Brand new Sooty DVD - in actual shops!

This one really crept up on me. I've been trying to get a DVD into the shops for years, and thus far my only plausible option has been to sneak into HMV and discretely deposit my home-made volumes on their shelves. And walk out. (Not that I've ever attempted this.)

Of course I'd remembered The Sooty Show DVD was coming, (August 14th, my sister's birthday!), but I'd forgotten that it was actually going to be 'commercial.' As in, I can now visit a high street store and pose next to something I've written, (well, co-written.)

The new Sooty DVD from Abbey Home Media, NOT
Skerratt Media, although the names are... similar.

Notice I said 'pose next to.' This fabulous news comes hand-in-hand with the hilarious irony that I can't actually afford to buy a copy!

And I'm not fishing for sympathy here. My financial predicament is self-induced, on account of the enormous cost of my last project. But when I say 'hilarious irony,' I absolutely, genuinely mean it. It cracks me up! In a good way!

I am disappointed that I won't be getting my free magic wand as I can think of several uses for it, many of them at the Co-operative, but more on that later.

To business! Let me say a bit about this fine selection of episodes. I'm assuming Richard Cadell (presenter and executive producer) made the choice, and I can honestly say I couldn't have picked better. Okay, I'm biased, but from the point of view of a writer, as well as fan, I feel they're our strongest five.

As I haven't seen the DVD, (just thought I'd mention it), I'm basing the following on having watched the eps live, and on Amazon's product listing!

So we kick off with Chocco Chimp, unless you're hmv.com and then the *entire* DVD is called Chocco Chimp, (pah, they're not FANS!) This is my favourite of the whole series, not, I hasten to add, because of the wonderful Matthew Corbett's cameo, (he was the presenter before Richard Cadell), but because, for me, this one has the complete package: a story-driven script, lots of humour, (both dialogue and slapstick), and some gorgeous visuals, (the whole thing takes place in a safari park-themed crazy golf course, with Sooty dressed as Sherlock Holmes!) It really is the ultimate episode for Sooty fans old and new. Plus, out of all of them, this one was the most fun to write.

Next is The Runaway Bath, in which Richard very nearly killed me. I had flu at the time, very badly, and had been in bed for days, (okay you can show some sympathy now if you like. Also I can't afford the DVD.) When I suggested that Richard should talk "donkey" to his furry friends on the beach, he went one step further and devised a song, which he stood up and sang for us, with a dance. Bear in mind how difficult it is to breathe ordinarily when you have flu, then combine with that feeling we all know - laughing-so-hard-that-it-hurts! - and you have an actual, genuine near-death experience. But what a way to go it would have been! Plus this episode has a bath tub on wheels, which is cool.

Third is The Wedding. Originally called Mo's Wedding. And then Richard's Wedding. Out of all the episodes, this one went through the most drafts, (close runner-up, I think, is The Great Race.) I think it all takes place in some weird, parallel world, (like something out of Fringe), where Stacey Solomon is a church vicar, and where people say "I will" instead of "I do." I don't know how the latter came about. I do remember having a very long and detailed conversation about it with Richard, by the end of which we had intelligently concluded it was the only logical way to go. And at the time it made perfect sense! Watching it now... hmm! Unsure. Tiny niggles though, let's be fair. The Wedding is another of my favourites.

Fourthly, The Swimming Lesson. Sweep parachuting off the diving board was inspired, and I'm allowed to say that because it wasn't my idea!

Finally, it's The Marching Band. This was the second episode we wrote, (the first was The New Ride, albeit in a very different form), and when I first watched it, I did feel a bit uncomfortable, as I think it's obvious that we're still 'finding our feet' as writers. It's at those moments when I'm unable to just be a Sooty fan and I become my own worst critic. It probably isn't obvious to the outside world. That said - what's not to like! There are some wonderful cameos from fellow scribe Winkleton Taylorson, and some hysterical visuals, (the gang look superb in their band uniforms.) The first draft had an elderly trombone player being hoisted aloft by a beserk crane. "Too expensive" apparently. Bah! The devil's in the detail!

