Sunday 20 September 2015

Coffey Man Interviews: Ian McCue

Since the nineteenth series of Thomas & Friends is due to be aired on Channel 5's Milkshake starting from tomorrow, I am happy to share you a special interview I had conducted several months ago. The interviewee is none other than the current producer of the series, Ian McCue, who will be telling us how he first discovered Thomas through the launch of the television series in 1984, and eventually gained his role as the Producer alongside head writer Andrew Brenner.

DISCLAIMER:
All opinions expressed in interviews belong solely to the people interviewed, and do not reflect the opinions of myself, Ian McCue and HiT Entertainment.

Ian McCue
(Taken at Drayton Manor, April 2015
Copyright: Myself)

  • How did you get involved in Thomas & Friends?

I’d worked on various animated shows since leaving school in 1986. My good friend Marion Edwards was working at HIT when she offered me the role of Line Producer, during the end of series 15 & 16. I didn’t quite know what to expect, but it wasn’t long before I became fascinated by the railway realism of the original stories and I soon became very passionate about the show, which I hope shows in the latest work.

  • What are your duties of the producer?

Originally as a Line Producer, my role was to ensure that everything was done on time and on schedule. You could say “without confusion or delay”! However, when we started Blue Mountain Mystery my role started to evolve into more of a creative role, helping with the scripting, casting & creation of characters, such as Luke.
I then shared my responsibilities on series 17, but by series 18 I was very much in the creative driving seat working closely with Andrew Brenner on scripts and with ARC Productions on the animation.

  • How did you create the original characters for the series? (i.e. Porter, Samson, Gator etc)

All of the engines are based on real working engines and a lot of the recent engines, which then became the basis for new characters, were discovered by Andrew, who would send them to me to discuss. He’s always looking for unusual engines whilst writing up story ideas. Engines that would give us good character stories as well as some unique technical differences.

  • What is the best thing about working on Thomas & Friends?

There are so many enjoyable aspects to working on a show like Thomas & Friends. I think one is the challenge to keep it fresh and relative, without losing the original concept that this is a working railway. I am also really proud of being able to better the look of the show - working closely with ARC Productions we really have made the CGI Thomas & Friends look quite amazing, as you will see in series 19 and the next movie.

  • Are you familiar with Thomas before? (i.e. 'The Railway Series' and/or the original television series)

I remember reading about Ringo Starr in the papers leading up to the first launch, but this was at a stage when I was at secondary school, so I didn’t pay much attention to pre-school TV then. It was only when my little boy was born and he became fascinated by Thomas after bringing a toy home, that I became more away of the content. He and I would watch the classic live action episodes every morning. The slow pace of the show was very therapeutic for a parent, especially when you had to get up at 5.30am. A couple of years later I was offered a job on the show. How could I say no?

  • Do you have anything to say to the fans of the show, young and old?

I hope that we are doing the show the justice that it deserves. We aren’t going to please everyone, but we try our best keep the heritage of the show close to our hearts when we are creating new engaging stories for the new generation.

Thursday 11 June 2015

Coffey Man Interviews: Phil Reeves

One of my early interviews can now be read here as well as at the Thomas the Tank Engine wikia. A Senior Modeller worked for DBP Props and his company, Shed 10 Ltd on numerous of films and television shows including Thomas & Friends, Thunderbirds (2004), Holby City, Red Dwarf: The Making of 'Back to Earth' and so much more. Here is the interview of how Phil Reeves worked for the industry as a model maker and prop designer.

DISCLAIMER:
All opinions expressed in interviews belong solely to the people interviewed, and do not reflect the opinions of myself, Phil Reeves, DBP Props ltd and HiT Entertainment.

Phil Reeves

  • How did your career as a model maker and prop designer began?
I went to art college in Dublin then got a job at Thorp model makers in London. After a couple of years I left and started with DBP models in Shepperton studios.

  • Can you tell us how did you start working as a Senior Modeller for Thomas & Friends?
I was invited to work at Thomas by a colleague of mine who was on Thomas and recommended me to Dave Eves.

  • What was it like to be working with David Eves, the model supervisor, on Thomas models?
Dave was a great person to work with, very easy going and honest and fair.

  • What was the best achievement you've done on Thomas?
 Making Thomas.

  • What was it like to be on the model layout sets of Thomas at Shepperton Studios? 
I worked in the workshop only and it was the best job in my career so far.

  • Do you have a favourite model (character or prop) to work on for Thomas?
Yes I liked Stanley.

