2007/2008 films

Hot off the press, we're delighted to bring you news of the films we've commissioned for this year's scheme.

Check back often for news on the films as they enter production...

• Caterpillar – wr./dir. John Maidens, prod. Michael Ford and Rachel Carter

Drama. A young deaf boy with a fascination with nature is taken on his first hunt with his grandfather and best mate.

Malvern-based John Maidens has directed television drama and documentary for broadcasters including the BBC and ITV. This will be his first short film having been identified by BAFTA as a director to watch out for in 2005. Birmingham-based Michael Ford is the founder of Infinite Wisdom Productions and has produced a number of short films including the award winning Behind Closed Doors and Last Night.  Michael is currently working on a number of feature film projects.  Coventry-based Rachel Carter produces corporate films and arts projects through her co-founded businesses Fullrange Films and Oakslade Studios, and also develops her own projects as a producer including broadcast comedy, documentary and film, some of which have been supported by Screen WM.

• Night Time – wr./dir. Steven Butler, prod. Justin Edgar

Horror. A boy who has recently lost his father to war learns what really hides under the bed when he faces a very real intruder in his home.

Kidderminster-based Steven Butler qualified as a chartered accountant in 2000, but left the business in 2005 to retrain with the London Film Academy where he was presented with the Outstanding Student of the Year award. Night Time will be his first commissioned film since graduating from film school. Steven is also a prolific writer and is developing a number of feature film scripts. Birmingham-based Justin Edgar has produced countless successful short films including digishorts such as Room To Think, Rude Awakenings and Auto de Fe. He has recently completed his second feature film as a director, Special People, which premiered at the 2007 Edinburgh International Film Festival and also opened the 2008 London Disability Film Festival.

• Momster – wr./dir. Steven Spencer, prod. Rachel Carter

Animation/live action drama. A girl tries to overcome her oppressive father with the help of a magical sketchbook left by her mother.

Birmingham-based Steven Spencer is a freelance director, animator and character designer, with a wealth of experience across the film, advertising and computer games industries. His first short, My Brown Friend, had its world premiere at the London Film Festival and is currently being represented worldwide by the British Council. Coventry-based Rachel Carter produces corporate films and arts projects through her co-founded businesses Fullrange Films and Oakslade Studios, and also develops her own projects as a producer including broadcast comedy, documentary and film, some of which have been supported by Screen WM.

• The Gloaming – wr./dir. John Bradburn and Andy Paton, prod. Roger Shannon

Experimental horror. A newly-married couple become stranded in a deserted woods and must try to survive.

Alvechurch-based John Bradburn is an independent film and video maker with two micro-budget feature films to his name. The first, Kyle, screened at the Seattle International Film Festival in 2007. The second, Vaux, is currently in post-production. John also lectures at Staffordshire University and works as a film journalist. Shropshire-based Andy Paton also lectures in film production at Staffordshire University, as well as directing films and music videos. Producer Roger Shannon, based in Birmingham, heads up production company Swish, and has been involved with countless feature films including Festival, On A Clear Day, The Lawless Heart and Michael Winterbottom’s Butterfly Kiss.

• English Bloody Rose – wr./dir. Alex Jones, prod. Saskia Sutton

Drama. A university student is forced to take desperate measures to pay her way through her studies, without realising her mum has been doing the same – but the truth comes to light when the dark underworld they are embroiled in confronts them head-on.

West Malvern-based writer/director Alex Jones previously wrote and produced the 2002 Digital Short Rhubarb & Roses, which was nominated for a BAFTA in the same year as Bouncer. He has since found great success as a playwright, and his internationally-acclaimed Noise has been produced all around the globe. A feature treatment of that script is in development and Alex hopes this directorial debut will enable him to get that film into production. Leamington-based Saskia Sutton recently set up Losky Films with development support from Screen WM, and has produced countless film, television and commercials projects.

• Spirited – wr. Liz John, dir. Lewis Arnold, prod. Tom Knight

Comedy drama. An old lady in sheltered housing goes on a perilous adventure to find an afternoon of bliss and in the process rediscovers her independence.

Solihull-based director Lewis Arnold graduated with first class honours from the University of Gloucestershire in 2007. His first film, Leave of Absence, won ‘Best in Category’ at the Viewfinder Film Festival, and he has since produced more short films and music videos as well as working on other projects including the 2007 digital extreme Pink. Spirited will be his first commissioned film. Writer Liz John is based in Birmingham, and has written a number of feature film scripts as well as scripts for Doctors and other broadcast projects. Producer Tom Knight met Lewis at university and they have collaborated on a number of previous projects.

• Arthur’s Lore – wr./dir./prod. Vince Lund & Matthew Cooke

Comedy. Freewheeling petty thief Arthur is as surprised as anyone to learn he’s the reincarnation of KING Arthur – but there’s no time to contemplate as the forces of dark lore are active once again and only one person can stop them.

Coventry-based filmmakers Matt Cooke and Vince Lund have been very busy since their 2004 First Cut Urban Savannah, made with the support of Screen WM and ITV Carlton. There’s the 2005 Digital Short Room 45 for starters, and since then they’ve continued to make hilarious shorts (including Paperman) as well as developing feature film and broadcast sitcom ideas. In 2006 Screen WM awarded them Advantage Development funding to support a slate of television comedy ideas which garnered interest from broadcasters including the BBC, and enabled them to work with Green Wing director Tristram Shapeero to get their scripts into even better shape. More info at www.mattandvince.com.