Production Blog: 19/01/2019

Only a small update but an update nonetheless. Episode 2 is progressing quite well indeed, with about 90% of the filming completed. I have just one last scene to shoot, but I won't have the time to do this until the start of February; this also allows me time to complete a few essential parts for the location to be used.

The title will be revealed once this final scene has been shot and the final edit is underway; a rough edit currently exists setting out the already-captured footage. I'm hoping that if all is completed to my schedule, the episode will launch at the start of March.

I'm not giving too much away about this episode either. If you've been following me on Twitter you may have seen the odd Behind The Scenes still, plus a preview clip on YouTube, but none of these reveal what the story is about. Even the pictures here have been carefully selected - I'm hoping this will mean people will be drawn in by the story more, not knowing too much about it in advance resulting in more enjoyment drawn from the first viewing.

One thing I will say is watch out for references to projects past and future - it's nice to acknowledge my roots sometimes because, without my past work, I would't be where I am today (not that I'm anything "big" really, but certainly better quality control than I used to be...)

That's all for now. Until next time.

TRI

Reflection Time

 So, there we have it - "Feeling Sheepish" has been released to the world and seems to have gone down well. And that's good! Believe me - I kept wondering whether it would be well received, whether I still had it, and even if anyone would care. But there have been some very nice things said in the comments which has made it all worthwhile.

There was a lot going on for this project. Visually, the sets were much improved, and I hope to continue this with future episodes. They'll never be perfect as space at home is limited, but I will make good where I can. The story was properly written and re-written too, with several draft versions before we reached the script for the final cut (which was actually tweaked during the recording session, led my Michael Evans of ThomasFan8 fame.) I had originally intended Thomas and Duck's roles to be reversed, but I was quite drawn to the idea of Duck getting into a scrape for a change.

Overview of the Market Station set.
The bin and boxes would be used to prop
up the sky backdrops.

Now, this episode's existence can almost be accredited to one thing. Some months back, MKTheInstrumentalist released an edit of Duck's theme without the iconic lead. There was something about this piece that instantly captured my imagination - I couldn't help picturing Duck on a journey somewhere after a scene with another engine, and that got my mind thinking; who, what, where, when and why? The segment of Thomas and Duck heading to their respective jobs had originally been edited to that piece of music, but ultimately I decided I would try something risky - commissioning an original score.

As is no doubt well-known by now, the fabulous Mavis M composed the score for this episode, and it was a delight to be able to secure their talent to bring this new era to life. I'm keen to work with them again in future, and I'm sure there'll be some interesting compositions for the episodes to come. I'm sure everyone can agree that what Mavis produced is sublime, and the full score can be heard on their YouTube and Soundcloud channels.

So, now lets look to the future.

Episode ideas are slowly forming and being written. I'm working to an 'as long as needed' basis for runtime; writing for a short duration is quite a challenge (a good challenge, as Feeling Sheepish shows) but I don't want my stories to feel rushed or have crucial elements cut. They shall be as long as they need to be, whilst still being 'short' stories. This will also help TTMA become its own thing, rather than trying to entirely emulate the classic stories on which they draw inspiration.

Set up to record a Fat Controller close-up.

The episodes will still be divided up into 'series' of sorts (or is 'chapters' a better word?) Series 1 is very much for testing the water, and centres around the branch lines and the engines that work on them. Series 2 will then expand slightly and moves on to re-introducing properly some of the original characters I created; kudos to those who spotted Benny the crane and Beth the brake van in the background during 'Feeling Sheepish.' As mentioned previously, many of the models of my own creations have been sold, but a select few remain; whilst not all will re-appear, I have another one or two in mind for a comeback. Beth and Benny will see roles too in some form.

Most of the stories will be written by myself, however I am delighted to say that some ideas have been put forward by ThomasFan8 and CombineHarvester01 (whom I both know personally in real life) and subsequently these are being developed too.

All in all, I have felt something that I haven't felt in a very long time - accomplishment! Things are looking good, and I shall be starting production work on Episode 2 very soon indeed.

The Farmer's Crossing set. Very basic, but did exactly what it needed to do.

Until next time, thanks for your support.

Production Blog: 19/06/2018

These won't be frequent, but I thought it would be nice to update you all on progress of the relaunch and future episodes through this blog. I've covered previously the characters and drive for this, so this will focus more on what has actually happened in the lead up to each release.

Previous stories were mostly filmed in a day, basically because my sets were so bare I could actually achieve this. However, as I hope you have witnessed, the new stories will utilise much better (in a loose sense of the word) sets. Filming for episode one spanned about four days; I was quite lucky that this episode reused a few throughout its course which meant I could film a lot in one go.

As such, filming has wrapped and editing is very near completion. The clips have been edited into order to the rough dubbing track (I shall be rerecording (for the fifth time?) the dubbing to make it stand out over the score better), and sound effects are in place. The score is now being composed and things are looking very good indeed. I may not make the proposed end-of-June release, but at least I will be happy with what comes out.