  • Prior to the CGI switchover, what was your overall perspective as a Senior Modeller? 
Thomas was perfect as a children's show as they can relate to what they see and the toys you can buy. The CGI version has less appeal and as the change came in we had less to make.

  • Do you still keep in touch with fellow modellers from working on the show?
Yes I sometimes employ them.

  • Moving on from Thomas, you have also worked for David Mitton and David Lane on their planned series; Adventures on Orsum Island as a modeller. What was it like to be working with the late David Mitton himself?
David was a passionate guy who loved his work and the little interaction I had with him was always interesting and fun.

  • What other film and television shows do you work outside of Thomas and Orsum Island? 
I work on a lot of different tv and film productions depending on what comes through the door, We do a lot on Holby City.

  • How did you start running your company, Shed 10 Limited?
Shed 10 ltd is for tax reasons. I mainly work as a manager in DB Props ltd.

  • Do you have any advice to give to those who were already interested in becoming modellers like you?
Try to gain experience on a production and if you prove yourself the work will come.

Saturday 16 May 2015

Coffey Man Blog Report: How It All Began (Thomas & Friends 70th Anniversary Fan-made Sizzle Video)


"A fabulous anniversary video for how it all started!" ~ Lion Hudson, current publishers of Brian Sibley's 'The Thomas the Tank Engine Man - The Life of Reverend W Awdry'

"That's beautiful! Great job!" ~ Ron Fugelseth, creator of 'A Toy Train in Space' YouTube video

"A fitting tribute to Thomas at 70 by @DanCoffey1991. #70YearsofThomas" ~ Top Props Co.

"Beautifully made. I love it." ~ Lee Pressman, writer

"Amazing to think Thomas is still so popular." ~ Mike O' Donnell, original Thomas composer (1984 - 2003)

As the seventieth anniversary celebration of the Railway Series approaches within the next few days, on Friday May 8th, 2015, I have had a brainchild of how the history of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends can be told through a fan-made sizzle video - with interview audio snippets of Christopher Awdry telling the story of how it all began, as well as origins of the little blue engine.

And sure enough, I was as good as my own words, as I started editing the video using Adobe Premiere Elements 10 on the evening of Saturday May 9th, by simply editing the audio using both the instrumental of The Adventure Begins intro, two audio interview snippets, and a quotation of Mark Moraghan as heard in the beginning of PBS broadcasts and US DVDs: "Thomas & Friends ~ Making Tracks to Great Destinations." The result was really good so far, although I had yet to compile footage and pictures - which was the next step in the editing progress.

It took a good two days to find and compile visuals to make the video standout for all to see, and the editing process was completed by the end of Monday May 11th - just in time for the occasion the following day. Overall I had a lot of fun working on a simple fan-made Thomas video, since I am really chuffed at the amazing results, as well as how it turned out once it was rendered, ready for upload on both YouTube and Dailymotion and was met with good amount of views and positive feedback.

You can view the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTwAtSnAZs
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2pwl4t_how-it-all-began-thomas-friends-70th-anniversary-sizzle_tv

There were a lot of fan-made Thomas videos for the special anniversary celebration by other people, and most of which were really fun to watch, as much as I did with the sizzle video as follows:
NWR Tales Series 4 Episode 13 - The First Visit by NWR1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMQ7j643290&list=FLZo5k7siH3VPuzW0NA4jADg

70th Anniversary One Shot - Douglas' Big Break by halfbakedhex8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1laZqfAtiM

Dear Christopher - A 70th Anniversary Short + Alternative Ending by TheScotsmanReturns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L29JiL46bw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdeI0Ud-XxE

Edward's Day Out - A 70th Anniversary Tribute by WelshCoalProductions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtnoGtILc8g

"Dear Christopher" - A 70th Anniversary Musical Tribute by UpsideNow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1erCqlwekpE

Thomas turns 70!! by Elliot Crossley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzAA3NfOJXY

Happy Birthday Thomas the Tank Engine - 70th Tribute by DALEKSLAYER1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QJahGewPFo

And so much more! Well it's too many to list the rest, but yes they're all worth watching for the celebration. Keep up the good work, everybody! Lastly, I would like to thank everyone else for all your feedback on the video I had done, and believe me - the best is yet to come later this year! ;)

That is about it for a blog report, and I will see you next time. Tootles!



