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Jane, Janeites, JAFF and the BBC

5/5/2017

24 Comments

 
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This year, when we are celebrating Jane Austen’s life and her wonderful novels, I fully expected to go to as many Austen-related events as possible, to balls and festivals and lectures – but early spring brought something beyond my wildest dreams.
 
If you follow Sophie Andrews from Laughing with Lizzie you must have already heard about the gentleman who came to call. Not in a Regency coat and top hat, but with top news: that the BBC would like to do a programme about the ways in which Jane Austen still touches our lives 200 years on – a programme about people who read and re-read her novels again and again; people who go to balls, dress up for Regency picnics and have a jolly good time with impromptu dances and games of cup-and-ball, battledore and graces; and people who devour JAFF and write it.

When the conversation turned to JAFF and JAFF authors, Sophie Andrews kindly mentioned my name – and so it came to pass that a few days ago I opened my front door to three gentlemen from the BBC and an absolutely staggering amount of filming equipment.
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Having the camera looking over my shoulder as I typed or checking out my collection of JAFF novels and books on all things Regency was really nice, and easy as pie.
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Having the same rectangular eye staring right at me not long afterwards was nothing short of nerve-racking! Luckily the camera used later for the interview was a very friendly creature. The slanted glass placed before the lens reflected the producer’s image, so it was ever so easy to imagine I was talking to him rather than the camera. 

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​​On this note, my warmest thanks go to Richard Townsend, the producer, and to the wonderfully friendly and supportive crew, for being fabulously encouraging and making it such a fun and thoroughly enjoyable experience!
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It truly felt like a chat with friends, and there were jokes and giggles – especially when someone across the road decided to switch on a rather powerful drill just as we were talking about how romantic JAFF could be thanks to Mr Darcy’s saturnine good looks and his deep devotion to Elizabeth.
More fun followed afterwards, when the filming at my house finished and the excitement moved to Basildon Park for the Pineapples' Regency picnic. There was delicious food, cheerful company, a very energetic game of rounders and OMG, the dancing! My lips are sealed for now, but there were moments of pure TV gold, and when the programme airs I’m sure you’ll see why!
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And there’s more to look forward to: a most elegant ball and a very special meeting! As soon as I can tell you more, I shall.

Thanks for stopping by to read this, and thanks to Mira Magdo from Obsessed with Mr Darcy and to my husband, for the amazing moral support and for taking most of the pictures!
24 Comments
Christina Boyd
5/5/2017 08:18:17 pm

Wow! What an out-of-body experience. I loved reading this and seeing all the photos--but I cannot wait to hear all about in person--and finally see the finished product. So amazing!

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 10:41:16 am

It really was, Christina! Lots of hugs, that's ever so kind and I'm so glad you liked it. Can't wait to meet up face to face at last, it's been far too long in coming! We'll have such a wonderful time, and so much to talk about. And I can't wait to hear about *YOUR* amazing out-of-body experience in London! O-M-G!

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Lory Lilian
5/5/2017 08:50:56 pm

Dear Joana, so happy for you and Sophie! This is sooooo exciting !

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 09:48:00 am

You're so kind, Lory Lilian, you always are! Lots of hugs and looking forward to July and meeting you at last!!

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Denise
5/5/2017 09:55:33 pm

What a wonderful experience to share!

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 09:50:59 am

Thanks for stopping by, Denise, I'm so glad you liked it!!

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Glynis
5/5/2017 10:14:45 pm

Oh Joana, how exciting for you all. I have been looking at the photos and wondering what they were and I have just seen this post. I cant wait to watch this. Please let me know when it will air as I don't watch much TV (except when P&P or Poldark is on) as I'm too busy reading 📚😍

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 09:55:08 am

It really was, Glynis! I'm so glad you found the post, it's lovely to see you here and always wonderful to chat to you! I hope to find out soon when & where it airs and I'll let you know as soon as I do.

LOL yes, I have that problem too (too busy reading) and that's exactly what drags me out of it too, P&P and Poldark. New series coming up, yay!! Can't wait for it, they're all fabulous.

