Celebrating Crossroads 2001 – The second series of ITV’s hotel soap from Carlton Television

PRAYERS, PARAFIN AND PYROMANIA – STUNTS ON LOCATION

Episode 227 of Crossroads featured one of the most dramatic (and most bizarre) location scenes of the entire series. Adam Chance returned to King’s Oak to seek redemption for the killing of Jill Harvey. Unfortunately for daughter, Sarah, this involved a ritual sacrifice in a burning crypt…

The following documents help to give some idea of the massive amount of planning needed to film these few short scenes…

THE LOCATION:

Thurgarton Priory was founded in 1130, in the reign of Henry the First, by Ralph de Ayncourt, at the request of Thurstan, Archbishop of York.

In 1537, Thurgarton Priory ceased to exist as a religious institution.

The image shows the west front of the Priory, c.1900. What remains of the Priory Church of St Peter dates from c.1230. Originally, there was another tower on the west front.

CLICK HERE (External link) to find out more about the priory.

THE ACTION: (Screen captures from Planet Crossroads – see link at bottom of page)

 THE DOCUMENTS:

The following documents are a really interesting insight into the enormous amount of planning required to stage a stunt of this nature. They have been edited to remove telephone numbers but remain otherwise unchanged. You can click below each image to link to a pdf version of the pages.

PART 1: CALL SHEET (Number 249)

Shooting block: 46

Filming Date: Wednesday 28^th November 2001

Number of scenes: 6

Episodes: 226 and 227 ( 227/17 means Episode 227, Scene 17)

Page 1 gives a breakdown of each scene and also details arrangements for the artistes. P/UP (pick-up time), M/UP (make-up time), W/RB (wardrobe time).

Page 2 details the props needed: a length of wood, a bible, a pyre, a hurricane lamp, a can of petrol and a lighter. Wardrobe duties include specially fireproofed trousers, while the caterers are required to provide breakfast for 48 and lunch for 50. The “honey wagon” is the mobile toilet facilities.

Page 3 details the hotel arrangements, particularly for the stunt people. It also notes the predicted weather conditions. Interesting to note that tomorrow they will be filming scenes for episode 240 back at the studio.

Page 4 (NOT INCLUDED) gives contact details for various members of the production crew.

CLICK HERE for a pdf version of pages 1-3.

PART 2: MOVEMENT ORDER

Page 5 and 6 give directions to get from Carlton Television on Lenton Lane to the location at Thurgaton Priory. (14.2 miles)

These pages also give details of contact numbers for the local police and medical centres.

The “location” and the “unit base” are the same here, though this isn’t always the case.

Page 7 and 8 are location maps showing the above route. These have been carefully annotated using bits of paper and a biro.

This section is obviously the responsibility of the location manager

The only real point of interest is that there is a place called Carlton in Nottinghamshire – which may or may not have confused people. To be honest this speculation is just to fill up space until we get to the next section….

CLICK HERE for a pdf version of pages 5-8

PART 3: HAZARD ASSESSMENT

Obviously looking after your cast and crew is paramount when working in unfamiliar environments.

Page 9 gives details of the following potential hazards:

There is only one entrance into the crypt.

There is no exit via the ventilation shaft.

Uneven flag stones, small steps and dark corners.

Low level doors.

The crypt is cold and damp – especially the far room (sounds nice!)

Low level lighting conditions.

Candles on set.

Page 10 states that the stunt performers are at Medium Risk, but details the precautions that have been put in place which includes breathing apparatus, a paramedic on standby, the removal of the electric cables and an assurance that the crypt door will remain unlocked!

SPFX = Special Effects

CLICK HERE for a pdf version of pages 9 and 10

PART 4: STUNT CO-ORDINATOR ASSESSMENT

Any scenes involving a potential danger to the actors or crew were supervised by a stunt co-ordinator, In this case a recce (preliminary visit) was held on 9^th November, and there is a suggestion that the stunt performers rehearse the day before filming on 27^th November.

Page 11 reveals that the actors are at risk level  *, while the stunt performers are at risk level *** (on a * - ***** scale) – except for a scene for episode 226 in which Billy is hit on the head with some wood (This is a *** risk!)

Page 12 reveals the measures put in place to minimize the risk of potential injury to the actors. These include:

The use of stunt doubles.

Pads to be worn where necessary.

Clothing should be 100% natural fibres.

Soft balsa-wood weapon.

THE VIDEO:

A short video extract of this scene is available on the PLANET CROSSROADS website available HERE.

CLICK HERE for a pdf version of pages 11 and 12

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