BBC Doctors.

In February 2024, three episodes of Doctors that I directed went out on BBC One in the UK (ep 175/176/177). It's a much-loved, now cancelled, daytime medical tv show that regularly pulls in audiences of over 1 million people. It's also kind of crazy to shoot, as directors have just three weeks of prep to shoot 90 minutes of visual materials in 7 days... that's about 80-85 scenes, averaging 12 scenes a day, but sometimes up to 20 scenes a day, depending on the scheduling. In the three weeks, you must wrap your head around tens of episodes of serial storylines (past and future), one (for me) sensitive and emotive guest story per episode, cast around 10+ guest actors, select and reccie your locations, brief all HODs and liaise with producers on script amends and depiction of medical elements. AND plan all your scenes. I shot 2 blocks of 3 episodes of Doctors in 2023, and it was a huge test of creativity, organisation and leadership skills.

Most of the work of the show is crafting intimate scenes of dialogue between 2,3,4 and sometimes 5 players. Every scene starts with a line-read, then a block, then a crew show. Actors are released and we plan the camera setups, moves and lighting, before inviting them back on set. Most scenes must be completed in 30-45 minutes and so, imagine, getting all that done AND shooting the scene, and thinking ahead to the next setups, any unit moves, stunts or physical acting...

For a director, it's really challenging to do any complex blocking, camera moves or sequences, likewise to establish a strong sense of place. Mainly rooms. Directors of photography aren't part of prep, so you're kind of on your own with planning scenes. So what does that leave you with, in the moment, when all you thought you'd do is changing because of the weather, available space in a room, or script changes? For me: a keen sense of gratitude to the camera team and for all the work I've done in documentaries and in producing/directing independent films, which means I still had tricks up my sleeve to adapt my original ideas in the moment and the good sense to listen to other people’s ideas too. Plus I love art and photography... so I’m always open to whatever colour, light, geometry, composition, reflections and meaning can be gleaned within a particular place and staging of action.

The most rewarding and fulfilling aspect of shooting all 6x30min episodes of Doctors for me was working with the cast, both regulars and guest actors. My aim was to create a working environment on set where they could feel seen, heard and safe to offer ideas – to bring themselves to the performance and work with me as their first, best audience. It demands a lot of us and is a leap of trust, so I made sure to reach out to every guest actor ahead of time to talk through their role, hear their thoughts, answer questions, prepare them for the breakneck speed of production and start the crucial process of building trust. It worked!

All of the guest actors I worked with reported having a positive experience, of course thanks to the producers and crew, who were respectful and welcoming, but also in terms of the material and content of the text and the work we did together to bring it to life. I’m really happy to have received messages and cards saying a special thank you. That’s 100% the most fulfilling part of directing for me – I love the creativity of actors, the risks they take, the vulnerability of exposing your imagination and ideas to scrutiny, in front of a room of 20+ people – of depicting complex and important human experiences while hitting your mark, getting your lines right, finding your light, not stealing anyone else’s and so much more.