Jan Dunn Multi- Award winning Director agrees to direct BROKEN BOYS for Trebuchet.

Jan Dunn – Director

Jan is a multi award winning screenwriter & film director whose roots began as an actress in the theatre, she began getting noticed as a filmmaker with her short comedies Mary’s Date (1999) and Joan (2001), both audience favourites. Following the release in 2006 by Lionsgate Films of her acclaimed first feature film Gypo, The Hollywood Reporter stated she was “a filmmaker to watch” with Screen International calling her “a very promising new British Talent”. The film became multi-award winning including a British Independent Film Award (BIFA) for Best Production, then came Ruby Blue starring Bob Hoskins, another international award winner & The Calling starring Brenda Blethyn and a stellar British and releases in the US February 2014.

She is currently adapting the bestselling novel by Geraldine Brooks, Year of Wonders, set during the great plague of 1666. The film is being developed by Creative England as a Co-production between Violet Pictures and NOWFilms.

Jan is about to direct her adaptation of the Rose Tremain best-seller, Sacred Country for CrossDay Productions and, co-writing a TV comedy-drama, Tongue & Groove with Rob Young (about a women’s construction firm) for Slyfox Films for producer Linda James and a 3 part period drama.

 

The misconceptions of “Just making a film”

Breaking into the film industry is difficult. For most it takes years of unpaid hard work, slaving away on as many shoots as possible to make contacts and making film after film in an attempt to get ‘noticed’.  There is no glamour in the industry.  For every ambitious filmmaker who succeeds there are thousands toiling away and struggling to make ends meet. Every year hundreds more graduate from university and saturate the market further.

In times of frustration many filmmakers judge themselves against their competition. Every time they see somebody lucky enough to find work they tell themselves; “It’s not what you know but who you know” furthering the myth that they have no control of their future as a filmmaker. One of the more popular phrases used by filmmakers who have succeeded is to “Just go out and make a film” and ignore the many reasons not to do so.

This phrase is misleading and needs to be clarified. It can be very easy to make a film. Just grab some friends, what little props you have to hand and go have some fun. Traditionally this is how all budding filmmakers start out; the mistake is not progressing beyond that workflow. For years budding filmmakers will make projects limited by the budget available, write scripts with locations they have access to and write characters for actors they know. They may even be pleased with the end result, but invariably find their film lost amid a sea of similar efforts.  

The role of education in film is becoming increasingly under appreciated.  The industry cares little for the majority of graduate film students each year. Apart from a couple of exclusive and expensive institutions, the academic system teaches little of relevance to today’s practical industry. However there are many places to obtain education and the failing of many university courses to be relevant should not diminish the importance of education, or more accurately, knowledge. There are plenty of workshops and courses available to educate filmmakers on the practical realities of making a film, at a fraction of the cost of a university degree.

Value is placed on experience in today’s market, leading us back to the belief that we should “Just go out and make films”. The phrasing of this saying suggests that any film will do, that the experience of making films is in itself enough. What the phrase should really say is “Just go out and make a film with professional intent”

 Whilst not as catchy, it is the attitude with which you approach a project that determines its long term value. Go with the intent of making something within your comfort zone and you will learn nothing for your next project. The end result will be a film that does little to distance itself from the competition.

However, making a film that pushes your boundaries forces you to think differently. Taking on new challenges such as stunt work, night shooting, casting sessions or working with a full crew will improve your skills no matter the final result of the project. Approach everything in a professional manner; take the time to do rehearsals, technical demos and budgeting. When you start to think of yourself as a professional filmmaker, others will see you that way too.

Even though there are thousands of filmmakers out there, you’d be surprised how small the independent industry is. It is usually the same names who pop up and word travels fast. Thinking differently about yourself as a filmmaker is the first step. Approaching your projects in a professional manner will help you to get noticed.

Don’t “Just go out and make a film”. Take the time to really develop your project and it will make all the difference in the end.

Ian Smyth

Interview with BAFTA award winning actor Bobby Lockwood

Bobby Lockwood after winning his BAFTA for Best Performer this year.

