Episode 31 - Nick Pearson Interview

The Minder Podcast

In this episode we speak to camera grip for 53 episodes of Minder, Nick Pearson. Nick was behind the camera and at the technical helm for many classic episodes – from the very first to the last in Series 5 – and as you would expect has some terrific insight into how it all came together.

Some standout topics include working with the greats such as Roy Ward Baker, Robert Young and Christopher King although with the latter he didn’t start out quite so impressively.

There are the tales about drinking with the crew, the bond between Dennis and George, the building of the first Winchester Club bar and the trickiness of filming Dave the Barman.

There is a lot about Euston Films itself and some episodes we go into quite a lot include The Bounty Hunter, Not A Bad Lad, Dad and Gunfight at the OK Laundrette. Nick kept saying O.K. Corral but I did not wish to correct him. I am sure he realised afterwards the retitling of the classic phrase for the Minder episode.

When you look at the work Nick has done over the years it is spectacular. He has been involved with many major movies. So we are also treated to some wonderful stories about Tom Cruise, Brian DePalma and Nick being sacked from Mission Impossible.

He tells of Jack Nicholson ad-libbing in Batman and how it was all captured perfectly on film as Nick says, “There’s a lot more to acting than just delivering the lines”.

And then we lower the tone talking of the pleasures of The Benny Hill Show.

We start with an explanation of what a grip actually does. Nick sent this through to me ahead of our chat which was useful to me and I shall read this for anyone else who needs some guidance as to all of the responsibilities a camera grip has.

I also asked Nick whether he had any photos from his time on the Minder set and he sent me some fantastic material. These are going to be online with this episode on the minder podcast website so go and take a look.

The outro to the show was recorded on the 8th May, two years after Dennis Waterman’s passing. If you haven’t already, please do go back and check out the tribute shows. I shall provide the links.

It always amazes me that Dennis was 23 years younger than George Cole but lived 16 years less. I think this show is another nice tribute to the one and only Terry McCann and hoped you enjoy it. Thanks for listening and thanks for all the memories Dennis. Rest in peace.