New ‘mockumentary’ filmed in South Woodford with Strictly Come Dancing star
Ilford-born film director Daniel Johnson is currently working on his latest project, a mocumentary web-series called 'Sally The Life Coach', which stars the award-winning former Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede. The project was filmed in various parts of London, with some of the main action taking place in South Woodford. - Credit: Archant
The director behind a ‘‘mockumentary’’ filmed in South Woodford with Strictly Come Dancing star Natalie Gumede says she is the “best actress” he knows.
Natalie Gumede arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Sally the Life Coach was shot in and around George Lane, South Woodford by director Daniel Johnson who became fascinated by the world of self-help.
Daniel, who has an office on the street, said it was “short, sharp and funny” and that South Woodford was a good place to film.
The 28-year-old of Clayhall said he came up with the idea after working with lots of actors and creative people who were all obsessed with positive thinking and life coaches.
“It’s a really fascinating world as these people often don’t have many qualifications but they have the idea that they can help out people,” he said. “It’s a really funny world and I thought it was really interesting.”
The moc-documentary follows a positive-thinking life coach who continually to find herself struggling, despite her upbeat philosophy.
Although meaning well, she frequently causes her clients ever more suffering.
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Daniel said: “The comedy comes from an uncomfortable place. “It was really good fun to make and when you work on a low budget you want to get as much as you can out of it. It was hard work and took a lot of brain power.”
The four episodes which will be streamed online at the beginning of next year are six minutes long, which Daniel believes will appeal to online audiences.
He said: “I’ve kept it short to capitalise on people’s attention span on the web – it’s short, sharp and fun.”
One of the highlights, he said, was working with Natalie who he met while casting for another film and who is now in this season’s Strictly Come Dancing.
“She’s the best actor I know,” Daniel said. “We’ve been good friends for a few years and we’ve been dying to do a project together. I’ve always known how funny she is, and it’s exciting to show people that side of her.”
