Beyond The TARDIS Strange Tales Video Review by DJ Forrest

Watcher Productions is a non-profit organisation based in Cardiff which makes web series, podcasts, comedy sketches and short films. This is their latest project. Strange Tales is a series of short, stand alone films that have a twist in the tale, and these three definitely have that, more so I’d say with the middle one. You don’t see that coming for a while!

The idea of the project is to provide local emerging talent, from actors, writers and film makers, with a showcase of what they can do and promote low-budget filmmaking in South Wales.

The screening of these three films was on the 5^th June, 2019 at Milk & Sugar, The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff.

You can find out more about the series of films and so much more by checking out their website here: https://www.watchersproductions.com/strangetales

Brand New Beginnings

'Our Memories are the Closest Thing to a Time Machine.'

It's an alternate present-day setting. Wales. More people are using social media as a way of life. It's easier to meet someone online these days than meet someone at a social outing away from the computer.

  

In this story, Seth and Tristan, played by Christopher Maxwell and Harold T. Spencer have a loving relationship, but something is missing; that spark of passion has died. So, they head off to the city and sign up for a treatment at the Brand New Beginnings clinic in order to have their bad memories wiped clean, replacing them with brand new but false happy memories. As Kate, played by Sarah Bennington explains the procedure, the couple have second thoughts. Sarah plays a blinder as Kate, so much so, the hairs on the backs of my arms stood to attention. You felt there was something much more behind her eyes and that strange finger movement - what was that about?

Written by Matthew Ford and directed by Matthew Fisher, this is the first of three videos in the Strange Tales collection, by Rhys Jones, that leaves you wondering whether this is really cutting-edge relationship counselling or something else entirely.

HR Master

'I don't like to repeat myself.'

Written by Richard Williams it is filmed in black and white and centres around Sam, played by Ellen Jane Thomas, an office executive of a company with very few staff. Noah, played by James Morgan, who comes from HR, and Justine Jones as Marcy, the Office PR, who arranges Sam's schedule.

The letter from HR seems unusual. They normally send out an email. Except, Noah from Human Resources, is not someone you expect to find in HR, and he's not there for the reason Sam thinks.

In fact, it's a very neat trick. This is a very twisted story and you may need to play it back a few times to the point where it changed. I didn’t see it at first but then it all made sense. It’s a great piece of acting from the three main cast members. Brilliant. Loved it.

Second Chances

'Sometimes you just have to be there.'

Second Chances, despite its hard-hitting beginning, is a light-hearted short story written by Matthew Fisher and directed by Teddy Smith of No. 37 Media, and centres around John Smith, played by Ben Wilson from The Whovians. John Hutch plays a truly entertaining Secretary to God and Lisa Grace plays Alice. It begins and ends at a bus stop, but it's the moments in between that matter, and the decisions that Ben makes that determine whether he can get a second chance.

Ben's character, John, has done nothing with his life, he's kept himself to himself, and doesn't want to get involved in anything. So, in the grand scheme of things, life would move on tickety-boo and nobody would remember him. It's as much a story about John, as it is about many of us, who move through life and achieve very little.

Very moving and wonderfully played. I think, as much as I enjoyed HR Master, Second Chances is my favourite and John Hutch plays the brilliantly up beat role in this story. I would like to see him in more roles. Be sure to hang on for the credits, that's truly worth it. I had a fair chuckle.

News Strange Tales: Press Release

Strange Tales: Press Release.

Watchers Productions presents… Strange Tales

Strange Tales is an all new YouTube Channel featuring individual short films of all genres, which showcase talent in front and behind the camera.

The channel will launch with a first phase of films in early 2019. The channel will then continue to grow, with new content added periodically.

In 2018/19, we plan to produce eight short films for the launch. These films will be made by Watchers Productions, working alongside other up-and-coming directors, writers and actors.

Strange Tales has no boundaries on genre of story and every film will be individual in style.

To make this happen, we will need help, mostly in funding the venture. A crowd-funding campaign will launch in the next few weeks where we will raise awareness of the project (along with some funding, hopefully) and develop our audience, ready for the launch.

