My letter is much shorter;
Dear Ms Oates,
Bring my Kylie back, right now!!!
P.S And FFS kill Sean off!!
Sincerely, Star
Dear Ms Oates,
Bring my Kylie back, right now!!!
P.S And FFS kill Sean off!!
Sincerely, Star
An open letter to Kate Oates
5 of 6
Hi James J:
I would also like to talk more about your ideas and thoughts too, but as it's getting late now it would most likely be better to start afresh on another day. I look forward, hopefully with other posters, to having some interesting chats about where CS could really go in the future-Claremonts
I would also like to talk more about your ideas and thoughts too, but as it's getting late now it would most likely be better to start afresh on another day. I look forward, hopefully with other posters, to having some interesting chats about where CS could really go in the future-Claremonts
A bit late to the party here, but I liked about 90% of the ideas in this letter. I think essentially what you're saying is to bring back a lot of the elements that made the show loved and most enjoyed over the years. And obviously not a popular opinion here anymore (surprising given the raves Kate Oates used to get here) but I loved what she did with Emmerdale, I've never enjoyed any soap more than I have Emmerdale in the last year or two and I know others who feel the same. But in that line of thought, I don't think she needs much advice. I think she's smart and has done her research and will make a lot of positive changes at Coronation Street, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see many of the elements you mentioned come to fruition on some level.
Originally Posted by claremonts:
“Hi James J:
I would also like to talk more about your ideas and thoughts too, but as it's getting late now it would most likely be better to start afresh on another day. I look forward, hopefully with other posters, to having some interesting chats about where CS could really go in the future-Claremonts”
“Hi James J:
I would also like to talk more about your ideas and thoughts too, but as it's getting late now it would most likely be better to start afresh on another day. I look forward, hopefully with other posters, to having some interesting chats about where CS could really go in the future-Claremonts”
That's great claremonts, thank you
I'm excited to hear more from you and your ideas, what you said earlier in the thread was really interesting so I can't wait to hear more of your thoughts.
Originally Posted by SS_Summer:
“A bit late to the party here, but I liked about 90% of the ideas in this letter. I think essentially what you're saying is to bring back a lot of the elements that made the show loved and most enjoyed over the years.”
“A bit late to the party here, but I liked about 90% of the ideas in this letter. I think essentially what you're saying is to bring back a lot of the elements that made the show loved and most enjoyed over the years.”
Thanks a lot for your kind words! Definitely, this isn't so much about telling Kate Oates what to do (it was just a writing style for laying out my thoughts on how to make great Corrie in my personal opinion!)
Originally Posted by SS_Summer:
“And obviously not a popular opinion here anymore (surprising given the raves Kate Oates used to get here) but I loved what she did with Emmerdale, I've never enjoyed any soap more than I have Emmerdale in the last year or two and I know others who feel the same. But in that line of thought, I don't think she needs much advice. I think she's smart and has done her research and will make a lot of positive changes at Coronation Street, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see many of the elements you mentioned come to fruition on some level.”
“And obviously not a popular opinion here anymore (surprising given the raves Kate Oates used to get here) but I loved what she did with Emmerdale, I've never enjoyed any soap more than I have Emmerdale in the last year or two and I know others who feel the same. But in that line of thought, I don't think she needs much advice. I think she's smart and has done her research and will make a lot of positive changes at Coronation Street, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see many of the elements you mentioned come to fruition on some level.”
I agree in thinking she's a great producer and also agree on that basis she doesn't need that much advice. That's why this post wasn't advising her as such, just a writing style for laying out my thoughts. I am really optimistic and hopeful for her era on Corrie, just wanted to lay down my thoughts. I think KO is the sort who could possibly read a post like this and would not disregard the ideas immediately, so it'd be great if she clapped eyes on it and all of our ideas.
Also agree she'll have done her research. An article a few months back said she was reviewing archive footage to establish themes in old episodes of the show and I think she is very intuitive and will figure out how to add that stamp to the show in a modern age. I'm very hopeful.
Originally Posted by KornerKabin:
“This is a big one for me. Ironically, stories do interweave, but they are always lumped onto one family or group of characters. Stories are so strongly concentrated towards certain characters/families that it becomes very tiresome. The Platts, for instance, have had so much going on in the past 6 months such as Nick/Carla wedding, Callum's murder, Sarah's mental health issues, Bethany's bullying and Kylie's murder. All of these stories have intersected at the same time, while the rest of the cast languish in the sidelines. It's very imbalanced. Share the stories out among the cast more widely and then weave them together.
As well as leaving most of the cast out in the cold, the other problem with basing so many stories around one family/group of characters, is that viewers begin to question the credibility of the show. Much has been made this week on DS about how cheerfully Nick has leapt into his new business venture a couple of weeks after his brother's wife and his former lover was brutally stabbed to death.”
“This is a big one for me. Ironically, stories do interweave, but they are always lumped onto one family or group of characters. Stories are so strongly concentrated towards certain characters/families that it becomes very tiresome. The Platts, for instance, have had so much going on in the past 6 months such as Nick/Carla wedding, Callum's murder, Sarah's mental health issues, Bethany's bullying and Kylie's murder. All of these stories have intersected at the same time, while the rest of the cast languish in the sidelines. It's very imbalanced. Share the stories out among the cast more widely and then weave them together.
