Dreaming in Color: Unveiling the UK Dramedy with Producer Nicola Gregory

Summary

Dreaming Whilst Black is a UK dramedy series with relatable themes and sharp social commentary delivered through hilarious writing.

Producer Nicola Gregory was instrumental in maintaining the show's authenticity and shining a spotlight on the Black experience in the UK. The series delves into various characters and themes, such as the conflict between personal and profit-driven projects, time shifts, and the deliberate incorporation of music to elevate the storytelling.

Dreaming Whilst Black, a dramedy series from the UK, has been co-written and stars Adjani Salmon. Initially starting as a web series, its relatability and sharp social commentary led to its expansion into a 30-minute format. The Dreaming Whilst Black trailer showcases the show's ability to effectively deliver its hilarious writing and maintain its originality. A24 and Big Deal Films co-produced the series, featuring Dani Moseley, Rachel Adedeji, and Demmy Ladipo in addition to Salmon. Contributing to the bringing of these underrepresented stories to the screen is Nicola Gregory, a producer with credits such as Riches, Hard Time Bus, and Born Again. Gregory joined Dreaming Whilst Black as a line producer for the pilot episode and continues to contribute throughout the series' six-episode run.

Nicola Gregory On Dreaming Whilst Black

Screen Rant: I know the role of producer can mean so many different things. Can you talk about where you fit in with this as it was coming together?

Nicola Gregory: I got involved in the project fairly early on, but not during the web series stage. That was more of Big Deal Films' discovery and commissioning for the pilot. My involvement began with the pilot as the line producer, and I was honored to be invited back to produce the series. My main role was to honor Adjani's vision for the show and, in doing so, we aimed to authentically portray the UK Black experience. Whether you are in the creative field or other industries, I believe that the show's recurring themes are highly relatable.

The series delves into the struggle between pursuing personal projects and those that guarantee financial gain. As a producer with experience in various projects, how much can you personally relate to this?

Nicola Gregory: I completely understand that. There's often a distinction between producing films and producing TV. When it comes to making films, it's not to say that you don't have to put in the effort to find broadcasters who are willing to fund your projects, but there's more of a focus on raising finance and being creative. Especially in the beginning, you may even take on unpaid jobs or lend a helping hand, as it's part of playing the long game.

Personally, I've always been drawn to projects that hold significance. I like to prioritize working on projects that deeply resonate with me. As filmmakers, we embark on a journey to turn our dreams into reality, and that involves hustling and putting in the effort. We're passionate about what we do, and even if we're not always making money from it, we persevere. It may reflect on us as masochists, but the recognition we receive for our hard work makes it all worthwhile.

The overall structure was a unique aspect of the series, particularly how the time jumps were executed. They would mention something happening in the future, and then in the next episode, it would already be taking place. We discussed extensively how much of these characters' lives we wanted to cover in the series and how to achieve that.

In each episode, we included a lot of characters and packed in a lot within the 22 to 30-minute timeframe. Our main focus was on Kawbena's journey, but we also had Amy who followed a similar path but had her own storyline dealing with office politics and microaggressions. Additionally, we portrayed the authenticity of Kwabena and his family, as well as the characters Maurice and Funmi. These themes are relatable, such as a young couple navigating parenthood. Without giving too much away to those who haven't watched the series, we made a concerted effort to ensure that each character on screen, including the occasional appearance of Lewis for comedic relief, had a purpose for being there.

Can you discuss the music in the series? The composer is incredible, and the licensed songs are a perfect fit. It really adds another layer to the show.

Nicola Gregory: Everything about this show is carefully planned, from the people we hire, the heads of departments, our casting choices, and of course, the music. Music has been a crucial element since the pilot episode, and we were very intentional in our approach. We wanted to highlight British talent both in terms of original music and our editorial choices. Our music supervisor, Kaya Pino at King Lear, did an exceptional job in selecting the music and bringing it to our attention. But we also had a collaborative environment, where even our costume designer would suggest songs. In fact, in one particular episode, I believe it's episode three, with the track "Suck Your Mum," it was actually the costume designer who recommended it and it fit perfectly. And Adjani, our music selection consultant, plays a significant role in the music selection process.

We approached the task with great intention, working within our given parameters, while also aiming for an editorially-appealing outcome. Our goal was to create a soundtrack that could stand on its own, becoming a character in the show and adding an additional layer. Our composer, Adam, played a pivotal role in achieving this. He would understand the desired impact of each scene and deliver something for us to review and tweak as necessary. The process and journey of our music were truly remarkable.

Did you have any personal connections or elements in this series that you strongly advocated for, ensuring their prominent presence?

Nicola Gregory:

About Dreaming Whilst Black

We shared a strong alignment in our visions for this series. I steadfastly advocated for the inclusion of every element, as it required condensing the scripts to fit within a half-hour timeframe. Our intentionality was evident in the subtle details that unfolded in the background. Even our costume department took great care in selecting 60 brands that represented Black and people of color. We ensured that the costumes served a purpose. The music was thoughtfully chosen as well. It was crucial for us to depict a love story between two characters with dark skin, as colorism is a prevalent issue within our culture. These were key points of emphasis for us, as we aimed to showcase them as normal occurrences rather than exceptions. Therefore, I fought tirelessly to bring all these aspects to fruition.

Dreaming Whilst Black is a six-episode dramedy series. It was co-created and co-written by Adjani Salmon, who won the 2022 BAFTA for Emerging Talent: Fiction and was named the Screen International Star of Tomorrow. The series is co-produced by indie Big Deal Films and A24. Dreaming Whilst Black is loosely based on real-life events and follows the story of Kwabena (played by Salmon), an aspiring filmmaker trapped in a dead-end recruitment job. Determined to make his dreams come true, he faces the challenges of managing finances, navigating love, and maintaining his grip on reality. The show is an adaptation of the acclaimed web series with the same title.

Check back for our other Dreaming Whilst Black interviews:

Director Koby Adom

Executive Producer Dhanny Joshi

New episodes of Dreaming Whilst Black are released on Fridays on Paramount+, and Sundays on Showtime.