General Features

Dan, brother Matt and Ray Winstone

Film student Dan recently holidayed in LA where he met up with his ever-so-slightly famous godfather, British actor Ray Winstone.

Ray – a long time family friend – had invited Dan onto the set of his latest movie, so the aspiring director could see first-hand how Hollywood blockbusters are made.

In this case, it may prove to be the biggest blockbuster of them all – Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the fourth installment in the legendary Indiana Jones saga.

"When Ray was up doing his scenes I'd sit in his chair," Dan says. "Steven Spielberg was sat one side of me, George Lucas the other. Meanwhile Ray was doing a scene with Harrison Ford. It was quite surreal."

Uncle Ray

Clearly having a superstar in the family has its benefits. But to Dan, Winstone will always just be uncle Ray.

Courtesy indianajones.com

"My dad and Ray are basically like brothers," he explains. "They grew up together in east London and were inseparable. It's that cockney cliché thing.

"We're all like family. Ray has a box at West Ham and we all go to the matches. To me he's just uncle Ray. He's more family member than film star. When he told me he'd been cast in the new Indiana Jones film, I thought it was just fantastic and bizarre!"

Dan – who's studying Television Production and Journalism at university– jumped at the chance to visit Ray in LA, where the cockney actor plays Indiana Jones' sidekick in the swashbuckling adventure film.

"It was just incredible," he says. "I was stunned at how big the production is. In the studio we were in they must have had six or seven gigantic sets all built there."

Dan in LA

The beard

Of course, the chance to observe director Steven Spielberg first hand is an opportunity most film students would die for.

"Watching Steven Spielberg at work was just incredible," says Dan. "He's highly organised and professional but completely open to suggestions from the actors. In between takes, the actors would be coming up with new ideas and he'd take them all on board.

"I shook Steven's hand and we chatted a few times. You really don't want to disturb anyone – I would just sit there watching and let people get on with their jobs. At one point Steven came over to me and said 'You know, I keep catching you in the corner of my eye and you look just like my son!' Then he got his wallet out to show me photos."

Dan was also introduced to another Hollywood legend, Indiana Jones producer George Lucas:

Courtesy indianajones.com

"On my last day the line producer said to me: 'We've got a treat for you today.' That afternoon George Lucas strolled onto set.

"He was quieter and more reserved but still a pleasure to meet. He had his producer's hat on so was really just observing that day."

Indiana Jones

For every true fanboy though, Dan got to live the ultimate dream: witnessing Indiana Jones – kitted out in full attire – use his bullwhip to fend off some baddies.

"When Harrison Ford walked on set - wow! He's quite shy and reserved. I know people are worried about him playing Indy at his age but I can tell you first hand that as soon as Steven yelled 'Action!' Harrison was throwing himself into everything, doing all the stunts they'd let him."

While Dan got an eye witness account, the rest of us will have to wait until May 2008 to see Ford and Winstone – along with Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf, Jim Broadbent, John Hurt and Karen Allen – bring the Indiana Jones franchise back to life after a 19 year hibernation.

Dan at BBC Birmingham

And while Dan had to sign an agreement promising that he wouldn't reveal plot details publicly, he remains steadfast in his belief that two decades of anticipation will be worth it:

"Like a lot of fans, I was wary of bringing back Indy after such a long time. But I can promise you it's gonna be amazing. My time there has rejuvenated my faith."

The official trailer for Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull goes live on Thursday 14th February 2008. Please visit: www.indianajones.com