The READ THROUGH...

Here are a couple of photos taken during the read through by Amanda Evans, our script writer. Her face told it's own story as she listened to the cast reading her script. She looked bemused, then suprised, and finally triumphant. Seeing a great script come alive must be an amazing personal experience.

Finally we all managed to get together as a full cast and it was such a thrill to see the script come to life.

After a long couple of months and a lot of discussion's and meetings about the film as a hole, the final draft is now under lock down.

The DOLL Team are all set ready to conjure a new world of black magic, Voodoo, for the Viewers and Followers!! (and much fun for us)

In the meantime we are in discussions with a fantastic technical group of creative minds who are in the movie industry. The Shoot is set for Mid January 2011.

QUOTE - J. Hawe

You may be whatever you resolve to be - determine to be something in the world and you will be something.
"I cannot!" never accomplished anything.

"I will try!" has worked wonders.

Carli De’La Hughes - Director of "The Doll"

Director of DOLL. More than one string to her Bow...

Swansea born actress Carli De'La Hughes, is now on a new adventure in the world of the Arts.

Carli is the producers assistant & Directing the first short film "The Doll" for Swansea Film Productions. She has alreadycompleted auditions, casting the film from a large number of actors who came forward. She has chosen locations and and is now making plans for the shoot with the creative team on board the project.

Carli's words..."I was always active and hyper as a child and my parents must have felt the need to convert my hyperactivity into something else.. so I first started out as a Welsh Gymnast for City of Swansea Gymnastic team. At the age of 12 I became a member of Stage Coach in Swansea got my first TV job for a Welsh series of ARACHNID, ON S4C: taking the lead role of Ni. From then I found my feet, realized that this kind of work was right for me.

"I went to a Welsh school Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr. After my GCSEs I decided to study Performing Arts at Gorseinon College. After a lot of hard work and auditioning I was awarded a place in the prestigious Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD). There I became the actress known to day as Carli De'La Hughes.

I love everything to do with Film/TV industry, and my ultimate ambition is to be successful in all I do and achieve.

I have a dream: to direct and star in my very own action film, or action/drama series, and to do all my own stunts with no body double because I know I can do it! In this industry you got to believe in your self and work hard and keep Knocking on Doors until one OPENS.

"Right now I'm really looking forward to January when we start shooting The Doll with the great team we have pulled together. So far we have had 2 months of meetings. The cast is great and I have found them full of inspiration and joy to be around. I would like to thank everyone on board this project and I know they are as eager as I am to start this amazing well written short film. I'm look forward in all that's to come"

Carli has more than one string to her bow, she teaches drama to a variety of age groups from 10year old up to 50+ in the drama school "Super Stars in the Making".

Not only with a Degree in Acting, Carli can Sing, Dance, performs in both Welsh and English language, not to mention the accent ability and has a Silver in Stage combat.

Represented by EMPTAGE HALLET Agency.

In 2002 she landed the lead role of Sam, in a new s4c drama series called '2Dy a Ni' (2HOUSES AND US) aired for 2years.

Her on-screen credits also include: Comedy High Hopes for BBC, Feature film's 'Freestyle'. Down The Dark Road.

As as well as short films Reunited, Resuscitation.

With a variety of theatre credits, New Arrivals for Sherman Cymru and Carribean Angels, and Solitaire for Chapter.

Work shops for the National Theatre of Wales.

Radio credits for BBC Radio4 include, SAFE, STEEL STITCHES, THE NIGHT HORSE, produced by Kate Mcall and Willa King.

Commercials and Rehearsed Readings, now with a directing Credit, she is set to fly.

Lets keep to the Script

The Doll is now a reality.

Casting complete. The script written. Locations chosen. The Read Through completed.

So nothing now til January except planning etc.

And the new Swansea Prank is coming along too. Swansea Film Productions are proud to announce the new short (3 minute) will be shot during the month in Swansea. If you are interested in doing something a little different and own or can beg or borrow a home video camera call or text me on 07976364681.

This is going to be an exciting event. So call today.

