Spot On - The Making of Country GP

Television (Excerpts) – 1984

What you see here is the result of thousands of hours of work. Everything was very carefully planned, and then built or brought in, until the set here in Mason's Valley resembles as closely as possible an authentic New Zealand town in 1946.

– Reporter Sandy Beverley looks around the Country GP set in Whitemans Valley

Brown shadow under the eyes is just one of the tricks for making someone look older and plainer.

– Helen McGowan visits the Avalon makeup department for her role in a Country GP scene

...I went round the country. I went to shops, collectors, different manufacturers to see if they had anything from the past. And then when that failed, we put ads in the paper . . . little items put on the local news in Christchurch. And people came forward with lots of things. And then we've had to make some of the stuff, but not a great deal.

– Furniture and props manager Gaye Berquist on collecting 1940s era items for Country GP

You can even give it a bit more punch. It was good speed, but maybe a bit more projection on it....

– Director Janice Finn has notes for a Country GP actor on set

Stepping off the bus is like stepping back in time, but at least we don't look out of place.

– Reporter/actorHelen McGowan steps off the bus and into the mythical world of Mason Valley