3. You've mentioned that Hammer Films were shot in 6 weeks. What was the shooting schedule like? 24 hour days? How much time did that give you to prepare for a role?

Like every one else who has ever worked for the Hammer Studio, I found working for them a joy. It wasn't the best paying company in the business but they were the most caring. Which meant that work was never a bore. Jimmy Carrerras and the producers always went out of their way to make the cast feel that they were important and the time just flashed by. I'm sure there were bad moments and times when we worked ungodly hours but it was thirty years ago and and the old brain only wants to remember the good things. Like childhood days always being wall-to-wall sunshine. But I've just had my autobiography, Life's a Scream, published and that meant reading my old diaries - and I know for certain there wasn't a lot of sunshine in my childhood. At Hammer even the build to the first day's shooting was low-key. I had lunch and prep sessions with the directors and wardrobe and all the others who work to get what finally hits the silver screen ready in preparation for the big day. But there was no hassle and very little pressure. Except what I put on myself. Countess Dracula was probably the worse. She , or at least Elizabeth Bathory, was a real character so I drove everyone mad looking for my "motivation." I needn't have worried. Peter Sasdy wanted it his way and luckily, on many points, it coincided with my way.