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Production Diary Saturday June 25th Series 2 Day 4, Episode 3 9:30am, Grangetown Once again, we filmed at my house, doubling again for the happy home of the Harpers. This being our first day filming for Episode 3, we were going to film three scenes. All planned out and plenty of time to complete them. However, as with any great well-made plan, things can go wrong! Especially the unforeseen! We had a small crew lined up for the day, but after two unfortunate family emergencies and car problems later, we had myself (Producer/Writer on this episode) and Craig Handley (Director). This is not the most ideal of situations considering, even though it was only three scenes to film and mostly all interior scenes, we had four actors in the morning and three actors in the afternoon to film all within the same scenes. So where we normally film our episodes with the minimum of a two camera set up (which speeds the process up), we found ourselves filming with one and myself jumping on sound – which I personally have never done before and my arms are still aching today while I write this! Boom Operators, my hat’s off to you all and how much work goes into this important role – also the physical strength it takes over a ten hour shoot! Once we got going, we filmed our first scene- a short scene on the doorstep between two characters. This was the first scene on this shoot for Ben Wilson (who plays Andrew) and Lisa Grace (who returns as Andrew’s wife, Anna). I would love to say this scene was an easy scene to get through – oh, it was for the actors and ourselves, just get your takes in between traffic on a Saturday morning in Cardiff – the norm! But what wasn't expected was the interest of a certain local. We very often draw attention to ourselves when we film on the streets of Cardiff. Sometimes we will say what we’re filming or give false information so we don't waste any time. When we have interest, it is always positive and friendly and- to be honest- welcomed. But, there is always the exception to the rule and we met her! I won’t describe them in detail – but they were 'scary' to look at. They inquired to what we were filming, Craig answered and that was that. But then this person asked if any of the characters were to die, then asked if Ben was going to kill Lisa or was it the other way round? This unnerved us a bit and to be honest our patience was drawing to an end, but what happened next I think can never be beaten on one of our shoots (I hope!) The person then asked 'Can I kill you?' pointing at Ben, then following up with what can only be described as the most unnerving thing we have ever heard – 'I’ve always had a fantasy of killing someone! HAHAHA!' Then they walked away! We brushed it off and joked and finished the scene and locked the front door to continue with our day. After writing this now I realised how worrying a situation that was and I will say this – always shoot things in numbers. Have people to watch over yourselves and your kit. I have not seen this person again and I hope it remains this way. Luckily, on this occasion, we lied about what we were filming so they will not be able to follow up on their experience in meeting us! We had a cuppa! We welcomed Matthew Fisher on to Whovians. Matthew is playing Rob – Andrew’s brother-in-law. We also welcomed Rachel Dunston back to the fold, playing Anna's (and Rob's) sister Kate. We moved on to the opening scene from Episode 3. To not give any spoilers away on this scene is hard, because it involves some good humorous moments! But I will say this: we started filming this scene at 11am, we broke for a lunch break (which included myself, quite frankly, spoiling my female cast; the corner shop had no sandwiches to their liking. So what does a good producer do? He whips up a couple of salads!) and completed this scene at just after 4pm! When I wrote the couple of pages which, to be fair, starts in one room, enters another and ends in the original room but also has four characters walking in and out throughout – well, I thought it would be an interesting way to start the episode, as most of the episode happens at one location. However, I did not think we would take the best part of five hours to film it! So not the best day to be reduced to one camera! But by this time we had laughed ourselves raw and our third member of the crew – Teddy- had arrived to help us finish. We wrapped Rachel Dunston for series two (a massive thank you to her for coming back) and Lisa wrapped for the day, then Andrew Machin arrived for the now late starting afternoon shoot, a scene involving Liam giving a lecture on Doctor Who! That’s all you’re getting – Spoilers! With the three of us and now three cameras running we got the scene in the can and some amazing performances from all involved. We wrapped for the day at just after 7pm. It could have easily been a disaster of a day (in many ways!) but what came out of it was some solid work, great acting and amazing patience by the cast involved, fantastic direction by Craig Handley and hopefully some sound that is useable by myself! This was zero budget film-making in a nutshell! Production Diary Sunday June 26th Series 2 Day 5 10:30am, GloWorks building, Cardiff Bay After a mammoth day of filming on Saturday, Sunday’s shoot was much more low-key and is an example of the set-up for a scene taking a lot longer to do than the scene took to shoot! It’s a scene from the end of Episode 3, featuring Matthew Fisher’s character Rob at an interview. The way the scene is shot, you only see Rob – but you do hear the interviewer (a voice cameo by one of the executive producers). This was also a training day for Matthew Ford, who will be acting as Boom Operator for several shoots during the summer. Luckily it was a small scene but a good way for him to get to grips with the equipment and get some top tips from our experienced sound guy Andy on what to do and what not to do. With the scene all set up, all we needed was our actor. Matthew arrived at 11.30am and was out of the door again by 11.50am, scene done, audio captured. Sorted. The day ended with three executive producers having a meeting and thrashing out the storyline for the Christmas episode. It's the end... but the moment has been prepared for...

