CHRIS MOORE REVIEWS “THE STORY SO FAR “ DVD.

REVIEW OF ‘THE STORY SO FAR.’

 

There are many adages out there; you get the scene: wise sayings, meaningful truths and the like. There are two examples of this particular genre which come to mind. Why? Well let me tell you: they are printed on canvas and hang in my kitchen. One says ‘keep calm and carry on.’ The other says: ‘housework can’t kill you but why take the chance?’ Both, of course, are true in so many ways. But, let’s get to the heart of them. Calmness, in adversity, is a very noble trait. Avoiding risk is another prime example of practicality over possibility. Both, however, I would argue are subjective risks. I would ask you to bear this in mind when it comes to viewing ‘The Story So Far’ a biopic of the world famous rock photographer, Mr Nick Elliott, filmed by Mr Andy Blythe of ‘Aturnfilms’ (2023). Here is a film which is both thought provoking and desperate; a celebration of life and a cry for help; an articulation of a life well lived, and an acknowledgement of demons ever present. And, of course, the title of the film implies a consideration, at least, as to what is to follow. The entire premise of the film had me hooked immediately. It questions many assumptions I had believed applied tomy life. It grapples with conundrums via an exquisite articulation of the human condition. It is a beautiful, yet challenging, watch. You can hang as many adages on your kitchen wall as you like, profound or not, but you will probably select to use the word ‘displaying’ rather than ‘hanging’ after viewing this masterpiece.

So, what do we have? Essentially, in football parlance, we have ‘a game of two halves.’

In the opening few minutes, Nick is recorded as saying that he has ‘been looking for a proper job since 1979.’ By a strange quirk of fate, the exact same sentiment can be said of me, because in that year I entered the noble profession of teaching and stayed there until I retired. But there the similarities end: I did not have the balls to do something about it. Nick, on the other hand, did. As Nick mentions: for him ‘…the line moves all the time.’ This film is witness to that.

To keep the football analogy moving, the first part of the film, is a whistle-stop voyage through Nick’s formative years and the influences they had on him. Through a series of reminiscences with people who have featured in Nick’s life, ranging from friends, neighbours, his brother (who lovingly refers to Nick as a ‘maverick’,), work colleagues and show-business personalities, we get a glimpse of what it is that formulates his take on things. We are transported to various locations which have been a part of his life, and are regaled with stories about the significance of ‘Number 51,’ Peterborough Lido, privets, a ‘fourteen hour coffee’, not to mention useful advice on how to avoid the cross-country run at school, and contemplations on ‘…the moon and space and all that kind of stuff!’

The second emphasis of the film, however, is by way of a complete contrast. Presented in atmospheric episodic clips, this part recounts, with absolute frankness, what Nick refers to as the dark art or, to use Nick’s own words, the ‘…heavy shit.’ It is not my remit here to give you a blow-by-blow account of the exact nature of what is revealed, suffice to say that it is shocking, mind-blowing, and deeply upsetting, if you want it to be. So, I am not offering a spoiler alert; there is no need to. But, I will say this: what is presented before you is, without doubt, totally honest; almost brutal, fringing on the surreal yet ultimately life-affirmingbecause ‘…the chair slipped.’

As Nick himself states: it has ‘been a rough trip but a good trip’ and a trip that he would happily take again. Thank God for that.

Can I offer any criticism? Not really. I was left wanting more. I wanted to learn more about the enigma that is Nick Elliott; his hopes, his fears, his motivation, his spirituality and his reasoning. But, there’s the rub, as Shakespeare once put it. This is a film about the story so far. I hope that probably, possibly, there is a fantastic tale yet to be revealed. In other words, let’s hope there is more to come from this enigmatic and inspiring soul.

 

 

Christopher M. Moore, 

Author of ‘A Stroke Of Luck’, ‘Mrs Jay Meets The Creation Ratio’ and ‘Not Quite At That Level Yet.’

A massive big thank you to Chris for this wonderful review.

So glad you enjoyed the film Chris!

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer…

BACK ON A FILM SET AGAIN!

This last week saw the start of shooting for a brand new feature film from the studios of ATurn Films. Owner and Director Andy Blithe has invited Nick to produce the promo and advertising artwork for his latest production titled “Buying Time”

Shooting started the second week of November on location in Norwich at various parts of the city with the crew hooking up with Nick where they shot five scenes from early on in the movie.

The film is expected to take most of 2024 to shoot and produce most of the film will concentrated on various locations both in and out of Norwich, with a big cast coming from various parts of the UK to feature.

