WITH the countdown to the London Paralympic Games well under way, Boccia Brothers tells the story of two brothers, Peter and Stephen McGuire, who have been chosen to represent ParalympicsGB in boccia, a sport similar to French boules.
Narrated by Billy Connolly, the programme follows Peter and Stephen from the Scottish Championships to the International Championships in Portugal and on to the crunch date when they find out if they have made the final cut.
The brothers, from Lanarkshire, both suffer from an undiagnosed form of muscular dystrophy.
Boccia Brothers is a Hopscotch Films production for BBC Scotland.
It is being transmitted this evening, on BBC Two Scotland, 2200-2230. It is being repeated on Sunday evening.
Here, the programme’s producer, John Archer, answers the questions.
Who commissioned the production?
Ewan Angus, at BBC Scotland.
Explain the thinking behind the production’s ‘look and feel’?
We wanted to be with the brothers as they got through to the Paralympics – and to see them train.
Who are the key personnel? How were they recruited?
The idea was developed, shot and directed by Martin Clark and Cara Connolly who brought the idea to me.
The editor was Joseph Briffa – coincidentally a contemporary of Martin and Cara at the Glasgow School of Art.
Colourist was Chas Chalmers at The Hive, who I worked with on The Story of Film: An Odyssey, for Channel 4.
Sound mixing was by John Devine, a relative newcomer to The Hive and an excellent dubber.
What kit and software?
Shot on Sony Z5 and Z7 – most situations both Cara and Martin shooting together. Edited on Final Cut Pro at Hopscotch.
What have been the main production challenges?
After the commission, eeking out a small budget – using it to get to the International in Portugal. Apart from that, all relatively simple.
What did you most learn and enjoy from the experience?
Heartwarming human stories are the most inspirational.