Bobby Lockwood the star of CBBC’s award winning children’s drama Wolfblood has taken sometime out on the run up to christmas to answer a few questions for us.  Bobby has already had a long acting career and been lucky enough to do projects from Disney to mainstream UK TV.

Bobby has agreed too play one of the three lead males in our next feature Broken Boys and we are very happy to have someone of his talent onboard.

1. How did you first start in acting; did you always want to be an actor?

I danced from 3 years old at a local dance school and there I started acting, I got an agent at 5 and my first job at 6. I wanted to be a forensic scientist up until I was about 14. It was a mixture of picking my options and seeing Billy Elliot on stage which made me realise I loved acting and wanted to do it for the rest of my life! Ironically I didn’t enjoy drama at school or college because I think the syllabus is wrong, it’s based too much on coursework and written work and shouldn’t be graded the same way as maths or science. How this hasn’t been addressed in schools yet, I have no idea.

2. As a young actor what are your aspirations for the future?

I like to not think too far into the future as in this industry, and life, you never know what’s gonna happen! I will be James Bond one day though…

3. Wolfblood has been a huge success for you, how have you found the popularity?

It seems like it is a children’s show that can be enjoyed by adults too and I don’t think many shows fit into that niche so that’s great. We have an amazing time filming so the fact it’s doing well makes it even better! I don’t really think about my own ‘popularity’ though, it’s always nice to meet a fan but I’m not fond of the whole ‘fame’ thing. I would much rather go about anonymously acting strange with my family and mates.

4. Winning a BAFTA is a great achievement did you expect it

Not at all! Still hasn’t sunk in.

5. How have things changed for you since?

They haven’t really. It’s made me believe in myself and my ability though and really made me want to win more!

6. How did you hear about your latest project, Trebuchet’s film Broken Boys?

I did Ups & Downs last year and Sean was the Producer on that, he told me about Broken Boys, I loved the idea and I couldn’t really think of a film like it.

7. What excites you most about the film?

A few things, on a personal level I can’t wait to get on set and try something totally new and gritty. Then there is the hope that it could help people, whether someone is gay or whatever, prejudices are wrong and I am just hoping it might open people’s eyes a little bit, especially as I’m straight.

8. How do you get into character for your roles; particularly this one?

I have thought quite a lot about it to be honest, I just think of people in real life who I think resemble the character and try to take on certain characteristics or traits.

9. It’s a new type of role for you. Do you think your fans will be shocked?

Erm, maybe? It’s something different I guess, I just hope people like it. I still find the concept of having genuine fans really strange, obviously I’m very very grateful but I hardly get recognised in real life, just see a lot of things on twitter and Instagram and stuff so it just doesn’t seem real most of the time.

10. What would you say to any young actors that wanted to follow in your footsteps and become successful?

The industry is not as glamorous as you think it is. I won a BAFTA two weeks ago but I’m also broke and bored with not working! You’ll face a lot of rejection but if you really really love performing then take it on the chin, leave your ego at the door and try to have as much fun as you can along the way.

Interview with Richard Crehan

This week we had the opportunity to talk to Richard Crehan as he took some time out from his busy schedule to answer a few of our questions.

Richard is an up and coming talented actor with credits that include Emmedale, Skins, The Knife That Killed Me and The Monuments Men.  Richard is set to Play one of the three leads in our feature film Broken Boys.

1. How did you first get into acting; did you always want to be an actor?

No, I didn’t always want to be an Actor, I wanted to follow in my brothers footsteps and go into the Army, he’s 9 years older than me so I always looked up to him, and wanted to do what he did. It was at secondary school, Yr11, I was advised by my drama teacher to go to the local college and study performing arts, I did, whilst working for a plumbing firm at the same time to earn my crust, it was at that college that I realised I wanted to take it further, but I guess it wasn’t until I trained at drama school that I actually really knew this is what I wanted to do, and what sort of actor I wanted to be.

2. As a young actor what are your aspirations for the future?

I aspire to be the best I can be within this business we call show. The dream of course is to work with the best, explore characters and text’s that are challenging and rewarding, this I assume is the same for most actors. if I am to think realistically, I aspire to be employed, constantly, to be able to earn a living from doing what I have trained to do and what I love, to act, day in day out, that’s what I aspire to achieve in the future.

