Digital Spy: Emma Smithwick Interview

Although still fairly new in the role new Hollyoaks series-producer Emma Smithwick has already got off to a brilliant start. She recently did an interview with Digital Spy in which she outlined what her vision for the show is and what we can expect as we move into 2012.


Here's a preview of what was said:

You've been Hollyoaks' series producer for a few months now. How's it all going so far?"It's going brilliantly, I'm absolutely buzzing. I think the autumn was outstanding and I'm so happy with the material that we've got coming through now. I've been producer for a few months now, but I was here for a while before that as series editor so whilst it's somewhat of a new role, I have been heavily invested in all the storylines that are currently on screen."  

What can you tell us about your overall vision for the show?"I have a very strong idea about the show that I want to make, and a lot of it is coming through already so the viewers will have seen it. I joined Hollyoaks in May which saw the beginning of a lot of the changes that are coming through.  

"There have been a lot of new arrivals and through the stories that we're telling and the way we're telling them, we want the audience to really engage with the characters. It definitely takes time but when that happens, it means you can do things with the characters and the viewers will really care. I find the worst thing is when you watch certain shows and something horrendous happens, but you don't really care or know why you should care. Emotional integrity is one of the key things that I want to drive through.  

"I also want to use the audience more and get them involved, as we did recently with the Wretch 32 Invasion. I'd like to redefine the way that the viewers can watch a show."  

2011 has been a strong year for Hollyoaks but now it feels like a number of successful and long-running stories have ended at the same time, such as Silas's murders, Jacqui/Gilly/Rhys, Jason's transgender, and the Costello affair dramas. Do you have equally big and long-running stories to replace these with next year?"Definitely. I know there's been varying reactions to sixth formers and the freshers, and we tried to complement the Silas storyline by bringing in those characters alongside it. Those characters have had a bit of a 'soft launch', but certainly at the beginning of next year, we'll be doing a lot of getting to know those characters even more so that we can elevate them and their stories.
"As well as the sixth formers and the freshers, there are a lot of other characters who will have big storylines coming up in 2012. We're certainly not going to drop long-running stories just because a number of them have now culminated - 2012 is going to be a big year." 

When will your first episode credited as series producer air?"It's going to be on Boxing Day - so it's going to be the Doug special."

You can check out the rest of the interview with Emma Smithwick by following the links below:
Part 1   :   Part 2