Andy has also asked Nick to be a part of the cast playing a cameo roll later in the movie to be film sometime in the spring of 2024.

“I came up with the concept of the story about 3 years ago. It explores several themes including the future of health and some linked conspiracy theories. ‘ Daniel Avery has lost his wife and child recently. As a result of some random dreams and some linked chance sightings, he investigates his suspicions. But little did he know how high and wide the corruptness goes, all for the usual money and greed and the power of those in higher places’ This feature film is my first one and it is my most ambitious project to date. However as people who know me, I will get it done and it promises to be a wonderful piece of work that is already starting to gain some interest. We are looking for backers to help with the film and would love to speak to anyone interested in getting involved”

Andy Blithe

Owner & Director at ATurn Films

Should be an exciting 2024 I think!

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer…

24 HOURS IN DEVON…

Well, Devon! It’s a bloody long way from Norfolk…

After receiving a call a few weeks earlier from my American agent, Lee Williams, about a new project with a dear colleague of his and mine. Alan West is a guy that I first met in Nashville in 2010. And he was putting together this new show that will be touring from the spring next year here in the UK.

I was asked to shoot some promo shots for the show on the day they were filming and promo VT that will accompany the promo shots leading up to the tour and beyond. It turns out that a theatre had been hired in a sleepy place in Devon called Honiton.

Setting up early in the day….

It turns out that it was a 9 am call time so I decided to leave Norfolk around about 12.30pm the day before after a 7 1/2 hour trip. I managed to find myself in Devon that evening.

Arriving at theatre around 8 am the next day, I found myself in the midst of what turned out to be a really exciting and enjoyable day. The show is titled ‘A Country Music Songbook’ and will be showcasing some of Alan‘s favourite and traditional Country songs representing the years that he has had in the business.

The show will be releasing dates in the spring of 2024. So make sure you keep tuning in to find out whereabouts they’re going to be and when you can see them.

A Country Music Song Book… The Band.

A total of nearly 800 miles from Norfolk to Devon in just under 24 hours.

Ah well! It’s Rock n’ Roll!!

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer…

DOCUMENTARY GOES TO DVD!!

It’s here!

Just visit here to get your copy……

http://www.nickelliott.photography and click on the shop.

Hope you really enjoy it!

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer…

WE MADE THE NATIONAL’S…

Wonderful news!

The project 50 years on the job a fine art coffee table book by Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer has been picked up by one of the Nationals. http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk took the story up late last week, and here it is!

Photographer postpones planned retirement after 50 years with paper

by David Sharman Published 13 Sep 2023 

A photographer has postponed his planned retirement after celebrating half a century working for a regional newspaper.

David Lowndes has stated his intention to “stay on” at the Peterborough Telegraph, where he began his career as a photographic assistant and trainee photographer in September 1973.

David, pictured, revealed last year that he originally planned to retire in September 2023.

He has served as the paper’s sole photographer, on a freelance basis, since 2014.

David Lowndes 2023

Speaking to HTFP, he said: “I am staying on at the newspaper, maybe – if they will have me – for a couple of more years while I am fit enough.

“I started at the Peterborough Evening Telegraph in September 1973 as a photographic assistant/trainee photographer. There were seven photogs using medium format cameras and hand-processed black and white negs and prints.

“We obviously served through the best time in the industry – the seventies and eighties before new technology and mobile phones with cameras appeared.

“Years later the newspaper went ‘morning edition’ and then weekly and by 2014 the photographic department was disbanded, leaving me as the sole photographer for the paper.

“It has been a privilege to document half a century of history in Peterborough, I have enjoyed it immensely and met many people – which is why it is so difficult to hang up my camera.

“A project coming up, with the help of Rock Art photographer Nick Elliott, is to produce a pictorial book to celebrate my 50 years.

“It should be completed by the end of the year which will be followed by several exhibitions, talks and book signings to highlight Nick’s images of me and my work.”

Related Topics

More to come.

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer

A VERY PRODUCTIVE SUMMER..

The Summer of 23!

Weather wise it’s not been the best in the UK recently, but for me it’s been extremely productive. I’ve spent most of the summer in between working on other projects and commissions, producing a collection of fine art images that I hope to be touring next year in 2024.

This is a collection that’s been hanging around in my consciousness and imagination for sometime.I’ve never actually started to make a reality..

The series of Gallery and touring events planned for a six month period next year will feature totally new work and another side to my creativity.

A visual trip into the real side of Nick Elliott.

Let’s melt some faces!!

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer..

PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH GRABS STORY…

Well! The secret is out…

50 Years On The Job! new fine art book By Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer.

The project was featured in a double page spread written by Peterborough Telegraph’s reporter Carly Roberts only a few days after my PR team wrote the story on social media

Just a start, I think a big thing is to come!

