Working Away Through The Talent

This time last year I was gearing up for my first production with BakerNunPixie. It was a fantastic balls to the floor achievement given I was working nights, had never produced anything before and had five weeks to write, shoot, edit and enter the short film into the competition. With a good team around us this proved to be a good experience and I think ForeverTogether stands up quite well in terms of quality productions. There are a lot worse and more shabbily mounted films out there.

So what do we have this year? we have a piece inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey,  Steven Moffat and The Shining. A prequel short to a feature film that combines Dog Soldiers, Jaws and Rab C Nesbitt. Perhaps a little bit more of Eliza (oh how I love that character) and her playthings from Roulette of Horror. We have a new crew under our wing. We have in house editing. We have our returning star actress, and possibly star actors. In a lot of ways we're approaching this year as something new, but with the experience of last year behind us. Which then leads onto more questions, specifically what do we want and where are we going? So in that vein here is a list of actors and actresses I would one day like to meet on set, reading my lines in one of my productions.

1 - Winona Ryder



I've always had a soft spot for Miss Ryder. In fact it was the thought of one day meeting her on set that switched on the flame of feature screenwriting inside of me.

2 - Nicole deBoer


Again, there are ulterior motives for this choice. One of my first major crushes, I've always harboured a desire to meet her in the flesh. But, beyond just physical attraction her performance in the first few episodes of Deep Space Nine Series 7 as Ezri Dax was amazing. More character development and emotional range than was shown in the previous 6 years. 

3 - Catherine Tate




Immediately, eyebrows get raised. However, anyone who saw her turn as Donna Noble in series 4 of Doctor Who will be less surprised. At first the loud mouthed bolshy persona would turn people away, but as it developed so did the character, reaching a peak in the episode  'Turn Left' with a tour de force performance of anger, sadness, confusion and fear.
 
4 - Vanessa Mayfield

Ok, technically this is a cheat because I have actually been on set and heard her reading my lines. But, as the Gov' Elinor Perry-Smith says. "She is our muse" so I look forward to working with her again and again and hopefully again. 

5 - Sylvester McCoy




Ok, I'll admit it. Sylvester McCoy was MY Doctor. Hero worship plays a big part in productions. quite a few films have been made just so they can cast their acting heroes in a part. The loveliest and strangest thing I've seen in the past few years is Sylvester in a multi-million dollar movie from an Academy Award winning director. And he's brilliant.

6 - Dylan Moran





Bernard Black is one of the great TV characters, permanently pissed or angry but most of the time both. Anyone who has seen Dylan Moran do stand up appreciates the subtle shifts in his act, quieter moments alongside his bombastic outbursts about the world. Sometimes shifts from stand up to acting doesn't always yield the results we desire, but sometimes it does and it does perfectly. 

7 - Matt Smith


Yes, he is the current leading man in Doctor Who and along with Sylvester McCoy my personal favourite. It's the madness and the sadness rolled into one. So based on that I'd love to work with him, on a project that requires melancholy from the soul. It would be amazing.

Black And Blue Orchids

So I'm going to start this post with a very strange account. For the first time in my life, on Tuesday February 5th at 16:04pm I had a blackout. Not just any blackout but the kind that includes people surrounding me telling me not to move, blood pouring from a head wound and shouts for a first aider.

Apparently from what I can piece together, a  coughing fit led to oxygen starvation and in turn led to me making the acquaintance of the concrete floor outside the managers office. Luckily, and I mean this sincerely, my glasses took the impact of the fall. I went head first onto concrete and don't have cracks, bruises or lumps. What I do have is a black eye and steristrips. Man do I look sexy!!!!! Yeah, actually I look like a chubby little guy who's walked into a lamp post.

The thing that interests me the most is the reactions and gossiping that takes place around me.

Half the building was very kind and took the opportunity to talk about what had happened to me and ask how I was feeling and even a couple of them took the opportunity to text or e-mail to ask how I was.

The other half didn't know or didn't care enough to ask.

It's quite a sobering thought to think that maybe you're so insignificant to people that when you collapse and bleed you're not worth a minute of people's time.

