THE WATCHER and RANK: Two shoots in one night? We like to set the bar HIGH

Hi all

Not content with working on one TALES FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS production - oh no - we have to really raise the bar and shoot scenes from two productions in one night.  It seems no challenge is too great for this FANTASTIC TEAM. 

Troubles Behind Her:  Jeni Howarth Williams (LISA from RANK)

It was lovely to have JENI HOWARTH WILLIAMS rejoin us in shooting scenes for the new version of RANK that will be showing along with THE WATCHER on the 12th June at The Lowry.  RANK is of course a multi media stage play but sits very nicely alongside the film THE WATCHER as the action from both productions takes place on the same night...a night of serious disruption of the Paradise Heights estate - and indeed there will be some cross over between the two productions that audiences will hopefully be thrilled by as MAREK a taxi driver from RANK experiences a night he will never forget in THE WATCHER. 

Now check these FABULOUS PIX from the very talented BEN MOTTERSHEAD.

Chris Lane: Producer THE WATCHER

Is this THE WATCHER?

Ian Curley (Exec Producer & MAREK - THE WATCHER & RANK) Takes a minute between takes

Joe O'Byrne (Writer/Director RANK & THE WATCHER) Checks the script

Colin Warhurst (DOP) Chris Lane (Producer) and Joe setting up another shot with a car full of Menace

Mask of Malice

Is this THE WATCHER?

Setting another shot for THE WATCHER

A well known villain from PARADISE HEIGHTS makes a return in THE WATCHER



I've been involved in more than a few film sets now, and have done my fair share of directing in the past but I can honestly say this is the BEST TIME I have EVER had on a film production.  To be surrounded by so many talented, enthusiastic and lovely people is just a thrill for me and has really restoked my fire and brought me back to life. 

I and so many others are determined to take TALES FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS so much further across a range of media...the story from all the productions so far is just the beginning, there is so much more to come...

Joe xx

Watcher Shoots 3 & 4

Exhausting, knackering, tiring... but stunning, inspiring and exciting too. I love this job. - Col

Myself, Chris Lane, and a couple of guys up to no good...

The Watcher?

Halloween Winds, HGV's and THE WATCHER: Night 2

Joe O'Byrne: Fired Up Again

Night 2 of THE WATCHER shoot and again some fantastic stuff canned despite the efforts of the wind and HGV traffic.  It was that cold last night it actuallyFELT like Halloween.  Another short update but I'll write up alonger one for the end of the week - in the meantime check out all these pics (including the one above) by Gareth 'Eagle Eye Evil Eye' Hacking - beautiful shots and more of Gareth's work can be seen here http://www.garethhacking.co.uk/  

Mask of Menace

Directing the action with Ian Curley (MAREK)

Behind The Mask

Colin Warhurst (DOP) Lines up another stunning shot

Setting The Shot

Make me up before you go go. EMMA WILLCOX make up girl

Haunted (David Edward Robertson as DANNY)

Keep watching for THE WATCHER...Joe x

THE WATCHER hits the ground running! AWESOME first nights shoot

Hi All

Last night has to be the most enjoyable night I have EVER had on a film set.  First nights shoots are normally notorious for being slow, tense, fiddly and peppered with a few mistakes...NOT THIS SHOOT.  It was a privalidge to work with such a talented, dedicated and enthusiastic cast and crew - too many names to mention in a rushed bulletin but ALL HERO'S.  I can't say much more - 3 am finish but boy have we got two beautiful scenes to cut together - and quite a sizeable chunk of the script IN THE CAN - YES!  Mission accomplished...many challenges to come but I have a really GOOD feeling about this one...;) 

Here are a few stills to whet your appetites...Pictures by DAN WARHURST

Barrel Burner

Danny (DAVID EDWARD ROBERTSON)

Danny's 'Home'



