The Trotters flat layout, so this subject has long been discussed ever since I drew a layout 10 years ago – see Nelson Mandela House Layout
I know a lot of you are interested in costumes and props so you may find this interesting
We recently made contact with an art director from the late 80s shows, Alison gave us a fantastic black and white never before seen picture of the Trotter flat that she would have used for continuity purposes, and also an original show used painting right off of Del Boys wall – one he had above the door.
I asked Alison what was the process for dressing the flat and how the props were handled.
The first setting crew put up the scenery and ceilings from studio grid plans, drawn by the design team and large furniture, sofas, carpets etc.
Next there were Chippies and Painters to do repairs and touch ups to designs instruction.
Then another crew came in: They were the Dressing Crew and were scheduled through the Supervisors office.
All items in a “Series” set, either from BBC Premises Small-Props Store, (eg. the seahorses painting you have) or the smaller items hired in were stored for the week between recordings in studio, in “Cages”. Big items such as chairs, sofas etc went on open, flat, two sided trailers to store. These were parked up in the ground floor of Design Building and locked. They were towed to studio by a sort of small fork lift style truck.
This crew was often in late night. Night setting started by removing (Striking out) the previous days recording set.
Strike-out started at 10.00pm.( except for over-runs). When Tec (cameras) were away; there might be a floor wash to remove any painted floor, then a light rig, then the dry floor re-painted if required.
Dressing crew then came in overnight or very early am. They may not have seen the set before (a Designer might not be there yet), so they needed the Reset/ Dressing photos (that you now have) to put series items out, for the Design crew to finish arranging when they got in.
So with 8 studios running 365 days it was a very complex logistic operation.
Regards, Alison
Amazing insight. I do love these behind the scenes details.