Engineers, Films & Scooters
A while back we wrote about a film looking to be made called ‘The Pebble and the Boy’. It’s a modern-day mod film, inspired by the music of Paul Weller. Well, the filming is finally happening, starting July 2019, and now Scomadi are involved too.
I’I’m ththe one! !
There’s no denying it, funding for the film has been a struggle. Though eased in a big way by Neil Primett of 80s Casual Classics (providing wardrobe), as well as Kaye and Frank Sanderson of Scomadi Worldwide, who have also helped enormously. They’ve donated four Scomadis, not only to be used in the film, but also one of the scooters, ‘The Who’ scooter, is to be sold or auctioned to raise funds.
The Who scoot is a standard 125, because that’s the most popular model and rideable on ‘L’ plates. Scomadi found that most UK buyers have a car licence, but no full bike licence. However, subsequent orders can be tweaked to any spec they make.
The scooter will be up on eBay to bid for, or if you really, really must have it… maybe (for the right amount of folding) Chris would sell it, but it would only be available AFTER filming. Email greenymod@gmail.com and as a sweetener, the buyer could appear in a scene on it. Blimey, opportunity knocks! Mani of The Stone Roses is in the film, and he’s become a convert to Scomadi too. His compliment was: “I got it up to 60 and my fillings weren’t rattling.”
Scomadi and the Boy…
So how did The Who scoot offer come about? Chris was looking for retro-style scooters and he found Scomadi on the Internet. It worked well as the film is a mix of old and new. The dad in the film was mod and rode an Li 125, whilst the inclusion of Scomadi, though modern, retains the original classic scooter looks. Chris wanted the whole story to be a blend of old and new.
Frank and Kaye originally let Chris take a TL125 for the promo, and because the film looked so cool they thought more Scomadi scooters should be involved. They tried to get the factory in Thailand to back it, but they were hesitant, seeing the film as a solo British project. So, it was down to Frank and Kaye. At roughly the same time, the PR people representing The Who contacted them about a promo piece, and the possibility of a limited edition scooter. They agreed the concept and the scooter could be used in the film and for promo as well.
How are the scoots to be used in the film?
Chris tod us: “We originally wanted about three for the film. John’s rides his dad’s old Li and he meets the daughter of his dad’s mate. She’s young, cool, has a skinhead look and rides a Scomadi. They end up at another of John’s dad’s mates, who has a man-cave full of scoots. He’s also got a Scomadi, which his son uses on the last leg of the journey. The Who scooter will be used in scenes, and the fourth scooter is Kaye’s original scooter; we’re using it as an action vehicle, a camera-mounted Scomadi. In effect, the story is condensed within the Scomadis.”
What sparked Scomadi involvement?
Frank proffered an explanation: “I’ve always wanted an action hero lead part, but me hips let me down, so I had to decline Chris’ kind offer,” laughed Frank. “No, in reality… I missed being in Quadrophenia, I couldn’t get the time off work for filming. There were about 10 lads from our scooter club who went. So I thought… I’m not missing this one!”
Kaye added: “Scomadi took a long time to come together. Like Chris, we had no big funding, it was a new product, new design, and the banks didn’t want to know. That’s why it’s taken 10 years to get to mass production. When we talked to Chris we saw similarities; we know what it’s like and we’re both British productions with huge passions. We think the film will go down well worldwide. We’re here representing Scomadi Worldwide and we feel this will help promote us.”
Chris closed by letting us know a few final details: “Filming begins on July 22 and we’ll advertise for scooter rider extras on social media. I’m sure there won’t be a shortage! It's going to be a tough shoot and a big challenge, but with the team we have, I'm confident that we’ll overcome anything... even the Great British weather!”
For more info of how to get your mitts on the scoot, or just want to find out more: