New work

Wow...has it really been that long since my last post?

I'm probably writing to nobody now, as the readers slowly drift away from my all but dormant blog.

Anyway, for those of you that still subscribe, it's been an unbelievably busy time since Top Gear (get well soon Hammond!)

Hopefully some of you have been watching Star Stories, the fab new comedy on Channel 4, Friday nights. That was most of my summer, and what a glorious way to spend it!

Then I worked on a pilot with the brilliant and multi-talented Fay Rusling & Oriane Messina, (and Susie Donkin and Charlotte McDougall) which sadly didn't get a series (I'm guessing because there's just so much good stuff on the telly already!) but we had fun making it anyway.

I've also designed a brand new quiz show for the BBC called 1 Versus 100, which starts this Saturday night on BBC1.

A fairly mammoth show to build, and a great one to watch.

I've also done a small overhaul of Ready Steady Cook, new series starts soon, and then another series of Mock The Week, the excellent topical news comedy on BBC 2, which is filming now at TV Centre.
It's a really great show to see live, so search the web for free tickets...only 3 more shows though so better hurry!

I'm also doing a new series (series 7 I think?) down at The Comedy Store, called rather aptly 'The Comedy Store'.

I'm pretty sure there's still some tickets for that (Monday nights at Leicester Square) although I might be wrong.

I get to put the set in and spend the day and night watching fantastic stand-up comedy. What a job!

Anyway, if any readers happen to get down to see one of my shows being recorded, look out for me and say 'Hi'.

....and I'll try very hard to keep posting....sorry....not enough hours in the day!

Top Gear...before and after

Two photos of the hangar at Dunsfold before and after...

Top Gear

Here are some photos of the newly re-designed Hangar for BBC's excellent Top Gear.

Pictures show the balancing cars, the airfix panels with real car parts the cog wheel stage and the painted Hangar Door with Stig banner

The Dragons of Canalot

Not strictly set design, but I was filming on location in Kensal Road the other day, which gave me my first opportunity to photograph one of my first sculpture commissions.

It's certainly the only one I know of that's on display in public, and I made these back in 1987, when I was 22.

If you'd like to see these in the flesh, they adourn the walls of Canalot Studios, 222 Kensal Road, London, W10

Top Gear

Since late Feb/early March, I've been working on re-designing Top Gear for the BBC, which has been really exciting.

Yesterday, we filmed the first show, and it was a cracker. You can see the new series on BBC2 on Sundays at 20:00.
It's such a great show to watch, let alone work on!

I've also been working on the new series (D) of Qi, which is due to air sometime in September.
This promises to be another superb series with some quite interesting props!

I'm also working on a brand new sitcom pilot for the Beeb, and then straight on to a new comedy series for Channel 4.

After a fairly quiet March, May could not be busier.

(Jonathan Paul Green is now sadly back from holiday!)

The land of endless sunsets....

There's something about being in America that inspires me to be more organised.
Maybe its the wealth of self-help books, or maybe its just the sea air.
Either way, I always come back with renewed vigour and a single-mindedness to be better organised and more time efficient.

That lasts about a week, and then its business as usual.

The sunsets however, continue to be awe-inspiring...everybody should be able to witness one every day...that would sort the world out!

Holiday

I'm off on holiday soon, so blog posts might be a little slower (is that possible I hear you ask?)

I might even post a few holiday snaps while I'm away!

When I get back, it's busy busy busy. Straight into a new series of the wonderful Qi, a new series of Top Gear, plus the finale to the Great British Menu, and pre-production for the brand new comedy series called Star Stories.

Plenty to look forward to....I'm off to pack....

New Projects

I'm very excited to say that I'm in the process of re-designing Top Gear for the BBC.

It starts filming in May, and of course, the set will be amazing! (I hope!!) I'm really looking forward to that, because I'm a big big fan of the show.

Also, I'm just about to start working on the new series of Qi, Series 4. Another show which is just fantastic and I absolutely love.

Finally, the new series of Green Wing starts Friday night (as if you hadn't noticed)...tune in, it's fab.

Thursday March 2nd

Went on a recce down to Dunsfold today for a new show (more later but some die-hard fans might get a clue!)

The sun was out, the sky was powder blue and the air was clear.

Roof down, music cranked up, open road, glorious contryside....pure bliss.

Petrolheads pictures

Here's a set of pictures from Petrolheads.

There's a great one of Richard Hammond giving the mobility scooter some wellie, a close-up of Neil's desk and a main set shot.

Also one of Ricky Tomlinson on set.

I've got some nice action shots of the guys on Segways, which I'll post soon.

Time for another poll.....

What do you want to see on my Blog?
	More photos?
	More descriptions of the shows?
	More blogs dedicated to my other shows
	My own personal thoughts and views about anything?
	More posts in general?
	More links?

Any other suggestions? - Please post a comment

Tuesday 28th Feb

I'm off for a meeting at the BBC tomorrow for a possible new job...more when confirmed.

Also popped in to Talkback today (see my Green Wing Blog).

Will endeavour to get some Brass Eye and Smack The Pony pictures uploaded...that's high on my list, once I've filed 9 months of paperwork and tidied my office, started doing some exercise, planned a new website, sorted out my accounts and generally got my life back in order.

