We're delighted to bring you a Coronation Street Blog exclusive as we take a peek behind the scenes into the making of Corrie's newest set - Trim up North.
Joining me here on the Blog for a special two-part interview with lots of exclusive, never before seen pictures, is Rosie Mullins-Hoyle who is the Production Designer, Head of Design at Coronation Street. Rosie has worked on Coronation St since 2005 in the Art Department and has worked as Production Designer of the show since 2013.
You can read part one of Rosie's interview here - in which she explains how a new Corrie set is created all the way from its name, through to design and inception and finally to how we see it on screen.
Here we go with part two of our exclusive interview! I hope you really enjoy reading this.
Me: Trim up North seems a very 'busy' set with lots of props inside, giving it an almost claustrophic look on screen, was that deliberate perhaps to highlight the tension between David and Nick?
Rosie: It is a busy and visual set. It was agreed early on that the set would have multiple use. For Nick it would have the bar area, the seating and chill-out and for David it would have the Barber's station. The brothers have a shared interest with the creation of this business but are very different in terms of personality and style. There are deliberate clashes of this on the set. They have both been extremely passionate about the business and have eventually compromised on a look that represents different aspects of them both.
Me: Vin Diesel the Weasel - what a great prop! Is there anything you can tell us about that please? Whose idea was it to bring in a stuffed animal - a weasel of all things - and why? And where did you buy it from?
Rosie: I love the weasel! It was an editorial request which I was informed of early on. It is actually a prop make and not a real weasel. It was felt this was the kindest way to introduce our new character! We appointed a brilliant prop maker Leigh Cranston who took on the challenge of creating our weasel.
It started with a sketch and references. There were particular requests to its pose and mouth position with teeth showing and that he would sit on a plinth and a log! We were then sent regular photo updates (see one below) on his creation before he arrived with us. He was carefully looked after by the design team until we dressed him onto set. We had a bit of fun with him at Christmas when he was made a Christmas hat to wear!
Me: Which of the other newer sets on Victoria Street have you been involved in designing?Rosie: I have been privileged to have been involved in the creation of many of Coronation Street sets and each one brings challenges and a lot of fun in design process. Off the top of my head some are listed below: Barbets set, Preston's Petals, Hotel & wedding venue, Prison set, Various Hospital & Medical centre, Police station - reception, cells, interview room, exterior build, New Victoria Street - Park, Various Buildings, Costa, Co op, Tram Station, Redbank Brothers, Tattoo'll Do Nicely, new ginnel, Weatherfield Snooker Hall, Various refurbs - previously rovers, rovers back room, bistro. Past sets - Carla's flat, Nick & Leanne's flat, Bistro Cellar.
There are quite a few new ones in the pipeline to watch out for onscreen over the coming months too... (me: Ooh!!)
Me: What's your favourite set on the whole Street that you've been involved in designing - past or present - and why?
There are so many I have loved to work on. I love the stunt and special effects sets. I was extremely proud of my work during the 50th episodes in the collapsing of the Bistro. And soon to air episodes bring more set devastation. It is always very difficult to create authentic looking carnage and chaos and is much easier making things look shiny and new!
But ultimately I am extremely proud of designing the extended Victoria Street and Weatherfield Police Station in 2018. It was the most challenging and all consuming of projects I have worked on but immensely rewarding. I created the first pencil drawings of the design back in 2014 before jumping onto the project full time in 2017 straight from Maternity Leave. Every detail was etched in my brain for the full build process and logistically it was very difficult. We had a huge team of various external trades, a large design & construction team and high spec technical and lighting requirements. The weather was typical Manchester cold and rain during the winter months and filming continued throughout the build.
Despite all of this I was able to see it rise to life over a very short eight month period was incredible. The team worked tirelessly and the talent displayed was astounding. Ultimately I am delighted buy the storytelling potential that the expansion of the Set has given the writers and how naturally it has bedded into the show. It just feels like it has always been there.
Me: And finally, do you think we'll ever get to see inside Claudia's new apartment? Now there's a set design I'd love to see!
Rosie: I would love to see this too. I am hoping that one day we do...
With thanks to Rosie Mullins-Hoyle and ITV for this wonderful interview. Missed part one of Rosie's interview? It's here!
Fancy writing a guest blog post for us? All details here!
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License
The old council building next to Victoria Gardens should become ‘Shuttleworth’s Funeral Director’s’ which would hopefully mean we see more of George Shuttleworth!
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