Over the weeks building up to the campaign, we will announce the film makers, writers and talent already lined up to appear.

Stand by for a whole new range of entertainment from the team behind Whovians.

Crowd Funding Campaign launches June 30th. www.watchersproductions.com

Key Players Involved -

Exec. Producers (Watchers Productions - Three writers/filmmakers - old friends, based in Cardiff who produce Web Series, Film, Blogs, Podcasts and Live Events. )

www.watchersproductions.com

Rhys Jones: Director/Writer/Exec. Producer

Rhys has worked in Television Post Production for the past 10 plus years, working on numerous productions for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, SKY, MTV and S4C.

Working across a varied genre of programmes - from Stella, Songs Of Praise, Coal House, Beach Break & Wakestock Festivals. He has been the Technical Supervisor for Avanti Media and now a Technical Lead at Gorilla/Boom TV.

In addition to his Post Production day job and Producing/Directing Watchers productions, Rhys took part in the It's My Shout 2017 scheme, in which he Directed the BBC short film - Rory Romantic. The film WON the Best Sci-Fi Short Film award at the 2018 New York City Int. Film Festival.

Terrance Edwards: Writer / Executive Producer

Terrance holds an MA in Creative Writing from Trinity College, Carmarthen and has had poetry published in Algebra Of Owls, Ink Sweat And Tears, Haiku Journal, and Roundyhouse Magazine. He has performed his own poetry throughout South Wales and further afield for over ten years, performing at the Sherman Theatre in 2004, the Wales Millennium Centre in 2009 and at the HowTheLightGetsIn festival at Hay-on-Wye in 2011. He is also an actor, recently performing in several plays for Monstrous Productions Theatre Company and Dramatic Moose Productions. 

  

Matthew Ford: Writer/Exec Producer

Matthew’s earliest memory is scribbling a short story (two-or-three lines of illegible handwriting); since then, pen and paper has rarely been out of arm’s reach.

Having written for stage, Matthew has had scripts performed at scratch nights for the Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bike Shed Theatre, Cheltenham Everyman, Genesis Cinema, and Exeter’s Ignite Festival. In 2018, he was Assistant Director on Dramatic Moose’s first production, Abandoned.

Matthew was one of the executive producers on Whovians, writing Geek in Silver (S1, Ep4) and The Parting of the Ways (S2,Ep6), and co-wrote Bradley and the Doctor (S1, Ep5), Behind the Table (S2, Ep1), and the 2016 Christmas special, Two Nights Before Christmas.

Following Whovians, Matthew was back as exec producer on the Christmas pilot for Sketchy AF, writing a number of sketches including Ross Kemp on Christmas and Hazel Reardon: Foul-Mouthed Agony Aunt.

Matthew’s first love is horror films. His short script Hanging Hill Row reached the final ten in 13horror.com’s worldwide short screenplay contest. Hanging Hill Row is now available to buy as an eBook from Amazon.co.uk

Directors:

Richard Williams

Richard Williams - In 2014 Richard began script writing, this started with the world war epic, "The King's Own". Realising his passion for script writing he went on to do it full after being made redundant from his day job in 2015. Since then he has gone on to write and direct several projects including short films and documentaries. in 2017 his western genre screenplay, "The Reckoning" was nominated as Best Dramatic Screenplay at the American Screenwriters Conference in California.

Luke Walters

Luke has always been fascinated with the way in which TV and film were made ever since catching an episode of Dr Who confidential in 2006. After a few years of acting he decided his talents were put to best use behind the camera mainly directing. Over the years his short films have earned him numerous accolades across the globe. Changing focus ever so slightly though Luke now holds a Masters Degree in Producing and he's now producing a series of short films for BBC Wales. While on set if he is not found near the camera you can always find him larking around somewhere while taking endless amounts selfies.

Hannah Celyn Griffiths

Hannah has had a love for writing and a passion for drama since a young age. She studied English at the University of Southampton and performed in over 10 shows for the university's theatre societies, including two at the Edinburgh fringe festival in 2010 and 2011. Hannah played the character of Jen in Whovians and wrote and produced two episodes for the second series. She is thrilled to be associated with Watchers Productions again and is looking forward to receiving her first director's credit with Strange Tales.

