Coffey Man Interviews: Lee Pressman

The next interview I had conducted with another Children's television writer, Lee Pressman. You can also see it on the Thomas the Tank Engine wikia exclusives category. In a meantime, I hope you all enjoy reading and learning about how Lee enjoys his career as the writer for children, as well as the creator of his own show, T-Bag (1985 - 94).

DISCLAIMER:
All opinions expressed in interviews belong solely to the people interviewed, and do not reflect the opinions of myself, Lee Pressman and HiT Entertainment.

Lee Pressman

•  How did you get into work as a children's television writer?

I used to watch a BBC kid's show called PLAY AWAY on the BBC that was on every Saturday afternoon. It was very funny, full of sketches and jokes and songs. I sent them some bits and pieces that I'd written and they liked one particular joke so much that they paid me the grand sum of £4 and put it into the next episode. After that I started to provide them with more and more material. Around about the same time I also sent some stories to the Thames TV show, RAINBOW, and I was soon writing for that show, too.

•  Since you have wrote one episode for Thomas & Friends in 2003, how did you get re-involved with the show?

Well I wrote that one single episode of THOMAS way back in the days when they were still using model trains for the animation. They obviously didn't like it (or me) and they never asked me to do any more! Years and years later, after I'd been working for HIT on FIREMAN SAM and several other of their shows, Andrew Brenner became the head writer and I was (finally) asked to do some more. I was a bit hesitant at first (after my first experience) but once I began again I loved it. In fact I've been working on some new stories today.

•  What is the best thing about writing episode stories for Thomas?

It's such a lovely idea and it's still going strong 70 years after the books were first written. The animation has been beautifully done and Andrew has brought a real warmth, some exciting drama, and a lovely sense of humour to the new episodes. I really love working on the show - it's timeless really.

•  I see you have worked with John Hasler, who recently become the new UK voice for Thomas the Tank Engine, how did it all began?

I first met John when he was about eight years old and for the next nine years he starred in my Thames TV series T.Bag (1985 - 1994). He was a charming young boy and a very talented actor. And now he is a charming man (and a still a wonderful actor!) I didn't even realise that he had been in FIREMAN SAM when I was writing it, and I was delighted to discover that he's the new voice of Thomas.

•  What other children's television shows do you work outside of Thomas as the writer?

I've just finished working on THE ANIMATED MR BEAN. I was the head writer on SHAUN THE SHEEP, RASTAMOUSE, and more recently Q POOTLE 5. Live action shows include MIKE & ANGELO, SPATZ, T.BAG and THE TOMORROW PEOPLE.

•  Are you familiar with Thomas before as a kid?

I don't remember reading it when I was a kid. But I was aware of it. And years later I actually met The Reverend Awdry at a book fair.

•  Do you have a favourite episode of Thomas & Friends?

There are so many to choose from! I was just watching one this morning (that Andrew wrote) that I liked very much called 'The Missing Christmas Decorations'.

•  Do you have a favourite character in Thomas & Friends?

I quite like stories featuring The Steamworks so I'm very fond of Victor and Kevin. And having just this week written a story about Sidney I'm getting to like him too. I like all of them really - they're a fun bunch.

Thank you for your time, Lee, and keep up the good work.

I'll try!

All the best,

Lee

Coffey Man Interviews: Davey Moore

Hello everybody! It had been a long while since I made the last blog post, but here I am - with an email interview I had conducted with Davey Moore, a children's television writer on his career, his time on Thomas & Friends and so much more.

DISCLAIMER:
All opinions expressed in interviews belong solely to the people interviewed, and do not reflect the opinions of myself, Davey Moore and HiT Entertainment.

Davey Moore

•  How did you start work on the Children's television media, as well as to becoming a writer?

A friend of a friend got me two weeks work experience at an independent children's television production company called Ragdoll. I had a very, very lucky break there when Anne Wood, the Creative Director of the company, offered me a job. I worked in their publishing department for two years. After that I worked at the BBC for a while and then I started working for myself. It took a few years to gradually work my way towards writing scripts. My TV scriptwriting break was on a show called Balamory. I've been working fairly steadily since then – although I only stopped writing books and comic strips a few years ago.

•  How did you get a position into writing episode stories for Thomas & Friends?

After gaining years of experience writing on other shows, I was invited to join the Thomas team for season 17 by the Lead Writer – Andrew Brenner. We had both worked on another show. I love working with Andrew. He knows the world of Thomas really well, he loves the style of the original books and he really "gets" the show. He has so much integrity.

•  You've added in some unique humour into your writing style for the episodes, how did it all work out?

Thank you, that's kind of you to say. I think a good season of Thomas should include different types of stories. I tend to do the more gentle or comedic episodes. In Thomas's world, there's plenty of opportunity for comical ego-deflating and for physical and visual humour. There are a lot strong and vivid characters and sometimes it's nice just to put two together and imagine how they might get along – or not!

•  What is the best thing about writing for Thomas?

From a very personal view point, each episode can be like a little character study – and I love that! From a professional point of view, the best thing about writing for Thomas is working with a team of people who know and love the world so well. And from a more general view, it's lovely to write for a show that is so much part of the cultural landscape – everyone recognises Thomas. And it's so British, yet it appeals to people all over the World. Which is lovely and makes me a little bit proud.

•  I have just found out that you were the writer of the online Thomas shorts called 'Thomas Around the World' for YouTube, how fun is writing the shorts so far?

I was nervous when I started as the episodes are very different – in presentation and in content – to Thomas & Friends. It took a while for us to establish the right tone. I think it works, though. I hope so! It will be interesting to see what you make of it. I hope people take it in the spirit it has been created – a fun opportunity to give a Thomas view of the World.

•  Are you familiar with Thomas as a kid, prior to your current job as the episode writer?

I certainly had some Thomas books when I was growing up. As for the TV show, I was about 12, I think, when it started. I didn't really know too much about the series until I started working on it in 2011 – so I had a lot of catching up to do. I'm glad to be working on the show with the current team. I think they all do a really good job.

•  Do you have any favourite Thomas stories, especially ones that you've worked on so far?

The other day, I had the privilege to watch a season nineteen episode by Lee Pressman. It's a brilliant episode! Very simple, so child relatable and very funny. I loved it!

Of my own episodes, Luke's New Friend is a favourite because it's the first episode I wrote and it seems to have been popular with parents. Apart from that, it's probably the one I am working on now!

•  Do you have a favourite character in Thomas?

I have favourites in different ways. Some I like because they are kind of irrepressible – like Toby. Others I like because they can be a little naughty – and that's fun to write. Others I like because they can be a bit pompous – and that can be funny. Let's say Toby. Who wouldn't want to be more like Toby?

•  What other children's television shows do you work on outside of Thomas?

Two shows I have loved working on are Rastamouse and a new series called Puffin Rock. Both are made with love and care by a dedicated team of wonderfully creative people.

•  Do you have some advice to give to those who are partially interested in writing their own stories?

I don't have a ready answer to this so today I am going to say: think about who you are writing for. If you are writing for a show – then try and pick up the tone of the show. If you are writing for a particular audience – then think about where they are in their lives and try to give them what they want and need. But if you are writing for yourself – then it must be fun, otherwise, what's the point? If you ask me again another day, though, I might have thought of a better answer. Or, at least, a more concise one!

I would like to thank Davey Moore for generously taking his time to answer the questions for the interview. More interviews will be coming in a near future! You can also check out Davey's wonderful website showcasing his works as the writer so far: http://www.daveymoore.com

Daniel