I am lucky enough to have enjoyed film location catering from the mid-1960s when I worked for the BBC. As time is money, the crew can't just go off looking for food and drink, especially when filming in the back of beyond; so, the solution is to provide location catering from professional companies which will serve hot and cold food, soup when freezing, and tea and coffee on tap throughout the day, thus keeping the film unit happy and in good spirits and everyone on the base ready for action.
In the early days of location filming, we would be given a daily allowance to find bed and breakfast, and an evening meal, if the location was more than a set distance from Television Centre (TVC). This meant we could be on location at the crack of dawn, where the "chuck wagon" would be on site serving up breakfast before filming started at, say, 7.30am. The irony is we would be paying for bed and breakfast, but no B&B establishment ever served breakfast before 7am.
Arriving on site, we sometimes had to set the scene before we had breakfast and, even then, we sometimes missed getting something to eat until lunch break. When things had settled in, we could then enjoy the delights of eggs, sausages, bacon, black pudding, mushrooms and fried bread. The full works was all well and good but, after a few days, you would notice that some of the crew would be eating just toast, fruit or porridge.
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Best of British.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Best of British.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Animal Magic
Hilary Middleton recalls a children's author whose tales are still enjoyed today
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
BoB's very own Time Lord prepares for an alternative to panto, recalls his early reading choices and having his scenes cut from two cutting edge comedies
Marvels in Miniature
Claire Saul learns about the exquisite works on display at a new exhibition being held at a historic Georgian mansion
The Last Post
Michael Foley witnessed the end of an era
The Box of Delights
Chris Hallam remembers how his Christmas 40 years ago was lit up by a magical television drama
The Queen of Stage and Screen
Chris Hallam pays tribute to actress Dame Maggie Smith
Other 07
Jonathan Sothcott looks at the seven Sir Roger Moore films that you should have in your collection
In the Best Possible Taste
Derek Lamb remembers the wireless wizardry of Kenny Everett
POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Bob Barton remembers a ghostly train journey, enjoys some wassailing and fulfils a long-held ambition of attending a lawnmower festival
MERCY MISSION
John Greeves recounts the remarkable exploits of Sunderland flying boat T9114