Fake teeth and fringes, meeting Meryl Streep... What's going on in Topsy and Tim series 3?
Hatcham Primary’s very own Topsy and Tim Odell are back with a brand new series on CBeebies starting from 16th September 2015 at 5pm.
The twins have really spread their wings since we last saw them, so we caught up with Topsy and Tim Series Producer Fiona and Script Producer Catherine to find out what’s in store this time around…
Can you briefly introduce yourself and explain your job on Topsy and Tim?
Catherine: Hi, I’m Catherine Williams and I’m the Script Producer of this series of Topsy and Tim, as well as being the writer of two episodes.
As Script Producer, I’m involved in generating stories and episodes right from the start of the process – thinking about the sort of things that might happen to Topsy and Tim and how we might stagger those adventures over the 10 episodes. We have to try to keep the twins’ adventures as fresh and exciting as possible but make sure that the children watching have enough time to properly empathise with the central characters and fully understand what's going on.
As Script Producer, I have to keep an eye on how each individual 15 minute episode is developing as it’s being written, and how the series feels as a whole. It’s important to make sure that the characters remain true to themselves in all the different episodes and – although it might sound a bit crazy – also to think about where characters are even when they aren’t on screen.
Fiona: I’m Fiona Robinson and I’m the Series Producer of Topsy and Tim. Along with our Production Manager, I look after the day to day workings of the Topsy and Tim production team. I’m responsible for the production as a whole and see the process through from first ideas to final programme delivery. My main goal is to bring all areas of production together to create the best programme we can for our budget.
My job is really varied, which is great! One day I can be reading scripts or making suggestions on how to improve the cut of an episode, and the next I might be on a shoot making sure that we tell our story responsibly; as Topsy and Tim is for children, we have to be careful not to inadvertently portray scenes in a way which would be unsafe if they were copied in real life. Other days, I can be recording voice over with the cast, overseeing a photo shoot, approving a costume (would Topsy wear this?), or writing a blog!
We understand that things have moved on a bit in Westview Avenue – what are Topsy and Tim up to as Series 3 begins?
Catherine: Topsy and Tim are now aged 6 and are settled in Year One at school. Their teacher is called Mr Morris and they have many old, familiar friends in their class - Stevie Dunton, Andy Anderson, Vinda and of course, their BFF Kerry. The twins still wave to Mr Rosen from the railway bridge on their way to school every morning. Tony Welch is still in contact with the twins even though he lives a bit further away and goes to a different school, and Josie Miller still lives across the road with her trusty bike!
At home, Topsy and Tim have separate bedrooms but still knock on the wall to communicate to each other at night-time.
These are the constants, but in series 3 there are lots of changes too…
Sounds intriguing! So what can people look forward to in the new series?
Catherine: In this series, we see Topsy and Tim being a lot more independent and outward-looking than they were in series 1 and 2 – our twins are growing up!
The twins are starting to do things separately from each other now too – they each have their own adventures, but they're always there for each other at the end of the day.
Also, they start to encounter some more difficult issues in this series: for instance, on a weekend camping trip, Topsy falls seriously ill. Later on, Tim realises that his eyesight is not as strong as it used to be and he has to have his eyes tested.
I can’t give too much away, but it’s worth mentioning that there's also a very big life-changing shock in store for Topsy and Tim. Watch this space!
Has it been a different experience filming the new series now that the cast and crew have already worked together?
Fiona: Filming the new series has been a pleasure. A family has been reunited – not just on screen but off screen too; the family of the cast and crew. It sounds such a cliché but everyone gets on so well. It’s hard work but fun.
We learnt a lot from shooting the previous series – it made shooting the new one very smooth. We know what works best and what doesn’t.
For series 3, we have filmed predominantly on location rather than in the confines of a studio. This is because Topsy and Tim are exploring the world outside of home and undergoing new experiences and interacting with new people. We were lucky; the weather was kind. We filmed some night shoots too - on a farm in the countryside, which was exciting for the young cast who stayed up quite late!
When we were recording in studio, there was still cause for excitement as Hugh Grant, Meryl Streep and Simon Helberg were filming in the studio next door. Jocelyn was star struck and thrilled to say hello to Simon before walking on set for her own scene.
The children in the cast are a bit older this time around too, has that made a difference?
Fiona: Now that the children involved are older, I was a bit worried that they might be more self-aware and self-conscious in their performances and that this would translate as very “acted” on screen, but they have blown me away! Their performances in the new series are phenomenal, especially when the scripted material is more challenging. There is lots of emotion in the stories, and they convey it brilliantly.
Jocelyn and Josh (Topsy and Tim) have also been able to handle longer scenes and have coped with learning more lines. Now that they are older, we have been able to film with them for longer each day and that really helped our schedule. Plus, Josh’s adult teeth have grown in, so there’s been no need for him to wear false teeth during filming!
The “star chart” became fairly redundant too. Previously the children received stars for learning their lines well or giving a particularly outstanding performance. Reaching 10 stars was rewarded with a small prize. Even Mossy the dog got stars! This series, the children needed no incentive. They knew their lines, arrived prepared and acted their socks off!
How have Josh and Jocelyn found life since Topsy and Tim first hit CBeebies – do they find themselves being recognised? How do they feel about being the country’s most famous twins?
Fiona: Since filming the last series, Josh and Jocelyn have been busy. They’ve enjoyed slipping back into normal life and being at school again with their friends. Jocelyn has also filmed Hetty Feather for CBBC and voiced characters on Bing Bunny and Sarah and Duck. Josh kept in touch with Tom who plays Tony Welch and his sister Natalya, who plays Josie Miller – they’re firm friends.
The Topsy and Tim TV series has been hugely successful and Jocelyn and Josh have a lot of fans. Josh is recognised more than Jocelyn because Jocelyn wears a fake fringe when she plays Topsy. She looks quite different without it, and has very long hair so she often goes unnoticed in real life. Saying that, they’ve both been recognised a lot during the filming of this series, as we’ve been out and about on location. They have signed a lot of autographs but their feet are very firmly on the ground!
We hear that there will be a few surprises and dramatic moments in this series… should we be preparing ourselves?
Catherine: Within the familiar warmth, fun and love of the Odell family, there are some bigger, more emotional and harder-hitting stories in this series – some of which may need supervised viewing for younger children. Mixed in with the laughter and cuddles we are used to with Topsy and Tim, there will be some sharp intakes of breath and, most likely, some tears too. Brace yourselves!
Lots of parents on our social media pages want to know, how does Joy stay so calm – what’s her parenting secret?
Catherine: I know some parents sometimes find it annoying to see Joy being such an exemplary, perfect mum, but I honestly think – as a parent myself – I've learnt from her. Personally, I try to channel Joy now when I’m at latter stages of bedtime routine after a long, tiring day... *Deep breath, thinks, ‘What would Joy do?’*
I think there's something to be said for using T&T for parenting training!
