January 2011

Update: 26/1/11

Philip Paul Matejtschuk

Have changed the script to include an ending in which Rosie tells Luke that she has cheated, but then discovers that she didn’t – we decided that this adds an extra element, makes the ending of the first episode more dramatic, and ultimately gives the serial in future episodes more potential for drama.
Begun search for cast: all 20-30 year olds:

1 male to play Luke; must sound professional
1 female to play Rosie; gentle, but assertive
1 female to play Rosie’s best friend, Amelia – needs to sound supportive and outgoing

Get audio clips of everyone considered

Sound effects to be recorded:

  • significant amount of computer whirring 
  • keyboard tapping
  • inside a car sounds
  • phone call – ringing, and general reverb
  • sound of voicemail woman (actual if possible)

Listen to food writer podcast – background research of food writing; make Rosie’s character more rounded.
Listen to similar plays – based on relationships; examine how characters are made compelling.

Our Radio Drama: Just A Phone Call Away

Philip Paul Matejtschuk

Welcome to the production blog for Just A Phone Call Away

Producer/writer: Philip Matejtschuk
Director: Mike Trueman
Broadcast Assistant: Tom Payne
Research Assistant/Casting Manager: Natasha Cornwell

Just A Phone Call Away is a series of 15 minute episodes, which together make up a radio drama about a professional couple, Luke and Rosie, a food blogger and a lawyer respectively, who face trouble in their relationship when Luke is called away to work in London. Facing huge amounts of time apart, the drama is told through the only means of communication they now have; through phone-calls, e-mails, and letters. As the time apart takes its toll, Rosie’s blogging becomes more and more digressive, and she tells Luke of her desire to just move away to a stress-free life.

While emotions and longing are still high, Luke mysteriously cancels two meet-up dates in a row, and Rosie begins to doubt his loyalty and fidelity. When he fails to respond to her in any way after frantic calls and e-mails, Rosie gives up on him, and goes out for the evening with a friend to drown her sorrows.
The next morning, she awakes besides a man she’s never seen before, and calls her friend to find out just what happened. In the process of doing so,  she finds a voicemail from Luke, who explains that his lack of response was his viewing of an idyllic cottage in the country for them both to live in; he has put down a deposit, and wants to whisk her away. She calls him honestly to explain what she has done; he’s devastated and needs to think. The first episode ends with Rosie phoning her friend, who explains that it was just her brother staying at Rosie’s place, and that she hadn’t cheated at all…