Lost Man

Dark Deeds Afoot

Trouble Man

Hell's Hoodies



Me giving the fire some direction and motivation

Angels?  Of course, this is Paradise Heights

A very short update folks as I have to get ready for tonights shoot...another update tomorrow...leave us some comments guys n gals...Joe xx

Day 01 - Stills from Dan Warhurst

Wow! What a shoot last night! Some awesome cinematography thanks all round to the entire cast & crew. We wrapped at 3am! Still knackered and mid-prep for tonight's shoot! No time to stop, but here are some awesome moody stills taken by my bro on his flickr account. Please enjoy, favourite and share! - Col x

BASE CAMP BULLETIN...The Watcher: Set To Roll...

Sunday 24th April, 2011

Hi all

It's been a busy week up to tonight, the eve of the first nights filming on The Watcher. 

David Edward Robertson has been added to the cast as a homeless man with his own haunted past, and after a lovely evening on Thursday where I was auditioning several very talented young girls, 10 year old Hannah Green won the part of the young girl.  All the girls did so well in the auditions, it was a very difficult decision for me, but Hannah just had the right look and the talent to match in the end, thanks to all those that came along, you should all be very proud. 

I have completed all my storyboards for the film and given the script its final polish, I'm sure this will be a tale you will remember.   

Colin Warhurst has continued to produce some fabulous test shots for the film and indeed produced a stunning shot for the final film.  

Sarah Meadows and yours truly recording audio for the film, my forehead is available for advertising space, contact me for details

Barry Thompson - Wizard of Sound and Music, makes a good brew too



On Thursday evening several sound sections for the film were recorded at Barry Thompsons home/studio.  It was great to hook up with Jeni Howarth Williams, Ste Myott and Sarah Meadows, all lending their voices to a variety of characters.  When you get to hear these recordings you will hear more clues to the past of Paradise Heights and in particular to a couple of current and past characters in the series.  Barry has done an absolutely superb job in post on these recordings, more will be revealed when you see and indeed hear the film. 

Chris Lane has been something of a whirlwind drawing up a shooting script, organising the crew, acquiring desired props, setting up the schedule, call sheets, and coming up with some great marketing ideas. 

Dream Job:  Chris Lane - 'Producing' The Watcher



So pre-production complete, tomorrow is Day 1 of the shoot and I'm fired up and ready to rock - or should I say roll?  Keep an eye on the blog as I and possibly one or two more - will keep you posted with blogs, pics and documentary footage over the next couple of weeks...

Who is THE WATCHER...?  Find out on the 12th June...

Joe xx

HALLOWEEN HOODIES still required for THE WATCHER shoot...

Hi All

Another great production meeting today with COLIN WARHURST (DOP), CHRIS LANE (PRODUCER), IAN CURLEY (ACTOR) and joining us for the first time on this project BARRY THOMPSON, who will be taking on MUSIC and POST SOUND DESIGN. 

Working with Colin and Chris for the first time has proved a joy. Their excitement, enthusiasm and commitment to the project has been truly amazing.  Chris is already pulling the strings as a producer and Colin is well on with test shoots and edits.  Their track records (see previous post) more than speak for themselves and I am sure this will be the first of many collaborations - both within and outside TALES FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS, I know Colin and Chris have very exciting projects of their own on the way and I can't wait to get invloved. 

This isn't the first time BARRY THOMPSON has worked in the twisted world of PARADISE HEIGHTS.  Barry did the magnificent music and sound design for RANK - and it's elements of that theme that will be picked up and indeed built upon in THE WATCHER. 

HOODIED EXTRA'S STILL NEEDED

I'm still looking for around half a dozen gang members, hoodied, and wearing Halloween Masks in the film, this will be a night shoot and you'll probably be needed for a couple of nights between the dates of 24th April to 2nd May.

It's an exciting project to be involved in, you will of course be fed and watered and have travelling expenses reimbused. 

If you can help on any of the above please email me at joe.obyrne@ntlworld.com