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Supporting acts: Camilla Fisher
11 May 2006
The latest in our occasional series turns the spotlight on The Archers archivist - and llama bringer - Camilla Fisher.
Camilla Fisher
What part do you play in village life?
My role first comes into place at the twice yearly long-term meeting, where
the writers and production team submit future storylines. I point out any
changes or interesting additions that can be made to the story, based on
the programme's history. I'm lucky enough to have had several storylines
accepted in the past, for example noticing that Arkwright Hall was being
underused, resulting in it being leased and then refurbished. So we now
have somewhere where short-term characters can stay. I'm also responsible
for Lynda bringing her llamas to the village…
For our monthly 'pick-ups' meeting, where we discuss the next four week's
stories, I compile a list of relevant dates from both Ambridge and the real
world which could be included in the storylines - anything from Phil and
Jill's wedding anniversary to the World Cup Final. I also check continuity
and note any archive research for the next meeting in the cycle - the script
meeting.
In preparation for this, I provide relevant archive notes for the 'script
pack', a document that gives the production team and writers all the information
they might need when writing the next lot of scripts. I also compile a list
of completely random facts as a prompt for the writers for eg that Susan's
very house proud or that Brian used to play the guitar.
Alongside all of this I write the 'Moment from the archive' for this website each week, answer often long and complicated questions from the Archers Addicts fan club and have a column in their magazine Ambridge Voice. Oh and most importantly - I almost forgot - I'm responsible for compiling the programme's storylines and essential facts into our computerised archive.
How did you end up in Ambridge?
I've always been interested in drama and my first job after leaving college was working for Birmingham Repertory Theatre in their wardrobe department. After some years I married and chose to stay at home whilst my daughter Harriet was little. Throughout this period I was an avid Archers fan. One day my husband, who worked for BBC Television, told me about an Archers Archivist job, so I applied and happily I got it! I've been an Ambridge resident for almost 13 years now…
What do you like best about you job?
Working with the writers because they're the creative heart of the Archers.
Who is your favourite character?
Mrs P who was Peggy Woolley's mum and a bit of a harridan - she told everybody off all the time! She had a long-lasting courtship with Walter Gabriel that never reached a conclusion. Theirs was a heart warming tale of two older people who loved each other but were never prepared to admit it and their relationship was just part of the fabric of the village.
What character would you most like to play?
Freda Fry because she's never spoken a word and we know an awful lot about her. I suppose you could say I'm similar to the character as I've always chosen to work backstage!
What's been your favourite storyline in the archers?
The death of Grace Archer because you take two young people who've overcome obstacles in their love life, are desperately in love and get married, then six months later we kill the bride. Not only is it a good story but the timing was perfect. The fire took place on the night before ITV was launched and Grace's death went out on the night ITV's first programmes were shown and of course our audience listened to us and not the television!
What's been your most memorable moment?
Before I joined the programme, sitting on my bed with tears rolling down my face listening to the village shop being raided in 1993. It was so well written that it completely swept me away.
What would you most like to see in Ambridge?
Ambridge reflects what a modern village is really like and we can see the breakdown in the local community that is also happening in the real world. However, I miss there not being a local policeman, doctor or school teacher, even though they would be out of place these days.
If you weren't the Archivist what would you be doing?
Travelling around the world with my husband taking interesting photographs.
I'd love to go to China, Vietnam, North America… the list is endless.
And finally - what are you most proud of?
In my archive I have a list of the ages of people's pets and when their dogs and bunny rabbits are past their sell-by dates, so I get the opportunity to kill them off!
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