As well as leaving most of the cast out in the cold, the other problem with basing so many stories around one family/group of characters, is that viewers begin to question the credibility of the show. Much has been made this week on DS about how cheerfully Nick has leapt into his new business venture a couple of weeks after his brother's wife and his former lover was brutally stabbed to death.”
Agreed. While in soap it's always been the case people recover from things faster than in real life, it has been more pronounced in recent decades on the show.
The imbalance you mention is pronounced, and I really hope this improves and changes in the new tenure. It's less of an ensemble as it used to be and more tons of separate stories and character groups very loosely and lightly touching rather than a really holistic look at a community that interacts.
Originally Posted by KornerKabin:
“In terms of character interactions and community, I completely agree that the Rovers needs to be made the central meeting point in the show again, along with the corner shop and to a lesser extent the café.
Discussing ‘community’ makes me feel uncomfortable as I always envisage awkward storylines where the residents get involved a street party or a pantomime. They don’t need something OTT and outlandish, they just need to bring together characters from different backgrounds in places like the Rovers and corner shop. I sound like I’m obsessed with ‘looking back’ and in many ways I am, but Corrie always used to get characters and character interactions right, so why can’t they do that today with characters and dialogue relevant to viewers in 2016? One of the absolute staples of Corrie for the first 40 years of its life was the mixture of characters you’d get standing around the bar at the Rovers. Different characters would exchange views and opinions and be there to witness and discuss the drama or comedy when it happened. I can’t remember the last time we had a proper Rovers bar scene. The corner shop used to be used in a similar way, though interactions there were always much quicker and it was the main interchange of gossip and rumour. All we get today is scene after scene after scene that focuses on moving a plot from one point to the other.
I think a small scale ‘crisis’ would be just the thing that could bring the street together and kick start a new era of community-based interactions. I think your idea for a serious power cut or maybe even a flood could be just the thing. Right from the earliest days, Corrie has used disasters not only as a chance to have a bit of drama, but also as a means of bringing disparate characters together. They had all sorts in the 60s and 70s, from unexploded bombs and train crashes to gas leaks and warehouse fires. While the disaster itself provided the drama, the main focus of episodes was always the scenes of the residents pulling together (or in some cases not – Annie Walker got so fed up of being told what to do after the warehouse fire in 1975 that she stormed out of the evacuation centre and loudly proclaimed that she was going to: ‘do what I should’ve done hours ago, look after number 1!’) It was interactions like these that helped build individual characters and strengthen the popularity of the show.”
“In terms of character interactions and community, I completely agree that the Rovers needs to be made the central meeting point in the show again, along with the corner shop and to a lesser extent the café.
Discussing ‘community’ makes me feel uncomfortable as I always envisage awkward storylines where the residents get involved a street party or a pantomime. They don’t need something OTT and outlandish, they just need to bring together characters from different backgrounds in places like the Rovers and corner shop. I sound like I’m obsessed with ‘looking back’ and in many ways I am, but Corrie always used to get characters and character interactions right, so why can’t they do that today with characters and dialogue relevant to viewers in 2016? One of the absolute staples of Corrie for the first 40 years of its life was the mixture of characters you’d get standing around the bar at the Rovers. Different characters would exchange views and opinions and be there to witness and discuss the drama or comedy when it happened. I can’t remember the last time we had a proper Rovers bar scene. The corner shop used to be used in a similar way, though interactions there were always much quicker and it was the main interchange of gossip and rumour. All we get today is scene after scene after scene that focuses on moving a plot from one point to the other.
I think a small scale ‘crisis’ would be just the thing that could bring the street together and kick start a new era of community-based interactions. I think your idea for a serious power cut or maybe even a flood could be just the thing. Right from the earliest days, Corrie has used disasters not only as a chance to have a bit of drama, but also as a means of bringing disparate characters together. They had all sorts in the 60s and 70s, from unexploded bombs and train crashes to gas leaks and warehouse fires. While the disaster itself provided the drama, the main focus of episodes was always the scenes of the residents pulling together (or in some cases not – Annie Walker got so fed up of being told what to do after the warehouse fire in 1975 that she stormed out of the evacuation centre and loudly proclaimed that she was going to: ‘do what I should’ve done hours ago, look after number 1!’) It was interactions like these that helped build individual characters and strengthen the popularity of the show.”
Your examples of the old style events that brought the community together are brilliant. I loved the Annie Walker reference - so interesting and I wasn't alive then nor did I know of that so it's great knowledge. Thanks again! People often moan about stunts like that as being sensationalist but the truth is they've been going on since the start as you say, and they're a perfect device to bring the community together and show the characters off really well.
Originally Posted by KornerKabin:
“Interactions raise another of Corrie’s issues, something which is a great point of ridicule on DS these days: every episode is based around a series of contrived ‘chance’ meetings. Last night’s episodes had half a dozen chance meetings within the first half, and Monday’s double had chance meeting after chance meeting. Viewers can see through it and it does nothing for the credibility of the show.
Make more of the day-to-day lives of the characters and build drama and comedy around that. By this I mean shopping, running errands, taking the dog for a walk. Characters need to be seen in locations where it is realistically expected they would be at a given point. Stop sending characters out on cake runs/for change/on a message or, even worse, have them appear in locations for no reason whatsoever just so a chance meeting can be contrived. For instance, if a character needs to be in a scene in the corner shop, then have them go in there to buy something specific, be explicit about what they’re doing there and then build the scene around that. To return to Tony Warren’s first episode, just remember that very first scene with Ena Sharples walking into the corner shop. She didn't just appear in the shop to suss out Florrie Lindley (though that was the basis of the scene), she had a full list of shopping that she needed (a packet of baking powder ... half a dozen fancies, and NO eclairs ... and a bottle of beach). The reason for Ena being in the shop was her shopping, but the drama came from her probing questioning of the new shop owner. Today all we get is characters appearing in locations for no apparent reason.”