Saturday June 18th, 9:30am Rhys' House, Grangetown So it is our second day of the shoot and we have a full day ahead of us: two locations and scenes from three episodes to film. First up is Episode 1 and the return of Bradley, again played by Rob D. Mealins. This was filmed again in Grangetown at my home, which is doubling as Bradley's flat. Just like Bradley And The Doctor the episode begins with Bradley at home– and, yes, I let Rob off his acting leash and encouraged him to do what he liked with the scenes we were filming. We filmed three scenes in total all from the beginning of Episode 1, all which set up the story ahead of Bradley. Take after take with Rob eating Coco Pops (other cereals are available) and answering a phone-call – what could go wrong? Well, apart from your actor almost choking or being unhappy with this director for starting the phone ringing just as he has the biggest mouthful... all in the name of comedy was my excuse. Again today we had a number of new crew members: Kayleigh back on sound duties, Jack Samuel our clapper/runner for the day and Teddy Smith on camera. There were two things that were great about this shoot. One – it was my first day back directing the series, and to be directing Rob first out the gate was just great. Every take and every line from Rob is always spot on and he gives so much to his performance. Two – the new crew members are fantastic, seriously just great people. Just from a few hours with them all, I knew it will be a great summer ahead. We wrapped at this location, packed kit for the second location and then went and grabbed Andrew White who is the production's sound supervisor and who acted as boom operator for the rest of the day. Shoot Day 2 (PM) Terrance's flat, Cardiff Bay Following on from the Bradley-based shenanigans of the morning, the crew hot-footed it over to Cardiff Bay for the second shoot of the day. This shoot welcomed back not only Victoria George-Veale, who is reprising her role as Steph, but also Andrew White, who had his first day as boom operator. The shoot was relatively straightforward - Steph's side of three separate phone-calls (two from Episode 1, the other from Episode 2). This did, however, mean that Victoria had to bring several changes of clothes with her! We utilised several parts of the flat, starting in the living room. As this scene takes place on a winter's evening, I spent time before the crew arrived taping black bin bags to the living room windows in order to block out as much natural light as possible. I got flashbacks to the Episode 6 shoot last year when we had to do exactly the same. Then we went into the kitchen to film the second scene- although, if the odds are in our favour, this footage won't be used in the final cut (we have plans to film this scene on location, weather permitting, but have this as a back-up just in case). Even without the other actor to play against, Victoria gave the exact reactions we wanted from her. Finally, we used part of the hallway for a scene from Episode 2. This was more challenging as there isn't going to be any cutaway from Steph during the scene - we only hear the other character's voice. However, ever the consummate professional, Victoria really did the scene justice and I loved her additional reactions to the end of the phone-call before she has to go and deliver a serious piece of news to another character. It was lovely to have Victoria and Andy back on set and the whole shoot was concluded in just under two hours. Shoot Day 3 Sunday June 19th, 10am, Canton. So today we are filming a few Scenes from Episode 4, which is written by Hannah Celyn Griffiths – oh, andshe's also acting today as Jen who is back as a main character. Hannah also gave us a location for Jen's home:her home! It's hard to imagine, but Hannah doesn't have a massive ego with all this new power in the production! She doesn't actually and to be back directing her again was a blast. It was a very easy shoot – no spoilers but it was a few opening scenes from the episode including a phone conversation, the other side of which we will shoot later on in the summer. Again I had the same crew as yesterday morning with me – all bang on the money every take. After a few takes with two cameras rolling we got the scene, then a few shots of Hannah leaving the house and that's a wrap for the weekend! Well that's two weekends and four shoots down and we are off and running!

