Filming with Clive Ardagh

 It’s been a really interesting week this week which  involved me travelling down to Surrey. I had a few loose ends to tie up on my filming projects which  meant I’ve been very lucky and had the pleasure of working with some fantastically talented people this week. On Wednesday I was working with film maker Clive Ardagh who I met by chance when I was singing for Hednas at The Chiltern Open Air Museum back in March. I employed Clive to make a show reel for me and also to film my opening video for my web-site. When it comes to filming it’s all down to lighting and although on the face of it talking for one minute on camera is easy enough I wanted a particular look which took ages to get. We shot the film outside back in May but I wasn’t happy with the lighting so this time we shot in doors where we could control the light better. After a few experiments I got just what I wanted so thank-you Clive for your patience. If at first you don’t succeed – and we did in the end- so second time lucky!

After a full days filming I treated myself to dinner at “Darnleys Coffee Shop and Restaurant” in Haslemere and met the lovely Anne who ardour’s Vintage clothes too. It was lovely to meet you Anne and I really enjoyed my Spaghetti Bollanaze – Yummy – Great meal! Lets hope we do meet again!
Thursday I was booked to work with another great film maker Andrew Elmslie who lives quite close to Clive so I decided to stay over and I booked myself into “The Drummond Arms” in the charming village of Albury. Sometimes it’s great to check into a hotel and enjoy the peace and quiet. When I’m at home the phone is constantly going so it was wonderful to enjoy some quite time. I had a lovely room with the most enormous bath room and amazing power shower. So I think we can say I enjoyed my stay over very much. I hope you like the photo as Albury has the loveliest sign post ever which I thought was just charming so hence the photo!

Editing with Andrew Elmslie

After a good nights sleep I made my way over to Andrew’s. If you follow my blogs you will know I worked with Andrew a few weeks ago when we shot my WW1, 1920s video and “The Sound of Music” so Thursday was all about editing. Andrew is brilliant at it because when I shoot we shoot with 3 cameras at a time and then perform each song at least three or four times. From there we have lots of possible camera angles which makes a film interesting to watch. There is nothing worse than a boring show reel shot at one angle. That’s why I always like to bring in interesting cut- away shots too. Editing can take hours and Andrew and I started at 11am and finished two show reels by 7pm. I have to go back again a week Monday so we can finish off my “Sound of Music” video but all in all a great couple of days. I shall be making quite a few up-dates and changes to my web-site in the next month or so – so do watch this space. I have lots of plans and I’m looking forward to shearing with you my new videos and web-pages as they appear. So thank-you for following and I shall keep you posted as and when I release my videos!
Although I haven’t been filming today Friday has been just as busy. Today I held my very first singing work-shop for the Leighton Linslade Woman’s group and I have to say it went really rather well. I had an idea how I could make it work. A work shop is about getting people to sing who perhaps haven’t sung before and building conference. I even got the ladies to sing in harmony by building a round. I started at 11am and did a full hour. So I have to say I feel really proud of myself to pull that off and I’m looking forward to running my next one. My next  work-shop will be for the Girl Guides on the 5th July so it will be interesting to see how children respond.
Gosh I’ve just noticed the time and I still have some work to do before bed so I shall finish my blog here for tonight. Do keep watching and I will be posting up some more photos from my shoot in the next few days.
Toddle Pip and Bye for Now!

Fiona Harrison is a Vintage Singer and Nostalgic Entertainer. For more information about Fiona and how to book please visit her website www.fionaharrison.biz

Filming with Clive Ardagh

 It’s been a really interesting week this week which  involved me travelling down to Surrey. I had a few loose ends to tie up on my filming projects which  meant I’ve been very lucky and had the pleasure of working with some fantastically talented people this week. On Wednesday I was working with film maker Clive Ardagh who I met by chance when I was singing for Hednas at The Chiltern Open Air Museum back in March. I employed Clive to make a show reel for me and also to film my opening video for my web-site. When it comes to filming it’s all down to lighting and although on the face of it talking for one minute on camera is easy enough I wanted a particular look which took ages to get. We shot the film outside back in May but I wasn’t happy with the lighting so this time we shot in doors where we could control the light better. After a few experiments I got just what I wanted so thank-you Clive for your patience. If at first you don’t succeed – and we did in the end- so second time lucky!

