FULL STEAM AHEAD

What happens when a group of passionate, creative filmmakers get together and make a micro-budget full length feature film - against all odds.

Hands hovering in suspense over my keyboard. Chest feels a little locked - the pressure is a little cramping.

But what do you expect when you try to make a feature film with a budget that struggles to stretch in the minds of the industry and gatekeepers whose firm presence makes it really hard for the small guy to take that leap from short films to features.

I knew it would be hard, but I honestly didn’t think it would be this hard.

But between my last post and this, we have (the majority of) our core team and secured the key locations (thanks to friends, recommendations of friends and the kind people of our neighbourhood). We even had our first team meet up on Friday night and we gathered in our living room whilst our wonderful Production Designer shared her vision for my character’s flat.

In the last two weeks we have:

Hosted our first in-person team meeting (another to happen v soon).

Director and our Screenwriter - Bruno Centofanti has been crafting and tactfully sculpting our story, I’m witnessing an artist conjuring a piece of work that is an accumulation of his experience, interests and life-long passion.

Director of Photographer - Lukas Bistricky we are so lucky to have you on board. Your energy has been critical to us moving forward at the speed in which we are.

Production Designer - Violette De Laet her work is as beautiful as her personality! To see how you absorbed our character’s psychology and are able to translate that into her living space. Collaborating with you is so fun.

Costume Designer - Tori Hitchens hand-crafting bespoke costume and designs that reflect who our characters are and the story that they tell themselves.

The support of wonderful friends - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

A flat in West London that we have full freedom to re-decorate and transform into my character’s home environment. (The first lick of paint goes up tomorrow!)

An additional 5 locations (crossing fingers).

A licensed black cab and black cab driver who is part of our team. Cabaret Dan, you’re a top guy.

We still have many things to source and complete and logistics and paperwork. Finalise budget! BFI Certification application! Lock schedule! Parking permits! Catering! Extras! Find the missing puzzles pieces to our close-knit team of creators, makers, doers and problem solvers.

Did I mention that we start filming on 5th May?

Feels like I’m preparing for battle.

Photo by Wanda Martin (untouched and fresh from her camera). Makeup and Hair by Mikaela Honeywill. Costume Design by Tori Hitchens.

But I have also never felt so ready.

Once upon a time the film industry had to reinvent itself
and the new story is the one we are telling. Together.

Making a low-budget feature film is an act of defiance.

Making a low-budget feature film is an act of resilience.

This is an act of creation.

I am committed to my innate and human right to create.

I will not be extinguished by any force that threatens to dampen my innate desires and self expression.

I am committed to honoring my artistic license.

LET’S DO THIS!