Hope you all enjoyed Boarders series 1 as we are currently shooting the second series, lots of surprises with fantastic new sets and props to come, watch this space.
Currently in pre-production on a brand new series for the BBC called 'CRONGTON'.
BBC Children’s announces a new commission, Crongton, from leading drama production company New Pictures (an All3Media Company), in association with All3Media International. The ten-part returning series, aimed at a 10-12 audience, is written by the award-winning writer and comedian Archie Maddocks, and based on the best-selling novels by Alex Wheatle.
Crongton (10 x 25’) chronicles the lives and journeys of a group of young people living in a thriving, multicultural community in a fictional urban housing estate, as they navigate the complexities of social politics, peer pressure and identity while trying to forge a place for themselves within a world full of possibility and littered with danger. Shot through with irreverent humour and featuring animated fantasy sequences, it’s a joyful, energetic ride through the trials and tribulations of growing up, a celebration of the kind of community you only find on an estate, and a look at how you come to terms with the darkness of the world around you when you’re on the cusp of childhood and adulthood.and you can read the full press packs here by clicking the links below.
Crongton is being produced by Joanna Hanley (Phoenix Rise), directed by Ethosheia Hylton (Boarders), and executive produced by Imogen O’Sullivan (Champion), Elaine Pyke (No Escape), and Willow Grylls (The Long Shadow). Aisha Bywaters is casting the series. Alongside Archie Maddocks, episodic writers include Athena Kugblenu (Horrible Histories), Thara Popoola (Sex Education), Willow Mirza (A Town Called Malice), with story contributions from Alex Wheatle, Haleema Mirza (Secret Invasion), and Cherish Shirley (Everything I Know About Love).
The series was commissioned by Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 7+ and the commissioning editor is Amy Buscombe for BBC Children’s and BBC iPlayer. It is being produced in association with All3Media International, which has exclusive worldwide distribution rights.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS
A brand new comedy-drama series for the BBC, Its called 'Boarders'.
The brand-new six-part series, created by award winning writer Daniel Lawrence Taylor (Timewasters), follows five talented under privileged black students from inner-city London as they gain scholarships at St. Gilberts, an elite boarding school. Made by Studio Lambert (The Nest, Three Girls), in association with All3Media International for the BBC.
You can now watch the full series on BBC iPlayer by clicking the link below:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001wjyk/boarders
You can read the full press packs here by clicking the links below.
https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/timewasters-daniel-lawrence-taylor-bbc-comedy-cast-1235673768/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/boarders-bbc-three-comedy-drama
https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/boarders-everything-we-know-about-boarding-school-comedy
In the summer of 2022, I Designed 'Plebs - Soldiers of Rome' Feature special for Rise Films, shooting at Nu Boyana Film Studios in Bulgaria and also shooting on location at a stunning Welsh Coast near Cardiff.
You can watch the full film here on the ITVX website.
Details of the Film are here on the IMDB page.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22817698/
You can see the latest trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zshSKvWokY
I Designed a very exciting new project which was on Sky Arts on the 2nd September 2022, 'GALWAD' is a multi-platform story that was told over digital and broadcast channels and through live events in Wales from 26th September to 2nd October 2022.
'GALWAD' blends conventional and new digital forms of storytelling to form a new kind of cultural event in which the audience was invited to follow a story in real-time over a week.
'GALWAD' brought together Wales’ boldest talent in film and TV, creative technology and live performance with the imagination and talents of Welsh communities to create a new kind of multi-platform, multi-lingual story for our times. A creative and ambitious act of collective imagination from and by Wales, 'GALWAD' was inspired by the Well Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and will invite audiences to explore the moral dilemmas and possibilities of a different kind of future.
