After changes of dates and location, Claire, Jo and Tom were up bright and early to make a giant sand map helping Dan Snow explain the way that World War 1 developed.
After a hearty breakfast in the hotel, the team headed to Blackpool’s North Pier only to be caught by a huge downpour whilst fixing the sliding door that came off it’s tracks. Thanks to Jo’s special skills with a hammer, we were back on the road for the short journey to the beach.
Thankfully the sun was shining for the rest of the day and as the film crew from BBC History set up a 40ft gimbal on the pier, we drew the outline of the map ready for the image to develop allowing Dan to reveal the geopolitics of the continent as we stood on the brink of war.
Step by step, the countries made alliances and were shaded by Jo and Tom as Dan energetically worked his way through the continents. Thanks to Claire’s direction from the pier, we managed to correctly place Serbia on the map after accidently joining it with Austro-Hungary.
The film crew hurried through the last few scenes as the tide began it’s inevitable journey towards our map. By 2pm the tide had washed away the world and the team headed to the nearest pub for some well deserved lunch!
- The sea finally taking the drawing under the tower
- Last few moments…
- Just before the tide came in
- The film crew trying not to get stuck in the sand!
- Drawing in the morning
- Thw world and Blackpool Tower
- Early in the day
- Careful now! There’s quicksand afoot!
- The camera goes all the way over Blackpool Tower!
- Hurry up, the sea is coming in!
- Jo raking in the countries
- The seagulls are sitting where the map just was
- The crowds gather to watch the end of filming
- The view from the pier
- A fantastic Great Britain, good job Jo!
- Watching as the world washes away
- The public watch as the tide takes the map
- Shooting the final scene
- Dan Snow with the map finished