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All In A Day’s Work
FLOELLABENJAMIN’S
The term “workaholic” might have been coined for her. Not to mention, hyperactive or indeed any adjective implying go-go-go, non-stop activity. “Been there, done it. What’s next?” Getting up at six to train for her second London Marathon before preparing breakfast for - or at least with - hus- band Keith, son Aston, 18, and daugh- ter Alvina, 11. Then down to the day job with Keith, running their own TV production company, facilities house and associated businesses. That might take up just part of a morning before moving on to one or more of the com- mittees she is serving on at any one time. It might be concerned with the
TWENTY-FOUR-SEVEN
She might have become Britain’s first black Bank Manager, however Hair intervened, followed some years later by Playschool. Ron Allison talks to a woman of many and varied interests -
who also happens to be one of BAFTA’s most active members.
design of postage stamps or dealing with the Millennium project. It could involve NCH Action For Children, or may well be about BAFTA business.
Exhausting? Apparently not. This is how Floella likes it to be. It was her way of life even before she successfully auditioned for a part in the touring pro- duction of Hair (“I told them I wouldn’t strip and they agreed.”). That was in the Seventies and, generously, Barclays Bank, where she was working at the time, gave her six months leave of absence. She never went back. Other stage work followed until, in 1976, BBC TV’s Playschool beckoned, unlocking a new career which would endear her to millions of children. She is constantly
SIRSYDNEYSAMUELSON’S
in demand and often accepts the offers, which is why she is Chair of Woman Of The Year Lunch as well as a governor of both the National Film & Television School and Commonwealth Institute. Trinidad-born Floella, a recent addition to the pages of Who’s Who, acknowl- edges that some see her as tough and ambitious. Her own word is “passion- ate”. If there is a chance to make a dif- ference, that chance should be taken ... passionately. The establishment and success of BAFTA’s Children’s Awards testify to that philosophy.
Her inspiration, in part at least, has come from the likes of Cynthia Felgate, Playschool’s executive producer, Sir Sydney Samuelson, who introduced her
to BAFTA, and Lady Lothian, who encouraged her to attempt the impossi- ble. Achievers all, they have been this role model’s role models. But there’s undoubtedly more to come.
Her two books Coming to England and For Goodness Sake!, both written for children of all races, are now well used in schools throughout the country and perhaps indicate one way ahead. Television and BAFTA will certainly not be neglected, though, as life continues to be taken at an incredible pace. Any suggestion that Floella’s likely to slow down is laughable. Just watch this year’s London Marathon. ■
SIX OF THE BEST
Industry personalities hand out their very own BAFTA’s
My Loveliest Star
The phone rang one afternoon and it was Ginny Mancini (widow of Henry) who said, “I’m in town with two friends for the opening of the Green Room cabaret tonight. Can you come?” We met our friend in the Café Royal lobby and she ushered us to our table in the dark at the end of the preceding act. On came veteran Tony Martin who then sang a string of nostalgic oldies. The lights went up and I suddenly found myself sitting next to his wife Cyd Charisse - my loveliest star for more than 50 years.
Most Inspirational Friend
It has to be His Lordship. This is not just because I enjoy his movies - Oh, What A Lovely War, Gandhi, Shadowlands et al - but also because I admire what he does for others ... for charities, good causes and for the endless number who call for his assistance.
Best Director
My list of favourites runs from A for Attenborough (Gandhi) to Z for Zinnemann (A Man For All Seasons). Right in the alphabetical middle comes L for Lean, David (Lawrence Of Arabia). Will he do, I wonder?
Most Valuable (Domestic) Gadget,
I don’t know if casual shoes are strictly a gadget as such but their introduction was indeed invaluable to me. I was a late starter in mastering the tying of shoelaces, a veritable nightmare each morning until the age of about six. Now, 68 years on, I do know how to tie them but actually getting down to them has become the new nightmare.
Most Memorable Film “Quote”
From Gandhi - In South Africa we see the young Indian lawyer and a friend being pushed off the pavement by white thugs. Gandhi says: “It has been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humilia- tion of their fellow human beings.’
My Finest Technician
When BAFTA bestowed its Balcon Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema on master cam- era operator Mike Roberts, it was an event which captured everyone’s imagi- nation. Those present and those watch- ing on TV were fascinated by the man’s awesome ability, his list of credits and the clips that were shown. It was clear that this unassuming British craftsman is an absolute ace in the job, and in the world. From my position on the side- lines I know what an asset Mike is, not only to cinematographers and directors
but equally to actors and actresses in front of his cam- era. He is their mentor, the one who shows them how to blend the requirements of script and director with the complex mechanics of the shot. ■
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Photos top right: “One of the favourite Directors”- David Lean and above “Loveliest star” Cyd Charisse Photos Courtesy Kobal and Foyer/Graffiti