I recently decided to take a Twitter sabbatical because I found myself increasingly talking to myself more than interacting with followers. Nothing makes you feel more lonely than knowing 300 people want to hear what you have to say and not one of them are interested in replying to your questions. 

The best thing about this post is that some people will read it and go, that's sad. I feel a bit sorry for him. But from experience the majority will turn round and go, look at that selfish self centred attention seeker.

To be honest, it's true that i don't really give a fuck about what people say and think, I'm not a people person. I'm reclusive and withdrawn. I have interests and preferences that people don't connect with. But I have a small circle of friends and that's enough for me.

When The World Ends Call Amy Lee When I'm Sober For Me.

So, 2012 is nearly at an end. I have to say that even though it doesn't rank as the greatest year for me, (For those interested 2010 was that year) it will probably linger in the top four a bit like Arsenal. I will attempt to run down a few reasons why 2012 was a nice little year.

1 - www.pixiefairiecreative.co.uk

Hello, yes that's me that is. That's my very own website the features links to almost everything I've done. I feel very proud of it. It showcases my talent quite nicely and also features galleries from my film shoots. It has taken years but I now have a central hub. Of course some would say I've had a big fat hub for years....

The next step is to look at making PixieFairieCreative a fully functioning production company with accountants, accounts, incomes and expenses. Reasons for which will become clear in the next three years. (Oooh how mysterious do you want to be?)

2 - IMDB

Guess what you can do in 2012 that you couldn't do at any point in the past 30 years? Yes, you guessed correctly you can put Noel Rainford into the IMDB search bar and come up with credits. Have to admit that this is a very proud achievement and one that I share with Robin Booth and Max Byrne who both have virgin credits to their name. Hopefully that will change next year too.

3 - Being A Northerner

Hang on a minute, I can hear you all cry at once. What's so great about being a Northerner in 2012? Well I'll name you a few shall I?

• Danny Boyle - Creator of the greatest Olympic Games Opening Ceremony ever seen. [Highlight of which can be seen here... http://youtu.be/257EDRKfQFk
• Bradley Wiggins - Tour de France, Olympic Gold, Sports Personality Of The Year, Knight of the Realm
• Jason Kenny - Olympic Gold
• Paddy McGuinness - Just because.
• Manchester City - Premier League Champions
• Ian McKellan - Former Bolton School pupil

 So Mr Cameron if you could just fuck off back into number 10 and stop screwing with us it would be greatly appreciated.

4 - BakerNunPixie

BakerNunPixie  is my pet name for our little collective. Scott Baker, Elinor Perry-Smith and myself.  2012 has been a nice learning curve (as I mentioned in my last post) and I already have ideas in my head for where we can go in 2013, which have already been discussed with Mrs Perry-Smith.  Stand by for bigger announcements in the coming months, because 2013 will be the year of BakerNunPixie, you mark my words.

5 - Jubilee

Ok,I know that quite a lot of republicans out there will disagree with this. But let me just point something out here. The Jubilee weekend was a major moneyspinner for the Country as was the Olympics. Without a Royal Family who cost us about 70p per person a year (compared to the bailed out bankers who cost us £1,000 per person last year.) then we would be 300% more fucked as the economy falters. A lot of foreign travel comes into the country for our prestigious events pumping money into our economy, paying our inflated prices for crap beer and dodgy food. Standing in the rain, buying our knock off Jubilee Tat. That's what makes Britain Great, the fact that these idiots are willing to do all that just to say hello.

Hilary Swank And Chloe Sevigny Lesbian Sex

Forgive me for the sensationalist blog title. But, for those if you who are disappointed and will no doubt accuse me of using misleading and teasing headlines to get your attention and then not delivering. You can view it on Netflix or Love Film or buy it on DVD from somewhere that sells DVD's.

Hilary Swank won the ACADEMY AWARD (tm) for BEST ACTRESS in this film about a girl who pretends to be a boy.

Now some of you readers will no doubt by wondering what that intro was all about, and no doubt the rest of you are already on Daily Motion watching clips. But the point is one of  interest and readership. My last blog was read by 10 people. My Twitter page has 300 followers. so explain to me how that works. My Facebook page has 22 likes, yet I have over 50 friends. The issue is about rallying communities and activities. Spamming and cold boxing people who may or may not have an interest in your project.