“Interactions raise another of Corrie’s issues, something which is a great point of ridicule on DS these days: every episode is based around a series of contrived ‘chance’ meetings. Last night’s episodes had half a dozen chance meetings within the first half, and Monday’s double had chance meeting after chance meeting. Viewers can see through it and it does nothing for the credibility of the show.
Make more of the day-to-day lives of the characters and build drama and comedy around that. By this I mean shopping, running errands, taking the dog for a walk. Characters need to be seen in locations where it is realistically expected they would be at a given point. Stop sending characters out on cake runs/for change/on a message or, even worse, have them appear in locations for no reason whatsoever just so a chance meeting can be contrived. For instance, if a character needs to be in a scene in the corner shop, then have them go in there to buy something specific, be explicit about what they’re doing there and then build the scene around that. To return to Tony Warren’s first episode, just remember that very first scene with Ena Sharples walking into the corner shop. She didn't just appear in the shop to suss out Florrie Lindley (though that was the basis of the scene), she had a full list of shopping that she needed (a packet of baking powder ... half a dozen fancies, and NO eclairs ... and a bottle of beach). The reason for Ena being in the shop was her shopping, but the drama came from her probing questioning of the new shop owner. Today all we get is characters appearing in locations for no apparent reason.”
It's a tricky one - I think it's down to writing. On one hand, chance interactions are bound to happen, but as you said recently they seem so contrived and deliberate that it's just cheap and lazy. The Ena example could be seen in the same light, yet I think the writing meant it really didn't get seen that way.
I think the distinction lies in the depth of the writing. It would seem totally realistic Ena was on a little shop for items for the home, at that time, and it was just coincidence the rest of the storyline unfolded; nowadays it's just miraculous that say Leanne appears on the street and collapses as Michelle turns up, as she collapses, leading Michelle to take her to hospital.
It's all a bit convenient and I think the best word to describe it is lazy. The writers need to be more inventive and to be instructed not to make any meeting contrived. Make it believable, make it possible. Otherwise it takes away from the realism. And viewers lose faith.
Thanks everyone for the great comments bang on topic, I can't wait to hear more
PS Another quick one, I want to see the show convey a real vibe in the way it's produced that it's more than just "a soap". It can have the feel and dynamism of a glossy and expensive well produced drama, it has in the past, and that really resonates with viewers. When it has the feel of a humdrum soap that's still around after years and years, it loses its charm. It is a sensational and rich show, steeped in glorious history, and demands respect; unfortunately the output often doesn't reflect that and can leave it open to ridicule. Producers should capitalise on its greatness, really show how great and simultaneously vintage and current it is. Nod to the past but also fixate on the present moment and history unfolding on screen. Be true to that. Treating it as a serial drama rather than a soap would make a subtle but important difference to the show as we see it on screen.
Well that was a fun read. A well intentioned post followed by mean spirited, condescending replies. How lovely
Originally Posted by James J:
“It's just a writing style but sure, slag me off like everyone else seems to be for trying to contribute something
I hadn't seen it, no.
I started writing this about a week ago.
Wish I hadn't bothered now. Hate this forum sometimes, a bunch of largely spiteful people. Mods close the f**ing thread”
“It's just a writing style but sure, slag me off like everyone else seems to be for trying to contribute something
I hadn't seen it, no.
I started writing this about a week ago.
Wish I hadn't bothered now. Hate this forum sometimes, a bunch of largely spiteful people. Mods close the f**ing thread”
Ignore them mate. Some people can't help but be spiteful. You went to quite a bit of effort to write all that and I liked some of your ideas
Originally Posted by rhumble:
“why is it nasty , she is a terrible producer , she ruined my favourite soap”
“why is it nasty , she is a terrible producer , she ruined my favourite soap”
She's not a terrible producer just because you didn't like her work on the soap. A lot of people did like her work and she was very successful during her time on Emmerdale.
Originally Posted by VoodooChic:
“Well that was a fun read. A well intentioned post followed by mean spirited, condescending replies. How lovely”
“Well that was a fun read. A well intentioned post followed by mean spirited, condescending replies. How lovely”
Thanks very much. I've been heartened by later replies, including yours.
Originally Posted by cobwebsoup:
“Ignore them mate. Some people can't help but be spiteful. You went to quite a bit of effort to write all that and I liked some of your ideas
She's not a terrible producer just because you didn't like her work on the soap. A lot of people did like her work and she was very successful during her time on Emmerdale.”
“Ignore them mate. Some people can't help but be spiteful. You went to quite a bit of effort to write all that and I liked some of your ideas
She's not a terrible producer just because you didn't like her work on the soap. A lot of people did like her work and she was very successful during her time on Emmerdale.”
Thanks a lot as well. I agree. Some didn't like her work but she did a great job.
I think it's great we can discuss ideas for Corrie and hopefully reach the production team, I think Kate is very receptive to viewer feedback and ideas. Also asked Daniel to consider the content of this thread and its replies for his upcoming feature too so should give even more exposure.
Was watching classic Corrie clips today and was struck by all the different interior sets we've had through the eras. I think it's time we saw some updates, the first for me would be Fiz/Tyrones and Chesney's houses. They're JUST the worst!
Originally Posted by James J:
“Thanks very much. I've been heartened by later replies, including yours.
Thanks a lot as well. I agree. Some didn't like her work but she did a great job.
I think it's great we can discuss ideas for Corrie and hopefully reach the production team, I think Kate is very receptive to viewer feedback and ideas. Also asked Daniel to consider theft content of this thread and its replies for his upcoming feature too so should give even more exposure.
Was watching classic Corrie clips today and was struck by all the different interior sets we've had through the eras. I think it's time we saw some updates, the first for me would be Fiz/Tyrones and Chesney's houses. They're JUST the worst!”
“Thanks very much. I've been heartened by later replies, including yours.
Thanks a lot as well. I agree. Some didn't like her work but she did a great job.
I think it's great we can discuss ideas for Corrie and hopefully reach the production team, I think Kate is very receptive to viewer feedback and ideas. Also asked Daniel to consider theft content of this thread and its replies for his upcoming feature too so should give even more exposure.
Was watching classic Corrie clips today and was struck by all the different interior sets we've had through the eras. I think it's time we saw some updates, the first for me would be Fiz/Tyrones and Chesney's houses. They're JUST the worst!”
What is Daniel's feature, James J?
Originally Posted by boogie woogie:
“What is Daniel's feature, James J?”
“What is Daniel's feature, James J?”
I didn't see it either, it's here: http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2171978
Originally Posted by James J:
“Dear Kate,
Congratulations on your new job as producer of Coronation Street. While it's sad you’ve left Emmerdale, you've served it so well for three years and delivered memorable event TV like the storm and siege week and helicopter crash whilst maintaining the show's northern heart and community. You've lead the show to win its first ever BSA, win major plaudits in the social community and enjoy strong ratings, introducing strong new characters, overseeing great returns and strengthening long-neglected established cast members. No producer is perfect but you've hit the mark more times than most!
Alas all good things must come to an end and three years is a great length of time for a tour of duty on a soap. Congratulations on so deftly producing great work. But as they say, as one door closes another opens - enter Coronation Street. This show is, at its essence, sublime. But the tone of the show has been off for some time now, and fans need you to restore it to glory.
Using all the cast, interweaving plots & interconnectedness
I can’t remember the last time there was a decent shindig in the Rovers, bringing together so many characters for a celebration of some kind but giving several storylines the chance to simmer away beneath the surface. A great mixture of stories concurrently running and drawing in many different members of the cast is the recipe for a strong show. The show needs to be an ENSEMBLE! Give every character motivations, story arcs and development opportunities. Make sure storylines overlap and interlink as much as possible and give characters interaction with one another.
This show’s real strength is character driven, community stories. We don’t want issue-led or self-contained storylines, which Blackburn has perpetuated. The show should be something you can view holistically, a composite of interweaving things going on behind closed doors, and in the hub of the community. Almost every single character’s storyline should somehow connected to the others. These links provide a symbolic view of the community, and human beings in general, being linked together. The interconnectedness of all things.
The next changes involve scripting and storylining. Bring the community back together, return to depicting Coronation Street as a place you would want to live - somewhere where life can be exciting and varied and full of energy and a slice of life in a small setting, where everything is connected and linked and everyone plays their part in the drama and comedy.
Special episodes, storyline climaxes & location filming
Kate, there’s so much potential in how you can tell stories or offer a viewpoint on this magic Street. Why not experiment with an episode set in the early hours of the morning? Roy being unable to sleep, waking up Cathy and talking about a recurring dream he has been having; at the same time, Norris getting up at 4am and noticing a crime being committed at the end of the Street. A different perspective. Something new, a different vibe. Or how about an episode featuring only a small handful of characters - a four hander or perhaps an episode set solely in one location, like the Rovers.
There’s been a celebration of filler in supposedly climatic weeks, taking the focus off the big climax and making it feel run of the mill. An example of special episodes would be the tram crash week, which was all set on one night. This allowed for very deep storytelling. Rather than a climax airing in the Monday double, continue the climax scenes across the Wednesday and maybe even Friday episodes as well.
During Tony Gordon/Mad Maya climaxes the show was also one night set across the week of episodes. It’s like a rule has been instated saying this is not allowed anymore. In recent history we have experienced special episodes under Collinson such as the episode featuring Fiz, Tyrone and Kirsty; Peter's episode following him everywhere, the day in the life of an alcoholic, but with other characters featuring only when seen in his story; the episode after Carla's rape, featuring only Carla, Frank, and Peter.
Curly and Raquel’s two-hander in 2000 then Deirdre and Tracy’s when Tracy confessed to murdering Charlie in 2007. In 2002, Corrie aired an episode with 4 characters Audrey, Richard, Gail, and Archie, in which Audrey tried to prove to Gail Richard was mad, but Gail was convinced she had Alzheimers. Such a wonderful, focused episode. And of course the 2003 episode where he confessed his dark secrets to Gail only featured Gail and Richard, with a short scene of David and Sarah upstairs.
Give the fans a treat. When a big storyline comes to a head, we want to see more focus on it for its climax week. We want filler more or less removed from these episodes. In fact, filler shouldn't exist at all. We should feel all scenes are contributing to a depiction of a real story, and there are so many as we are all human beings whose lives overlap and connect together and life never gets too stale. We want fewer characters in some episodes so the ones that ARE in the episode get a decent amount of characterisation. But then on the whole we want a composite of characters all coming together, sprawled across the street with a butterfly effect and brilliant writing tying it all together.
Also, I know it’s probably expensive and tricky, but a bit more on-location filming wouldn’t go amiss either. Episodes set in Blackpool or Canal Street have always really been treats; it needn’t be all the time, but from time to time it’d be great to, say, see a group of characters go out clubbing or into central Manchester.
Cinematography, the new set & production
Corrie is well directed and shot but it lapses in quality in this regard. It would be great Kate if you could work with the teams to deliver more shots that wouldn’t be out of place in a glossy drama, yet still keeping the Corrie feel. A mixture of closeups and wider angled shots giving things a sense of pace. This has happened in the past on occasion but could be introduced into the show to prevent it becoming stale.
I remember under Collinson, episodes started with traditional camera angles but towards the end, moved into more close up shots of characters interacting as they climaxed. That sort of beautiful shallow depth of field making a blurry backdrop to really zone in on the character-driven dialogue. It gave this impression you were being sucked in gradually through the episode.
It would also be nice to see more of the amazing new set, which doesn’t seem to have been used to its fullest potential. Any chance you could continue work on ‘dirtying it up’? It lacks the griminess of the previous sets, which hampers realism. Furthermore, a little bit more attention to detail with the set designs would be great - for example the astroturf in the gardens looks pretty naff, and some of the interior sets could look more realistic. Audrey’s salon blinds always blocking the view of the street, for example, is a shame. Obviously some things are logistically not possible, but anything you can do in this regard would be fab.
The Street has become a bit of a ‘museum’ in recent years. The tram crash obliterated two buildings yet they were rebuilt almost exactly as they were before. The Rovers burnt down then came back identical to the old look. While the familiarity is lovely, nothing is bigger than the show - or street - itself. Times change, and the show should keep moving with the times. Why not shut down a few of the businesses and have them boarded up? The street is unrealistically teaming with businesses over residencies, with the Garage, Bistro, Kabin, Rovers, knicker factory, salon - all on one tiny street! It’s about time some redevelopment of the set happened to move or remove some of the businesses (perhaps to Rosamund Street) and establish a bit more realism.
Also Kate, it would be great if you had the old music restored, if not ordered a new set of opening titles showing the new set (the 2002 set style with modern techniques of CGI could create an amazing establishing shot of the Street in wider Weatherfield). If you liked the visuals of the titles, I’d still really encourage you to consider re-tweaking the theme music to the pre-2010 music. I made a mock up of the current visuals of the opening titles with the old classic music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWeqTeVztEk It's so much better (if I do say so myself)! Can you bring it back? Oh, and could you have a word with someone and restore the proper Trajan typeface for the writer and director credits over the starting scenes of the episode? Changing them to the generic ITV font cheapened things somewhat - Emmerdale didn’t change to the ITV font so why did Corrie? It’s little things like this which all add up!
Tone of the show, realism & representation of life
Corrie is at its best when it feels like its own little world. I’ve said this before but Corrie feels more real in a more contrived context - it’s a paradox. When all the characters are all linked in to elaborate ensemble plots which come to amazing conclusions, utilising all the cast.
The working class realist agenda hasn’t worked on a show that is perfectly realistic and representative in a slightly exaggerated, connected context. It’s great for the show to be a little camp and an exaggeration of real life; working class characters and character driven drama, compressed down into a beautiful representation of life. It lost this charm under Blackburn - and we need you to bring it back Kate!
Pacing, dominant threads & those pesky double episodes
When the show is on form, It's so refreshing to watch knowing storylines are constantly developing and things are moving and heading towards climaxes. This is something you’ve really mastered at Emmerdale, Kate, so I have faith in you’re ability to deliver this change of tone on the Street. When Corrie is at its best, stories are brought to peaks at just the right time and have a thrilling, rewarding aftermath.
If we must have these double episodes, can we at least have the second episode start at the same point the first ended? It would be nice if we could get back to the days where you simply can’t wait for the next episode, where the 30 minute wait is unbearable for some reason.
Spoilers, surprises & keeping the viewers on their toes
Kate, spoilers suck!
The Corrie episode spoilers are practically full scripts these days. Stop allowing the press spoilers to be so detailed! Make an effort to have genuine shocks and surprises. They needn't be ground-shaking plot developments. Just things left out of spoilers to get people talking!
Phew, that was long!
We all just want Corrie to be back to the point where characters interact with each other, storylines intersect and the camerawork/cinematography is sharp and a little glossy at times, a mixture of day and night shooting and a a good mix of episodes with most of the cast, and episodes with a more laser focus on one character group.
Please rescue Corrie, Kate. Bring it back to its best. Shake up the tone, shake up the character groups and plot some interweaving stories that affect everyone.
In you we trust! Congrats and good luck!”
“Dear Kate,
Congratulations on your new job as producer of Coronation Street. While it's sad you’ve left Emmerdale, you've served it so well for three years and delivered memorable event TV like the storm and siege week and helicopter crash whilst maintaining the show's northern heart and community. You've lead the show to win its first ever BSA, win major plaudits in the social community and enjoy strong ratings, introducing strong new characters, overseeing great returns and strengthening long-neglected established cast members. No producer is perfect but you've hit the mark more times than most!
Alas all good things must come to an end and three years is a great length of time for a tour of duty on a soap. Congratulations on so deftly producing great work. But as they say, as one door closes another opens - enter Coronation Street. This show is, at its essence, sublime. But the tone of the show has been off for some time now, and fans need you to restore it to glory.
Using all the cast, interweaving plots & interconnectedness
I can’t remember the last time there was a decent shindig in the Rovers, bringing together so many characters for a celebration of some kind but giving several storylines the chance to simmer away beneath the surface. A great mixture of stories concurrently running and drawing in many different members of the cast is the recipe for a strong show. The show needs to be an ENSEMBLE! Give every character motivations, story arcs and development opportunities. Make sure storylines overlap and interlink as much as possible and give characters interaction with one another.
This show’s real strength is character driven, community stories. We don’t want issue-led or self-contained storylines, which Blackburn has perpetuated. The show should be something you can view holistically, a composite of interweaving things going on behind closed doors, and in the hub of the community. Almost every single character’s storyline should somehow connected to the others. These links provide a symbolic view of the community, and human beings in general, being linked together. The interconnectedness of all things.
The next changes involve scripting and storylining. Bring the community back together, return to depicting Coronation Street as a place you would want to live - somewhere where life can be exciting and varied and full of energy and a slice of life in a small setting, where everything is connected and linked and everyone plays their part in the drama and comedy.
Special episodes, storyline climaxes & location filming
Kate, there’s so much potential in how you can tell stories or offer a viewpoint on this magic Street. Why not experiment with an episode set in the early hours of the morning? Roy being unable to sleep, waking up Cathy and talking about a recurring dream he has been having; at the same time, Norris getting up at 4am and noticing a crime being committed at the end of the Street. A different perspective. Something new, a different vibe. Or how about an episode featuring only a small handful of characters - a four hander or perhaps an episode set solely in one location, like the Rovers.
There’s been a celebration of filler in supposedly climatic weeks, taking the focus off the big climax and making it feel run of the mill. An example of special episodes would be the tram crash week, which was all set on one night. This allowed for very deep storytelling. Rather than a climax airing in the Monday double, continue the climax scenes across the Wednesday and maybe even Friday episodes as well.
During Tony Gordon/Mad Maya climaxes the show was also one night set across the week of episodes. It’s like a rule has been instated saying this is not allowed anymore. In recent history we have experienced special episodes under Collinson such as the episode featuring Fiz, Tyrone and Kirsty; Peter's episode following him everywhere, the day in the life of an alcoholic, but with other characters featuring only when seen in his story; the episode after Carla's rape, featuring only Carla, Frank, and Peter.
Curly and Raquel’s two-hander in 2000 then Deirdre and Tracy’s when Tracy confessed to murdering Charlie in 2007. In 2002, Corrie aired an episode with 4 characters Audrey, Richard, Gail, and Archie, in which Audrey tried to prove to Gail Richard was mad, but Gail was convinced she had Alzheimers. Such a wonderful, focused episode. And of course the 2003 episode where he confessed his dark secrets to Gail only featured Gail and Richard, with a short scene of David and Sarah upstairs.
Give the fans a treat. When a big storyline comes to a head, we want to see more focus on it for its climax week. We want filler more or less removed from these episodes. In fact, filler shouldn't exist at all. We should feel all scenes are contributing to a depiction of a real story, and there are so many as we are all human beings whose lives overlap and connect together and life never gets too stale. We want fewer characters in some episodes so the ones that ARE in the episode get a decent amount of characterisation. But then on the whole we want a composite of characters all coming together, sprawled across the street with a butterfly effect and brilliant writing tying it all together.
Also, I know it’s probably expensive and tricky, but a bit more on-location filming wouldn’t go amiss either. Episodes set in Blackpool or Canal Street have always really been treats; it needn’t be all the time, but from time to time it’d be great to, say, see a group of characters go out clubbing or into central Manchester.
Cinematography, the new set & production
Corrie is well directed and shot but it lapses in quality in this regard. It would be great Kate if you could work with the teams to deliver more shots that wouldn’t be out of place in a glossy drama, yet still keeping the Corrie feel. A mixture of closeups and wider angled shots giving things a sense of pace. This has happened in the past on occasion but could be introduced into the show to prevent it becoming stale.
I remember under Collinson, episodes started with traditional camera angles but towards the end, moved into more close up shots of characters interacting as they climaxed. That sort of beautiful shallow depth of field making a blurry backdrop to really zone in on the character-driven dialogue. It gave this impression you were being sucked in gradually through the episode.
It would also be nice to see more of the amazing new set, which doesn’t seem to have been used to its fullest potential. Any chance you could continue work on ‘dirtying it up’? It lacks the griminess of the previous sets, which hampers realism. Furthermore, a little bit more attention to detail with the set designs would be great - for example the astroturf in the gardens looks pretty naff, and some of the interior sets could look more realistic. Audrey’s salon blinds always blocking the view of the street, for example, is a shame. Obviously some things are logistically not possible, but anything you can do in this regard would be fab.
The Street has become a bit of a ‘museum’ in recent years. The tram crash obliterated two buildings yet they were rebuilt almost exactly as they were before. The Rovers burnt down then came back identical to the old look. While the familiarity is lovely, nothing is bigger than the show - or street - itself. Times change, and the show should keep moving with the times. Why not shut down a few of the businesses and have them boarded up? The street is unrealistically teaming with businesses over residencies, with the Garage, Bistro, Kabin, Rovers, knicker factory, salon - all on one tiny street! It’s about time some redevelopment of the set happened to move or remove some of the businesses (perhaps to Rosamund Street) and establish a bit more realism.
Also Kate, it would be great if you had the old music restored, if not ordered a new set of opening titles showing the new set (the 2002 set style with modern techniques of CGI could create an amazing establishing shot of the Street in wider Weatherfield). If you liked the visuals of the titles, I’d still really encourage you to consider re-tweaking the theme music to the pre-2010 music. I made a mock up of the current visuals of the opening titles with the old classic music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWeqTeVztEk It's so much better (if I do say so myself)! Can you bring it back? Oh, and could you have a word with someone and restore the proper Trajan typeface for the writer and director credits over the starting scenes of the episode? Changing them to the generic ITV font cheapened things somewhat - Emmerdale didn’t change to the ITV font so why did Corrie? It’s little things like this which all add up!
Tone of the show, realism & representation of life
Corrie is at its best when it feels like its own little world. I’ve said this before but Corrie feels more real in a more contrived context - it’s a paradox. When all the characters are all linked in to elaborate ensemble plots which come to amazing conclusions, utilising all the cast.
The working class realist agenda hasn’t worked on a show that is perfectly realistic and representative in a slightly exaggerated, connected context. It’s great for the show to be a little camp and an exaggeration of real life; working class characters and character driven drama, compressed down into a beautiful representation of life. It lost this charm under Blackburn - and we need you to bring it back Kate!
Pacing, dominant threads & those pesky double episodes
When the show is on form, It's so refreshing to watch knowing storylines are constantly developing and things are moving and heading towards climaxes. This is something you’ve really mastered at Emmerdale, Kate, so I have faith in you’re ability to deliver this change of tone on the Street. When Corrie is at its best, stories are brought to peaks at just the right time and have a thrilling, rewarding aftermath.
If we must have these double episodes, can we at least have the second episode start at the same point the first ended? It would be nice if we could get back to the days where you simply can’t wait for the next episode, where the 30 minute wait is unbearable for some reason.
Spoilers, surprises & keeping the viewers on their toes
Kate, spoilers suck!
The Corrie episode spoilers are practically full scripts these days. Stop allowing the press spoilers to be so detailed! Make an effort to have genuine shocks and surprises. They needn't be ground-shaking plot developments. Just things left out of spoilers to get people talking!
Phew, that was long!
We all just want Corrie to be back to the point where characters interact with each other, storylines intersect and the camerawork/cinematography is sharp and a little glossy at times, a mixture of day and night shooting and a a good mix of episodes with most of the cast, and episodes with a more laser focus on one character group.
Please rescue Corrie, Kate. Bring it back to its best. Shake up the tone, shake up the character groups and plot some interweaving stories that affect everyone.
In you we trust! Congrats and good luck!”
I thought this was a great well written post - I especially agree with the opening credits, and style of filming - I'd love to see some imporvements in the sets too - for example, roys rolls having a complete renovation and being brighter and more modern
thanks again, I enjoyed reading it
Originally Posted by alienpanda:
“I thought this was a great well written post - I especially agree with the opening credits, and style of filming - I'd love to see some imporvements in the sets too - for example, roys rolls having a complete renovation and being brighter and more modern
thanks again, I enjoyed reading it”
“I thought this was a great well written post - I especially agree with the opening credits, and style of filming - I'd love to see some imporvements in the sets too - for example, roys rolls having a complete renovation and being brighter and more modern
thanks again, I enjoyed reading it
”
Thank you very much, that's very kind.
A thought I've had today is, why now with the new big set can we not see cars parked on the street? Characters who have cars can just park them outside their house.
See this pic of a Salford street similar to Coronation Street:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5211/5...af8d71ac_b.jpg
There are a few cars parked on it. I think Corrie should do this to add to realism. It's ridiculous how clean and empty it is, as though it's a double-yellow or even red-lined street!
Maybe there could be a storyline which shows that the characters have garages round the corner where they currently park, but they are demolished meaning they must park on the street. Norris complains it makes the street look untidy, but viewers rejoice it finally looks a bit more realistic
We can then see some battered up old cars on the street to add to the realism.
Originally Posted by James J:
“Thank you very much, that's very kind.
A thought I've had today is, why now with the new big set can we not see cars parked on the street? Characters who have cars can just park them outside their house.
See this pic of a Salford street similar to Coronation Street:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5211/5...af8d71ac_b.jpg
There are a few cars parked on it. I think Corrie should do this to add to realism. It's ridiculous how clean and empty it is, as though it's a double-yellow or even red-lined street!
Maybe there could be a storyline which shows that the characters have garages round the corner where they currently park, but they are demolished meaning they must park on the street. Norris complains it makes the street look untidy, but viewers rejoice it finally looks a bit more realistic We can then see some battered up old cars on the street to add to the realism.”
“Thank you very much, that's very kind.
A thought I've had today is, why now with the new big set can we not see cars parked on the street? Characters who have cars can just park them outside their house.
See this pic of a Salford street similar to Coronation Street:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5211/5...af8d71ac_b.jpg
There are a few cars parked on it. I think Corrie should do this to add to realism. It's ridiculous how clean and empty it is, as though it's a double-yellow or even red-lined street!
Maybe there could be a storyline which shows that the characters have garages round the corner where they currently park, but they are demolished meaning they must park on the street. Norris complains it makes the street look untidy, but viewers rejoice it finally looks a bit more realistic
We can then see some battered up old cars on the street to add to the realism.”
Coincidence or not, tonight's first episode showed parked cars on the street!!!
Originally Posted by James J:
“Coincidence or not, tonight's first episode showed parked cars on the street!!!”
“Coincidence or not, tonight's first episode showed parked cars on the street!!!
”
Great minds think alike 😀
Originally Posted by James J:
“Coincidence or not, tonight's first episode showed parked cars on the street!!!”
“Coincidence or not, tonight's first episode showed parked cars on the street!!!
”
Originally Posted by claremonts:
“Great minds think alike 😀”
“Great minds think alike 😀”
This is the most shocking development in Corrie for years!
Originally Posted by rhumble:
“Can't stand her,, she ruined ED for me”
“Can't stand her,, she ruined ED for me”
Originally Posted by Pandora.:
“Worst producer in years.”
“Worst producer in years.”
EH?.... she was a vast improvement on stuart blackburn.. and much better then the destructive idiot we have now.
Originally Posted by star89:
“My letter is much shorter;
Dear Ms Oates,
Bring my Kylie back, right now!!!
P.S And FFS kill Sean off!!
Sincerely, Star”
“My letter is much shorter;
Dear Ms Oates,
Bring my Kylie back, right now!!!
P.S And FFS kill Sean off!!
Sincerely, Star”
This!
tho I think it was probably mainly her fault that Kylie died in the first place I wouldn't kill Sean off tho, I'd kill Phelan and Clayton off
Dear Kate.
I will forgive you for every ghastly moment of your time in charge of ED if you kill off the unspeakably terrible Maria. Watching Sammi Ghadi trying to act tonight brought soap acting down to new lows. Her dreary delivery sounds like someone who's just woken from a coma. Her ridiculous dreary facial expressions. Every line ends with a huh. Watching her trying to cry was mega cringe. An embarrassment to the show.
I will forgive you for every ghastly moment of your time in charge of ED if you kill off the unspeakably terrible Maria. Watching Sammi Ghadi trying to act tonight brought soap acting down to new lows. Her dreary delivery sounds like someone who's just woken from a coma. Her ridiculous dreary facial expressions. Every line ends with a huh. Watching her trying to cry was mega cringe. An embarrassment to the show.
Dear Kate,
Please ignore the crap written above!! I am loving Maria getting a proper storyline at last & think Samia was fab last night!! Especially loved the scenes in the Salon where she flipped (after much provocation) at Eva & Audrey, great stuff, more like Maria of old!!
More please!!
Could have lived without all the crap in the factory but hey you can't have everything!!
Thank you, NDD!! ×
Please ignore the crap written above!! I am loving Maria getting a proper storyline at last & think Samia was fab last night!! Especially loved the scenes in the Salon where she flipped (after much provocation) at Eva & Audrey, great stuff, more like Maria of old!!
More please!!
Could have lived without all the crap in the factory but hey you can't have everything!!
Thank you, NDD!! ×
Originally Posted by spunger:
“Dear Kate.
I will forgive you for every ghastly moment of your time in charge of ED if you kill off the unspeakably terrible Maria. Watching Sammi Ghadi trying to act tonight brought soap acting down to new lows. Her dreary delivery sounds like someone who's just woken from a coma. Her ridiculous dreary facial expressions. Every line ends with a huh. Watching her trying to cry was mega cringe. An embarrassment to the show.”
“Dear Kate.
I will forgive you for every ghastly moment of your time in charge of ED if you kill off the unspeakably terrible Maria. Watching Sammi Ghadi trying to act tonight brought soap acting down to new lows. Her dreary delivery sounds like someone who's just woken from a coma. Her ridiculous dreary facial expressions. Every line ends with a huh. Watching her trying to cry was mega cringe. An embarrassment to the show.”
I was crying with laughter last night.
Originally Posted by KornerKabin:
“This is the most shocking development in Corrie for years!”
“This is the most shocking development in Corrie for years!
”
Tonight's end of part 1 sting showed FIVE parked cars on the street! I nearly died!
Dreams come true!
Originally Posted by James J:
“Tonight's end of part 1 sting showed FIVE parked cars on the street! I nearly died! Dreams come true!”
“Tonight's end of part 1 sting showed FIVE parked cars on the street! I nearly died!
Dreams come true!”
Must admit i thought of you James when i saw them !
Originally Posted by claremonts:
“Must admit i thought of you James when i saw them !”
“Must admit i thought of you James when i saw them !”
Maybe Kate read this thread and ordered a new break sting in the mean time to show she's listening before her instructions for more cars on the street reach the screen!
Haha wishful thinking right?
Originally Posted by James J:
“Maybe Kate read this thread and ordered a new break sting in the mean time to show she's listening before her instructions for more cars on the street reach the screen!
Haha wishful thinking right?”
“Maybe Kate read this thread and ordered a new break sting in the mean time to show she's listening before her instructions for more cars on the street reach the screen!
Haha wishful thinking right?
”
KO could learn a thing or two if she did read this thread 🙂
Dear Kate,
Drop the plans of making Maria the star of your tenure, she has zero charisma onscreen and is just a drag to watch. Sarah is better leading lady material with Leanne as backup.
Drop the plans of making Maria the star of your tenure, she has zero charisma onscreen and is just a drag to watch. Sarah is better leading lady material with Leanne as backup.
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