Outcasts: The BBC's Hidden Gem

I'm sure it happens to us all.  You're flicking through the Radio Times or similar TV listings magazine, you see a new programme advertised and think, "Wow, I want to see that!"  And then the day comes, and you're either eating dinner, engrossed in Facebook or simply can't be bothered to pick up the remote.  And you clear your conscience by saying, "Ah well, it probably wasn't very good anyway."

I'd been intrigued by the listing for Outcasts, BBC2's new sci-fi drama, but I was feeling lazy that night and let the first episode slip by.  That was, until I received a telephone call at 10pm, immediately after the broadcast:

"Did you see Outcasts?  It's brilliant!  Has your dad seen it?  It's ******, ****** good!"

So I decided to catch up on iPlayer, and it turns out my nanny was right.  Episode one has an intriguing set-up: a group of humans on the extrasolar planet Carpathia are anxiously awaiting new arrivals from Earth.  It's a little slow to begin with, but you find yourself getting wrapped up in the lives of the characters, and there's a gripping sense of mounting tension as well as some very human, emotional moments.

The next three episodes live up to the high standard, with each installment having a unique feel which sets it apart as a stand-alone story in itself.  The cast - led by Liam Cunningham as President Tate and Hermione Norris as Stella Isen - are excellent, though Fleur (Amy Manson) and Tipper (Michael Legg) in particular really stand out for me.  Each character has been intricately crafted so that you really care about them, giving the thrilling (and occasionally chilling) plot even more impact.

After such a good start, I'm surprised that low viewing figures have forced Outcasts to be rescheduled to a later slot.  So much care, thought and hard work as gone into the series; if I'd been a member of the production team I would have been very disheartened to see my pride and joy pushed away into the late hours of the night.  Still, it won't stop the fans, who will continue their weekly visits to Carpathia until the very end.

How I Became a Film Maker

It all started one sunny spring afternoon, on a family trip to the woods to see the bluebells.  I must have been... five, six?  But there was something else on my mind, something much more fascinating than bluebells... my aunt had a camcorder.  I watched, transfixed, as she pressed the magical "Rec" button, capturing live footage of me and my family, and the scenery.  We were making our very own television programme - what could possibly be cooler than that?

Within weeks I'd already planned my first epic blockbuster, but the trouble was, camcorders were expensive back then.  It was many years before my mum purchased a second hand Sony video 8 camera, by which time most of my groundbreaking ideas had been forgotten.

Around this time, my friend Hamish had begun making short films of his own, which reignited my interest.  I began fiddling around with Windows Movie Maker, and made one of those excruciatingly amateur videos consisting of animated titles with Beethoven playing in the background.  Still, everyone has to start somewhere, right?

A few years down the road, and I've starred in two Doctor Who stories and put on squeaky voices in a series of thrilling adventures about cuddly toys.  They may not be blockbusters, but at least I'm getting somewhere...

Media and Mushrooms

Hold your breath.  This is it, the day you've all be waiting for... I've started a blog!!  Oh wait, you probably don't even have a clue who I am.

I'm Callum, a wannabe film maker and author; I've made a variety of short films and have a couple of novels in the works!  I'm studying media at college, and my spare time is a jumble of dog walking, horse riding and piano lessons.  My favourite meal is a pasta dish with mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, onions and grated cheese... oh, do you really need to know that?

Over the coming months, and maybe years, I'm going to talk about anything and everything which is interesting in the world.  And there are a lot more interesting things out there than you might think, often right under your nose.  (Or behind your left ear.)  But hopefully it won't just be me doing all the talking!  Feel free to comment with your thoughts and ideas.

But first... HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF MY PET CAT!  Just kidding.

This is my blog.  This is my Theory of Everything.