Quite nervous really. This is very far out of my comfort zone. I'll start with a cast-list, move onto how it happened, then Christmas messages.
Storyteller - Matthew Shearer / goldwoodthomas
Gordon/TFC - Daniel / tardisrescue
Edward - Lewis / train4755
Henry - Matt / caledonian812
James - Louie / diesalfan50
Gordon's Driver/Vicar - Ben / skarloeythegreat
Workman - George / sodorsnwrsteam
Station Master - Barry www.youtube/user/theirishthomas
Youth - Curtis (godsend!) / lowequalityproducts
Basically, this story started out when I was informed that the model railway at Butterley had been burnt down. Now, Butterley has always been 'my' railway and the opportunity to get some of that feeling into a story was too good to miss. I'm not a person who generally enjoys the darker stories - seriously, puns are more my forte - but this seemed a nice idea. So, opened up Word, wrote a story draft. It was terrible. Half was about the Vicar, half was about the sheds. It was not being more than the sum of it's parts, which a bit of development sorted out. For a while, actually, there was to be a Railway Club at Vicarstown to be burnt down too, but there is a limit to how far I thought we could go.
So, a bit of drafting, a bit of tweaking to the cast, then I realised that I wanted to be Gordon. He goes through a lot, I needed his lines to be right, but quick so editing could begin relatively quickly. That meant I couldn't play Edward, so with a heavy heart, I handed him off to Lewbear - and he did very well. Hope he gets cast in more stuff really :P
Afew casting complications later - one a day or two before Christmas! - and it was all set on Christmas Eve to render, and after tweaks, rendered out at about 2 on Christmas Morn'. Some would say this special isn't very Christmassy. I'd agree, but it doesn't need to be! This is a Winter story, that I happened to release at Christmas. Could have worked at any time of the year really.
I'd like to thank a few people, starting off with Caleb. Just a genuinely nice, friendly and talented person. Quite frankly, he's underrated, and given the followers he has, that's saying something.
Next, we'll go to George and Matt P - so many Matt's in this fandom - for being themselves. Something really nice about their enthusiasm and hope for what they can do. It's very encouraging really.
Then to the Skype Chat ("EH") and you're all insane. Wouldn't have thought of even giving it a go though, if I didn't have your support. Filling roles without question, and handing in some brilliant lines, it was well worth it - and Ty? Next time. Next time you're playing someone damnit!
To Matt Cooper, for being your witty, intelligent self, for pointing out where I've cocked up, for filling in Henry at short notice, for letting me talk at you, then quietly explain that I'm just wrong :P My videos would be poorer without your help.
And to all my KZfaq friends who I should really talk to more often, that's Rob and TheBlueE2 and EdwardGordonandHenry and Louie and more other people than I could mention. Send me a message at some point eh?
So, next time we'll go for something simpler. Branch line, with Thomas or something. That'd be nice really :)
And on that note, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Daniel