I realise that I have jumped into journalling my day-to-day experiences making “New Tricks” with no “backstory” whatsoever. For those who require some context, or mistakenly believe that it might somehow render this journal more interesting, here’s the story so far:

I directed two episodes of New Tricks earlier this year (Season 5). I really enjoyed working with the regular cast and crew so, when the powers that be asked me to write an episode for Season 6, I jumped at the chance. Having handed in a first draft (a story about UFO hunters and government/military conspiracies), the same powers that be asked if I’d like to direct my episode and one other (all directors on New Tricks work on a “block” of two episodes each). Almost no one gets to write and direct an episode of series television in the UK so I couldn’t pass up the chance. I’ve done it once before, on Spooks (Season 5, Episode 8 if anyone cares) and it offers a lot more creative freedom than doing either job in isolation.

So, we are now just a few weeks from beginning the shoot. I have handed in six drafts of the script, which seem to have gone down pretty well, and have found the majority of the locations and cast most of the parts.

That should bring us up to the present day.

I’m writing this journal simply because I personally enjoy reading other filmmakers accounts of their working practices. I have no idea how useful or interesting this journal will turn out to be because I obviously have no idea of what the coming weeks will bring. I’d appreciate any and all comments/criticism from readers, so please don’t be shy.

Some more info on New Tricks can be found at Wikipedia and the BBC.

(THIS POST HAS BEEN IMPORTED FROM AN OLDER BLOG)