After a full days filming I treated myself to dinner at “Darnleys Coffee Shop and Restaurant” in Haslemere and met the lovely Anne who ardour’s Vintage clothes too. It was lovely to meet you Anne and I really enjoyed my Spaghetti Bollanaze – Yummy – Great meal! Lets hope we do meet again!
Thursday I was booked to work with another great film maker Andrew Elmslie who lives quite close to Clive so I decided to stay over and I booked myself into “The Drummond Arms” in the charming village of Albury. Sometimes it’s great to check into a hotel and enjoy the peace and quiet. When I’m at home the phone is constantly going so it was wonderful to enjoy some quite time. I had a lovely room with the most enormous bath room and amazing power shower. So I think we can say I enjoyed my stay over very much. I hope you like the photo as Albury has the loveliest sign post ever which I thought was just charming so hence the photo!

Editing with Andrew Elmslie

After a good nights sleep I made my way over to Andrew’s. If you follow my blogs you will know I worked with Andrew a few weeks ago when we shot my WW1, 1920s video and “The Sound of Music” so Thursday was all about editing. Andrew is brilliant at it because when I shoot we shoot with 3 cameras at a time and then perform each song at least three or four times. From there we have lots of possible camera angles which makes a film interesting to watch. There is nothing worse than a boring show reel shot at one angle. That’s why I always like to bring in interesting cut- away shots too. Editing can take hours and Andrew and I started at 11am and finished two show reels by 7pm. I have to go back again a week Monday so we can finish off my “Sound of Music” video but all in all a great couple of days. I shall be making quite a few up-dates and changes to my web-site in the next month or so – so do watch this space. I have lots of plans and I’m looking forward to shearing with you my new videos and web-pages as they appear. So thank-you for following and I shall keep you posted as and when I release my videos!
Although I haven’t been filming today Friday has been just as busy. Today I held my very first singing work-shop for the Leighton Linslade Woman’s group and I have to say it went really rather well. I had an idea how I could make it work. A work shop is about getting people to sing who perhaps haven’t sung before and building conference. I even got the ladies to sing in harmony by building a round. I started at 11am and did a full hour. So I have to say I feel really proud of myself to pull that off and I’m looking forward to running my next one. My next  work-shop will be for the Girl Guides on the 5th July so it will be interesting to see how children respond.
Gosh I’ve just noticed the time and I still have some work to do before bed so I shall finish my blog here for tonight. Do keep watching and I will be posting up some more photos from my shoot in the next few days.
Toddle Pip and Bye for Now!

Fiona Harrison is a Vintage Singer and Nostalgic Entertainer. For more information about Fiona and how to book please visit her website www.fionaharrison.biz

Me with Barrington!

 It’s been a full action packed 1940s event this weekend at Great Central Railway. This year I was booked to work the American end with wonderful trumpert player and showman Ricky Hunter at Greenacres. Between us we put on some fantastic shows and dispite being a new venue we were busy. This year GCR pulled out all the stops and they had a great line up of artists performing at every station along the line each one representing a different theme

On Stage with Ricky Hunter!

