'A Day to Remember' - follow the sculptor Paul Day as he creates the London Monument

Available for £14.99 (inc P&P) from:

ASA Productions (UK) Ltd
Ashleigh House
42, Hammelton Rd
Bromley
Kent BR1 3PY

web: www.asa-uk.tv

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ASA Productions (UK) Ltd

This DVD covers the initial conception of the idea of a monument in London to the Battle of Britain airmen and goes on to illustrate, using interviews with all the major participants, how the first sketches were followed through to result in the magnificent structure unveiled in September 2005.

The key player is the sculptor Paul Day and the programme explores Paul’s career to date and describes the techniques he used to create the two friezes and ‘Scramble’ centrepiece of the Monument. It document his first thoughts on what would prove to be a life-changing commission.  His pre-monument career and commissions are examined. Interviews with his admirers and supporters who include Jilly Cooper, Sir Jeffery Archer, Lord Tebbit, Dame Vera Lynn and many more will shed further light on his abilities as one of Britain’s most talented, up and coming new sculptors.

Paul’s college tutor, art critics, art collectors and gallery owners like Alexandre Grosjean of the Galerie de la Reine in Brussels will expand upon the flair exhibited in Paul Day’s work and delve into the factors that makes his output unique.

The programme will also explore the history of the Battle of Britain and how this was portrayed in the finished sculptures. Historical background to the project will include the previous use of the chosen site on the Victoria Embankment as a smoke outlet for early steam-pulled trains of the District Line of the London Underground and how this line was only made possible by the construction of the Embankment itself by the renowned engineer Joseph Bazalgette. The compilation, for the first time, of a definitive list of the nearly-3000 airmen from 13 countries that flew with the RAF during the Battle is followed. The process by which the names are inscribed on bronze panels that will clad the monument is also explained, with all its attendant headaches.

The artist takes us through the intricate sculpting process and how the clay originals are reproduced in bronze using the 'lost wax' method that dates back to Classical times. We follow him through all the challenges he faced meeting an immovable deadline. The race to be ready in time is paralleled by the struggle of the Battle of Britain London Monument Committee to raise sufficient funds to complete the project.

This exclusive footage of such a significant piece of work commemorates a turning point in world history and is a tribute to all those airmen who literally saved Britain and by extension the Western world.

“This is Paul Days work that has come out of the lives of others.” - Paul Day

DVD Extras:

Extended programme not seen on TV

- Scene Selection

- Extended interview with Paul Day

- Extended Interviews with Battle of Britain airmen

- Stills taken during production 

E Exempt from classification

Colour PAL

Length 100 minutes approx

Aspect Ratio 16:9

Region: All