Marketing is an increasingly important tool for independent filmmakers to attract attention and make their voice heard. But as always its about who you know more than what you know. Within my entourage of twitter friends I'm lucky to have two very supportive people, Damien Ahuir. who is based in Ireland and runs the website "Limited-release". He is very supportive and often retweets and follows my projects and project related postings. He even did me a great service with a lovely interview in 2011 when my first ever short film was released, which can be viewed here.  http://limited-release.com/noel-rainford-screenwriter/. This was way before I fell in with the lovely Mrs Perry-Smith and the ruggedly handsome Mr Baker to form Nun With A Gun Productions in association with PixieFairieCreative.co.uk in which we took Mother Superior's Nun With A Gun Productions and forced it into a small wooden Cell with my portfolio website to create that extremely long name for our working relationship.

The other name that has often been a source of support for me is the winner of  Mr Bolton Bulls himself (disclaimer: that competition never took place, it's just that you find his face on almost all of the Bolton Bulls promotional material) I present to you Mr Michael Galligan. [Please skip next paragraph if you do not like sentimentality]

I've been friends with Mr G for over ten years, we met a college and shared a similar twisted sense of humour that involved deep sarcasm, surrealism and the ability to laugh at others in an ironic kind of way. The thing that makes that last part so wonderful was that unlike a high number of people who did that we didn't bring the arrogance, because quite frankly we had nothing to be arrogant about. He will regale you with a story about our brush with Reality TV in an up and coming blog. (In case ur interested I've just been through 15 days of his twitter feed in the last 20 minutes looking for the link. Hopefully he'll repost this @RatedR1882 and he'll have a link for ya) Anyway, he's also been the greatest supporter and listener and friend anyone could wish for and I genuinely mean that. I can count my true, close real friends on a couple of fingers and he's definitely the thumb :).

In reality I need a bigger circle of people or I need other people to have a bigger circle to spread the word and increase interest in upcoming projects. (I will include the names Vanessa M. Ryan H. and Max B. who have been reposters and retweeters recently) But on the other side of the coin, 2012 has been an amazing learning curve for me in which I've thoroughly enjoyed embracing the role of producer and discovered I have little or no interest in being a film director. Even though the the three occasions of co-directing have been good, I can't see it being a full time move.

It's the run up to Christmas which means that there may very well be a review of 2012 blog post. all cheer hooray!! But before you get too happy about that there will also be a what's coming up in 2013 post too.

Merry Gothic Christmas. :)

http://youtu.be/uPGf12quies

Driving Me To Damascus

A couple of days ago, I was toying with whether or not to blog. Truth be told I was having a severe crisis of conscious about the current state of trying to get my new project off the ground and at the hurdles I was having problems getting over. You can see in the paragraphs below how I originally started this

Maybe its time time of year, with this being the first year I've actively been involved in the indie film business I'm not entirely sure of its peaks and troughs. But the amount of people who are willing work hard to get themselves noticed and increase their portfolio seems to have dwindled in the last few months, in fact people willing to get involved in new small projects seems to be significantly reduced.  I've spent a good few hours over the past few weeks networking and searching for people to get involved with the new "12 Days" project. I've sent out postings on several media sites for DOP's and Cinematographers and film crews and offers of co-productions. Literally all these have to do is turn up and film, scripts, locations, actors, props all taken care of and paid for. I find it strange.

But the things I find hardest to take are the ignorants. I can understand ignoring messages and requests from people who lives hundreds of miles away in other countries. People whose requests will never amount to anything because they're just out to add numbers. That kind of ignorance I understand because I've done that myself. But people in the same country, actively seeking help and actively pushing projects and trying to get things made, the simple "sorry, not interested" would be fine.

As you can see, I wasn't exactly channelling the spirit of goodwill. But it does beg a few questions, I personally blame the new vogue of crowdfunding, now instead of working hard and collaborating to get things made you can beg for money and people get paid. I'm still uncertain about the whole crowdfunding revolution in a lot of ways, if someone gets five thousand people to donate a tenner each and then that film makes tens of thousands of pounds of profit, what percentage of that profit goes back to the investors. Under normal circumstances a producer would be allowed to enter that production into competitions and festivals. How does that come into it? It really is a minefield I'd rather avoid.