GALWAD was nominated for a SXSW Innovation Award for Best Immersive Production 2023
GALWAD was nominated for a ROSE D'OR Award for Best Multi Platform Series 2023
The year is 2041 and the next step in the future of humankind is imminent. After decades of training and research, the mission to create the first lunar colony is about to launch with Anderson as lead astronaut. Jay, an AI purpose built for the mission, has simulated every possible outcome for the expedition. Tensions arise when the chilling motives of Jay become apparent, sowing the seeds of distrust between Anderson, and the group that had gathered to quietly celebrate the launch. As the night descends into chaos, the group’s faith in one another and their mission begins to crack, with the knowledge that the decisions they make before sunrise, will change humanity forever... out in 2023
Staring Hermione Corfield (We Hunt Together), Simon Merrells (Good Omens), Kemi-Bo Jacobs (London Has Fallen).
A couple of links below but more information to follow.
https://variety.com/2022/film/global/lord-of-the-rings-simon-merrells-million-days-1235254296/
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/972423-a-million-days
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9281138/
'A Million Days' has its world premiere at Frightfest on the 25th August 2023 at Leicester Square, get your tickets here https://www.frightfest.co.uk/2023FrightFestLondon/a-million-days.html
I Designed a BBC Film called 'The Trick' back in 2021. The Trick tells the story of world-renowned Professor Philip Jones; Director of Climate Research at the University of East Anglia, who back in 2009 found himself at the eye of an international media storm and the victim of cyberterrorism.
With time running out against an unseen enemy, The Trick looks at the potentially devastating consequences to humanity from climate change denial; how a media storm undermined public confidence in the science and how the concept of ‘truth’ took a back seat causing us to lose a decade of action. The film also charts the unjustified persecution of Phil Jones, his wife Ruth’s fierce support of her husband and the fight for the ultimate exoneration of himself and the science.
The powerful single drama will star an ensemble cast including Jason Watkins (Line of Duty, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies) as respected scientist Professor Phil Jones and Victoria Hamilton (Doctor Foster, Life) as Phil’s wife, Ruth.
The cast also includes George MacKay (1917, Pride), Jerome Flynn (Game of Thrones, Ripper Street), Adrian Edmondson (The Pact, Save Me), Aneirin Hughes (Hinterland, Keeping Faith), Pooky Quesnel (The A Word, The Victim), Richard Elfyn (The Pact), Rhashan Stone (Keeping Faith, Finding Alice), Justin Salinger (Hanna), Tara Divina (Line of Duty) and David Calder (Time, The Hatton Garden Job).
For set images go to the Film tap at top of page.
The Trick is NOW available on NETFLIX
BAFTA CYMRU AWARD NOMINATION FOR BEST FEATURE / TV FILM 2022
I'm in the early stages of Designing a very exciting adventure living history series called 'Ultimate Viking', produced by Wildflame Productions Ltd., Zig Zag Productions Ltd. and Tindefilm for Smithsonian Channel. The challenge is to Design a purpose-built Viking Settlement on the spectacular Norwegian cost so that the diverse cast of men and women can be pushed to the extreme as they find out if they have what it takes to live as true Vikings. Its a brutal endurance competition in which contestants must hone their Vikings skills and apply their mental and physical strength to endure the toughest test of their lives.
Game of Thrones Kristofer Hivju and his wife Gry Molvær Hivju will host the series and are proud to show the fjords, ocean and wild mountains that their ancestors saw. For them, this series is all about a genuine extreme experience based on Viking society, set deep in the heart of the land of the Vikings.
The series will also include a one-hour accompanying documentary slated to air in 2021.
It was a pleasure Designing a brand new series for S4C created by Vox Pictures and BBC Wales, an exciting new six part drama which will keep you on your toes, Gwenllian Gravelle from S4C said "We wanted to experiment with a new format. Vox Pictures succeeded in creating the drama series Cyswllt for S4C at the beginning of lockdown and this worked really well with half hour episodes."
"Fflam is a very exciting production with a thrilling story, amazing actors and a compelling script – it's great to see high quality Welsh drama being created again."