I have more ideas taking shape to form episodes that follow this one, so it shall definitely not be a one-off.

The Characters

On my recent Teaser video, some asked about my original characters, and whether or not they would be returning. Some may be aware that a year or so ago, I had a bit of a clearout of my OO stock, having started an O gauge collection too. I had to seriously look at what I had in OO, and whether it would be in line with my plans for future layouts.

A lot of my original characters used 'cheap' Hornby 0-4-0 models, or models in my care that belonged to my uncle. At the time, I had no plans to reboot the series, and this lead to a lot of these models being sold off. As it happens, looking at it now, many of the characters never really had any defining features to them - many were introduced because when I started, I was lacking in a lot of character models from Hornby (and later Bachmann)'s Thomas range, and they were simply to 'boost the numbers' so there was at least some variety in who was on screen.

Not all of the models were sold - some were retained for sentimental value. But I think it is fair to say that not all of these will re-appear in the series. However, I do have a few old faces appearing in the reboot. I shan't reveal who these are yet, as I am still working these out and defining their personalities, but there will be some. There will be teasers, so keep an eye out.

Episode 1 is nearing completion, and I'm hoping to have some big news in relation to its production soon. No set release date yet, but if all goes well, it may be launched at the end of June. To separate the new stories from my old content, TTMA will move over to a new dedicated channel - so be sure to subscribe and watch there for episodes, deleted scenes and possibly more in the future.

The Return

So, as teased in my previous post / on my YouTube channel, my model series "Thomas The Model Adventures" is being rebooted this Summer.

For those who may be unaware, TTMA was my own Thomas-based web series, which also introduced a lot of own-creation characters; the sole reason for this was because, at the time, I didn't have most of the core Thomas characters and was keen to flood the stories with as many faces as possible.

The earliest episodes were filmed on a bedroom floor, with a pretty low-quality camera and next to no actual substance whatsoever - but what did I care? It was fun, I was young and had no real idea of what I was doing, I simply enjoyed it. I wasn't in the fortunate position to have stocks of buildings, stock, track etc. but I was content with simply creating adventures, with the visuals merely being second to that.

 Fast forward a few years and things hadn't really changed all that much. Sure, I had moved off of the bedroom floor and started building 'sets' rather than utilising a loop of track with sidings, but the stories were still lacking and the overall look wasn't much better. I had always wanted to make a film out of my series (mostly inspired by other series doing same, such as Thomas The Model Series (sound similar?)), and "When The Engines Split" was just that. But at release, the film used a script that was several years old, and full of countless plotholes and loose ends. It was around this time I was starting to look at my work more seriously, and wanted to produce work that I could genuinely be proud of. I had stopped enjoying my work and wanted to change that.

'Series 5' was meant to be that reboot, with better stories and sets planned, but ultimately it ended after 3 episodes. Life got in the way, time ran away from me, and I went through a patch of rough mental health that drained me of all enthusiasm. Quite frankly, I wanted rid of it all.

Some may be aware that I dabbled with animation for a little while, with 'Stick in the Mud' being completed during my time at college. I had (and still have) every intention of completing the other stories from 'Very Old Engines', along with some original ideas, but stop-motion takes a long time and requires sets to be left for a long time. Presently, I do not have the space to do this, and so these are more projects falling by the wayside.

So why suddenly relaunch a series I wanted rid of?

Because I found myself being inspired.

For the first time in years, I have ideas for decent stories, which I have sat down and structured and planned. With the TV series looking like it is heading for a drastic fall, it is the perfect time to jump back into the fray and produce the sort of stories that I would have liked to see the show tell. Seeing other content creators produce some excellent stories also made me miss my hobby.

It still won't be perfect, but I'm happy with that. I hope you will all enjoy the stories that are to come. There won't be regular releases, as time is still not on my side, but things won't be quite so rushed.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

The Teaser

I return to YouTube Summer 2018...

The Polls (Part 2): Which Secondary Characters Would You Like To See LESS Of?

I must apologise to all for taking so long to getting this posts done. Home life has not been a barrel of laughs lately, with all manner of things happening. I shall hopefully be able to catch up on these reviews this week.

The second of my polls; I must say I wasn't sure who would top this one. The results were:

• Charlie - 554
• Spencer - 62
• Rocky - 57
• Duck - 47
• Cranky - 43
• Hiro - 27
• Bill and Ben - 26
• Stephen - 24
• Caitlin - 19
• Kevin - 16
• Victor - 15
• Salty - 13
• Oliver and Toad - 11
• Connor, Porter, and Millie - 10

Some surprises in there, some not so much.

1. Charlie (554 votes)

I had suspicions that Charlie would bag the top spot. I wasn't certain, as there are numerous other characters that people share a loathing for. However, the shear number of votes that he received during this poll happily puts to bed any doubts about my reservations.

Following his introduction, Charlie was perhaps the most hated character ever to be introduced to the TV series. This shared hatred, I feel, brought the community together for a short while.

His odd choice of colour scheme, his poor jokes - being introduced when he was made us all feel the series had no hope left whatsoever.