Matthew Fisher

Matthew is a new to the world of directing. Only having directed two full length plays, “Abandoned” and “The Universe plc” – both performed sold out runs – he excited to be part of this brilliant project. Outside directing Matthew has guest starred in the award nominated web-series "Whovians",  be seen in "Packaged," one of the It’s My Shout short films that was aired on BBC and even has been nominated for best supporting actor by the Glamorgan Drama League. Matthew also likes to write scripts in his spare time where he has found some success, with his writing being performed all over the UK, online and even across the pond in New York City."

Teddy Smith

After graduating USW, Ted established No.37 Media, the label with which he would start making his own films, and telling the stories that meant something to him.  Over the past few years, Ted has focused and dealt with PTSD, Depression, Anxiety and Loss.

The highlight of his time behind the camera was working on Whovians with Watchers Productions and on STFU and Bitten with Big Rich Productions.

Craig Fisher

Craig Fisher is a Welsh Writer and Director who specialises in Horror and LGBTQ genres. With 5 short films in his current portfolio, he is beginning to make a name for himself on the independent film circuit. His 3rd film, Angelystor was nominated for a Golden Stake Award at the International Vampire Film and Arts festival in Transylvania, as well as hitting 8 other festivals Globally.  His 4th film, Closure, premiered on BBC2 in 2017, is currently showcasing in various Film Festivals and has recently won an Award for Best SciFi film at Outlantacon. An edited version of his latest Horror short, Night Mære won an Award for Best Film at the 90 Second Horror Challenge in London, judged by the CEO of Hammer Horror, and the full version is currently on Crypt TV and heading to Film Festivals.

Confirmed Cast:

Ellen Jane Thomas

Ellen is an actress with TV presenting and directing credits under her belt, having worked with BBC Wales and Made Television in these fields. But her first love is performance, experiencing working with Channel 4, National Theatre Wales and BBC Two Wales. Ellen won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the It's My Shout awards in 2017 for her role as Tanvi in Rory Romantic, and can currently be seen online in BBC Writersroom sketch Porta-LOLS.

Victoria George Veale

Victoria is an actress, presenter, dancer, model, singer and performing arts school owner/teacher. She is a Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Shakespeare medalist and received the Simon Eilbeck Award for Music & Drama. Victoria studied Monologue training at Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Meisner Academy in Hollywood.

Her day jobs are teaching acting at one of Wales’ top TV/Film Casting Agencies and running her own Performing Arts School with two successful branches in different areas. Last year, Victoria was honoured to receive the award for "Young Business Person of the Year" alongside the "Training & Development" award given by the International Achievers Awards organisation.

Victoria is featured in BBC’s ‘DR.WHO’ (Mummy on the Orient Express and Robot of Sherwood), 'Sherlock' (Evil Nurse) and has the lead role as Steph in “Whovians”. Victoria has recorded and aired voice overs for six BBC2 documentaries. Victoria has presented FASHION TV, London Fashion week and Haute Couture. Other work includes “Demons Never Die”, Cadbury’s and Western Power advertisements. As a singer, she has performed alongside Blue, Atomic Kitten, Petula Clark, broadcasting worldwide and is currently in the final stages of finishing an album recorded with her sister. Victoria is Miss British Empire 2012/13. Christmas 2017, Victoria was cast in the role of Prince Charming for the pantomime ‘Cinderella’ directed by Owen Money at the Congress Theatre, Cwmbran and she thoroughly enjoyed it. This month, Victoria has been chosen as the cover girl for the next issue of "International Face" magazine along with inside interview spread, to be published this June.

Interviews The Whovians by DJ Forrest

If someone called you a Whovian, it wasn’t because you had a passion for upright vacuum cleaners, it would be for your love of Doctor Who, and everything within it. 

Recently, I had the opportunity of interviewing Rhys Jones, director and executive producer of a new web series The Whovians TV.  

