Ripon cabbie with dreams of making it in the movies

Ripon cabbie Richard Fieldman has been a film and TV extra alongside Hollywood stars Samuel L Jackson, Judi Dench and Michael Gambon.

The A1 Cars owner got into the side hustle after a conversation with a passenger in the back of his cab a few years ago.

The man was an extra and passed on the details of his agent to the curious taxi driver, who now helps secure him non-speaking roles on the silver screen. He joked:

“But I always get picked out for the thug type character!

“It must be the way that I look. It doesn’t bother me, it’s all good work and I thoroughly enjoy it, it’s a break from taxi-ing and I get to meet a lot of stars.”

Most recently Richard was in the Marvel superhero series the Secret Invasion that was filmed at the Piece Hall in Halifax last month. He said he was in a protest scene “causing a bit of mayhem”.

He’s also had roles in Victoria and Abdul with Judi Dench and Mad to Be Normal, which starred David Tennant and Michael Gambon.

Many people will remember Ricky Gervais’ character in the BBC comedy Extras, who was disrespected by diva A-listers, including Samuel L Jackson. However, Richard said in real life Mr Jackson is much more friendly.

He said:

“The set was fantastic, it must have cost thousands, businesses around Piece Hall were paid to close for the weekend.

“A lot of stars keep themselves to themselves. Samuel L Jackson had his own security bloke but I spoke to him. He was normal and down to earth.

“Coming away from the Marvel set was really surreal. One minute you’re on a multi million pound set with top stars, the next you’re back at home cooking dinner in Harrogate.”

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Richard drives his taxi around the Harrogate district for thousands of hours a year, so there’s one role that he wouldn’t require much method acting to play.

“I recently had to send a photograph of the car to my agent, it might be used, but I’ll have to take off the Harrogate Borough Council sticker off!”

On the rank, he says most are pleased and proud of what he’s been doing.

Next up, Richard says his agent has contacted him about being in the hit TV show Peaky Blinders, which will be filmed in Yorkshire later this year.

He hopes to transition into speaking roles and develop his career as an actor.

“I would love to do some speaking roles, that’s the whole idea, to see where it leads. You never know who’s watching.”

What is being filmed at Crimple Valley viaduct?

Speculation has been mounting on social media after a photographer snapped pictures of a film crew in action at Crimple Valley viaduct yesterday.

James Forster, a wildlife photographer, set out to capture the wildlife in Crimple Valley when he spotted some unusual activity on the viaduct.

Pictures he shared with the Stray Ferret show a limousine, film crews with cameras and boom microphones as well as three actors preparing for the shoot.

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It is unclear what film or TV show the film crew is working on. There has been much excitement in Leeds where Samuel L Jackson has been filming a new Marvel series for Disney Plus but he is not thought to have headed north to Harrogate.

Mr Forster’s images on Twitter provoked comments that ITV has been filming Emmerdale in the area.

The Stray Ferret asked ITV whether it was filming Emmerdale in Harrogate but the broadcaster said it was unable to comment at this time.

The 31-arch viaduct is one of the most photographed structures in the Harrogate district.

Harrogate district gears up for comic convention with giveaway

Libraries will give away comic books on Friday as the Harrogate district gears up for the arrival of a comic art convention this weekend.

More than 400 artists and exhibitors are set to attend the Thought Bubble Comic Art Convention on Saturday and Sunday at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk and Batman and Sin City artist Frank Miller are among the guests.

Other artists include Joelle Jones (illustrator and writer for Batman and Catwoman) and Doug Braithwaite (artist for many Marvel and DC comics, including Wolverine, Thor and Batman).

Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite characters, and there will be a competition for the best homemade cosplay outfits.

North Yorkshire County Council, which runs libraries, has teamed up with Thought Bubble to offer free comics and graphic novels for people to take home or give to friends on Friday.

The comic books will be available on a first come, first served basis at libraries throughout North Yorkshire. The giveaway includes titles from Marvel and DC, including stories about the likes of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Avengers and more.

Harrogate’s library will also host an exhibition of artwork, fan-made zines and comics created by art and design students at Harrogate College.

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County Councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said:

“Comics are not only fun, but can be a great way for children to develop their love of reading, so this giveaway is not to be missed.

“The county’s libraries has an extensive range of comics and graphic novels for children and adults – both in branches and online – so anyone who enjoys comics or wants to rediscover them should visit their library or search our online catalogue to see what’s on offer.”

Comics will be available from the libraries in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Skipton, Northallerton, Selby, Pickering, Malton, Whitby, Filey and Scarborough.

Leading comic artists to appear at Harrogate convention

Harrogate’s annual comic art convention has announced an all-star line-up of artists and writers.

More than 400 artists and exhibitors are already set to attend the Thought Bubble Comic Art Convention.

Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk and Batman and Sin City artist Frank Miller are among the guests.

Other artists include Joelle Jones (illustrator and writer for Batman and Catwoman), Doug Braithwaite (artist for many Marvel and DC comics including Wolverine, Thor and Batman) and many more.

The convention will take place on November 13 and 14, at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Activities in store include panels, live drawing, workshops and meet and greets. There will also be a kids’ zone with crafts and a quiet area for reading.

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Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite characters, and there will be a competition for the best homemade cosplay outfits.

A wider Thought Bubble comic art festival will also be taking place during the week starting November 8 across Yorkshire. Film screenings, art exhibitions and other events will be open to people across the county.

Tula Lotay founded Thought Bubble in 2007 and it began in the basement of Leeds Town Hall. It is now one of the biggest comic art conventions in the UK.

She drew the first official art for the convention, and it has been policy that the official artwork be drawn by a female artist ever since.

This is in response to a lack of diversity within the industry when she started; she hopes to open it up to other marginalised groups in years to come.

You can find tickets for this year’s convention here.