AndrewRobsonBridge

Andrew joined @thesettingtrick7169 for a general bridge discussion podcast. This also appeared on

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

AndrewRobsonBridge

Andrew is restarting his Beginner Bridge channel on BridgeCast today. Click www.andrewrobsonbridgecast.com/beginner for full details (paywall)

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

AndrewRobsonBridge

The Next Level


‘Have you produced another DVD to follow on from your others, Learn Bridge and Play Modern Bridge?” I’ve been asked this question so many times over the years – and so many times I’ve had to deliver a disappointing answer in the negative.


We filmed Play Modern Bridge in 2005 and Learn Bridge in 2011. It was high time for an ambitious follow-on project Conrad, who produced Learn Bridge, was keen. An embryo of an idea started to form as I walked on Salisbury Plain a couple of summers ago. I would write a book with 36 chapters of 4 deals, 144 deals which would divide exactly into six arrow packs. Perfect for teachers (or for four players learning without a teacher, by playing the set deals and reading the book). That book, The Next Level, has been out for a few months now, and I’m thrilled at the feedback I’ve received.


The new DVD is loosely based on the book, with the 36 lessons matching its chapters. But
Set hands Thirty-six lessons in one three-day shoot ... Ahead of the release of the first part of his new DVD-download, The Next Step, Andrew explains how he adapted his smash-success book for the screen it also covers much of my more advanced teaching, well honed over the years.


Many of the 36 lesson headings, such as Roman Key Card Blackwood and Splinters, came easily; others less so. I wanted for example to include the Landy Defence to 1NT, but didn’t feel it justified a whole lesson (or a four-deal chapter); my eventual solution was to combine it with Michaels and the Unusual 2NT and bracket them together as “Two-Suited Interventions”.


However, I didn’t want the book/DVD to be a list of conventions, as the key to bridge is not how many toys you use but having an inner understanding of the game. I made sure many chapters were more about bidding judgment and card-play techniques than specific conventions. (It took a great deal of tinkering before I was happy with the 36 chapters, and their order.)


Then came the specific challenges of creating the DVD, combining the three main ingredients: live action, clear graphics and a clear, concise script. I assembled the dream team for the live action: Caroline, Grazyna, Nick (Boss) and Max, the first three very experienced teachers and supervisors at ARBC, Max less experienced but very keen and improving fast. Live action is crucial to creating interest. However, you wouldn’t be able to see all the cards clearly on screen – that’s where we brought in the graphics. Conrad advised sensibly that I keep my script really tight, so as to avoid too much ad-libbing.


He found a studio near the club in Parsons Green and we booked it out for three days last April. With almost eight hours of footage to shoot, we had a lot of material to cover in just a short amount of time: there could be no mistakes.


The first day involved getting everything and everyone – camera crew, sound, makeup and so – ready. Conrad had assembled a great group of professionals who were all brilliantly good-humoured throughout – and actually we all had quite a laugh. The second day was the live action day, the four bridge playing stars doing brilliantly in acting out the carefully choreographed moves to illustrate the key learning points. The third and last day was the big one for me, reading my scripts. I barely slept the night before, but survived on adrenaline and we finished 20 minutes before the studio manager kicked us out. Phew.


But then came the challenge of creating the finished film, which entailed making lots of post-production trips to Brighton with Martin – a complete star at tying things together. We have endlessly watched and re-watched to make sure no mistakes are made. Fingers crossed. I – all of us – really hope you like it.

5 years ago | [YT] | 0