In a strange quirk of finance, it worked out cheaper for me to pay travel expenses and an overnight stay and lunch for a crew who have enthusiasm and desire than pay for a crew just there for the money.

Anyway, something happened in a weird kind of coincidental way,. I've been reading a book about Stuart Adamson and the things that went on with Big Country and the record companies through the years and I've reached the last chapter, in which the great Big Country comeback and top 20 single was dashed by a record chart executive who decreed that the Big Country single 'Fragile Thing' had too many folds in its packaging and could have been bought because it looked good instead of sounding good. Good thing such stupid rules don't exist now or everyone will be buying singles just because there's a bikini clad hottie on it who can't really.... Oh... :(

It just so happens that on Radio 4 there was a documentary about the making of Driving To Damascus, the final album released by Stuart Adamson and Big Country and it got me thinking. I remember when I first bought the album and the reasons for it. I remember how depressed I was, how unhappy I was. How I used to listen to the songs over and over, how See You, Somebody Else and Fragile Thing were adopted as a soundtrack to my heartbreak. I read about Stuart's battles with inner demons and how he felt he lacked a support network which ultimately led him to a hotel room in Hawaii.

I suppose I'm a little bit sadder now, because a great talent has been lost, because a great album has been swept aside and because one of the great 90's songs will never be heard and acknowledged by the mainstream. I suppose what makes me saddest the most is that I now have a feeling that this great bubble of indie filmmaking that I've enjoyed over the past twelve months is shrinking and that instead of hard work and collaboration its money, money, money.

Fantasy Casting - Second Act

Well, this week has seen me approaching several actors and actresses... Should that be acti? What is the name for a group of actors and actresses anyway? A rehab of talent? Maybe someone could look it up for me. So while they are stewing over whether they wish to be involved in my projects I will take the fantasy casting through to the second block of episodes that have been prepared for "12 Days."


EL AMOR DE UN HOMBRE ESPANOL

Two Spanish lovers receive some bad news. But one won't accept bad news at Christmas time and is determined not to listen.



Starring:: Benedict Cumberbatch as Oscar

Oscar is the one who receives the bad news, brooding and miserable. While don't for one moment believe that Mr C, has an inability to go beyond broody I do believe he has an exotic look which would be perfect for a Spaniard in the midst of personal issues, plus I believe it would be excellent to see his interplay with...



Starring: Johnny Lee Miller as Cesc

Cesc is the optimist, the  man who sees no wrong who believes in a better future and that Christmas is about peace, love and drinking. Imagine the chemistry between a broody Cumberbatch and an energetic Miller. Imagine the flocking of young ladies when they know that they're playing lovers. Yes it may be eye candy casting, but at least these boys can act.


CAMGIRL CARNAGE

A webcam model describes the first business date she went on with a client and how it didn't come with a happy ending.



Starring: Shannon Whirry as Aisha.

For certain members of the audience Shannon Whirry is an unknown actress. For the rest of them she was the greatest softcore actress of the 90's. I am in the latter category and have to admit she is a perfect lady with a lot of attributes. who better to play a Webcam model then a former sex kitten? the role of Aisha calls for someone who can seduce you with her eyes, her smile and make you imagine that naughty things were a distinct possibility, in that respect Shannon is highly if not over qualified for the role.  


FLIRTATIONS WITH THE LAUNDRY
A party girl in an apartment block finds herself trapped in the laundry room with a man with more than dirty laundry on his mind.






Starring: Gerrard Butler as Steve.

Take a look at that face. If ever there was someone who oozed arrogance and sleaze with some enigmatic charm and cheeky sense of humour it's Gerard Butler. For anyone who has seen 'The Naked Truth' or 'The Bounty Hunter' then you'll know what I'm talking about. Steve is that kind of man, he carries a laundry basket with his arms outstretched so he can tense his muscles. Deliberately wears vests and shorts to show off his gym body because he thinks its what the ladies want. Well, buff, cheeky, sleazy and arrogant are all traits that we've seen Gerard Butler portray in a number of roles and sometimes all at the same time.



