First
off, thanks for letting us know about the series and casting Kai Owen in the
story. Can you tell us more about the
series itself and what it’s about, and how many episodes you’re hoping to make?
Fraser: Cops and Monsters is set 5 years in
the future, in Scotland, where a small team, The Paranormal Investigation Team
Scotland (PITS), is put together when vampires, werewolves and zombies come out
of hiding and declare they want to be a part of everyday society. We plan to
make 6 twenty minute episodes in series 1.
I
read on the website that this will be a crowd funded venture, do you see that
as a way forward for films being made these days, and has this been your first
venture into crowd funding?
Fraser: Our mini-episode, which can be seen
at www.copsandmonsterswebseries.wordpress.com
was crowd-funded, we raised over £2000,
which was fantastic. We appreciate that £29,110 is a lot of money to raise but
if 970 people donated £30 each we’ll hit our target. Of course we accept any
donation! Every single penny raised will help us make this show.
I definitely do think
that it’s made things a bit easier for first time or new filmmakers to make
their projects but you need to be careful and think about what you need the
money for and how to achieve that goal.
You’ve
got an amazing cast list and guest list with Caitlin Blackwood, Gareth
David-Lloyd and now Kai Owen, will these be regular guests in the series?
Fraser: At this stage Caitlin, Kai and Gareth
all appear in one episode. If it goes well we hope to have them back for a
second series.
What
inspired you in putting this series together, who influenced you the most? Was
it films, dramas, Torchwood, Who? Or books you’d read? Where did the idea come
from?
Fraser: I had made a web series before,
Night is Day, when I first came out of college in 2005 and we weren’t too
experienced then and we didn’t have money, so the idea of doing another show a
few years on and with more knowledge was too good to pass up. There’s a little
subplot in Night is Day about police and supernatural forces so I re-visited
that idea and expanded it into Cops and Monsters. Dramas are my biggest
inspiration, such as Being Human and Torchwood.
Have
you set up the crowd funding yet? Let us
know so we can help promote on the website, Twitter, FB and all our other sites
up and down social networking sites. If we can help any, we will.
Fraser: Yep, it’s at http://igg.me/at/copsandmonstersseries/x/63701
and people can get pledging! We’re
offering set visits, phone calls from our cast, personalised video messages,
signed scripts etc. We’ve got around 57 days to raise as much money as
possible.
Whereabouts
is Cops and Monsters being filmed and is there a possibility that we might see
action sequences out in the streets of wherever you’re filming?
Fraser:
It’s going to be in Glasgow, mostly closed sets but if people want they
can come along and visit our sets. That’s one of our perks if you pledge some
money.
How
did you all meet to put together the series? Who thought up the story (I know
you have 3 writers) but whose brainchild is this? Did you all meet in Uni,
college, or all school friends? Tell us
about yourselves!
Fraser: I came up with the initial idea and
took it to Ian Smith. From there we sat down and devised the series arc and
what had to happen in each episode. Then I assigned two episodes to both Ian,
Amanda Kane and myself. How we met was through a networking event that I run
for freelance filmmakers and TV professionals in Glasgow.
How
did you manage to land Torchwood and Doctor Who stars for the web series? I know Gareth has played a zombie in I Am
Alone as we interviewed the writer and director of the film (see our website
around Countrycide issue) but hooking Caitlin Blackwood, I’m so pleased to hear
that, she’s a wonderful wee actress, great to see her in something new. What was it that hooked them in for the
roles?
Fraser: For the majority of our stars we approached
their agents and sent them a script, and thankfully agreed! Caitlin has been on
my radar for a while and her Mum was great at keeping in touch and we managed
to work it out.
Will
there be a rating on the episodes given the content? How and where will we be
able to view the web series? Do we have to subscribe to it?
Fraser: I’d say it will be 12+ from the
themes and the action in the series. People can access it on YouTube by
searching Silly Wee Films, we will make a playlist for people to subscribe to.
Or just go to www.copsandmonsterswebseries.wordpress.com
When
do you expect to have the series ready to broadcast?
Fraser: We finish shooting at the end of
July so hopefully late August or September.
Fraser Coull
Cops and Monsters - A
New Digital Content Series
Photos courtesy Dougie Coull
Cover art created by Nikki Forrest
Cover art created by Nikki Forrest
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