Episode 6, June 11th 2016 It’s happening again! Just over a year since we started filming Whovians, here we are making a second series. Apart from Christmas (as dedicated as we all are, none of us are missing out on turkey, presents, and arguing over board games), we haven’t stopped. Myself, Rhys and Matt, we’ve been planning, plotting, like a Bond villain in their secret volcano base. And this is it, the first day of filming. We’re tackling the series finale, episode six, written by Matthew Ford. Just the one scene today, but not just any scene, the very last one. Once again, we filmed at my flat (bedroom to be precise, including fish tank with miniature TARDIS). Andrew Machin and Linda Bailey are back as Liam and his mother, Jackie. Dave, the cat and Whovians mascot, once again behaved like a diva, trying to sneak his way into every shot. Craig Handley is back on board, only this time he is in the director’s chair, taking the helm on episodes two, three and six. We also have some new additions, crew-wise: Kayleigh Barratt is our sound / Boom Op, alongside Luke Walters as our cameraman/cinematographer/budding Emmanuel Lubezki. While there were fewer cast and crew hemmed in the flat compared to when we shot the last series finale, due to filming in one room, half-a- dozen people, plus lighting, today was like being one of those pre-packed, microwaveable burgers. Everyone involved was a trooper. Even though this was the first time Andrew and Linda had acted together, you wouldn’t know it. There was a warmth and instant chemistry between them. You would have thought they were a real-life mother-and- son, confiding in each other, gossiping, and having a laugh for years. Kayleigh was always ready to go for another take, arms aloft for ages with that boom, and a perfectionist when it came to making sure the sound was as good as we could get. Luke has an eye for an attention-grabbing shot, taking a simple set up and giving it even more of an impact. When the three of us (myself, Rhys, and Matt) messaged each other the week before filming, Matt said how nervous he was. His script’s up first and it’s the final scene. After seeing the footage, what came out of today, Matt’s words were, “I’m not nervous now; really excited about the next few months.” That definitely speaks for all of us. Tez

It gives us great pleasure to announce Alison Lenihan as Steph's Mother - Glenys. A force to be reckoned with..... BIO: Alison Lenihan is a Welsh actor based in Cardiff and is represented by Regan Management. Alison is currently filming SISTERS for Tornado films. She is in pre production for a web series, a comedy pilot and has recently been cast in her third play for Fluellen Theatre Company. Alison is a huge dog lover, a vegetarian and a rock music lover. Alison has an English degree and is a fan of playing strong Welsh women.

Gives us great pleasure to announce that one of our biggest supporters will be playing a role in Series 2, Carwyn is one of the organisers behind Heroes & Legends. A convention held at Margam Castle. We were lucky enough to be invited to be guests last year and Carwyn has been a formidable supporter of Whovians ever since. In Series 2 Carwyn will be playing the role of... the Cardiff Comic Expo Organiser! A role we feel he will rock! Welcome Carwyn. BIO: Carwyn has appeared as a supporting artist in just a few productions to date. He aims to do more acting in his spare time, particularly in projects such as Whovians. Carwyn is a Welsh speaker who likes to support Welsh and Welsh language media projects in front of the camera as well as promoting. A long time Doctor Who fan (amongst other things) he gave a short interview with Radio Cymru for Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary which he likes to tell people about. He has met many a celebrity over the years from red carpet events & the like. One day he plans to write a book about his adventures, one day... Carwyn is very pleased to be back working on Whovians this year. Ymlaen a ni!

Harold T Spencer is back as Edgar. Last time we saw Edgar was in the queue with the others in Episode 1 of Series 1, he returns in series 2.... BIO: Harold is an independent game developer who has always loved to act. From short films and supporting artist work to lots and lots of theatre. Most notably, playing Vetinari in Terry Pratchett's "Night Watch", Mephistopheles in Lawrence Quilty's Edinburgh fringe adaptation of Faustus, “Faustus and the Snakes” and Jimmy Jack Cassie in Brian Friel's "Translations". He's been bonkers about pretty much any excuse to get on stage or in front of a camera since he was knee high to a grasshopper. Also he makes a mean Banoffee Pie!