This weekend I performed six raza matazy shows each one in different costume plus a fast Lindy show on the Saturday night at Quorn. My friend Madeline Brown was running the Quorn stage and by the evening they had another great friend of mine D J Woody spinning the disks. Between us we really had Quorn rocking and I can’t wait to work with Maddie again when we run a stage together at Chatham later this year.
As with any great 1940s event I always try and have alook at the stalls if I can between shows and at Greenacers we did have some good ones. I also managed to make it along to Quorn on the Friday afternoon and I was able to visit Seal Military. As many of you will already know I bought a US WAC uniform when I was out in France a few weeks ago and I needed to get a few bits for it. When it comes to Military insigna its such a mine field but when I go out in uniform I like to get things just right. To be honest I had no idear just how thick the fabric for “Pinks” was including the shirt which matches the shirt exactly. But then if a job is worth doing it’s worth doing right! So watch this space – when I get the uniform together I will have it photographed and then share my photos with you all. In the mean time I hope you enjoy my snap shot phots from the weekend in a few of my different costumes. A big thankyou to Christine for inviting me and to Lesley who was incharge of Greenacres.Ofcourse I mustn’t forget  Mike and Dorthy who put me up so I hope I wasn’t too much trouble. Greenacres although very modern is great location and I can see this sights pertential. Perhaps in hind sight my shows were perhaps a little too full on and Raza Matazy for a resturant setting. But when you are advertised and contracted to do particular type of show -you have to deliver that show. By the end I through my show plan out of the window and went with some gentle background music. I even did the unexspected and finished with Lakme’ how’s that for different!
Thankyou to every-one who came to see me and it was lovely to see you Barrington. Don’t we look smart in the photo!
Talking of photos I’m so pleased you have been enjoying my shots I posted up the other day from my studio shoot. I will be posting up a few more this week so do keep watching!
I have a very busy week planned. I’m filming on Wednesday and then working on the show reel edits on Thursday so I hope to have some new videos for you to see very soon. I’m also doing my very first singing workshop on Friday or at least trying it out on my womens group so much to do.
I really must get to bed now. Thank-you for following my news Toodle Pip and bye for now!

Between Shows in blue gingham!

Me in my “Stars and Stripes” costume!

Me with Barrington!

 It’s been a full action packed 1940s event this weekend at Great Central Railway. This year I was booked to work the American end with wonderful trumpert player and showman Ricky Hunter at Greenacres. Between us we put on some fantastic shows and dispite being a new venue we were busy. This year GCR pulled out all the stops and they had a great line up of artists performing at every station along the line each one representing a different theme

On Stage with Ricky Hunter!

This weekend I performed six raza matazy shows each one in different costume plus a fast Lindy show on the Saturday night at Quorn. My friend Madeline Brown was running the Quorn stage and by the evening they had another great friend of mine D J Woody spinning the disks. Between us we really had Quorn rocking and I can’t wait to work with Maddie again when we run a stage together at Chatham later this year.
As with any great 1940s event I always try and have alook at the stalls if I can between shows and at Greenacers we did have some good ones. I also managed to make it along to Quorn on the Friday afternoon and I was able to visit Seal Military. As many of you will already know I bought a US WAC uniform when I was out in France a few weeks ago and I needed to get a few bits for it. When it comes to Military insigna its such a mine field but when I go out in uniform I like to get things just right. To be honest I had no idear just how thick the fabric for “Pinks” was including the shirt which matches the shirt exactly. But then if a job is worth doing it’s worth doing right! So watch this space – when I get the uniform together I will have it photographed and then share my photos with you all. In the mean time I hope you enjoy my snap shot phots from the weekend in a few of my different costumes. A big thankyou to Christine for inviting me and to Lesley who was incharge of Greenacres.Ofcourse I mustn’t forget  Mike and Dorthy who put me up so I hope I wasn’t too much trouble. Greenacres although very modern is great location and I can see this sights pertential. Perhaps in hind sight my shows were perhaps a little too full on and Raza Matazy for a resturant setting. But when you are advertised and contracted to do particular type of show -you have to deliver that show. By the end I through my show plan out of the window and went with some gentle background music. I even did the unexspected and finished with Lakme’ how’s that for different!
Thankyou to every-one who came to see me and it was lovely to see you Barrington. Don’t we look smart in the photo!
Talking of photos I’m so pleased you have been enjoying my shots I posted up the other day from my studio shoot. I will be posting up a few more this week so do keep watching!
I have a very busy week planned. I’m filming on Wednesday and then working on the show reel edits on Thursday so I hope to have some new videos for you to see very soon. I’m also doing my very first singing workshop on Friday or at least trying it out on my womens group so much to do.
I really must get to bed now. Thank-you for following my news Toodle Pip and bye for now!

Between Shows in blue gingham!

Me in my “Stars and Stripes” costume!