I'd like to also start uploading some of my sketches (early designs etc)....let me know if that's of any interest to anybody.

As ever, will try VERY hard to keep my Blogs up to date. Please keep posting your comments which are all gratefully received!

End of Feb

Wednesday saw the last episode of Mock The Week at BBC TV Centre.

The set has now been put to bed, hopefully to come back for another series.

Petrolheads has also finished (filming).

My next confirmed job is a new comedy series which starts filming in May. There's also the prospect of a couple of new jobs in March....watch this space for more details.

Having just entered a bit of a quiet patch in the Industry, it does seem like work is already starting to pick up....more later as things are firmed up.

I am however looking forward to a couple of relatively quiet weeks after a mammoth run. Looking forward to the prospect of finally tidying my office, remembering how to be human again, catching up on Blog stuff and possibly even doing some more sculpture.

Children in Need 2005

Some shots taken during rehearsals fo the legendary Hue & Cry and KT Tunstall, plus one of the main set.

...for dizzi1

Coming Soon...

My new blogs about:

Brass Eye

Smack The Pony

and of course more Green Wing, followed by Green Wing Series 2.

Petrolheads...almost live!

Here's a photo taken about an hour ago of Neil Morrissey demonstrating the Segway to Richard Hammond and Chris Barrie.

The first show airs tomorrow night on BBC2 at 10:10pm....a must see!

New Qi Blog

I've decided to start up a new blog for Qi and will post future pictures here, to save filling up this blog.
http://theqi.blogspot.com/

Qi - The set construction

These pictures show the construction phase of the set build.

If I can dig them out, I'll try to post some of my construction drawings and designs.

Q.i - the inspirations

Here are a series of pictures that were part of the inspiration for my set design.

These were ultimately used on the 'rings' behind Stephen.

In no particular order of importance: The Rosetta Stone, The Dead Sea Scrolls, Egyptian Hieroglyphics and The Golden Section, which was used elsewhere on the set.

Other images not shown are Newtonian scientific formulae and an Astrology Chart.

You might find that Quite Interesting.

What Would You Like To See?

Please post a comment and let me know what shows you'd like me to post pictures from.

Here's the list in no particular order (I'll try to accommodate as many requests as poss):

• Star Stories
  
• Ali G
  
• Brass Eye
  
• Cyderdelic
  
• Children In Need 2005
  
• High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman
  
• Green Wing
  
• The Joan Rivers Position
  
• Q.i
  
• Smack The Pony
  
• Ready Steady Cook

If I get a good response, I'll post the results.

Petrolheads on TV

Show 1 of Petrolheads airs on Sunday night BBC 2 at 10:10pm.

Don't miss it!

Mock The Week Show 4

Yesterday was the fourth recording in the current series at TV Centre.

Guests included Hugh Dennis, Sandi Toksvig, John Oliver, Andy Parsons, Frankie Boyle and David Mitchell.

Great show.

Over heard an all time great comment you could only ever hear in my industry:

Director over talkback to the Floor Manager as it was getting late:
" No! Tell him (Hugh Dennis) not to walk like a Dinosaur!"

Every week Hugh does a Velociraptor walk for the audience.

The first photo shows Dara rehearsing, whilst the other shows a never before seen view of Dara's desk from his perspective.

Yes, it's pretty basic...all the money goes on the front!

Petrolheads shoot

Last night was the third show we've shot and it was a superb show, staring Eamonn Holmes and Ronan Keating.

New Green Wing Blog

Check out my newly started Green Wing Series 1 blog with lots of fab pictures from behind the scenes.
Loads more coming soon......
(or click on the link to the side)

Green Wing 2 - Day 20 of the studio build

The main corridor looking back towards the General Medical Reception and Sue White's corridor

Green Wing 2 - Day 1 of the studio build

The first bit of flattage gets assembled...this was a piece of Statham's corridor.

Green Wing Series 2

Keep an eye out on Channel 4 for updates about the new series of Green Wing.
This series will be even better than the last, and you won't be disappointed.
Please don't ask me about specific story lines of any yet to be broadcast episodes, because that would just spoil the surprises,and there's a number.
You'll just have to watch to find out.
I'd be happy to answer anything non-specific to the plot though.
Here's a nice little picture of Martin Dear in Sue White's office set.

Petrolheads

As yet unseen pictures on set.
Mobility Scooter race and set close-up

A Work Year in Review - The Highlights of 2005

The year starts with 'High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman' and the comedy genius that is Marc Wootton. 'High Spirits' had started in October of 2004, and continued into the New Year with the filming of 'Spirit Academy' and Shirley's church readings.
A hugely enjoyable job, and one that makes you feel lucky to be a Designer. Having worked with Marc on 'Cyderdelic', it was a real treat and a privilege to be working with him again, and Liam Woodman.

Feb saw the ended of filming on 'High Spirits' and a few other bits and bobs.