Antonio will be playing Matt, Steph's brother. Bio: Antonio is a British actor who has recently moved to Cardiff. Hailing with a degree in drama from the University of Hull, Antonio has appeared in a number of Big Finish radio dramas (Dark Shadows, The Confessions of Dorian Gray) and was a member of Hull Truck's Theatre Ensemble. Antonio's passion for acting was ignited when he was first cast as the villainous Andrew Undershaft in Major Barbara whilst at university. He has been an avid fan of Doctor Who for over twenty years and also enjoys singing out of tune and making people laugh.

Sarah will be playing Dr. Amelia Rutherford Sarah's Bio: Sarah started acting in theatre and film at a young age and most recently appeared in One Chance (2013), Z-Listers (2014) and Set Me Free (2016). She is a big SCI-FI fan travelling all over to attend conventions and she is a voice over artist most notably known for the audio dramas Star Trek: Lost Enterprise as Ensign Selena Harding of the USS Enterprise and X-Men Episode 8:Sentinels as Mrs Worthington.

Lilibeth will be playing Jen's best friend in the world - Ellie, a geeky, PC nut! Bio: Lilibeth Langford, an up-and-coming actress, singer and writer, has recently been compiling her experience through multiple crew and cast roles. From several parts in school, fringe and musical stage productions including The Nun’s Priest in ‘The Canterbury Tales’ and Grisabella in ‘Cats’, working as a Supporting Artist on Doctor Who, Casualty and Class, and running on It’s My Shout, she is now starting to write and direct her own short films, starting with In The Dark alongside Jake Hawes. She enjoys physical hobbies such as archery, hiking and taekwondo alongside her creative interests. She is enthusiastic for the future that comes and glad to have already met such great people along the way.

Amy will be playing Julia, Steph's sister in-law. BIO: Amy has been acting since she was a child, and did a drama degree in the Atrium University, graduating in 2015. She has been in numerous music videos, such as the Manic street Preachers ‘Show me the Wonder’ and The Dirty Youth’s ‘Atomic’, along with many short films for instance ‘The visitor’ where she played ‘Harriett’ the dead girlfriend, a film which was a semi finalist in Highway 61 Film festival. She does a wide variety of acting work, doing voiceover work for companies in Britain and America, she also appeared recently as ‘Chica’, and ‘the actress playing Chica’ on ITV in a live experience of the game Five Nights at Freddy’s.

Jes will be playing Frank Gibbons, the Comic Book Guru! Jes' Bio: During his teens Jes acted in a number of productions in school and for a local theatre company then gave it up for 15 years. In 2001 he came back into the fold and hasn't looked back since. He has performed in dozens of stage productions for Newport Playgoer's Society (most recently as Touchstone in As You Like It), and Cardiff based Monstrous Productions (most Recently as Sam Vimes in Night Watch), as well as some student and independent films and music videos, and has won a number of awards for his performances. He also directs plays, with (the award winning) Trainspotting, Fawlty Towers and most recently The Graduate amongst them. He is currently Assistant Director on The Titfield Thunderbolt which is being taken to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall, he is in Going Postal for Monstrous Productions and is also preparing to direct Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters for staging in November. In his real life he is a Software Developer, has a library of 1000's of Fantasy and Sci-Fiction books, cooks, writes music and looks after two cats. One day he will find time to do some housework.

Andrew will be playing Mal - Steph's Step Father. Andrew's Bio: At the age of 14, during a school play (a production of "The Crucible where he bumped into the set and almost demolished it), Andrew knew that he wanted to be an actor. He studied Theatre and Drama at The University of Glamorgan; The City Lit in London and also trained under Peter Woolridge and Chris Durnall at The Workshop in Cardiff. On stage, Andrew's appearances include Pozzo in "Waiting For Godot" (for POW Theatre Co; Cheswick in "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest"; Fritz Kortner in "The Winter Gift" (both for Rogue'z Theatre Company) and Mr Potter in "Room 5064" Television includes Lynda La Plante's "Trial and Retribution". When he's not actoring, he can often around Cardiff wearing Tom Baker's scarf and attempting to show anyone who is interested the locations used in Doctor Who. He actually gets paid money for this!