3. What was it like when you stepped on set for the first time?

My first job was in TV while I was still at drama school, I played a small role in Emmerdale, 1 scene, and a handful of lines, and I have to say, as much as I loved it, I was terrified, my scene was with 2 of the long running regulars, people I have seen on the telly for years, and now I was sat with them running lines, strange, BUT I made the absolute most of it, loved it, and by the end of the day I was absolutely sure that was an environment I wanted to be apart of.

4. How was it working on a film directed by George Clooney?

Well similar to the last question in the sense of, it was George Clooney, a man we have seen plasted all over the hollywood movie scene for years, so I was very in awe of him, BUT I had done a few jobs by this time now, so I was a lot less like a rabbit in headlights and more ready and switched on to work. It was all very quick, I was called by my agent early in the day when I was at a recall in Liverpool for a TV job, and she said the casting director had been in touch and its between me and another guy for the job, then an hour later she phones with the offer, 8 hours later I was on a plane to Berlin, and within  24 hours of the call I was at studio Babelsberg getting a costume fitted. It was insane. Mr Clooney was great, aswell as directing, he was the leading man, and we exchanged dialogue in a small scene together, he was a very warm and friendly bloke, he just chatted to me all day about my past and what I have been up too, a very normal conversation in a very abnormal (for me) environment. To top it off my trailer was next to his, and that I will never forget haha. It was great to see how they do it over there, they are the masters of big budget films like that and they don’t half do it well.

5. What was it like making the move from TV to films?

Well actually, other than Emmerdale, my first proper job was film, and that’s what I have done more of than anything, I have done a few telly jobs now, but primarily, the first few jobs I got were film.

6. How do you measure your success?

My success is minor, but on the up, I graduated 18 months ago and have been VERY lucky to have done the jobs I have done, but I also have to take some of the recognition for that myself, I have worked my arse off to be where I am and I am far from ‘there’ yet, so my success is hopefully on the up and that’s how I will measure it for now.

7. How did you hear about your latest project, Trebuchet’s film Broken Boys?

I worked with Reece Douglas a few years ago and we were all at a private screening of our film and he mentioned he was going to work on a feature with producer Sean Langton along with Danny Miller. I messaged Sean to introduce myself as I know he has a few projects on the up and he himself is also going the same way, we got chatting and talked about Broken Boys, our views are very much the same, and after numerous phone conversations, and him watching my work, he offered one of the leads, I really want to work for him, his vision is second to non, so I signed.

8.What excites you most about the film?

Other than working with Sean and the great leads attached, the script. The questions it posses and where it puts the characters, it’s going to be a tough one, both to bring to life, and I think for the audience to watch.  This is the sort of thing I like to do, its why I became an actor.

9. How do you get into character for your roles; particularly this one?

Well I haven’t started to work on him yet, as we are not 100% set in stone as to when we start so I don’t want to over prepare, I still want it to be instinctive and real. But usually I guess I just create that back story, where he has come from, why etc, and build it from there, its different everytime of course it is, and im still learning as an actor and always will be, so the methods of creating a character will change and grow as I do.

10. It’s a new type of role for you. Do you think your fans will be shocked?

Its a new role for sure, BUT I often play naughty lads, people that are not often liked as much by the audience, and its the same this time. But I also think the public will enjoy it, its what I do well, and seems to have worked for me so far. I have a lot more i’m bringing to the table to, so we shall see.

 11. What would you say to any young actors that wanted to follow in your footsteps and become successful?

I’d say, stick with it, work hard and the results will show, don’t be knocked by rejection, its not personal but is common. Get out there and show your face, no one is gong to knock on your front door, so do the knocking.

Thank you very much Richard for your time and kind words.  I’m sure we all look forward to watching you on the big screen.

Reece Douglas Interview.

Reece Douglas best known for his role of Denzil Kelly in Waterloo Road has last year made the transition to the world  of film with his debut in The Knife That Killed Me, from Universal due for release next year.