If you're lucky enough to be able to afford this (boom boom!), head on down to your local Asda, (where it's currently charting at number 1 I'm told!), or if you're an Amazon junkie, please consider ordering via the link on this page http://www.facebook.com/sootysweepandsoo to support the Sooty fan community on Facebook.

Enjoy!

Recording with Colin Baker

Me and Colin Baker go back a long way. Not that he realises this, (I'm guessing!) When I was 7 I saw him for the first time in Blake's 7. On my 18th birthday I met him at a convention in Darwen, and embarrassed myself by throwing camera batteries in his face. And on the 15th July 2012 I met him at Cottage Road, Headingley, not entirely by accident, as he'd arrived to record the part of Mr Cutler in my latest bank-balance massacre, Menston Green!

"There is nothing you can do to prevent the catharsis
of spurious hilarity!"

I can only imagine Colin's bewilderment as this mop-haired corduroy-wearing baby-faced scarecrow / man bounded over to him, palm outstretched. "Hello sir!" says I. "Good to meet you, I'm Alex!"

Colin very politely shook this stranger's hand. "Alex, hi," he replied. "What are you then?"

"I'm the producer, and the director," said the scarecrow, "and the writer. Oh and I'll be reading with you as well."

That sentence always makes me cringe. At best I must come across like a stuffed haystack with a God complex. At worst I must look as if I don't have a clue what I'm doing.

Mind you, I can't see myself as others see me. And I'll probably never know what Colin Baker thought of me. Maybe I wouldn't want to. Maybe I'd be pleasantly surprised.

After the recording I had a bit of a downer for two days. This is nothing unusual for me. However, once I saw some of the production stills, and listened to some of the scenes, my enthusiasm was re-ignited, and I was SO relieved. Thinking about it, absolutely nothing went wrong, which is phenomenal when you consider all the things that could have gone up in smoke: nobody got lost / ill / broke down, everyone had scripts, the scenes were acted / technician'd / recorded without a SINGLE hitch, not only did the cast and crew get away on time, they got away EARLY. After the carnage that had engulfed my last project, (Life on Earth Retold where, on some days, I didn't even know if I had a full cast, although not because of anyone who appeared in the finished product, I must add), Menston Green has been an absolute breeze.

So far. But it's onto post-production now...!

Obviously I'm hugely grateful to everyone who's given up their time to take part in this project. I love you all. I'd just like to give an extra special shout-out to my parents, (all three of them!), for their moral and financial support, the lifts to and from the studio, and for the mighty fine catering.

Also a massive thank you to Mr Tim, Mr Ash and Mr Matt, who did a, haha, "sound" job at tech'ing the project, (that joke never gets old.) Tim and Ash will also be handling the post-production on this, and I have every faith in them.

Finally - thank you Colin Baker! A legendary actor with a career that encompasses so many of my favourite shows: Blake's 7, Doctor Who, Jonathan Creek, Come Dine with Me... He drove up from Cambridge just to record this quirky comedy about a village convenience store, produced by a Ray Bolger lookalike. I don't know how many other celebrities would travel hundreds of miles to record with an unknown production company, but he's made my year.

"I did offer Paul Darrow a role in this," I told Colin during a recording break, (Paul Darrow was Avon in Blake's 7, and has acted with Colin Baker a number of times.)

"Could be worse," Colin said, with a cheeky grin. "You could have got Sylvester McCoy!"

The sixth doctor is a gentleman - I know he was joking. Which is just as well, as I have Sylvester ear-marked for the sequel!


In the meantime, though, stay tuned - the release date and format for Menston Green will be announced in due course.

Former Doctor Who joins 'Menston Green'

Chums of mine will know that I am a little bit of a sci-fi fan, so I must say I am hugely excited to announce that actor Colin Baker will be joining us for our first Skerratt Media radio offering, Menston Green.

We're going to be working with Doctor Who!

