Lights, camera, action!

Yesterday (September 1) I found just how much time and effort is required to capture a small amount of filmed footage.

Parts of the play rely on the use of specially shot video footage that will be shown on a large screen at certain key moments. This was shot at the New Theatre Royal on the stage using the old Doctor Who favourite... CSO!

A large blue screen was erected to allow the actors to be filmed against a neutral background so that in post production this could be removed and replaced with the necessary special effects.

It was very interesting to watch as this was the first time that I had been on a proper shoot, let alone one involving effects work. What I didn't realise was that to get the 15 minutes or so required would take close on three hours. Even allowing for some multiple takes, the time was eaten away by constantly having to check and adjust the lighting levels for each section that was recorded. I can see why it takes nine moths to record a single season of Doctor Who!



Yes, Dalek Spy was also there and can give you exclusive access to some video footage showing Sara Kingdom (Laura Ford) and the Doctor (Nick Scovell) doing some blue screen work. The scene was recorded twice, once for sound with them screaming and a second time with the fan (as seen here) for interaction.

• Sara Kingdom and the Doctor - will open in a new window

There's also some photos as well, please note that the quality is not great as they were taken inbetween the filming so there is a lot of wash out from the lighting.

• Mavic Chen, played by James George
• Bret Vyon, played by Tim Skedge
• Sara Kingdom, played by Laura Ford
• Mavic Chen and the Doctor, played by Nick Scovell, face off

Click on an image for a larger version in a new window

Dalek Spy is coming...

Dalek Spy is coming to this blog shortly!

This is your chance to have a sneak peak at the rehearsals, as along with my comments and behind the scenes info about what's going on, Dalek Spy will showcase a special photo from each rehearsal and maybe even video clips...

Dalek Spy will start from next week at the script read through on 3 September. Rehearsals are being held twice a week and as I mentioned below, I'm going to be at all of them. That means plenty of material for Dalek Spy!

Never a moment to breathe

I've just received a copy of the rehearsal schedule and it looks (for me at least) a nightmare!

As I mention below, there's a script read through soon - which is for everyone to attend - so we can all meet up again and make sure that everyone is comfortable with everything.

Now Nick, the one man production (playing the Doctor, he's also the director and has adapted the original scripts), has hit upon the great idea of splitting the script into six blocks. This is a good as it means that rehearsals will be targeted to specific scenes, so not all the cast have to get together at the same time until later on.

So I had a look at it and, obviously as it's about Daleks, I'm required for Blocks 2-6. "That's ok," I thought, "a bit more time to myself at the start." How wrong! I forgot that I'm also making an appearance at the start in the crowd scene sans Dalek. The upshot is that I'm also required for Block 1.

No rest for the wicked, I get the fun of attending every rehearsal from when we start in September. The bonus is that I will be able to sneak more behind the scenes information here onto my blog... and maybe even some photographs!

Music to your ears

News has reached me that the final version of the music is nearly complete now.

Martin has been busy creating something that promises to be better than his work on last year's production of "Evil", which will be difficult seeing as how great that was - trust me.

I've heard an all too brief teaser of his new main theme and if it's anything to go by then it's gonna be an epic opening to the play to say the least. I hope to be able to hear all of it shortly as Martin has promised that he'll play it at one of the early rehersals.

You can visit Martin's site by using the link to the right.

Time and tide melt the snowman...

August, now nearly half-way through, is a slow month as far as the play is concerned.

Nick is busy with all the finishing touches that are required and the rest of us just sit back and enjoy what is jokingly called the summer weather.

I suppose that I should really be reading the script and learning my non-lines. To explain that rather strange comment, I am playing Dalek Two in the play and yes there are lines to speak... but not by me! Dalek dialogue will be done live for each performance from the wings but I still have to know the lines so I can flash my lights in sync with the voice.

The difficult bit has been done though, I've been through the script and highlighted all the bits where I need to flash - as so to speak.

The next big event is the full read through of the script before we start the rehearsals. These begin in September and the read through will be happening on 3 September at a location that is sworn to secrecy.

I suppose that I should be enjoying the peace and quiet at the moment, 'cause it's goning to be a hectic September and a mental October.