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Joy D King link
5/5/2017 11:07:09 pm

This is EXCITING!!! I would have worried that my house wasn't presentable enough or that I was not either. Well done to all of you. I hope this is available in our part of the world. I'm looking forward to seeing you and hearing what your voice sounds like. Yay!

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 10:01:57 am

Thanks, Joy, it really was! And LOL re the worries, that's exactly what I thought too. Not much I could do about myself in the time available :D , that was a done deal, but I did go into one big spring-clean spree. Fun times. I do hope the programme airs on one of the US channels too, but until then how about we hear each other's voices in a video chat in Messenger? I'd love that :)

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Shannon Winslow link
6/5/2017 04:53:04 am

Very cool, Joana! I would have been honored but terrified of the cameras. I'm sure you represented us (JAFF authors) very well!

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 10:10:28 am

So kind of you to stop by, Shannon! Thanks for that, and for the lovely message. Yep, that's exactly how I felt: honoured & terrified :D . But they were so friendly and supportive, so I wasn't terrified for long. Many thanks for the vote of confidence, too. I tried to & fingers crossed. I surely tried to represent our love for JAFF & Jane.

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Julie Rakowski (Julia Grace Poldark)
6/5/2017 06:01:14 am

Oh such fun it looks, I hope that is was. I can not wait and hope to be able to see this program in the USA. Well done both of you, it really is exciting to think I could say, I know those people on TV :)

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 10:16:28 am

So glad you liked it, Julia! Thanks ever so much, and I do hope you can see it. Actually you already know someone on TV ;) . Sophie was interviewed on a US channel before, to talk about Jane Austen's ring. There's a link on her FB page (a couple of months ago, I think).

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Cass Grafton link
6/5/2017 06:34:13 am

OMG! How amazing! 🍸🍸

What a fabulous experience, Joana. So happy for you and I can't wait to watch this film.

Loving the photos of you in your elegant dress, surrounded by all the filming paraphernalia ❤️

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 10:22:40 am

Thanks, it truly was a fabulous experience! So very kind of Sophie to mention my name! I hope you'll like the film and thanks about the dress. LOL I thought you might recognise it.

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Hazel Mills
6/5/2017 08:11:50 am

How wonderful Joana! I am so sad to be watching this from afar instead of with you all. I am so pleased it is going so well. I have had a tiny hand in the planning so still feel very much part of it but living my life vicariously through you are the moment. So glad you are having fun! Can't wait to see the final product! xx

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Joana Starnes
7/5/2017 10:31:16 am

Thanks, Hazel!! I so wish you and Keith could have been here too, and I'm willing to bet your 'tiny hand' in the planning was huge, you're always so kind!! Missing you lots, I hope you can come back for some balls and assemblies and another round of Sir Roger de Coverley :)

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Deborah
7/5/2017 11:49:38 am

That is amazing. I hope we, who live across the pond, will be able to see it.

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Joana Starnes
8/5/2017 08:05:37 pm

Thanks, Debbie! I do hope so too!!!

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Claudine DiMuzio link
8/5/2017 05:25:30 am

This is a fabulous post, Joana! They couldn't have selected a better person for their work! I can't wait to see what's in store next! 😉

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Joana Starnes
8/5/2017 08:08:19 pm

Thanks EVER so much, Claudine, you're always so kind!!!

Same here, I can't wait for the next part ;) , SO excited!!!

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Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) link
10/5/2017 10:44:21 am

Truly fantastic, Joana!!! I'm so very excited for you. You are well deserving of such distinction and honor. You look so lovely and composed in the pictures, my heart would have been going triple time! LOL I hope it will be something I can track down and watch! Thank you so much for sharing!

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Joana Starnes
10/5/2017 12:40:56 pm

Dear Meredith! Huge thanks for this, you're so kind! LOL my heart was going triple time too! Fingers crossed that it looks alright on the night. I asked the producer yesterday and he said that a link will be posted online for a while. I'll share it as soon as I've got it. Thanks and lots of hugs for all your wonderful support!

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