Jonathan Paul Green's Set Design Blog

My new blog

2009-03-07T19:54:00.001Z

I'm gradually starting to move my blog to this new site:

It's not finished yet, but feel free to look at the work in progress...

My New Blog

More Horne & Corden

2009-03-03T15:58:00.003Z

Nice little video behind the scenes showing the forthcoming new sketch show Horne & Corden.

Start on Tue 10th March on BBC3

If you don't blink for the entire length, you might spot me for half a second.

Great show, hope it's a big hit for everybody that worked on it.

YouTube Video

Horne & Corden

2009-03-01T12:34:00.002Z

Nice article interviewing the amazing Kathy Burke, who directed Horne & Corden:
Interview with Kathy Burke
The show starts Tuesday Match 10th on BBC3.....shouldn't be missed!

FM - The finished dressed set

2009-02-26T01:10:00.003Z

After 1 day building, we then began dressing the set with props.

I tried to re-create as real an environment as possible, based on a recce to XFM last year.

This basically involves tons of clutter!

The radio set is an exact replica of a recording studio in London where we shot the pilot episode. The Green Room area was slightly modified and extended, but apart from that, it's identical.

The corridor was a challenge. The studio wasn't quite big enough to fit the whole set and the corridor, so I had to be a bit inventive.

Photographs of ITV Studios' set of FM
Photos must not be reproduced without permission
Photos © Jonathan Paul Green

FM - The set build

2009-02-26T01:00:00.003Z

Hopefully you managed to see the first episode go out.

Here are a few photos showing the set construction from the first piece of flattage, to the finished article.

Doesn't look like much when we first start, but eventually grows into the world of the Skin FM radio studio.

Photos © Jonathan Paul Green
Photographs of ITV Studios' set of FM
Photos must not be reproduced without prior permission.

2009-02-22T20:04:00.000Z

FM on ITV

2009-02-22T19:55:00.004Z

© Logos designed for ITV Studios' television production of FM

Here's a link to the new website.
Photos on set to follow soon.

You can preview episode 1 on the ITV website
http://www.itv.com/entertainment/comedy/fm/

Check out FM's myspace page at http://myspace.com/skinfm for loads of cool stuff including videos, pictures and exclusive content.

You can also join them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/skinfm

'FM'

2009-02-20T20:46:00.002Z

FM the new comedy series starts on Wednesday 25th Feb on ITV2

It's a very funny show, and is worth a watch.

We put a lot of effort into the styling and design of the show, which has hopefully paid off.

All comments welcome!

Thanks

Top Gear

2009-02-13T15:15:00.002Z

(behind the scenes during the set build)

There's a new series of Top Gear starting early summer.

I believe the studio starts filming early June, and I'm sure it'll be another cracking series.

Had a call about a possible bit of construction for a location shoot, but nothing confirmed yet.
I'm afraid I can't give any details about what's involved, but tune into the new series to find out.

Horne & Corden

2009-02-12T15:52:00.002Z

Due out in March (dates tbc) is the fantastic new comedy series Horne & Corden.

Shooting took place from Sept - Nov 2008.

Photos to follow after transmission.

Please tune in and watch, I'm sure it'll be a huge hit.

Oldie but goodie

2009-02-10T17:42:00.004Z

It's a few years since this job, but I recently came across these photos and realised I'd never posted them.

Some time ago when Sacha Baron-Cohen was hosting the MTV Awards, he asked me to design some sets for a few VT's to be used during the show, which would be clips from 'MTV Kazakhstan' fronted by Borat.

It was an amazing 4 days in New York and a lot of fun.

Question of Genius

2009-02-09T22:21:00.002Z

So I'm off to Glasgow soon for a few days at BBC Scotland setting up the new BBC daytime quiz show A Question of Genius, hosted by Kirsty Wark.

Then back to London to install a new set for CCTV News.

After that, I'm on to a new series of 1 vs 100 with Ben Shephard and a pilot for a brand new game show called Guesstimation.

Jamie Saves Our Bacon

2009-02-02T18:55:00.006Z

Before and after....

Here's a few photos of the set I designed in a pig barn in Suffolk.

Quite a challenge, but great to work on. Keeping the carpet clean was a mission and a half.

....and it was freezing!

The cute little table top pigs can be purchased online at

http://www.paintedpigs.co.uk

New work

2009-02-01T13:32:00.002Z

Fresh back from a relaxing 3 weeks away (needed every minute of it to recuperate), am now quite busy.

I'm designing a News Studio for Chinese TV News, working on a series for a new BBC quiz show called Question of Genius, prepping for a fourth (I think) series of National Lottery 1 vs 100 with Ben Shephard (which is now going to be shot at BBC Scotland, so the set needs altering to fit!)
and just before that happens, a pilot for a new game show called Guesstimation (also in Scotland)

I'm also designing the logo for the forthcoming brand new comedy series for ITV called FM (on my day off).

Thankfully, lots to do, but not too stressful.....yet

Horne & Corden

2009-01-22T11:24:00.003Z

I went to a screening the other night of the first two episodes.

It's a fantastic show, really funny, great performances and well worth watching.

It was a great show to work on....amazing team.

Every department was very talented, and a joy to work with......more jobs like that please!

Jamie Saves Our Bacon

2009-01-22T11:23:00.001Z

This show is due out Jan 29th.