Hi Rhys, can you tell me more about The Whovians.  Is it a fly on the wall documentary or a fictional series?

Rhys: It’s a fictional drama set in the real world, not a fly on the wall/reality TV, but hyper reality.  The Series is about four friends living in Cardiff, they became friends because they are all Whovians.  It’s a series about 20/30 something’s and all that can happen in life, their loves and losses, surrounded by fandom.  The Episodes are set at Comic Con, queuing for a book signing, partying before the finale and many more.

How long are the episodes and are they weekly or daily?

Rhys: Web series, can be completely open to time and release but ours are 20 minute episodes and we will be releasing each episode weekly, starting at the halfway mark of Series 9 of Who on October 31^st.

Will there be a second series?

Rhys: It all depends on how the first is received, but ideas/plots are floating around. 

The Whovians - was this an idea that you and Craig Handley came up with together? How did you two meet, were you friends before the project?

Rhys: Craig came on board just as we were about to start shooting - we met from us posting an advert looking for crew. We instantly clicked and he has proven to be an Epic member of our team and to be honest an all round legend. Showing passion and love for our little show from day one.

The original idea was to make a short film based on an idea I had back in 2005, I was walking through Cardiff August 05 and came across the BBC filming the Christmas Invasion. What caught my eye were people camped out behind the barrier – sat on deck chairs, flasks, note books and cameras. All known by name to the security and the friendliest of people you could hope to meet, so passionate and full of character. So I wanted to make a short film about these fans and fandom.

Jump a ‘few’ years later – I had two friends who are incredible writers, Terrance Edwards I knew from School and Matthew Ford from University. I sat them in a room and introduced them and the web series was born, Episode 1 became a version of the original short film idea. While Terrance and Matthew became co-Executive Producers with myself.

Joining the interview I also had the opportunity of speaking to three of the cast, Victoria George-Veale, Ben Wilson and Matthew Doman. 

Hi Victoria, thanks so much for the interview, it means such a lot.  You have appeared in two Doctor Who episodes, Robot of Sherwood and Mummy on the Orient Express, which was an awesome episode and a bit creepy, who were you in the episodes?

Victoria: The characters I have played in Doctor Who are the maid in the Mummy on the Orient Express (you can spot her walking along the train carriage in the opening). I thoroughly enjoyed filming this particular episode - the set was wonderful! In the Robot of Sherwood I play the sexy peasant, the merry men's lady.

You play Steph in the web series, how different is it playing a 'fan' of Doctor Who, after appearing in two actual episodes of the series, and what is the background of your character Steph?

Victoria: Playing the role of Steph in Whovians is a great way of really expressing my interest in the Doctor Who series. The fact that there are just SO many DOCTOR WHO fans, especially in Wales, who are truly head over heels about the series, and the programme means so much to them, it's an honour to play one of them!

There have been many hours of shooting Whovians (I remember one particular weekend where we filmed the entire Episode 1 and the whole of Episode 6 alongside a scene from Episode 2 over just 2 days!). It was a lot of fun as we all have many jokes and laughs together, both on and off set.  I think it's safe to say that we all felt very proud when that particular weekend had been wrapped!

As you've worked on WHO and played a fan of Who, how big a fan are you of Who?

Victoria: As regards to being a fan of WHO myself - I have always been interested and intrigued by the different plots and twists/turns towards the end of episodes. The bond and connection between the Doctor and Companion is always such a warm and heartfelt aspect of the programme. It brings a sense of security to a very much horror filled series!

Who was your first Doctor, and what are your earliest memories of the series?

Victoria: I'm not entirely sure on the sector who was my first Doctor but I do remember the first Doctor of my generation who I REALLY enjoyed watching every week....that's David Tennant. All of the Doctors are fantastic and certainly place their own unique stamp on the character, however, since watching David's first performance as the Doctor, he completely captured my attention and I honestly felt "safe" with him (as a public viewer/fan of course!).

I viewed a drama a few months ago which was based on how the programme of Doctor Who began. It was extremely interesting!

Which monster scared you the most?