Since the show has moved on and improved ten fold in the last two years, Charlie has subdued a little. However, he really doesn't do anything that any other characters do; or at least, nothing that more refined other characters do.

He's a joker, but so are Bill and Ben (though the latter two are more tricksters I suppose.) 

He's a shunter, but so are Stanley, Stafford, Rosie...........

He's a jolly, upbeat soul, but so is almost every other character in the series at the moment.

To me, Charlie is just another face. He serves no purpose as an individual. He was merely introduced as a gimmick, and has stuck around since then. Perhaps it would be best  if he were given better jokes? Or just returned to the mainland...

2. Spencer (62 Votes)

Perhaps Spencer was in the wrong category; he was part of the CGI switchover (and has been with us ever since) and each series, you are almost guaranteed an episode starring him.

Evidently not despised as much as Charlie, to take second place does still indicate that he's boring us.

For an engine who resides on the mainland as a private locomotive, he certainly spends a lot of time on Sodor. And this is the problem.

Not just with Spencer, but ALL the mainlanders. They seem to spend less time there than on Sodor, contradicting their designation of "mainland engines." In a similar vein to that of Thomas in the previous poll, we see too much of them to fully appreciate them and their appearances.

If Spencer went to the mainland and vanished for a while, we'd more likely enjoy his first episode back much more than any other episode. It would also allow time for some personality refinement; every episode is still very much "pompous old Spencer brags and gets his comeuppance." It would be nice to see him grow as a character a small amount in some way. Perhaps he could tone down his boastfulness, choosing not to brag. Then when he helps someone out or does something that is suited to solely himself, that can bring out bis egotistical side once more?

3. Rocky (57 Votes)

Ahh Rocky. The "replacement of the breakdown crane!"

Over the last few years, we've seen more and more characters be made from the everyday objects on Sodor. Such crazy heights we have reached, that we now even have a boilerhouse with a face.

Rocky is an odd one. I can't help feel that this may be the classic fanatics holding a grudge for his alleged displacement of the breakdown train. To me, he's no big deal - there are worse characters out there.

All I can think is that he suffers like Spencer - too much pointless screentime.

Rolling stock characters are awkward to write for. Whilst the trucks are troublesome and play a role in the everyday workings, and Annie and Clarabell are Thomas' faithful companions on the branch, Rocky can't do much else other than lift things.

He's not anybody's personal item of stock, he doesn't get collected and taken for joyrides. As a character, he doesn't, nor can, do much. He merely exists to give a fresh voice to the scenes that require him - nobody stops to have a conversation with Rocky during the day.

It's awkward, as without him, some of his rescue scenes would have awkward silences, or the narrator talking over. But at the same time, does he really contribute anything major on his own?

4. Duck (47 Votes)

Now we get to the controversial one.

After so many years of people begging for a return, why is Duck being requested to have less of?

I hark back to the originals. Duck, from the off, was popular. He made himself known to take no nonsense, but a hard worker above all else. He had his own way of doing things, which the others all accepted. Duck was not a constant on-screen presence. He cropped up for a few episodes, all spread out across the series, and then waited patiently for the next batch before returning to the limelight. This, to me, simulates the stories moving around the island. You visit each individual place which has its own set of characters, and return to favourites in their place again later on.

It is, perhaps, exactly this spacing out of his appearances, coupled with the fact he got maybe two or three lead roles, that made him such a popular character. I appreciate the current team bringing him back and including him to appease us.

At the same time, I don't want him to lose his appeal. Like Thomas, he has his own branch line. But also like Thomas, he seems to be everywhere. If he could be featured occasionally, and appear when necessary, I think people would be much more comfortable. (And perhaps less "Great Western Way" - it gets a bit repetitive.)

At the same time, people need to be much less picky - we have him back, which, above all else, is Great!

6. Cranky (43 Votes)

The first structure without wheels to don a personality perhaps?

Whenever we see the docks, you will inevitably get Cranky. But perhaps it would be nice to get some scenes away from the dock front?

I can't write much here, as I've never encountered much (or any!) negativity for this character, so seems a little odd him being voted to fifth place. Perhaps we just need less of the docks full stop and explore some of the other locations on the Island?

Other thoughts...

I would have thought Hiro would be higher up; he left at the end of Hero Of The Rails for the want to return to his homeland, and returned almost instantly. Did he not like it back home after all? He seems to be included in the background more these days, but could really benefit from some "away time" to make us miss him... or not.

Bill and Ben, I refer to Duck. They make great characters for a bit of true comic relief (unlike Charlie). If they do have so many appearances though, it will become increasingly hard to write fresh jokes, tricks etc for them.

I think with Stephen, people are still thinking about series 17, where he was a constant presence. Series 18, he appeared once (I believe?) I very much enjoyed seeing him in "Marion and the Dinosaur", and this is a perfect example of what I refer to previously; having been off-screen for a while, I really enjoyed the time he spent on screen, however short it may have been.

That's all for this one - next up, it's the supporting characters.