The Thomas the Tank Engine Man - The Life of Reverend W Awdry by Brian Sibley (as advertised in the end of the sizzle video I made for promotion) is on sale now to buy at all local bookstores, and online retailers everywhere for all fans of Thomas the Tank Engine and his Really Useful friends. Purchase your copy now:
PRICE: £18.99 (UK) / $29.99 (US/CA)

Tuesday 12 May 2015

Coffey Man Interviews: Brian Sibley

Today marks the 70th anniversary of The Railway Series since the first book, The Three Railway Engines, was published in Great Britain by Edmund Ward on this day in 1945. To commemorate the special ocassion, Brian Sibley's The Thomas the Tank Engine Man will be republished by Lion Hudson on May 15th, 2015. It was originally published on October 1995, and had been out of stock for years since then. Without further ado, here is my latest interview with the biographer of the Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry himself, Brian Sibley.

DISCLAIMER:
All opinions expressed in interviews belong solely to the people interviewed, and do not reflect the opinions of myself, Brian Sibley, HiT Entertainment and Lion Hudson.

Brian Sibley


  •  How did you start your career as the writer and broadcaster?
I wrote my first radio programme – celebrating Winnie-the-Pooh's 50th birthday in 1976. I wrote further programes and when I was made redundant from my day-job (working in a merchant bank) I began a career as a freelance writer and, later, a broadcaster.

  • When did you meet the Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry and his family for the first time?
I first met Wilbert Awdry; his Wife, Margaret; his son Christopher and his grandson, Richard, in 1986 when I was making my BBC radio programme, The Thomas the Tank Engine Man.

  • Have you ever visited Wilbert's 'Sodor' house in Stroud, Gloucestershire? If so, what were your perspective views on the house?
I paid many visits to 'Sodor' and I describe the house – and, in particular, Wilbert's office – in my book. 'Sodor' very much reflected Wilbert's personality: masses of books, magazines, maps, manuscripts and letters kept in a wonderful muddle that he only truly understood!

  • Were you familiar with The Railway Series books as a kid prior to meeting Wilbert and Christopher for the first time?
I knew some of the books but not all of them, but when I began working on the programme, I read them all and fell under their collective spell.

  • Do you have a favourite Railway Series book and why?
The Three Railway Engines because it was the first and Thomas the Tank Engine because it is the story of one of the great characters in children's books

  • Do you have a favourite Thomas character?
I can't tell you that because, if I did, I would offend all the other characters!

  • Who else involved in the Thomas franchise did you meet other than the Awdry family members?
I met Mr Awdry's editor at his publisher and the sales manager who sold the books to bookshops, I corresponded with either the illustrators or surviving members of their families, the actors who read the stories on radio and gramophone record and, of course, the producers and filmmakers who made Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.

  • As Wilbert's biographer, How did you do some long research on the history of Wilbert's family? 
I spent a long time studying Mr Awdry's diaries and those of his mother who kept a record of Wilbert's life from the day he was born until the day of his marriage. I also talked with his children, Christopher, Veronica and Hilary and Wilbert's brother, George, who was very involved with the 'discovery' of the Island of Sodor and the chronicling of its history.

  • How did the idea for the title of 'The Thomas the Tank Engine Man' came to be as a name for Wilbert in several mediums? (This would also include a BBC Bookmark documentary of the same title produced by Nicholas Jones of Quanta Films Ltd)
 It was first used for my BBC Radio 4 programme in 1986 although I am not sure whether I thought of it or my producer, John Forrest. Nicholas Jones later asked if he could use it, too...

  • What is the difference between a BBC Radio 4 documentary and the biography book of Wilbert Awdry and the Railway Series?
The radio programme was only 30 minutes long and so had to focus on telling the story briefly and succinctly. I think the book gives a more complete and rounded portrait of Mr Awdry's life and work.

  • What are your perspective on Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (now called Thomas & Friends) TV series?
The TV series has always been produced to the highest standards and it brought the engines and their stories to life on TV in a very magical way and, in doing so, introduced them to many people – young and old – who may not have known the books.

  • You also wrote an obituary for Wilbert Awdry in The Independent published on the day after his death on March 21st, 1997. How did you felt about the news?
I have written many obituaries for newspapers and it is always stressful work because you have to do it quickly so that the newspaper can carry the news as soon as possible after a person has died, but the hardest ones to write are those for friends and people you know because you have to put your personal feelings to one side and try to write honestly and dispassionately about the deceased. I was immensely fond of Wilbert and I missed him when he died. One of the greatest honours I have ever had was to read from Thomas the Tank Engine at Wilbert's memorial service in Gloucester Cathedral.

