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Morris dancers sought for tv advert
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Subject: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Anne Lister Date: 24 Mar 11 - 02:26 PM An advertising company, currently casting for some tv Pimms adverts, are also looking for Morris dancers. The casting date for these is Tuesday - probably London, as that's where their casting was today (not for Morris dancers) which my husband went to. So if you're a Morris dancer within reach of London with a potentially free day on Tuesday and you fancy your chances on an advert, send me a PM and I'll let you know the man to email. This is genuine, btw ...if he can't find real dancers he's talking about auditioning actors. But surely we can help him out? (and there'll probably be some money involved, as it's not a charity event!). |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: janemick Date: 24 Mar 11 - 04:14 PM why don't they just find a team and pay them some decent money? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 24 Mar 11 - 04:24 PM A competitive audition for this would be great fun... |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 24 Mar 11 - 04:25 PM Mind, I've never associated Morris dancers with Pimms! |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Octoman Date: 24 Mar 11 - 04:46 PM Pimms adverts tend to be tongue in cheek, so whoever appears in it is likely to be made to look silly. Morris don't need it. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: MGM·Lion Date: 24 Mar 11 - 04:52 PM I was just about to make the same point as Octoman ~~ it might well be genuine, but I smell the potential of one of those send-ups of the Morris tradition of the sort that make me want to go out and bite somebody! ~M~ |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Anne Lister Date: 24 Mar 11 - 08:09 PM Good grief - what a bunch of cynics! As far as we can tell, the ad people are going to be poking gentle fun at English eccentricities. And, as far as we can tell, they'll be paying those taking part, so at least one of the comments above is irrelevant. If they knew how to find a Morris side I'm sure they'd have gone ahead and done it. As I said before, they were talking earlier today about using actors instead of real dancers but my husband said surely it would be best to use the real thing, hence this suggestion. It's fine, guys - if you don't want to take advantage of this then that's no problem at all. I just thought in these days of financial difficulty some of you might appreciate the chance of being paid for a day's dancing. I'll know not to bother posting any similar opportunities again. This is for a professional company doing a professional job, who are likely in their 30 second ads to poke gentle fun at Morris dancers whether or not any real dancers take part - where's the harm? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,BobL Date: 25 Mar 11 - 04:03 AM There used to be an umbrella organisation for London Morris sides which acted as a booking agency, handling requests such as this one by passing them to its member sides in rotation (which is how Herga came to be on Generation Game). Anyone remember what it was called and whether it's still in existence? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: MGM·Lion Date: 25 Mar 11 - 04:52 AM Well, Anne, if you can't see the "harm" in "poking gentle fun" at the Morris, then you can't. I am sure there are many on this forum, like me, who do not regard our beautiful traditional artefacts as potential subjects for any sort of "fun", however gentle. Aren't there? I am not a morrisman myself, btw: I sing but cannot dance a step. But I think I can distinguish fun from factitious facetiousness. ~Michael~ |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: MGM·Lion Date: 25 Mar 11 - 05:01 AM I really don't want to be boring about this; but it does strike me as important. So I will share a little very long-ago memory from my first marriage. We were visiting Valerie's mother in the Forest of Dean, and stopped to watch a side dancing outside a pub at Upton-on-Severn. "Why," exclaimed Valerie {who, it will be gathered was not that much into folk}, "they're beautiful. Why does everybody always laugh when anyone mentions Morris dancers?" The answer, my friends, is blowin' in Anne's "gentle fun" ~~ agreed? ~Michael~ |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 25 Mar 11 - 05:25 AM I'm with Michael on this one. All my life I have had to take the butt of "Finger In The Ear" "Tankard swilling" jokes. I know people in the advertising industry, and believe me, they are almost certainly out to take the piss, and re-inforce sterotypes. A plague on all their houses. Wouldn't touch them with a bargepole. and the money is immaterial. Morris dancers/musicians don't do it for cash anyway.... |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,Paul Slade Date: 25 Mar 11 - 05:34 AM Surely all Morris people can't be as pompous and humour-free as the ones on this thread appear to be? If so, they deserve all the mockery they get. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Bo Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:13 AM Many years ago my partner and I bumped into a Morris side while on holiday in Cornwall. They were very chatty and welcoming until they asked us where we came from and who our local 'sides' were. When I said Tunbridge Wells and Royal Borough they stopped talking to us and tried their best to ignore us for the rest of the evening. They were "Morris Ring" and Royal Borough were not. Sad state of affairs isn't it. To 'outsiders' we're all in the same package. Get in there Morris dancers, enjoy the gig, try to give the general public a good impression of 'real' people enjoying themselves, take the money- there is little enough of it about. All publicity is good publicity. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: MGM·Lion Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:20 AM Paul ~~ "Pompous", is it? Just try listening to yourself, matey. I think you are one of the people so well summed up by Julian Fellowes in his fine novel Snobs: "He was the sort of person who insults you and then says 'Can't you take a joke!'" I repeat, btw, I am not a Morris person. Bo ~ The precept about 'all publicity' is seriously flawed ~ do you think the multiple rapist exposed in the morning's papers welcomes all the 'publicity'? ~M~ |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: theleveller Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:22 AM "I know people in the advertising industry, and believe me, they are almost certainly out to take the piss, and re-inforce sterotypes." Bollocks. You obviously know fuck-all about advertising people. If anyone's guilty of stereotyping here it's you. Don't be such a pompous hypocrite. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: MGM·Lion Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:29 AM Charming expression, Leveller. Do you really think that the way to convince an interlocutor of the accuracy of your point or righteousness of your cause? Surprised at you ~~ or, on 2nd thoughts, perhaps not... |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: theleveller Date: 25 Mar 11 - 07:25 AM MtheGM, thank you for, once again, giving us us the privilege of being party to your insightful and erudite comments on a subject of which you obviously have a profound knowledge. We are not worthy.... Oh, and best of luck on your ongoing campaign to make pomposity an art form - matey. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,Neovo Date: 25 Mar 11 - 08:57 AM Persephone's Pimms parties are legendary! |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Bo Date: 25 Mar 11 - 09:23 AM I do believe that all publicity is good but it depends from which direction you are looking. In the case you mention it does appear that the police procedures are being bought into question. Improvements in the 'system' may come of this which could bring benefit to many. On the thread, is there still no mention of any sides jumping at this offer? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: MGM·Lion Date: 25 Mar 11 - 09:30 AM Oh, yes, Bo; benefit may well come from the :adverse: publicity re the police procedures: but you can scarcely assert that the man at the centre of the bizniz will welcome the publicity, can you? ~M~ |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Bernard Date: 25 Mar 11 - 09:36 AM A few years ago we (Earl of Stamford Morris) danced on Channel 4's teen soap, Hollyoaks. We were well aware that 'poking fun at the Morris' may have been an issue, and only agreed to do it after we established how it fitted in with the 'storyline'. We were very impressed that the actor playing the main character who (in the story) had to be co-opted into the side at the last minute after two of the side had been taken ill, took the trouble to spend an hour with us learning the dance (Lillibulero), and took it very seriously. With repeat fees and so on, it was a very nice 'little earner', swelling the side's coffers quite considerably! |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,VaTam Date: 25 Mar 11 - 12:27 PM I am not making any judgements. Just a question. What does Pimms taste like coming out of a tankard? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Geoff the Duck Date: 25 Mar 11 - 12:39 PM After a pint of it neat, I'm sure you won't taste (or feel) anything... Quack! GtD. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Anne Lister Date: 25 Mar 11 - 01:25 PM Ralphie, you of all people should remember that I've been around the folk scene for at least as many years myself and have got used to people being very silly about the "f" word. Some even do the same thing here on Mudcat. (what? surely not!) However - this entire series of ads is, as far as we understand (and bear in mind that my husband was auditioning for one of them yesterday so unlike all other commentators on this thread we DO know what we're talking about) to poke gentle fun (and I won't apologise for this) at various British quaintnesses. It's one 30 second ad out of a series. It's unlikely to wreck anyone's street cred or career, or lead to finger-pointing in the street. It will, however, pay the participants for their work and I for one think that it's a good idea to feature British traditions on an advert. It's also a good sign that the casting director thought it was better to use real dancers rather than actors. Isn't it? Are you really all so sensitive? To put it in context, if Steve gets the job he auditioned for he's got to sit on a roundabout in his Speedos and sunbathe - it's a giggle, that's all. But, as I said, if you don't want to take part, that's no problem at all because one way or another the casting director WILL choose his dancers or actors. (Actually, most of the objections I note come from people who aren't dancers anyway ... duh!) I just thought, as I said in my OP, that given all the arts cuts and job losses, someone might appreciate the chance to make a bit of money doing something they understand and love. Steve was the one who said to the casting director that he should use real dancers and that I might have some contacts who might be ready to take part. All credit to the ad man who saw the merit in that. Oh, and yes, some people have come forward to know more, so not all Morris dancers (or their supporters) feel that this is below their dignity. If I was a dancer I wouldn't hesitate to put myself forward for this. Some gentle fun is simply that and comes out of affection rather than derision. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST Date: 25 Mar 11 - 02:42 PM If thier researchers had had a brian cell between them all they had to do was Google morris sides. So i'm not suprised that morris men ridicule the request.