Adrian Bates of Vox Pictures said: "Vox Pictures are delighted to be working with S4C again on this prestigious series that will undoubtedly follow the success of both Un Bore Mercher and Cyswllt. Producer Llyr Morus and director Judith Dine have recruited an impressive cast and crew that will deliver this compulsive story in such challenging times."
Fflam has been filmed in the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan area during November and December. The series premiers on S4C on 10 February. Vox Pictures followed all the COVID guidelines, legislation and protocols that have been put in place by Welsh Government in order to ensure that filming is carried out safely.
https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/41486/fflam-the-sizzling-new-drama-that-plays-with-fire/
It was an honour Designed the final series of 'Keeping Faith' for Vox Pictures, this was a tough one as we started shooting before the Covid-19 Pandemic, and had to postpone the shoot due to the lockdown, as restrictions lifted and new guidelines were put in place as well as training, we completed the series with honour.
Un Bore Mercher will hit our S4C screens on the 1st November 2020 and will TX on BBC at the end of march 2021. #staysafe
Episodes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000tqx8/episodes/guide
Press Release: https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/39846/un-bore-mercher-comes-back-to-s4c-for-the-last-time/#
BAFTA CYMRU AWARD NOMINATION FOR BEST DRAMA SERIES 2021
I Designed a three part Drama during the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown called Cyswllt, here are some details of the exceptional drama below:
"In strange and unprecedented times, where plans are cancelled and technology has become our only means of contact with the outside world, an exciting new Lockdown drama has hit our screens.
Cyswllt (Lifeline) is an intimate drama that gives a snapshot of life during a pandemic, showing the effect of Lockdown on individuals and families. In a pioneering move, it has used only laptops and phones to film the entire three-part series.
The series, which has seen its first episode screened on Wednesday 29th April 2020 on S4C, was the first drama of its kind to be commissioned, shot and broadcast in the UK during Lockdown.
Filmed under strict safety conditions, 'Cyswllt' has captured the changes we are all experiencing in our lives as our relationships and behavior are shaped by fear. Warm-hearted and compassionate in tone, the series interweaves the stories of family and friends over the weeks, bringing tension, split loyalties and big surprises."
BAFTA CYMRU AWARD NOMINATION FOR BEST DRAMA SERIES 2021
In 2019 I designed a brand new series called 'The Tuckers', a BBC Comedy Drama based in Wales written by Steve Speirs, Directed by Ian Fitzgibbon and Produced by Owen Bell.
Broadcast on BBC Cymru/Wales and iPlayer on the 10th January 2020.
So series one of The Tuckers has now been on our screens and the response has been overwhelming, we have the support of Rob Brydon, Rufus Hound, Stephen Merchant, David Mitchel and Jack Whitehall to name just a few, remember you can also binge watch the series again on the BBC iPlayer here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000d4w4 if you want to watch again.
BAFTA CYMRU AWARD NOMINATION FOR BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME 2020
‘CONCRETE PLANS’ is a feature film set in Wales co-produced by Fractured Films, Perfectmotion and co-funded by Film Agency Wales, the thriller tells the story of a motley gang of builders who take on a remote farmhouse job, only to be ripped off by the aristocratic owner before things spin badly out of control. The film is a snapshot of contemporary Britain – encompassing issues from the black economy, class divisions, immigration and social tensions, but rendered through the prism of a tense thriller as blue collar workers turn on the home owner, then one another against the rugged backdrop of the Welsh mountains, directed by Will Jewell.