  • Now fast forwarding to the 21st century, what made you get back to your book, many years after the original edition was out of print, in order to update it in time for the 70th Anniversary of the franchise?
I was approached by Lion Hudson who have published one or two other books by me and I first had to ask the original publishers if they were interested in reprinting the book because they also publish the Railway Series. When they said 'Sorry, no, thanks', I chatted with Lion Hudson and they decided to get the book 'back on the rails'! I am really delighted with the new edition which contains a new introduction and epilogue and quite a few updates...

  • Outside TTTTEM, what were your other involvements as the writer and broadcaster?
I have written lots of other books and made many other programmes, but many people will know me as the person who adapted The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings for BBC Radio and who wrote books about the making of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.

  • Do you still get in touch with the Awdry family members et al?
I'm happy to say that I am still in touch with Christopher and Veronica as I was with Hilary until her sad death in 2013.

  • And now, for the last question, is there anything you like to say to the fans of Thomas and the Fat Controller's engines? 
We all share a love for these charming, funny stories that are full of wisdom and common sense and I hope Mr Awdry's fans will enjoy reading – or re-reading – The Thomas the Tank Engine Man and discovering something about the man behind the books and background to many of the exploits experienced by his Really Useful Engines.


Thank you for your time Brian, and we will all be looking forward to see the results of the newly updated book after its publication release.

Pleasure,

Brian



The newly updated edition of Brian Sibley’s The Thomas the Tank Engine Man is on sale now to buy at all bookstores and online retailers everywhere:

Tuesday 21 April 2015

Coffey Man Interviews: Lee Pressman

The next interview I had conducted with another Children's television writer, Lee Pressman. You can also see it on the Thomas the Tank Engine wikia exclusives category. In a meantime, I hope you all enjoy reading and learning about how Lee enjoys his career as the writer for children, as well as the creator of his own show, T-Bag (1985 - 94).

DISCLAIMER:
All opinions expressed in interviews belong solely to the people interviewed, and do not reflect the opinions of myself, Lee Pressman and HiT Entertainment.

Lee Pressman

  How did you get into work as a children's television writer?
I used to watch a BBC kid's show called PLAY AWAY on the BBC that was on every Saturday afternoon. It was very funny, full of sketches and jokes and songs. I sent them some bits and pieces that I'd written and they liked one particular joke so much that they paid me the grand sum of £4 and put it into the next episode. After that I started to provide them with more and more material. Around about the same time I also sent some stories to the Thames TV show, RAINBOW, and I was soon writing for that show, too.

  Since you have wrote one episode for Thomas & Friends in 2003, how did you get re-involved with the show?
Well I wrote that one single episode of THOMAS way back in the days when they were still using model trains for the animation. They obviously didn't like it (or me) and they never asked me to do any more! Years and years later, after I'd been working for HIT on FIREMAN SAM and several other of their shows, Andrew Brenner became the head writer and I was (finally) asked to do some more. I was a bit hesitant at first (after my first experience) but once I began again I loved it. In fact I've been working on some new stories today.

  What is the best thing about writing episode stories for Thomas?
It's such a lovely idea and it's still going strong 70 years after the books were first written. The animation has been beautifully done and Andrew has brought a real warmth, some exciting drama, and a lovely sense of humour to the new episodes. I really love working on the show - it's timeless really.

  I see you have worked with John Hasler, who recently become the new UK voice for Thomas the Tank Engine, how did it all began?
I first met John when he was about eight years old and for the next nine years he starred in my Thames TV series T.Bag (1985 - 1994). He was a charming young boy and a very talented actor. And now he is a charming man (and a still a wonderful actor!) I didn't even realise that he had been in FIREMAN SAM when I was writing it, and I was delighted to discover that he's the new voice of Thomas.

  What other children's television shows do you work outside of Thomas as the writer?
I've just finished working on THE ANIMATED MR BEAN. I was the head writer on SHAUN THE SHEEP, RASTAMOUSE, and more recently Q POOTLE 5. Live action shows include MIKE & ANGELO, SPATZ, T.BAG and THE TOMORROW PEOPLE.

  Are you familiar with Thomas before as a kid?
I don't remember reading it when I was a kid. But I was aware of it. And years later I actually met The Reverend Awdry at a book fair.

  Do you have a favourite episode of Thomas & Friends?
There are so many to choose from! I was just watching one this morning (that Andrew wrote) that I liked very much called 'The Missing Christmas Decorations'.

  Do you have a favourite character in Thomas & Friends?
I quite like stories featuring The Steamworks so I'm very fond of Victor and Kevin. And having just this week written a story about Sidney I'm getting to like him too. I like all of them really - they're a fun bunch.

Thank you for your time, Lee, and keep up the good work.

I'll try!

All the best,

Lee