Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. Quite a large project, but such fun people to work with. It is truly wonderful if there’s a connection between our commissioner and our team, and both parties have a ‘feel’ for each other.
From the first reconnaissance meeting with the girls of H-I-A there was a click and we had the greatest fun. To this day, I still can’t tell who is the crazier: Four Corners or the communications department of the municipality of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. I certainly hope that’s Four Corners. Hey, we have a reputation to think of… With the municipality for 100% in our wake.
But, now for something completely different… The H-I-A people are not only very social, but first and foremost they are very professional, and involved with the project. We, on the other hand, made a lousy entrée when we first had an audience with mayor Jonker to discuss the concept of the municipality feature. We were extremely late and had even gotten it into our thick skulls that Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht be written without the hyphens in our script proposal. My, did we have to suffer for that…
Fortunately, we’ve made up completely. Mayor Jonker is a very professional and exceptionally kind man, who’d go to any length for this film. On set, it was never too much for him to do multiple takes. A surprising addition was that he would pick a Euro from behind your ear or do a card-trick at the weirdest of moments. Like a trained professional magician. So, if ever he wants to swap careers… Hans Klok, eat your heart out!
The eventual film was presented very successfully on an especially occasioned première night in city hall. While everybody enjoyed a large bucket of popcorn, it was shown and received exceptionally well. Everybody was tremendously enthusiastic. The day after, the film was shown on an important event to all mayors, aldermen and counsellors of the Provincie Zuid-Holland, just like the minister.
Mayor Jonker received a standing ovation as he ‘magicked’ himself on stage after the end of the film. In July, part of the film was broadcast on TV. The pop-choir Re-Flax from H-I-A was placed in the finals of the EO-show Korenslag, and their performance was supported by shots from our film. We almost regretted delivering the film. During a production such as this, you cooperate extensively, and afterwards you always need some time to go into rehab. We carry some precious memories from this gig for the municipality of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. What great people, and what a great job!