Starring: Audrey Tautou as Colleen.

Giggly, girlie, with a hidden secret. Teasing, tempting and giddy. There's more than meets the eye to Colleen, the bored party girl who is doing her laundry in the apartment basement late at night. In a similar vein to the character of Aisha, a lot of what Colleen does is in her look and the way she acts. Audrey Tautou is another one of those actresses who uses their body. Creating a mood with a smile, a glance or a look. Some of the sexiest eyes in the movie industry and a continental flair that betrays her French heritage.

A Little Game Of Fantasy Casting

Something that every movie maker or screen writer has done, (whether they care to admit it or not) is to fantasy cast one of their projects. In the build up to the new project (Project 12 Days) I'm going to play the game with you guys now. In the past I have cast John Cusack and Winona Ryder as my principle leads. I even went as far as choosing to entice Leonard Nimoy back into the Directors chair for the Sci-Fi epic, "No Earthly Connection". a script that I never finished but, once photoshopped, the poster looked brilliant.

I am picking three scripts (out of 12 for those of you paying attention) and will give you a brief plotline and the fantasy cast.

If you're sitting comfortably I'll begin.

VAMPIRE ROSES

"Nunwood Vampire Justine McVey has a date with a secret admirer."

 

Starring: Nicole De Boer as Justine McVey.
As seen in: Star Trek DS9, The Dead Zone, X Rated, Metal Tornado.

There are a couple of reasons why I'd cast Nicole as my Justine McVey. First and foremost is that she is a lovely actress who has an innocent, wide eyed quality to her that fits with the vision I have of Justine. I don't mind admitting that part of my decision to cast is the little crush I have on her and it would be lovely to meet her on set. :) Justine is innocent and sweet. Sexy and vicious. Nicole is cute, determined and smart. Together they could be formidable.

Starring Lee Evans as Donald

As seen in: The Medallion, Mouse Hunt, Doctor Who. 

Donald is a wonderfully weird character. A man who has fallen in love with a Vampire to the point where he carries pictures around with him. Manic and geeky. The role needs to go to someone who can pull it off without being bad strange. Someone with a charm and likeability so you can see beyond the weird obsession to the love and affection that Donald has towards Justine. Everyone loves Lee Evans, his turn as Dr Malcolm in Planet Of The Dead is just the right side of Geek to make him loveable. 

A PRESENT FOR ELIZA.

"The Voice, allows Eliza, the survivor of his latest game to choose her own Christmas present."

Starring: Helena Bonham-Carter as Eliza. 

As seen in: Planet Of The Apes, Big Fish, Fight Club, Alice In Wonderland

Eliza is a fragile, damaged young lady. taken from the streets as a teenager she has been forced to take part in vicious games to appease The Voice. Eliza has survived several brutal rounds and seen everyone around her die in the process. As victor she has lost her mind, but her prize is a chance to live in the darkness. If anyone can play the role, it's HBC. Twitchy, on edge and despite the fact that her mind is broken into a million little pieces still gorgeous. This could be another Marla Singer and she still looks hot in an eye patch. 

MESSAGE TO THE GREAT BEYOND

"A young Wiccan tries to contact her lost boyfriend." 

Starring: Ellen Page as Danielle

As seen in: Juno, Inception, X-Men III, Super

Anyone who's seen Juno will appreciate that Ellen Page gives a great performance as the wise ass child growing up quickly. There's a lot of things to be negative about, mostly the song and undertone of Jason Bateman's character bordering on obsession with a young girl. Danielle is a girl in control of her own life, knowing what she wants and is willing to experiment to get it. This episode calls for a strong spine of comedy, the central character should be moody and have a bit of a tantrum when things don't go their way. Credentials that exist in Page's Juno more than in anybody in the dodgy follow up 'Jennifer's Body'. 

So there you have it. If money/location were no object that's the cast I'd be looking at for these episodes. I'd be interested in hearing about your thoughts on who you would cast based on these loglines. 

I've already got Catherine Tate in mind as a busty barmaid in a Zombie flick and Winona Ryder and John Cusack in a Sci-Fi epic. So don't go steeling them!!