It's a radio comedy - about a TV soap! - that, in our fictitious world, has been running since the 1950s. But it's in trouble. The ratings are in free-fall and there hasn't been a cast change since the programme started. Colin will be playing the officious Mr Cutler, the newly-appointed Head of Soaps, Serials and Rodeos.

He is perhaps best known for his role as the sixth Doctor Who (1984-1986), while other credits include The Brothers, Blake's 7 and Jonathan Creek, to name a few.

Colin will be joined by actor, writer and mimick Wink Taylor, with whom I work on Sooty. Wink is known in theatrical circles as being the former voice of Basil Brush, as well the celebrity impersonator in a wide selection of greetings cards.

Wink's stage partner Wendy Abrahams will also be lending us her vocal skills. An established performer, she may also be known to Sooty fans as being the teddy bear's one and only make-up artist!

And now let me present to you the rest of the cast, (in order of equal loveliness!)

Vicki Glover will be playing Apple, the committed script writer.

Warwick St. John plays Cliff Bowfinger - embittered director!

Sam Chipman plays an actor, playing a character!

Bob Mallow takes on the role of Maurice, a respected Shakesperian thesp.

Hannah Robson is the soap's make-up artist, only she's often unaware of the fact!

Jenna Skerratt - my sister - comes out of acting retirement to play Christina St. Argentina the Eighteenth, the show's biggest name!

Anne Newton plays Daphne, who has been in Menston Green since it started.

And Gillian Barge plays another victim of the new producer's axe!

Menston Green will be recording in Leeds throughout June and July, and will be available as a free download via skerratt-media.co.uk before the end of the year. A snazzy CD, with a shiny jacket and everything, will follow if there is sufficient demand.

I will leave you with a compilation of Colin Baker's highlights from Doctor Who, (courtesy of the amazing Babelcolour channel on YouTube.) If you've never seen the sixth Doctor in action before now, you've missed a treat. Take a look!

Co-distribution: WOTR Good Idea

Skerratt Media has joined forces with the Leeds-based film company Water on the Rock Ltd. in an exciting co-distribution venture! This means you can now buy my latest film, Life on Earth Retold, from the WOTR shop, where you can also view trailers, DVD stills, production subtitles and the original screenplay as a PDF document. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/JLeKt5 (Life on Earth Retold is of course available from the Skerratt Media homepage as well!)

And, in the coming months, you will also be able to purchase WOTR titles via my website, skerratt-media.co.uk. I'm not sure which ones yet, but suffice to say that some of Kenneth D. Barker's (the creative director's) biggest titles involve dragons, sorcery, cross-dressing superheroes and jetpacks, so it'll be a pleasure to showcase his work.

In the meantime, why not check out the interview I gave for Kenneth's site? In it I discuss my writing techniques, budgeting tips, and my mum! Plus lots of other stuff.

See if you can spot the cat ;)

Retold! Review?

Life on Earth Retold is available on DVD now! Get yours here: http://www.skerratt-media.co.uk/life-on-earth-retold.html

Or - you can have a copy for FREE!

Like this picture? No? Why not?? Tell me and get a free disc!

Well, five of you can. I'm a struggling artist in a perpetual quest for perfection, and I need feedback from people! So, email me at alex@skerratt-media.co.uk if you fancy writing a review of The Oldest Life on Earth and / or Life on Earth Retold to put on your blog / Facebook, and you can have a nicy shiny spine or two to jazz up your DVD library! All I ask is that you watch, tell me what you think, tell me what you like, what you don't like, and that's it!

This is a limited time offer though. Just the first five responses to this blog! So get emailing!

And thanks in advance :)

On the Shoulders of Giants

 

Change everything you know about the future...

The trailer from Water on the Rock's latest SF feature On the Shoulders of Giants went online yesterday, and what a corker it is. Obviously I'm biased, because I act in the thing, but as a hardcore sci-fi fan this stuff really tickles my inner geek.

I play Navigator Hyatt on board a super-advanced spaceship in the 23rd century, on its maiden voyage to test out the new Einstein-Rosen Drive. Several things about this role excited me. First, I'd get a laser gun. Second, I'd get a jetpack. Third, it would likely be the closest thing to Blake's 7 I'd ever to act in, (one of my all-time favourite TV shows.) Plus there's a talking computer called CAARN, and I happen to think that talking computers are cool...

We filmed this in the Spring of 2010, over the course of six or seven weeks, inside a derelict church in the centre of Leeds. But you wouldn't know this to look at the film, which has every appearance of being shot in a professional studio. And this recording space served us so faithfully, realising everything from Zepethar's quarters on the Leviathan to the barren wastelands of Theta-25L. Our director, 'Captain' Kenneth D. Barker, put his colour key skills to good use by shooting many of these impressive vistas against a green screen, allowing for many of the breathtaking visuals to be painted in later.

So it had been two years since I last donned Navvy Hyatt's Doc Martens, but I was chuffed and excited when Kenneth asked me to return to the role in February to record some extra voices for the project. And as if that wasn't exciting enough, I soon discovered that Hannah Rosbon, Vicki Glover and Waleed Khalid - actors from my upcoming film Life on Earth Retold - had also been offered voice-over roles! Brilliant! (See the video below.)

On the Shoulders of Giants is due for release in the Summer of 2012 via www.wotr.co.uk. Everybody involved in the project worked with relentless friendliness and enthusiasm, and if only 1% of that love ends up on screen, it'll still be one of the finest and most honest features out there.

*Hyatt over and out*

5 Years Later... 'Life on Earth Retold' Theatrical Trailer

Mark your diaries, circle your calendars, take the day off work... on Monday 9th April 2012, Life on Earth Retold will arrive on DVD at skerratt-media.co.uk. Check out the all-new trailer above for a taste of what's to come. And see if you can crack the Hidden Code...

The very first shot of LOE 2007: Spike giving a Palaeontology
Lecture!

As you will know if you've been following my blog, I didn't plan the release to fall at this time, and yet it's worked out rather well. Come the 9th April, it will have been one year, (though not quite to the day), since I started writing the script, meaning the whole production process has taken a neat and tidy twelve months.

More signifcant - and wholly more deliberate - is the fact that the 9th April, (to the day, this time), marks the fifth anniversary of the Life on Earth series. Yep, on that day in 2007, (which was also a Monday!) Spike Ombre, along with Mack the faithful laptop and his digital friends, went online with Episode One: Fiends Reunited, in which a demon-possessed Ezra Lord attempted to raise a long lost civilisation fom the ashes, which just happened to be buried beneath the cathedral city of Lincoln!

LOE 2007: Spike chats to his laptop, Mack, as he strolls home
through Lincoln.

It all started because, frankly, I was bored at university. I was doing a Drama degree, (and yes it's a solid, proper academic subject, before I get letters), but I was only in lectures for about nine hours a week. I felt like I was losing my mind.

And then one evening - I remember it vividly - I was telling Richard Cooper (Ezra Lord) how I was desperate to get back into filmmaking, but I didn't know how to do it! I'd need a cast, a crew... I couldn't have Spike Ombre alone in his flat, just talking to himself, and fighting off... himself! At which point Rich laughed and coyly remarked, "knowing you, he'd probably just talk to his computer!"

The preverbial lightbulb lit up, my eyes widened, the penny dropped (further than ever before), and I grinned widely... "That's it! That's perfect!!"

LOE 2007: The mysterious Ezra Lord arrives at Spike's flat...

I never imagined, five years on, I'd still be doing it. But then, I love all the characters so much. It's a cliche, but they really are like best friends, or relatives. Sometimes I go a while without speaking to them, and yet when I do, it's like we've never been apart.

So do watch the trailer for Life on Earth Retold, and if you enjoy it, please could you share with / pass on to your friends, because I made this stuff to be seen, and I can't afford an aggressive billboard campaign just yet, (I'm saving that for the tenth anniversary.)

And on that note - see you in 2017, for Life on Earth: The Hoverboard Invasion.