He is a very talented actor and Trebuchet where lucky enough to sign him for their next feature project ‘Broken Boys’ as the lead Chris Simkins.

Reece kindly took out some time from his busy schedule of acting and the launch of his new clothing line to answer a few questions for us.

1. How did you first get into acting; did you always want to be an actor?

To be an actor was never something I expected. At school math’s, English, science etc was never really something that hugely interested me. Drama was because it was more of a practical subject rather than theory; drama at school was a subject that only my drama teacher recognised me for; the first subject in which I showed interest and dedication. Because of this my drama teacher came to be my mentor, Maybe my teachers thought it was him that was making me show interest, but no, it was acting itself. My teacher soon came to realise it wasn’t my intelligence that made me have a lack of interest in other subjects; it was just that I didn’t enjoy them. My teachers used to tell me that if I worked harder I could of produced better grades. This didn’t phase me in the slightest; I mean why put my time into a subject in which I had no interest? I didn’t wish to follow a subject or career I knew I wouldn’t enjoy. The school play was coming up; the only thing in school I was actually looking forward to! Who was going to be in the cast? My drama teacher clearly knew it was a subject I love and in which I excelled. What I didn’t realise was that my drama teacher couldn’t have a naughty pupil representing the school in his play, not only for his sake, but for the pupils who had A’s in most subjects and wanted to be in the cast as much as I did. The play was ‘Blood Brothers’ in which I was the narrator. Not much of a character as such but one the audience soon came to find comical as I was seen to be wearing a blazer 3 times too big for me!! Bearing in mind the narrator was an extremely serious character the contrast was just too overwhelming and quite frankly humiliating. My drama teacher had many contacts in the industry and told the class how there were going to be auditions held for ‘Waterloo Road’ in the very room we were sitting in. Well, we were raging with excitement. Personally I never watched the show but my friends certainly did and I knew how popular it was. After several auditions it came down to the final two, myself and another boy. Came the night before I was going to find out and I will never forget the feeling I held in my stomach, not ever having had an interest in any one particular subject but now suddenly never wanting something so much. Before I went to bed that night I had a discussion with my mum; it almost felt like someone had told me and I was passing on the message. She must of thought I was mad but I told her I was going to get the part; she responded with a shrug of the shoulders and laughed saying who knows? The day had finally come, my mum sat by the phone whilst I went along to my boring school subjects trying to find a way of entertaining myself, Most of the time being the class clown. It was lunchtime and as I was queuing for dinner when suddenly a loud announcement was made on the tanoy. ‘Can Reece Douglas please report to the pastoral office’ I had never felt adrenaline like I did in that very moment. As I quickly made my way to the pastoral office my mind was doing overtime, have I got the part? Maybe something has happened at home. I laughed to myself when I realised it could be my head of year finding out about me throwing an apple across the dinner hall the previous day. I entered the office and my head of year passed me the phone, it was my mother. Not one word could be understood from what was being said except a loud scream of excitement, I knew I got the part. Most importantly from that very moment onwards I knew I wanted to be an actor.

2. As a young actor what are your aspirations for the future?

I guess the answer to this question is one that many actors my age would say. As an actor we all have that one performer we aspire to; in my case Will Smith. My perfect idea of the future would to be working on a sequel of films in Hollywood. I guess that’s a very stereotypical answer, what actor wouldn’t?. A more realistic answer would be to work full time on a UK series, if it were to film abroad then it would be a bonus.

3. Waterloo Road has been a huge success, how have you found the popularity?

Starting Waterloo Road when I was 13 years old it was a huge stepping-stone, not only for me but my family also. All the attention coming at once was extremely overwhelming; I can see why people become full of themselves. My mum was my chaperone on set; always making it her duty to keep me grounded and reins me in when I was pulling above my weight, all credit to her. Being recognised is just another part of the job which I think many people don’t know how to handle, Learning to always smile and be polite when in fact your having the worst day of your life. Never forgetting that so many people would love to be in the position I am in.

