able to get funding for hiring equipment and crew.
If anybody is interested PM me!
Cheers
Mike
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Also, I was wondering what the most poppular train spotting location is between Leeds, Sheffield, York and Doncaster?
Cheers

 

[stuartmoss]

In my experience:

1. Donny
2. York
3. Sheffield
4. Leeds

 

[Eric]

I've voted for Doncaster and IMO it wins hands down.

 

[Documentarian]

That's great because Doncaster is where I live!
Mike

 

[142094]

More freight through the station at Donny than any of the others.

 

[Documentarian]

Thanks for all of your help!
I haven't got anything set in stone yet but I think that I will try to get Doncaster railway station as one of the locations. It would also be good if I could be there for one of the meet-ups that you guys organise, Maybe the York one!
Cheers
Mike

 

[142094]

Just a bit of advice - you'll need permission from the Property Team at East Coast (at east Coast House on Skeldergate in York), better to apply soon as I had a few problems when trying to get permission to do work on one of the stations.

 

[Documentarian]

Thanks for the heads up but I'm quite accustomed to gaining permission to film on private property. I'll apply for permission before I apply for the funding!
Mike