A must see, some scenes may be disturbing, and I'm not talking about the set.

New Productions

2008-12-07T23:27:00.002Z

I've just finished working on the brilliant new sketch show for the BBC, Horne & Corden, starring Mat Horne & James Corden.

I'm now on to a brand new comedy for ITV2 called FM, starring Chris O'Dowd and Kevin Bishop.

Very funny, due out in Feb

Less slog more blog

2008-10-06T11:34:00.002+01:00

So it's only been 18 months since my last post.....how ridiculous.
So long in fact that probably nobody reads this anymore anyway, but hey ho, I've got a spare 5 mins so may as well post an update.

The last part of the year has been amazingly busy.

Since the Kevin Bishop Show and Star Stories, I've been non-stop.

Delighted, and privileged to be working mostly in Comedy, I am working on a brand new sketch show Horne & Corden, for the BBC, staring Mat Horne and James Corden, not surprisingly, and it's proving to be a brilliant show.
It's a real joy to be able to work with such great talent on and off screen.

I'm also getting ready for the next series of Top Gear, which I'm sure will be every bit as good as the last, if not better.....a show that just seems to grow every series.

I'm also slipping in a new show for Jamie Oliver, which is very exciting, and quite unique in it's set up....more to follow.

Plus my annual trip up to Glasgow for BBC Scotland's Children in Need, which is always a really nice job to do, with a superb bunch of people.

Then I'm on to a brand new comedy series called FM, which I'm very excited about, and this takes me through until Xmas.

As ever, I'm very thankful that I'm able to work on such great shows, with great people....and if anybody is even remotely interested, I shall try to post more often.

JPG

Roman's Empire

2007-04-13T17:47:00.000+01:00

Fresh with a renewed vigour to contribute to my blog more often, I have started a new blog site for the show I was involved with at the beginning of the year, Roman's Empire.

Follow the link above and check it out. I've only just started it, so please bear with me...

Another few months go by....

2007-02-25T18:20:00.000Z

Shocking lack of blog posts yet again...hopefully that'll change for a while as I'm not quite so busy.

I've just finished a long stint filming a brand new show called Roman's Empire. (more details to follow soon hopefully).

Suffice is to say, it was a brilliant job with one of the best cast and crews I've ever worked with.

Everything just seemed to come together perfectly to create what will hopefully turn out to be a truly excellent show.

I was very fortunate to have been able to give the show a really strong visual look, which I hope adds to the fantastic scripts and performances.

It was six long hard weeks of filming, and hopefully now I'll have a little down time to catch up on other things.
Stay tuned for more news and pictures prior to broadcast in April.

Next I'm on to a new show staring Ben Elton, called Get a Grip, and sorting out the final of the Great British Menu.

I'm also sorting out a few bits for the every brilliant Top Gear, and then I'm on to another series that I worked on last year (news to follow soon), plus another series of the excellent and lovely to be involved with, Q.i.

To the one or two people that still read this blog (!), my apologies for lack of posting, but hopefully I'll have some nice new piccies to post soon, so you can see what I've been up to.

All the best,

JPG (or as I was referred to on the last job...... JPEG)

New work

2006-09-26T21:13:00.000+01:00

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

2006-05-30T12:49:00.000+01:00

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

Top Gear

2006-05-30T12:41:00.000+01:00

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

2006-05-27T20:10:00.000+01:00

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

2006-05-05T15:23:00.000+01:00

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....

2006-04-14T02:39:00.001+01:00

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

2006-04-01T13:30:00.000+01:00

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

2006-03-29T17:55:00.000+01:00

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

2006-03-02T18:56:00.000Z

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

2006-03-01T20:27:00.000Z

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.....

2006-03-01T14:04:00.000Z

Any other suggestions? - Please post a comment

Tuesday 28th Feb

2006-02-28T23:43:00.000Z

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

2006-02-24T20:39:00.000Z

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

2006-02-15T00:20:00.000Z

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

...for dizzi1

Coming Soon...

2006-02-15T00:07:00.000Z

My new blogs about:

Brass Eye

Smack The Pony

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

Petrolheads...almost live!

2006-02-11T18:51:00.000Z

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

2006-02-11T17:45:00.000Z

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

2006-02-11T10:55:00.000Z

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

2006-02-11T10:42:00.000Z

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?

2006-02-09T23:48:00.000Z

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

2006-02-09T23:08:00.000Z

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

Don't miss it!

Mock The Week Show 4

2006-02-09T21:22:00.000Z

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

2006-02-06T22:49:00.000Z

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

2006-02-06T09:08:00.000Z

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

2006-02-05T23:44:00.000Z

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

Green Wing 2 - Day 1 of the studio build

2006-02-05T23:43:00.000Z

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

Green Wing Series 2

2006-02-05T23:33:00.000Z

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

2006-02-04T17:47:00.000Z

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

A Work Year in Review - The Highlights of 2005

2006-02-02T19:20:00.000Z

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

2006-02-02T19:12:00.000Z

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

2006-01-20T23:36:00.000Z

Crazy Week

2006-01-20T23:08:00.000Z

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

2006-01-13T00:10:00.000Z

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

2006-01-13T00:08:00.000Z

December was anothe busy month.

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

Welcome!

2006-01-13T00:07:00.000Z

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.

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?