It’s all go here at Harrison HQ as I get set and ready for D-Day and Great Central Railway’s 1940s weekend. For D-Day I shall be singing on the Themes for a special river day cruise my “We’ll Meet Again” show in ATS uniform and then I’m heading up to Leicestershire on Friday for GCR. This year I’m going all American as I perform at Greenacres a new sight they have set aside which will be turned into an American Base for the weekend. I have some great Razy Matazy shows plans so I hope you can all make it along to see me. I’m on both days at 11am 1pm and 3pm and I shall be working with another artist and trumpet player Ricky Hunter so I’m looking forward to meeting him very much and making music!
My shows are as follows Saturday 11am US WAVES, 1pm Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, 3pm Sing Sing Sing Sunday 11am Stars and Stripes, 1pm Hooray for Hollywood, 3pm Cho Cho Ch Boogie.
For more details about the event do check out the railways web-site at www.gcrailway.co.uk
If you are local to Greenacres and on foot there is a £2 charge to get in but this is redeamable on food. If you have a train ticket entry is included so I hope you can all make it along!
GCR have really pulled out all the stops this year and they have a really full program of events and some great entertainers apearing. Ruth Goddman will be there from BBC 2’s Wartime Farm and who belive it or not is the neighbough of the gentleman I worked for a couple of weekends ago at Aces High, small world isn’t it!
In the meantime I have a meeting tonight about the Hare Festival which I shall be opening on the 20th July in Leighton Buzzard before heading off to perform for the Bugatti Club later that evening so it’s all go.
As yet I haven’t had my photos through from Fridays shoot but I’m hoping it wont be long now as I’m busy designing new pages for my web-site and next week I will be working on the film edits so keep watching
Must Dash Toodle Pip!

Fiona Harrison is a 1940s Singer and 1940s Entertainer. For more information about Fiona and how to book please visit her website www.fionaharrison.biz

It’s all go here at Harrison HQ as I get set and ready for D-Day and Great Central Railway’s 1940s weekend. For D-Day I shall be singing on the Themes for a special river day cruise my “We’ll Meet Again” show in ATS uniform and then I’m heading up to Leicestershire on Friday for GCR. This year I’m going all American as I perform at Greenacres a new sight they have set aside which will be turned into an American Base for the weekend. I have some great Razy Matazy shows plans so I hope you can all make it along to see me. I’m on both days at 11am 1pm and 3pm and I shall be working with another artist and trumpet player Ricky Hunter so I’m looking forward to meeting him very much and making music!
My shows are as follows Saturday 11am US WAVES, 1pm Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, 3pm Sing Sing Sing Sunday 11am Stars and Stripes, 1pm Hooray for Hollywood, 3pm Cho Cho Ch Boogie.
For more details about the event do check out the railways web-site at www.gcrailway.co.uk
If you are local to Greenacres and on foot there is a £2 charge to get in but this is redeamable on food. If you have a train ticket entry is included so I hope you can all make it along!
GCR have really pulled out all the stops this year and they have a really full program of events and some great entertainers apearing. Ruth Goddman will be there from BBC 2’s Wartime Farm and who belive it or not is the neighbough of the gentleman I worked for a couple of weekends ago at Aces High, small world isn’t it!
In the meantime I have a meeting tonight about the Hare Festival which I shall be opening on the 20th July in Leighton Buzzard before heading off to perform for the Bugatti Club later that evening so it’s all go.
As yet I haven’t had my photos through from Fridays shoot but I’m hoping it wont be long now as I’m busy designing new pages for my web-site and next week I will be working on the film edits so keep watching
Must Dash Toodle Pip!

Fiona Harrison is a 1940s Singer and 1940s Entertainer. For more information about Fiona and how to book please visit her website www.fionaharrison.biz

I just wanted to post up a quick blog to thank-you all for your many e-mails and facebook messages asking me about my show times for the 6th June in Arromanches. I’m sorry to say I’ve not been booked to perform in Arromanches this year. If you have been following my facebook Twitter and blog pages you will know I was in Normandy two weeks ago singing at Utah Beach Museum and this year I will be performing for a D-Day river cruse on the Themes for the 6th. So I’m so sorry I wont be with you all in France for D-Day. I’m hoping very much to be back out in France for the 70th and if I can pull it off do something of a mini Normandy tour for 2014 but we will just have to see. I’ve already approached quite a few different organisations and the first one to my door with a sensible offer gets me for D-Day. I’m  open to offers so if you are looking for an entertainer I would be delighted to hear from you. Don’t forget I don’t just do British but American too and I have shows and uniforms to suit both and all Normandy Beaches. Please do check out my web-site and click onto my 1940s page where you can view my show reel and Arromanches video by scrolling down to the bottom of the page. There you can see me on stage with veteran Len Cox last year in Arromanches so do take a look www.fionaharrison.biz
I’m also working on a new 1940s American WAC show and you will be able to see photos of me in my uniform later this year so keep watching!
In the mean time if you would like to see me back singing in Arromanches for the 70th do e-mail and facebook the Arromanches Tourist Office and do tell them how disappointed you are not to see me this year. You never know if enough people write and call in I may be back with you all in Arromanches for 2014 – we shall see what fate has in store! www.arromanches.com
The person who decides is a gentleman called Colonel Gerrard Legout. He is the chap waving in the background of my picture. So if you see this man  do have a word and you never know!
Just to keep you all up to date and a little closer to home this weekend you can see me at Great Central Railway performing for the American end at Greenacers in Leicestershire on the 8th and 9th June. GCR have really pulled out all the stops this year and they have a great line up of artists + a fly over on the Sunday at noon. I shall be performing 3 x 45 American shows daily at 11am 1pm and 3pm so I hope you can make it along as it would be lovely to see you.
A big thank-you to Barbara who invited me to perform last night at Thorney Park Golf Club it was wonderful to sing for you all and do thank Michael for the photos.
Keep Watching and Toodle Pip for Now!

Fiona Harrison is a 1940s Singer and 1940s Entertainer. For more information about Fiona and how to book please visit her website www.fionaharrison.biz

I just wanted to post up a quick blog to thank-you all for your many e-mails and facebook messages asking me about my show times for the 6th June in Arromanches. I’m sorry to say I’ve not been booked to perform in Arromanches this year. If you have been following my facebook Twitter and blog pages you will know I was in Normandy two weeks ago singing at Utah Beach Museum and this year I will be performing for a D-Day river cruse on the Themes for the 6th. So I’m so sorry I wont be with you all in France for D-Day. I’m hoping very much to be back out in France for the 70th and if I can pull it off do something of a mini Normandy tour for 2014 but we will just have to see. I’ve already approached quite a few different organisations and the first one to my door with a sensible offer gets me for D-Day. I’m  open to offers so if you are looking for an entertainer I would be delighted to hear from you. Don’t forget I don’t just do British but American too and I have shows and uniforms to suit both and all Normandy Beaches. Please do check out my web-site and click onto my 1940s page where you can view my show reel and Arromanches video by scrolling down to the bottom of the page. There you can see me on stage with veteran Len Cox last year in Arromanches so do take a look www.fionaharrison.biz
I’m also working on a new 1940s American WAC show and you will be able to see photos of me in my uniform later this year so keep watching!
In the mean time if you would like to see me back singing in Arromanches for the 70th do e-mail and facebook the Arromanches Tourist Office and do tell them how disappointed you are not to see me this year. You never know if enough people write and call in I may be back with you all in Arromanches for 2014 – we shall see what fate has in store! www.arromanches.com
The person who decides is a gentleman called Colonel Gerrard Legout. He is the chap waving in the background of my picture. So if you see this man  do have a word and you never know!
Just to keep you all up to date and a little closer to home this weekend you can see me at Great Central Railway performing for the American end at Greenacers in Leicestershire on the 8th and 9th June. GCR have really pulled out all the stops this year and they have a great line up of artists + a fly over on the Sunday at noon. I shall be performing 3 x 45 American shows daily at 11am 1pm and 3pm so I hope you can make it along as it would be lovely to see you.
A big thank-you to Barbara who invited me to perform last night at Thorney Park Golf Club it was wonderful to sing for you all and do thank Michael for the photos.
Keep Watching and Toodle Pip for Now!

Fiona Harrison is a 1940s Singer and 1940s Entertainer. For more information about Fiona and how to book please visit her website www.fionaharrison.biz