So!
The final stretch for Just A Phone Call Away – we’ve got the script finished, got the cast lined up; tonight is the big recording session!
We’re operating two studios for this evening; to capture both the standard mikes for voicemails/blogging and the stereo mike for Amelia and Rosie to have their chat in (see the script if you don’t follow!)
Fingers crossed that everything goes well!
Another big thank you to our actors; and let the editing process begin as of tomorrow!
The finished script can be seen here:
Preparing for Work In Progress board.
Working on turning the minute-by-minute plan (see below) into script; getting a sense of the pace and timing.
Have confirmed the actor to play Luke: Stephen Gillard.
Voice clip available from a film he took part in.
Still looking for a suitable female for the roles of both Rosie and Amelia.
Placing adverts on StarNow and the like.
Going into studio to try and record some of the easier SFX – typing on a keyboard, mobile phone etc.
Have recorded Marantz sound of in-car for Luke’s voicemail.
Happy with how things are going: script to be finished by the end of the week; to then be sent to Stephen.
Hope for cast confirmed by end of week also – then recording mid next week.
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:
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.
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…