BACK from an amazing week in Hungary, on the Budapest set of ITV1 drama Titanic.
Written by Julian Fellowes, it is due to be screened both in the UK and around the globe in 2012 to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic.
Having been bought by a large number of broadcasters, including ABC Network in America.
I was the first journalist on the incredible Stern Studios sets on Monday and the last to leave at the end of the week.
Completing, to date, a total of 22 one-to-one interviews, including 16 principal cast plus Julian and key members of the production team.
Also having read the scripts for all four hour-long episodes.
And watched dozens of scenes being filmed by some of the 82-strong cast members and hundreds of extras.
Titanic promises to be one of the biggest TV drama events of next year.
With a different approach to James Cameron’s 1997 big screen film, drawing the audience in to a wider range of characters and their stories.
You can read more about this production here and here.
Including details of the epic two main stages – one contains a stunning scale replica of the ship and the other hosts the biggest purpose built indoor water tank in Europe.
My journey back from Budapet to London was eventful, including an aborted landing at Gatwick.
The final leg involved a tube ride home, with thoughts of the truly Titanic week still buzzing in my head.
As the tube pulled into my local station, I stood first in line by the door with a bag in either hand – ready to get off.
The train slowed to a halt and the automatic door slid open.
Revealing this advert on the platform, directly in front of me.
A coincidence, of course.
But it still made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
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November 2011 update for editors: Commissioned by ITV to write the global press pack, I was given the most access to filming, the incredible set, cast and production team compared to any other journalist. To date, I have completed 24 one-to-one interviews, including 16 principal cast members, writer Julian Fellowes, producer Nigel Stafford-Clark, director Jon Jones and several other key members of the production. My interview transcripts total 85,000 words and include countless fascinating stories and angles, plus rich background colour. This wealth of exclusive material is also available for outside commissions, embargoed until March 2012, together with ITV’s huge library of Titanic 2012 images.
Life of Wylie 