Thank you so much guys!

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer..

ROCKUMENTARY BOOK PROJECT GOES MASSIVE!!!

Who would’ve thought it!

A conversation that took place a few months ago over our regular meet up for an Indian meal in Peterborough now turned out to be a massive 12 month long project. The project will celebrate the 50th year of my dear friend, David Lowndes’ service as press photographer for the Peterborough Telegraph…

The project came about when Dave let me know that September this year he would be celebrating his 50th year working for the paper as a press photographer.

Dave and my friendship goes back that far. We work together on the Peterborough Evening Telegraph when it was the evening paper way back in the 70s, and Dave actually replaced me when I left in 1976 to pursue my present career.

I really didn’t have to give it much thought on what I’d like to do as a personal gift to Dave for his time, our friendship and his service to the world of newspapers.

We spoke briefly and decided that we would produce a fine art coffee table book documenting his 50th year on the paper and also to take the lid off the man’s personal life what a lot of people actually don’t know about

Since then the project has got a massive response we now have an agreement from Waterstones bookshop that will be carrying the book for sale this Christmas, along with a Tour Exhibition that will be visiting four venues throughout the next 12 months starting on March the 29th at the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, who will be hosting a Q&A along with book signing, meet and greet, plus exhibition show casing 22 images from the final publication.

We are so pleased to also welcome an exclusive sponsorship deal that will be involved in the whole project over the full 12 months.

They’ll be lots more news on the actual plans for the project as we move nearer to Christmas 2023.

I am so so excited about this project we are still in the process of shooting the images for the book but that’s expected to be done by around about late October.

It’s been totally wonderful to spend some quality time with a very dear friend and a respected colleague and we’ve had a lot of laughs on the way.

Good times indeed!!!

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer..

DVD SET FOR RELEASE BEFORE OCT ONE!!

It’s here!

The new DVD is due for release before October 1st this year.

It’s been a long time coming, but it is eventually here and totally finished, and you’ll be able to buy the DVD on the nick elliott shop before the 1st of October ready to make that special Christmas gift.

This is the DVD version of the whole film from the documentary that we have been filming over the past 4 1/2 years documenting my life past, present and possibly a little bit of the future.

Following a very successful film premiere hosted in Norwich at the city’s famous Forum earlier in the summer, the film runs for one hour 10 minutes and it is presently being hosted and streamed by several of the biggest streaming networks on the planet.

You can own a copy if you were unable to come to the premier in May.

Vist: http://www.nickelliott.photography and click on the Nick Elliott Shop to purchase your copy.

I hope you enjoy every minute!

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer..

Make sure you keep listening!!!

Well!

After it taking so long to actually make the Nick Elliott Podcasts show a reality, I’m so glad I did!

Over the past three or four months, since starting the very first show, it seems to have gained so much momentum. We have many followers and we are now well approaching the 500 download Mark! Unfortunately, sometimes it’s a case of just a lack of time, making these additions a regular event, but when I do the same and are turning out to be very successful.

Make sure you continue to listen.

Vist: http://www.nickelliottpodcasts.com to catch all the back shows.

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer

Make Sure You Keep Listening!!!!

The all new podcast shows are all starting to build, with Show (3) just added to the playlist. Make sure you become a regular listener to the podcasts as we are adding to them each fortnight with the latest interviews and guest.

Show (2) if you missed it!

Show (3) if you missed it!

To listen to all the new and old podcasts, along with interviews and Nick’s radio shows all you need to do is go here…

http://www.nickelliottpodcasts.com

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer

Back in the Studio at SirenFM!

Finally after nearly a 3 year break, due to the on going pandemic issues with the dreaded Covid, the last time I was in at Siren, I was making the 55th Sound and Nick’s Vision Radio Show. This last week I was invited back to the SirenFM Studios as a guest to talk about the forthcoming premiere of the documentary “Nick Elliott The Story So Far.’’

The launch of the film, with a very special VIP premiere is to be held at The Forum, Norwich on Saturday May 20th with Alex Lewzcuk being on that very exclusive guest list. He decided that we needed to have a chat live on air on his Mid Week Drive Show hosted by Alex each Wednesday Evening on the station.

We were joined by a a few special guests while tasting some hand made environmentally friendly chocolate, along with interviews and chats with a few of the regulars from around the globe.

It was great to get back into a proper studio again after such a long time. I do think that Zoom has it’s place when doing interviews over a long distance or internationally. But you just can’t beat live radio.

Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer