Handmade
In search of Britain‘s Best Woodworker
Plimsoll Productions creates and produces premium content for audiences all over the world. The internationally renowned creative team has produced numerous hits and won BAFTA, Emmy and RTS awards. Recently the team created a new show called Handmade: Britain's Best Woodworker for Channel 4 that features Festool products. We talked to Chloe Avery, Series Producer and Francis Thorburn, Technician, about the new show.
How were the contestants selected?
Chloe Avery: Most of the contestants were amateurs. However, we wanted to see people succeed so all had some previous experience and a passion for working with wood. In the casting process people were selected that had a range of experiences, interests and fields; contestants had skillsets from makers, designers and artists. This meant that each bought different perspectives and skills to the challenges. It was amazing to see how much the contestants progress during the show as they learn new skills and develop.
Could you give me a short summary about the show?
Chloe Avery: “Handmade: Britain‘s Best Woodworker” is a competition-based show to find Britain’s best woodworker. There are nine contestants competing for the title, they work on a big build and then each week they have a skills test which they are judged on. The skills tests tend to be woodworking with minimal power tools such as whittling.
It must have been quite impressive for non-professionals to see the range of tools available to them.
Chloe Avery: When they first saw the workshop and the tools that were available for them to use were like children in a sweet shop! It was joyful to watch.
Francis Thorburn: We did not want to restrain the contestants, so having a range of different tools available to them meant that whatever they wanted to do they always had the right tools available to them to do it.
Francis Thorburn: We did not want to restrain the contestants, so having a range of different tools available to them meant that whatever they wanted to do they always had the right tools available to them to do it.
"When they first saw the workshop and the tools that were available for them to use were like children in a sweet shop! It was joyful to watch."
Chloe Avery, Series Producer
Do you think there is a growing interest in woodworking?
CA: The idea for the show started a while ago. I do think the current global situation has meant that more people are taking up hobbies and exploring new interests. This show fits perfectly with that.
Were there any difficulties that needed to be overcome in filming there? (Or generally filming?)
CA: This was an ambitious project to begin with. It was always going to be a large-scale project as a lot of space was required. We had to ensure that it was fair – everyone had the same amount of time, tools available and space. We had a global pandemic to contend with, ensuring that everyone was kept safe and covid safety regulations were adhered too. Then there was a heatwave and a storm…we had it all!
FT: The variety and versality of the tools helped us to deal with those weather conditions because we could move from working in situ or outside.
FT: The variety and versality of the tools helped us to deal with those weather conditions because we could move from working in situ or outside.
Why were Festool products chosen?
FT: We wanted to provide contestants with the best tools, so their ideas weren’t held back by what was available to them. Festool is renowned for producing innovative products that help make life easier for professionals. Though for compliance reasons we did have to include other brands too!
Was there a Festool product or products that the contestants found particularly useful?
FT: Different tools enabled the contestants to explore their creativity. Tools such as DOMINO allowed contestants to do that, they would not have been able to create some of elements of their projects without it.
Thank you both for your time. We can’t wait to see what the contestants create!
Handmade: Britain‘s Best Woodworker on Channel 4 first aired on Thursday 21st October at 8pm
Thank you both for your time. We can’t wait to see what the contestants create!
Handmade: Britain‘s Best Woodworker on Channel 4 first aired on Thursday 21st October at 8pm