In March I won a pitch to design a Pilot called 'Petrolheads'. It was a chance to be able to design a really unusual and different looking panel show.
March also saw the start of pre-production for the epic that was 'Green Wing' series 2. A huge part of 2005 for me.
It was such a mammoth task that it became almost everything in my life for the next 8 months.
Again, I feel so lucky to have worked with such great talent and on such a superb series.

June saw the third series of 'Q.i', one of my most favourites shows to work on, although due to the scale of 'Green Wing', I wasn't able to attend many of the recordings. I seem to get the most complimentary comments about that set, which is always very gratifying.
During my early conversations with John Lloyd the Producer, I had wanted to design a look that felt as worthy as the show itself. The actual concept came to me fairly quickly and easily, and I ended up designing all the key dimensions of the set around the Fibonacci sequence. Although elements of the Golden Section are visually obvious, I knew that nobody would ever know that fact. The important thing was that they were there, built into the set, and that seemed to be important, and in keeping with the whole ethic of the show. A little know and as yet unpublished 'quite interesting' fact.

July brought series 1 of 'Mock the Week' (again, due to Green Wing, I missed most of the recordings) followed by a much needed holiday for most of August. After catching the early part of Hurricane Katrina in Florida, I headed back to continue on 'Green Wing'.

A huge highlight was my trip to New York in September for a Borat Promo for MTV, as part of their trailers for the MTV Music Awards.
Following a call from MTV at Sacha's request, I was flown out for 3 days right in the middle of filming Green Wing, (nuff respek to VP for letting me disappear for 3 days) and had to oversee the studio set shoot, abley assisted by New York Art Director Ethan Tobman, who graciously took me prop buying and sorted out all the construction.
It was probably a career highlight rather than a year highlight, because it was so enjoyable and I was so well looked after.

October saw the final block of filming for 'Green Wing', with some exceptional stunts and locations that I cannot divulge prior to its release, but needless to say, it was very sad to finish such a great job, and I will always feel privileged that I was able to work on such a great project with so many talented people.

November was another great month. I was asked to work on a new Pilot called 'Star Stories'.
Having been in this business for nearly 20 years now, I can normally tell from a Pilot whether the show has potential or not, and this one seriously did.
I clearly remember the Pilot episode of 'Ready Steady Cook' in 1994. We all knew then that it was a cracking show (nobody would have guessed how long it would run for though)
Anyway, it was extremely funny and a joy to work on because of the team. watch out for it later in 2006 as a series!

Then I got asked to design the set for 'Children In Need' for BBC Scotland, which was most definitely a year highlight.
The set was built in London and then shipped up to Glasgow on a chilly November morning, and re-assembled by the great BBC Scotland set crew.
I really love working up there. Scotland is fab, Glasgow is a great city, and BBC Scotland is superb. The team were amazing, which always makes such a difference.

Finally December 2005, and a successful pitch to Optomen TV for their new series 'The Great British Menu', along with a Pilot chat show called 'Guilty Pleasures'.

I just hope 2006 works out as well........

End of January/Beginning of Feb

Another slightly mad week, with a Green Wing photo shoot thrown in.

This week saw the third show of Mock The Week, and the second of Petrolheads.

On Tuesday I (along with a team of 6) built 60 feet of the original Green Wing corridor, a nurse's station and the Reception staircase in a photo studio in London for Channel 4 publicity stills.

We started unloading a 40 foot artic full of props and scenery at 9:30am, and finished the day with the final bit of set dressing at 8pm. What a day!

Wed was Mock The Week and the photo shoot, and this Sunday is the third epsiode of Petrolheads which grows by the day, but will be a superb show and definitely one to watch.

Mock The Week

Crazy Week

This week has been a bit mad.
Monday and Tuesday saw the first episode of the new series of Mock The Week for the BBC.
Shot at BBC TV Centre, the first show stars Dara O'Briain as the host, with guests Rory Bremner, Jo Brand, Hugh Dennis, John Oliver Andy Parsons and Frankie Boyle.
Great show, and on TV Friday nights BBC 2 at 10pm.

Wednesday was spent on location getting ready for the start of filming on a new show called The Great British Menu.

Thursday back on location and Friday was the shoot for the re-make of the classic quiz show Top Of The Form for the BBC, starring the legendary Geoffrey Wheeler.
An excellent show that was every bit as good as the original. Just a one-off I think sadly.

Tomorrow (Saturday) I'm setting the first episode of a new series called Petrolheads, hosted by Neil Morrisey, for the BBC...
more later.....

January 2006

The New Year starts with a bang.

Curently I am working on a re-make of Top of the Form for the BBC

A second series of the extremely funny topical panel show Mock The Week hosted by Dara O'Briain for the BBC

A brand new series called Petrolheads for the BBC, featuring Neil Morrissey, Richard Hammond and Chris Barry. It's Top Gear meets they Think It's All Over.....definitely one to watch.
Filming starts Sunday 22nd.

A brand new series called Great British Menu, shot on location over approx 8 weeks.

December 2005

December was anothe busy month.

I was working on a new pilot called Guilty Pleasures, as yet not commissioned.

Welcome!

Welcome to my Blog.

This is my first attempt at keeping track of my current shows.

Please feel free to comment or ask any questions about shows you might be interested in.