Hi Martin and thanks for taking the time to do the interview
for Jonny’s Cult Films, Could you tell our readers a little bit about This
Glorious Monster?
Martin - This Glorious Monster is made up of myself (Martin Collins),
Alex Finch, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill and Adam Loxley. Alex and I write, then
myself, Dan and Adam all come together on-screen to make up TGM. We do live
stuff but love making things such as Potwash Pete with our regular Director and
collaborator, Stephen Pipe. Our idea has always been to create a diverse
universe of oddball characters based very much in the real world. These are the
people you’d really meet and then want to tell your friends about down the pub.
Jonny - Be great to meet you guys down the pub but not sure I'd have a pint of what Pete drinks!
The big beard of Daniel Hoffman-Gill fits the character of
Potwash Pete perfectly and it’s a great beard! During the running time Gary
also grows a beard, Was this make up or did you delay filming in order for the
stubble to catch up with Daniels?
Martin - Ah yes. Dan has been growing that epic face-furniture for a
while now. He and his beard are about to be playing some great characters in
the likes of Doctor Who and the next Alice in Wonderland film. It was perfect
for the character of Pete as well. Also, if we’d asked him to shave, he would
have killed us.
We shot Potwash Pete in reverse order so Adam’s scenes with
him fully bearded were done first and then he’d take a bit off each time to
show the progression of him becoming more gnarled and messy, just like his new
mentor, Pete.
Jonny - Shot in reverse? Brilliant idea, But then again death threats over shaving for the sake of your art I think I would have done it that way.
POTWASH PETE.
Daniel says the word “Duck” in Potwash Pete, Where are you
guys from? Coming from Nottingham myself it does sound like a very midlands
accent, Me Duck.
Martin -YES! Dan and I are both NOTTS! NG3 in fact. We actually met
in London through a director mate who said we’d get along. Apparently Dan
thought I was a bit of a plonker at first. But I know he’s joking, Right?
Right? Oh..
Jonny - No duck, He obviously doesn't get us northerners!
My first experience of The Glorious Monster was the
fantastic Potwash Pete, It reminded me a lot in tone to great British TV/Films
such as The League of Gentlemen and even the dark humour of Ben Wheatleys
Sightseers, Would you say that these influenced you guys at all?
Martin - We are massive fans of both those. We always get a lot of
comparisons to League. Three guys doing all the roles, dark humour etc. People
of course like to put you in a box which is fair enough. I’d say the major
difference between ourselves and League is that our stuff isn’t as influenced
by horror. We try to make it about real events that could actually happen. The
driving instructor sketch for example is based on a true story. The HR ladies
are a type that we’re all very familiar with. We’re now trying to explore a
little more pathos and heart, as we hope Potwash Pete demonstrates. We want
people to ultimately fall a little in love with our characters if we can.
Jonny - Great point, It still has its dark/sad undertones and anyone who works can understand the HR sketch, We used to call ours "The Grim Reaper" because when she appeared someone was in trouble! Glad I didn't book any driving lessons with him!
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
You play Carol in Potwash Pete whose idea was it for you to
be the one to dress as a woman or is it something you always wanted to do? (Ha,
sorry!!)
Martin - I really hate dressing up as a lady! Really I do. So much
faff! Lipstick is so sticky! Tights are a nightmare on your leg hairs and bra’s
are the devils work. It’s also disturbing when friends tell you “I probably
would”.
Jonny - Actually, Now you mention it, Carol was kind of.......Next question!
I did love the soundtrack to Potwash Pete, It reminded me immediately
of Yann Tiersen who did the brilliant Amalie soundtrack, who did the soundtrack
to Potwash Pete?
Martin - Our music was and usually is done by Pete Weitz along with
TGM writer Alex Finch. They are both musical whizz kids and they did a cracking
job. Amelie was a big reference. We wanted the place to have some romance about
it even though we are taking the audience in to a dingy potwash room. The story
is all about love, ambition and the art of the potwash after all.
I read that you have a series optioned with Hat Trick
productions, Congratulations!! Could you tell us a little more about it?
Martin -Well that’s a bit of a “we did have”. We were up for a BBC2
pilot last year. Hatrick were incredible and developed the show so much with us
but, at the moment, that hasn’t gone any further. But these things are always
on going. We’re now chatting to lots of people about TGM and other projects. We
are piloting a little series about First Aiders with Radio Four at the moment,
so who knows! We’ll just keep making things.
Jonny - Well I personally see it as there loss, But great you have the Radio Four first Aiders. I do love Radio Four, Always download the podcasts for comedy of the week.
Apart from the series what future plans do This Glorious
Monster have, Are you doing any live gigs soon?
We have lots of things bubbling at the moment. A few more
short films, lots of new sketches and pilot scripts .We do lots live, and run
our own night at The Comedy Pub in Leicester Square called Something Monstrous.
We love having a huge list of things we want to do so watch this space. (Hate
people who say watch this space).
Thanks Martin!
Follow The Glorious Monster on Facebook and check out all the hilarious videos on YouTube.
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