Thanks. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: VirginiaTam Date: 25 Mar 11 - 04:21 PM copying above post in case it gets moderated out Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST Date: 25 Mar 11 - 02:42 PM If thier researchers had had a brian cell between them all they had to do was Google morris sides. So i'm not suprised that morris men ridicule the request. Brian cell? as in Monty Python? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Anne Lister Date: 25 Mar 11 - 04:22 PM Guest, if you were using your brain cell (or even your brian cell, if that works for you) you might have read what I put in the thread ... the casting director was going to use actors, and my husband suggested real dancers would be better ... and that his wife (me) could possibly help. And if you read the thread you'll see that the ridicule of the request comes from people who are not, themselves, dancers. Next time my husband thinks of a helpful way to put the right people in the way of earning some money, remind me not to put a thread on Mudcat where so many contributors to this thread clearly have nothing better to do with their time. Just as a comparison, when an actors' forum puts out a suggestion that properly skilled actors might be able to audition for a paid role that uses their skills it tends to have a very different response. People are normally pleased to hear of work opportunities in their specialist area ...oh, sorry, I forgot. The people who are being so unhelpful on this thread aren't the ones it was addressed to in the first place, are they? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Little Robyn Date: 25 Mar 11 - 04:32 PM If we weren't on the other side of the world, I'm sure our Morris side would be very happy to dance for publicity and money. But we're in NZ, we're down to 3 dancers (due to illness and leg damage) and what's more, all three of our dancers are female. But apart from that, we'd be very good! Robyn |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: MGM·Lion Date: 25 Mar 11 - 04:41 PM "Duh"??? What has my not being a dancer got to do with it? How does that disqualify me from wondering: What is 'quaint' about one of our finest traditions? Where is the 'gentle fun" in seeing it performed? Who are these who love it so much they want to see it turned into an object of ridicule ~ with their active assistance and participation? ("Ridicule", btw, is not what I am aiming at your suggestions: extreme disgust, rather.) So it might be financially profitable, might it? Does not any conception of prostituting your art enter into your calculations? I am sorry, Anne ~~ I think your entire view misconceived, and find your attitude incomprehensible and thoroughly reprehensible. And if you can't see why, then I feel genuine pity. ~Michael~ |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: JennyO Date: 25 Mar 11 - 04:43 PM Rob said - why not Hammersmith Morris? They would be in the area. As for the politics of whether Morris men should feel insulted or not, I think some people are being a bit oversensitive. After all, we welcomed "Morris, a life with bells on" which is in its way a gentle piss-take. I don't know any Morris people who were offended by that movie - and I do know a quite a few Morris people (I'm married to one for a start). And they do say any publicity is good publicity. Personally, I'd say, grab the money and run er.. er.. dance :) |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Anne Lister Date: 25 Mar 11 - 05:22 PM Dear Michael I have no idea where you found the idea that there was any ridicule involved. Nor do I know why you are extremely disgusted or find my attempt to find work for people who might want it "thoroughly reprehensible". If you can't see the difference between "gentle fun" and "ridicule" then I am sincerely sorry for you and wonder at the world you must be living in. The comment about dancers was that all of the outrage about the idea is coming from people who are not being required to even choose whether or not to take up the offer. It is a choice. It is an offer. It is an offer that would not have been made had my husband not suggested it would be far better to have "real" Morris dancers rather than have actors pretending to be dancers. You appear to be getting yourself worked up over nothing at all. No one is ridiculing a tradition. No one is damaging it in any way. As Jenny says, it's no more ridiculous or damaging than "Morris, a life with bells on" or any number of comedy sketches that have already passed without comment into history. Morris men have featured in adverts before as well as on light entertainment shows. If your problem is with someone earning money doing something they love (sorry - "prostituting their art" was your term - talk about an over-reaction!) then clearly you object to professional