4. How have things changed for you since leaving Waterloo Road?

I started to find out who my true friends were, not just friend-zoning me because I am on TV but actually liked me for who I am. I started to see the world in a different way. I don’t tend to socialise as much as I used to, I invest a lot of time into my clothing line and also acting websites trying to find my next role.

5. What was it like making the move to films?

I have done numerous films before so it was nothing new to me, I do prefer films but its much more difficult to consecutively make a steady income off.

6. How do you measure your success?

I see acting as a career rather than a path I follow to be famous. Many people would measure success by how recognised you are and that’s why I despise reality TV. I could land a part in the biggest reality TV show there is; a camera following me around all day while I gossip about people is not successful. Playing a distinct character in a hit TV series is. That’s how I measure the difference between fame and success.

7. How did you hear about your latest project, Trebuchet’s film Broken Boys?

Producer Sean Langton initially contacted me via an actors website I often use; star now to film ‘Cruel Summer’. I then signed another contract straight after to play the lead in his next film, Broken Boys.

8. What excites you most about the film?

Referring back to before I’m excited to play a role that’s out of my comfort zone and distinct from everything else.

9. How do you get into character for your roles; particularly this one?

Actors have numerous ways of getting into role; Some prefer method or revise real life experiences. No matter what role you play there will always be an element of yourself in a character regardless. It’s knowing how to change your mannerisms and body language for that character. Personally I put myself into the shoes of someone who relates to the character I want to be. Sometimes not feeling comfortable when performing is good.

10. Its a new type of role for you, Do you think your fans will be shocked?

Playing a character out of my comfort zone will definitely reflect the same on the audience when watching the film. Not expecting to see something is initially always a shock, But regardless of what anybody’s reaction will be it’s seeing someone they have never seen before; that’s what makes me an actor.

11. What would you say to any young actors that wanted to follow in your footsteps and become successful?

Firstly I would say never follow in anyone’s footsteps. Take tips from what has made that person successful and use them wisely. A well known actor is someone that is good at playing a particular role, that’s is why its so easy to become stereotyped. If your wanting to be an actor think of the characters your most suited to playing and revise.

Thanks for that Reece and I’m sure everyone would like to wish you well with all your exciting projects to come.

Coming to the end.

As 2013 closers in and 2014 approaches with a ferocity, wow how fast has this year has gone, I thought it would be a good time to show everyone what we have been up to during the year.

The year started slow with the entry on the festival circuit for Legacy and finishing up of the post, in order for Ups & Downs which I co-produced, to join it at festivals.

Then came Cruel Summer a brutal thriller inspired by true events, starring Danny Miller (Emmerdale, Scott & Bailey) and Reece Douglas (Waterloo Road, The Knife That Killed Me), this was our first feature which was a co-production with 441 Films directed by the debut directing duo of Escott & Newman.  The film is currently in post and we hope to release it in the summer of 2014.

Next year promises to be exciting with the chance to work again with Reece Douglas and BAFTA award wining actor Bobby Lockwood on our next feature Broken Boys. Watch out for interviews with both these rising stars along with their co-star Richard Crehan (The Knife That Killed Me, The Monuments Men) in the coming weeks on here.

In the meantime take a look at the work from this year by watching our showreel.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a excellent New Year.

Trebuchet Film Productions – Who we are.

A compelling force in LGBT film Trebuchet Film Productions promotes social equality though truly great films. In 2013 army veteran Sean Langton, Trebuchet’s driving force and Producer, won the Cardiff Audience Choice Award and was a finalist in the Sharpies, Coffs Harbour, Australia for his first short film LEGACY.  Trebuchet Film Productions prides themselves on using some of the best British and Welsh talent both in front of the camera and in its production team.  Utilising the vast talent of film locations for an authentic feel that gives back to the community.

Perhaps most exciting is the company’s new project a look into modern day society and the accessibility of homosexual acceptance to teens.  The cast is headed by BAFTA award winner Bobby Lockwood, Skins actor Richard Crehan and Waterloo Road’s exciting young talent Reece Douglas.  Broken Boys tells the emotional journey of two homosexual teenagers; Chris, the out and proud all around good boy and Tom, with his bad boy attitude is a hit with the girls in a personal crisis with his own gay identity.