Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes is one of Britain’s best actors. Schindler’s List, The English Patient, The Constant Gardener, Harry Potter and now ‘M’ in the current James Bond series. These are just some of his award winning achievements on the big screen. His training is more Shakespearean and he has had just as many notable achievements on stage as on screen.

I will refer to Ralph Fiennes as Fiennes, because he has an aura that demands the respect of being called by his surname. Not due to unfriendliness, ‘au contraire’, he was in fact very friendly and nice, purely out of respect and curtesy to a man who deserves it.

My shoot with Fiennes was a short one, at a theatre rehearsal space in South London. He was rehearsing an Ibsen play at the Young Vic. He told me he had paid Oslo a visit to get the gist of where Ibsen might come from. I told him that I was about to head to a cabin, remote, no water and no electricity - and his face lit up. Yes, this was the kind of place I would highly recommend that he’d go to really get the idea of the traditional Norwegian mood. The darkness that Ibsen can portray comes form dark winters, remote and solitude places and closed in society with little external input. The seriousness of Ralph’s acting would complement this perfectly. His captivating eyes, stern and notable presence and the beard to top things off he will be able to will carry off any Ibsen play. For those of you who are curious and want to get ‘educa’ed!’, go check out “The Master Builder” at the Young Vic.

Andrew Scott

James Bond is out in the cinemas and in it we have the Irish man Andrew Scott. Andrew is best known for TV films, and has won a BAFTA but of late he’s been making it big on the big screen. One of his first big appearances on the big screen was a roll in Saving Private Ryan, but he’s now playing supporting actor in such films as the new James Bond film Spectre and Victor Frankenstein. All set to become big block busters.

There was something about Andrew when he walked into the location house we had for the day. He had that confidence, charm and the ‘camera loved him’ (to make use of a well used photography expression). There is no doubt in my mind that we will see a lot more of Andrew. Not only do many of the new films he is due to be released in star him as the lead actor (not the aforementioned,) but he’s a good actor and his face and character suit a good villain as well as a more fun and gentle caring man. Watch this guy but run fast if he sits next to you on a plane - he’s about to explode!!!

Helen McRory

The shoot with Helen McCrory was to take place at the end of a press day, after other shoots and interviews.  Never ideal as the sitter is usually late and exhausted.  This was no exception as far as timings were concerned, and as it was on my son’s birthday I was getting fidgety.  But, this was an exception as far as energy levels were concerned.  Helen turned up, apologetic for being late, polite, full of smiles and a bundle of energy. She had thrown a curve ball and won me over again within seconds of meeting her.
Helen is about my age, a mother of two and it is hard to imagine that she has ever been sexier.  She has that sexy attitude that only comes with confidence due to experience and a classic beauty to back it all up. 
Helen is an award winning actress and has played in films such as James Bond Skyfall, Harry Potter, Hugo and many more films and theatre productions.  She is married to Damien Lewis, which gives her some kind unspoken respect and acceptance amongst us gingers.  She is after all now a part of the ginger revolution.
It is nice when you leave a shoot and feel a lot has been contributed to it from all parties.  This was one of those shoots – Helen came, gave all she could to the shoot, was friendly and modest and we all left feeling good at the end.