musicians and dancers in general? If that's not your view, what makes this different? The idea that there might be some fun involved? I have met many Morris men in my time (and women, too) and they're generally at the forefront of fun. I repeat - you were not in the target group to which this offer was addressed so I suggest you calm down, take a deep breath and stop wasting your own time reading this thread which has offended you so greatly. I am unrepentant - as a working musician married to a working actor I consider it a good idea to offer paid work to others who might be able to benefit. Whether or not any Morris dancers who read this take up the offer and get selected in an audition, the advert will be made. I would much prefer to see real upholders of our fine tradition get the paid work than people who know nothing about it. I can't understand (oh, and I can really manage without your pity, Michael) why anyone would prefer the opposite. If you think that is reprehensible, incomprehensible and any other over-loaded adjective -then I suggest you consult a dictionary. And read a newspaper to get a sense of perspective. Interested dancers can PM me. Jenny - if you have contact details for Hammersmith Morris then by all means PM me with them - or any other London-based Morris sides, for that matter. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Van Date: 25 Mar 11 - 05:49 PM Someone, with all good intentions, publicises an opportunity for a Morris Side to appear on TV (albeit in an advert) and make a bit of money for their side and almost everyone jumps down her throat. What's all that about? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Crowhugger Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:06 PM Beats me. Sometimes posts offer more insight into the poster than they do into the subject. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Rob Naylor Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:14 PM It's the usual Mudcat pomposity and a whole bunch of people taking themselves too seriously...actually, make that "taking things too seriously on behalf of other people, whose actual standpoint they may not have a clue about"! I know people in 3 Morris sides, and a whole bunch of people just starting a new side. None of them take it hugely seriously...it's mainly something they feel is good fun, and an excuse to burn enough calories to drink beer, as well as upholding a bit of tradition...yes, it's "something they love" but it's not "something they're insanely precious about and incapable of treating with levity on occasion". None of the dancers I know would adopt the attitude of the people Bo met: They were very chatty and welcoming until they asked us where we came from and who our local 'sides' were. When I said Tunbridge Wells and Royal Borough they stopped talking to us and tried their best to ignore us for the rest of the evening. They were "Morris Ring" and Royal Borough were not. But then none of the dancers I know are "Morris Ring" (I too am in Tunbridge Wells!)...maybe this apparently pompous "Ring" side's the one Michael's speaking on behalf of :-)? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:19 PM Poking gentle fun at themselves is very much part of the Morris tradition. So of course is the attitude that objects to that. It's a wide and variegated tradition in that way as in others. But the truth is, it's quite possible to treat something lightheartedly and recognise its absurdity, and recognise it as serious and important, both at the same time. Doing that is quintessentially English (though of course not exclusively English). It's the quality you find in, for example Dad's Army or many Music Hall songs, as Cosmotheka used to bring out so well. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Geoff the Duck Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:53 PM Speaking as a veteran morris dancer, I am only sorry that I do not live anywhere near London. If I did, and had the time, I would be busy assembling the most entertaining and lively team I could find. I would be registering the name "Google Morris" and knocking down the door of the studio using big sticks, demanding my free pint of Pimms. Any morris dancer or musician worth their salt should be trying to beat me there. Anne - Some of appreciate what you have attempted to do. Quack! GtD. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Old Vermin Date: 25 Mar 11 - 07:03 PM Just the thought of trying to dance on Pimms... Do they pay expenses for the audition? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,Paul Slade Date: 25 Mar 11 - 09:22 PM It seems to me that Anne was trying - with nothing but generosity in her heart - to pass on news of an offer that people on this board might benefit from and enjoy. Still, she won't make that mistake again, eh? |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST Date: 26 Mar 11 - 06:02 AM Down off your high horse, Michael... there's a lot of us glad to muck out to earn a few bob, out here in the sticks! Anne, you're a star - and don't get yourself all of a tizz dealing with the likes of this critic. If our lot were closer to London, we'd've been there like a shot! You keep ON being a Good Person who thinks of others! |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Silas Date: 26 Mar 11 - 06:42 AM As an ex-dancer myself, I would have loved to do this. As far as I am concerned, if you have no sense of humour or sense of the ridiculous, you should not be a morris dancer anyway. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Wolfhound person Date: 26 Mar 11 - 06:44 AM I have arranged to pass the message on to the morris world, so we'll see what happens. Thanks, Anne. Paws |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Anne Lister Date: 26 Mar 11 - 06:57 AM Phew - what a relief! For a moment there I thought I inhabited a different universe to the one I've spent years in! Thanks, guys. All messages answered to the best of my ability. Anne |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,Folkiedave Date: 26 Mar 11 - 07:52 AM Winster Morris were in an advert (still photograph) for Blackthorn Cider a few years ago - they were "England's Haka" in ripost to the New Zealand All Blacks. And Sheffield City Morris had a major starring role in the film "Heartlands" with Kate Rusby. Unfortunately the film went straight to DVD and our bit ended on the cutting room floor on the grounds that no-one would believe a group of escaped prisoners would dress as morris dancers. Still we got paid a shed load of money. A lot of which we drank whilst waiting to be filmed. (If you want to wind the producer up mention "copyright" on the music after you have done the filming!!) |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Silas Date: 26 Mar 11 - 07:54 AM Stafford Morris were in an early episode of 'Green Green Grass' a gentle pisstake, but grrat stuff all the same. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,Alex Date: 26 Mar 11 - 08:11 AM Well done Anne on promoting this invaluable opportunity and please don't take pay any heed to out-of-touch dinosaurs like MGM |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: JennyO Date: 26 Mar 11 - 08:23 AM Anne, I've sent you a PM :) |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: GUEST,Wee Jock Date: 26 Mar 11 - 10:38 AM I cannot understand the negative attitude that some people have shown on this thread, in respect of bringing an english tradition out to a much wider audience ie by a television advert. This to me is not a bad thing. We are always moaning about the lack of Trad Music and Dance on the television so lets be grateful for small mercys. If this add encourages more people to appreciate our traditons then i am all for it, also I am sure that seeing a dance performed properly, by decent dancers could only encourage people to join a Morris Side. Anne and hubby are to be commended for bringing this to our notice, not verbally slaughtered. Regards Wee Jock (Sotsman) |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: pavane Date: 26 Mar 11 - 01:33 PM Did they also ask for a musician or two? Presumably they will need one. |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: theleveller Date: 26 Mar 11 - 02:48 PM Anne, I'm sorry you got such a poor reception, particularly from the 'know-all' brigade who don't understand how the advertising industry works, haven't seen the script or the storyboard of the commercials or talked to the director about his treatment. After 43 years in the advertising industry, during which time I've written and produced a countless number of TV, cinema and radio commericals, I'm totally used to this attitude and have had the piss taken out of me more times than any morris side - which is why I still find it such fun. I would expect that, as they want morris dancers, the commercial would probably be something around Great British Traditions - I look forward to seeing the result |
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Subject: RE: Morris dancers sought for tv advert From: Anne Lister Date: 26 Mar 11 - 05:32 PM I think that the general idea is there will be a Pimms bus going around picking up various representatives of Britishness ...I'm guessing here, as Steve has mentioned different aspects of his audition. Of course the request for people to audition is only that - the ad people may decide that only certain faces fit and that's just the way it works, so whether they'd go for an entire side is doubtful. We don't know if Steve will be in the actual ad he auditioned for, either. But yes, I'm pleased they've thought to include Morris. |
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