New Tricks

Helen James Productions has filmed the DVD bonus features for series six and seven of  the ever popular TV crime drama New Tricks produced by Wall to Wall Television for the BBC. 

What becomes clear from meeting the all star cast of Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam is how well they all get on together as part of UCOS – a fictional team in the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad. Director Julian Simpson told us how he is happy to let his accomplished actors add their own interpretation to the dialogue, and Producer Keith Thompson is impressed with the facilities at Pinewood Studios where one episode of the sixth series was being filmed.  

Our bonus material focused on the expertise of sound production - how the actors re-voice some parts, and how Foley artists skilfully and precisely re-enact key sound moments for the actors using particular props so the viewers hear, for example, every footstep or action - however small.   We also met the father and son team who compose the  music for New Tricks, namely Brian Bennett (drummer from The Shadows) and his son Warren.

For series seven, our UCOS heroes were tracking an arsonist and HJP filmed the special effects. A house was set on fire and Jack, Gerry and Brian were trapped upstairs only to be rescued by Sandra and the fire brigade.  

The show when broadcast regularly draws a UK audience of more than 7.5million.  It’s no surprise therefore to hear that they are now filming series 8. The programmes are popular across the world with broadcasters in 16 other countries from the United States to Australia showing episodes.

Keith Thompson: Producer, New Tricks: Wall to Wall

“Helen produced the DVD 'extras' for series six and seven of New Tricks, I was immensely impressed with her professionalism and the constant flow of creative ideas...and what's more she's a real charmer!!”