Scenes from Ship-reX

Some of our readers may be disappointed by the lack of promotional video to accompany Ship-reX. It was always going to be difficult to follow up the critical success and popularity of Xploration. Hanlan was on the crest of his literary comeback and Hector was new to the team. The much-anticipated sequel never really recovered from an early dispute and a series of unforeseen setbacks that rivalled the filming of Apocalypse Now, Heaven’s Gate or Fitzcarraldo.

Hanlan and Hector fell out over the latter’s demands for equal top billing and a daily supply of pig’s ears. The entire film crew had witnessed Hector’s behaviour when pig’s ears were around, a trailer strewn with disgusting items sooked to within an inch of their life till they resembled the Turin Shroud or some gossamer thin sea beastie only found on Blue Planet 2.

Insurmountable artistic differences soon arose. Hanlan’s old-school, stand up poet, pub performer routine was in direct opposition to Hector’s method acting technique he’d been introduced to at puppy training. On one occasion Hanlan stormed from the set claiming he’d never work with “a Stanislavskian Schnoodle who slept throughout the last video.”

All we have is a series of photographs shot in pre-rehearsal. In one scene, Hanlan, already in his Lean, Hard, Young Crew costume (see Ship-reX, page 13) sits round the table hoping the offer of a pig’s ear will temporarily cover over the personal animus between him and Hector.

At first it appears Hanlan’s cunning plans are working well.

Things begin to go awry with the unexpected appearance of Hector’s agent, Ludo, a cool and calculating Collie from Kirkwall

Ludo offers his client a role he can really get his teeth into.

Hanlan finally recognises the folly of his position.

Hector decides to leave the negotiating table.