Victoria: As far as monsters go - I have to say that the scariest moment for me was actually when I walked back onto set for the Mummy on the Orient Express and wasn't aware of the Mummy standing onset right next to me on my right. The set was quite narrow and confined so there wasn't a lot of space to move around in, so when I walked onto set and suddenly saw the Mummy to my right a few inches away from me.....I actually screamed out loud and a few crew members laughed!!! I don't think I'll ever forget that moment!

When I first heard mention of Ben Wilson and saw his profile photo, I was certain I’d seen him before, and so when I read his profile details, I just had to know which episode of Torchwood he had appeared in. 

Ben:  I was an extra for series 1, episode 8 "They Keep Killing Suzie". It was shot in June/July of 2006 so almost a decade ago now (yes it's been a while haha). It was a nightclub scene shot in Church Street in Cardiff City Centre and involved the Torchwood team searching the club for a character called Max. I was one of the *ahem* ravers although I don't think I made the final cut sadly. It was a long, humid, sweaty 10 hour shoot with smoke machines going off constantly. I recall it being one of our better Welsh summers at the time so understandably, the heat was unbearable a few hours in and there were a lot of grouchy extras come the evening. Still it was a fun experience and I remember being the only extra who recognised that the actor who played Max (He's simply listed as Shend on the wiki) was in Red Dwarf VIII... I think he was touched I knew such a dorky fact.

How big a fan are you of Who?

Ben: I'm probably one of the black sheep of the cast in that I'm not a hardcore Whovian in reality. That is not to say I don't have immense respect for its legacy and fan base. I get it, totally I do. I'm a huge Batman & DC Universe geek so I understand the love for and passion people have for something such as this.

What are your earliest memories of Doctor Who?

Ben: My earliest memory has to be of Sylvester McCoy as he would have been 'My Doctor' due to my age. I've been watching old school Who on and off on the Horror Channel the past few months with a housemate and would have to say I love John Pertwee. His Kung Fu mastery is a wonderful thing to behold.

What was your scariest moment of the series?

Ben: Scariest moment? Peter Davison regenerating into a very greasy looking Colin Baker... Yes I went there!

Hi Matthew, thanks for the interview.  You're playing a character who is a fan of Doctor Who in the web series, but you've played monsters or a monster in Doctor Who the series, which monster was it, and how long can the prosthetics take to put together, how long are you in the make up chair for?

Matthew: Hello DJ, you're welcome, thanks for asking.  Well, I've been on Doctor Who since David Tennant's first series where I did the Cybermen. Since then I've done about 30 or 40 monsters I think... that includes Live performances (3 Proms, road shows and promo events). I also helped launch the world tour in Cardiff and London and was interviewed on the BBC World Wide production Doctor Who World Conquest and have just finished work on the new series.

The longest prosthetic was for the Whispered, which was 4hrs.... Those were VERY long days!!! Ha ha ha

The character you play in The Whovians, is he a fan of monsters and aliens or is he a fan of the Doctor's or Doctor Who as a whole? Can you tell me more about his background, without giving too much away?

Matthew: My character is very.... Very…. I'd say his greatest love is the Doctor Who Universe as a whole rather than a particular individual or feature. He is very convinced though.

As you've worked on WHO and played a fan of Who, how big a fan are You of Who?

Matthew:  Well when I first started working on Who I wasn't a fan, because the last episode I remember was the special weapons DALEK one in the 80's! Since working on it though I have become a fan and got into it quite a lot. You kind of naturally fall into it when you interact with the fans in conventions as they love it so much.

Which monster scared you the most?

Matthew: Monsters which scared me the most? Well I never was THAT scared of monsters, I always felt a certain affinity with them. Perhaps I always knew that I was going to play them!!!

Thank you to Rhys Jones, Victoria George-Veale, Ben Wilson and Matthew Doman.  Also special thanks to Craig Handley, camera operator on The Whovians and Justin Walters.

So there you have it.  Don’t forget to watch the first instalment on 31^st October!

Photographs/stills courtesy of Whovians TV/Rhys Jones

 Doctor Who stills property of ©BBC Doctor Who 1963