Paper industry documentary (From Watford Observer)

Paper industry documentary

12:15pm Friday 5th November 2010 in Memories By Michael Pickard

Former BBC investigation journalist Jon Danzig has uploaded a documentary focusing on the paper industry, made in the 1980s, to video sharing website YouTube.

Mr Danzig, who lives in Apsley, said: “This was my first commission to produce a professional video documentary. Shot in the 1980s, it showed how paper was manufactured by DRG, at Nash Mills.

“A secret: I'd never previously operated a professional video camera. The night before filming I was avidly reading the manual. Fortunately, I got away with it and the paper company loved my film, showing it all over England.

“I did almost everything for the production: scripting, shooting, lighting, editing and the voice-over. My friend, Steve Skinner, did the music. Later, I learnt the value of hiring a crew.

“I'll always be grateful to the paper company for my first commission, especially their marketing director, Ian Monro, who supported my ideas from the start. It was the launch of my career as the owner of a niche media production company, Look-Hear.com.

“The original documentary was 20 minutes long, and I've cut it to 15 minutes so it could be uploaded to YouTube. Alas, DRG Nash Mills is no longer – the site of the old factory is currently being knocked down for a new housing development. I wonder what happened to the DRG staff, and the children from the local infant school, who appeared on the film.”