https://www.fracturedfilms.com/portfolio/concrete-plans/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10975750/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_2
The trailer for ‘Concrete Plans’ is out now, so proud of the teams hard work as we didn’t have a lot of money but it turned out looking fantastic. The film premieres on Friday at @FrightFest then uk digital launch on 23rd November via @SignatureEntUK, please take a look.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQU-051Csp8
You can also go to the official website www.concreteplans.co.uk for more details and also watch the trailer and reviews. https://www.concreteplans.co.uk/trailer
Four million people tuned into The Murder of Jill Dando, a production I'm proud to say I designed for the BBC which was broadcast at 9pm on BBC1 on the 2nd April 2019, working alongside the director Marcus Plowright, Producer Georgina Lee and Executive Producer Joe Mather. The documentary was created to mark 20 years since the tragic murder of TV presenter and newsreader Jill Dando back in 1999. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0003w40
SEE MORE IMAGES IN THE TELEVISION SECTION
BAFTA CYMRU AWARD NOMINATION FOR A BEST SINGLE DOCUMENTARY 2020
Stephen Nicholas is an experienced Production Designer and Supervising Art Director with twenty four years experience in Film and Television, his latest Production Designer credits include 'BOARDERS' (Comedy Drama for the BBC) 'GALWAD' (Multi Platform Drama for Sky Arts), 'PLEBS - SOLDIERS OF ROME' (Comedy Drama Special), ‘THE TRICK’ (Conspiracy Thriller), ‘ULTIMATE VIKING’ (Adventure Living History Series in develpment), ‘FFLAM’ (Thriller) ‘KEEPING FAITH' series III (Drama Series), ' 'CYSWLLT' - LIFELINES (A Lockdown Drama) 'THE TUCKERS', (BBC Comedy Drama) 'CONCRETE PLANS' (Feature Film), 'THE MURDER OF JILL DANDO' (BBC Drama Documentary) and 'THE FINALE COUNTDOWN' which is a live Concert for Doctor Who. His Supervising Art Director credits include over ninety episodes of 'DOCTOR WHO', nineteen episodes of 'TORCHWOOD', the 'SHERLOCK' pilot and several episodes of 'THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES', he has also worked on over fifteen Feature Films in various countries around the world, such as Bulgaria, Isle of Mann, South Africa, Romania and Croatia. Stephen is very passionate designer and gives a hundred and ten percent to each and every project and works hard to achieve the highest of standards whatever the budget. Stephen has also Designed sets for various events nationwide while Studio Managing for the BBC and is also a verified trainer and mentor and continues to support apprentices and trainee schemes through various development programs to this day.
Stephen has project managed many projects over the years, from setting up the first construction workshop for Doctor Who to the design process of the Upper Boat six Studio complex for BBC Wales which housed the ever growing ‘Doctor Who’ show as well as ‘Torchwood’, ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’ and the ’Sherlock’ series. Stephen was asked to project manage the decommission of the Upper Boat site and to manage the move to the newly built drama village in Cardiff Bay which is a purpose build 175,000 square foot Drama Hub for the BBC which is the home of ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Upstairs Downstairs’, ‘Casualty’ and 'Pobol Y Cwm’, the 22,000 square foot of props store, costumes, prosthetics store, electrical store and the props fabrication workshop would need relocating to an existing site as well as the new facility in Cardiff Bay. Stephen was also asked to decommission the TARDIS interior set under which would need CDM regulations due to its complexity, it needed flat packing and stored for BBC Worldwide’s future event and exhibition use. Following its decommission, Stephen returned the site to the BBC specification and to the landlords requests.
When Stephen started as the Supervising Art Director on Doctor Who back in 2004, it was evident that the show was a design led show, so as the show developed all he could think about is how he could show the world what talent there was in Wales as well as the fantastic work that was being created for the series, so he thought it would be great to have a document that could showcase it all, he came up with the idea of writing a book which would involve designs from the ninety episodes and six series Stephen had Art Directed and with the help of Mike Tucker who worked on the earlier years to show us a little insight into how it was made back then, this could then highlight how the show has evolved and become the magnificent brand it is today, Impossible Worlds was born and was published in October 2015. In 2016 Impossible World won best Doctor Who Book (non fiction) in Doctor Who Magazine's readers poll and is loved by many fans and art lovers across the world.