The Lotus Grand Tourers

smit t wrote:Well Gentlemen

If you are willing for me to go ahead and produce some sort of Excel DVD, I would welcome your ideas for items to include. The end should most certainly be Donnington. Contributions from the Factory, Club Lotus etc, we could even try to get interview with Mike kimberly (used to drive a Excel I think, to tall for an Esprit) (his son uses the Forum on Lotus Esprit World).
Special cars e.g Guy Mac's Supercharged model (when completed)

Mick would you be able to check with Alan if we would be allowed to Film at Donnington.

Guys please give me your comments

Regards

Tom

There is a discussion going on in the Esprit forum about the Addiction for Life DVD. Some of the comments made by Alan Paterson (the Producer) about the amount of work involved, and the financial aspects make interesting reading re making a similar film for the Excel.
Take a look at this quote from Alan.........

Now, anyone reading this will think that I'm really only interested in ensuring my own personal gain through DVD sales - and I'm bound to be rolling in it after the thousands of DVDs that must surely have been sold.
I wish!
The 'Addiction' film has still to recover its production costs.
It took 9 months to make, including 3 months solid editing - and I don't mean just evenings and weekends. It was only made possible due to a commercial project being cancelled. I was stuck in an edit suite for 3 whole months. I had cabin fever.

Hi Paul

I take your point, I am aware of the work involved I was self employed for a number years and also I work presently for a major Broadcaster. I do not know to much about Alan buy I have seen his DVD, all I can say is that most people in the industry would be suprised that it took 3 full months in Post Production. What I was suggesting if you guys wish is to try and create a record of our love for our cars and capture next years anniversary. I would have to make this DVD during my spare time and try to meet as many of you as possible at any organised events throughout the year. I would also look to you all for any help that I might need, researching history etc. As you said about Alan I am also not out to make any money on this.
Please keep your views coming.

Regards

Tom

Tom,

Great idea, I'll find out from Alanat Club Lotus if it is Ok to film at donnington (I take it you mean 'real filming'=large camera/lighting etc )

PS I'll be sending Club Lotus an email this evening.

Watch this space

smit t wrote:Hi Paul

I take your point, I am aware of the work involved I was self employed for a number years and also I work presently for a major Broadcaster. I do not know to much about Alan buy I have seen his DVD, all I can say is that most people in the industry would be suprised that it took 3 full months in Post Production. What I was suggesting if you guys wish is to try and create a record of our love for our cars and capture next years anniversary. I would have to make this DVD during my spare time and try to meet as many of you as possible at any organised events throughout the year. I would also look to you all for any help that I might need, researching history etc. As you said about Alan I am also not out to make any money on this.
Please keep your views coming.

Regards

Tom

Hi Tom,

Alan Paterson has sent me a personal message about the making of Addiction for Life. Some of it was in confidence, so I cannot repeat it here.
However, he has offered to talk to whoever makes an Excel film to give the benefit of his experiences with 'Addiction'. I'm not talking about the technical side of film making.
In view of your own background, you may feel that is not required, but it was very kind of Alan to make the offer, I'm sure you'll agree.

Hi Mick

Yes it would be large camera + lights as required. Thanks for all your efforts so far.

Regards

Tom

Hi Paul

Thanks for that I will get in contact with Alan, although I hope he has not read my jibe about the length of Post Production time he took. I think he is a Scot like me so hope he takes it on the chin although judging by the Esprit forum remarks he may not be in a good mood!

Thanks

Tom

Alan Paterson has informed me that he is making a film to celebrate Club Lotus' 50th anniversary, and will be filming at Goodwood next Saturday and at Castle Combe on the 27th May. He will be looking for Excels to film at some point, so get those polishing clothes out.

A quick update.

I sent an email to Alan at Club lotus a couple of weeks ago with our ideas and a couple of questions.

No reply as of today

I'll send it again just to confirm it actually reached its destination.

(fingers crossed)

Ok, got an email from Alan at Club Lotus today, it seems he replied to my original email a couple of weeks ago but I didn't receive it for some reason.

Anyway, it looks as though we can go ahead with what we propose ie filming at Donnington etc

I've got to give Alan a ring next week to discuss our ideas further and I'll post here with the details.

Everyone still up for it I hope

Well done Mick. I'm still keen.

Alan

I spoke to Alan at Club Lotus today and there's no problem with us being allocated a slot at Donnington next year

He said that we would probably get a maximum of 3 cars on the stand, with hopefully a varied selection.

All material for the stand would have to be supplied by ourselves, so basically we're given the space and its up to us to fill it!

No problem with filming inside the venue.

Alan suggested that we involve both the Elite and Eclat models, as they're both from the same 'blood line' so to speak, whats the feeling on this

Any cars allocated for the stand would have to be 'special' ie a little bit different from would you would find in the car park if possible. maybe a Celebration model or JPS (if it exists)

I'm up for this as I feel it would be great for the model, but, I'm going to need all the help I can get

If anyone feels that they can help with material for the stand ie cars, banners, promotion material etc anything that would be good for the stand, or help out over the weekend please post on here.

All material would have to be made available on the friday if possible, and remain in situ until the sunday after 4pm, this includes cars.

So come on people, there must be lots of ideas and material available betwween us. We've got a bit of time to confirm our entry but I would like to secure our space asap.

The guy who owns the original Eclat prototype seems to be at Donington every year - his car should be there, as should the last Excel ever built if someone can trace it.

It would also be nice to have Graham Arnold's car there (again, if it can be traced), or one with a strong connection to the factory (e.g. Mike Kimberley's car) and how about Mike Taylor's Lotus Micra-Excel ?

I could help come up with some multi-media-y stuff if you like.

According to Graham Robson's book Lotus since the 70's (vol 1),the last Excel was given to Hazel Chapman.Wonder if it's still with the family?

I thought Graham Arnold's car was at Donnington this year. I have a Celebration if it is any help.

Alan