Michelle Morris as Sarah

Michelle morris interview by MikeLeahy

I met Michelle when she performed with Matthew Healy (best known as Matthew King in Emmerdale but with a string of tv credits to his name) and Christopher Villiers (Grayston Sinclair in Emmerdale and much, much more).

The play was Inside Job by Brian Clemens and they were touring as part of the Repertory Season at the Grand Theatre in Swansea.

The play takes place in a Spanish villa situated in some isolation in the foothills a mile or so from Marbella. I thoroughly enjoyed the play and Michelle kindly gave me a short impromptu interview for my on-line radio show "In Town Today" which is currently "off air" but will be returning.

Michell agreed to take a look at the script for the Doll and we met for coffee. I sat on the chair edge whilst she looked through. Then I askjed if she'd consider taking part and was delighted with her agreement.It was great to see her again for the Read Through on Friday.

Voodoo! Hallowen and Pumpkins

Tonight is the evening before Hallowen. Tomorrow a night of witches and ghosts, gouls and vampire.

Tomorrow is a night of witchcraft and things that go bump in the night.

Don't try anything with an ouijia board or other paranoramal chants.

Don't sit around  in the dark on your youn. The demons are out and about.

And don't try making a voodoo doll and start focusing on an enemy because things can happen . . . . . . .

Yesterday's read through worked really well with the whole cast arriving on time and getting down in earnest. The script read well and just two wordrs were changed.

We are now looking forward to mid January and the shoot. Plenty of work for Carli de'la Hughes who is direcrting for the first time. She'll be great and it's obvious she enjoys a challenge. With her acting experience in all mediums she'll do a good job and has the whole team behind her.

Meanwhile back to Hallowen and a short video  found on that old idea that I know several people have tried.

Just get a friend to lie down and chant over them. Can you levitate them?
Some have found the hair on their necks rising and they feel very cold as if a chill has blown over them Watch and enjoy. But turn the volume up and concentrate as it gets very quiet just towards the end.


Fun eh! Hope you enjoyed  ha . . ha . . . ha . . . 

Full Read Through this Friday

Full cast read through this Friday.

Looking good. Script finally finished.

Crew coming together.

Ready for shoot mid January

Costs are beginning to grow, even though everyone is working for free. We are seeking support through sponsorship or placement so if you  would like to help us and catch a great marketing opportunity then call me, Mike Leahy, on 07976364681. With film festivals around the world that we'll be entering you'll gain much more than you'd imagine.

Having sch a professional cast and crew will be the key to our success.

Making that Dream into Reality

The plot came to me almost twenty years ago.

The script was written and sent out but after a string of rejections I pushed it to the back of a drawer.

It was just about the beginning of this year when I found the script again. This time I just threw it away.

Meeting Carli and Amanada at the Swansea Film Festival and talking around film-making led me to tell them about my script. We discussed the plot and both agreed it would be a terific film. Amanda wanted to put her script writing training into practice and we decided that she'd write a script and we decide what to do.

Little did I expect her to actually come back with anything. But "Bingo" she came back with something that was not only readable but bloody good. Carli grabbed hold of the torch and raced ahead thinking that she;d like to direct the film with such a good script to work with.

Time rushed by as we had meetings to discuss locations, other meetings involving the cast and so much more.

I couldn't believe it when Michelle Morris who featured in the last series of  The Knock on ITV agreed to take part. When you work with professionals there isn't wasted shoot time.

Amanda, Carli and myself have spent considerable time talking about the script and there have now been sewvweral re-writes. It's now shaping up pretty good and I can't wait for the full cast read through next Friday.

I want the film to show several iconic buildings and views in and around Swansea so wwe have looked at the view from Three Crosses across to Mumbles through the pine trees, the marina, Waterfront Museum, Wins Street, the J Sheds, Dylan Thomas Theatre, Cwndonkin Park  and many more.

Supporting Cast

SUPPORTING Actors/Actress Are..

top 3 from left to right..

Shelly Alemmano: SHELL

Kirstey McDonald: KIRST

Serena Lewis: ELLE

Middle 3 from Left to Right

Emma Apajey: YASMIN

Rob Stradling: ROB

Louise Ennever: CLAIRE

Bottom 3 from Left to right

Andrew Evans: WAITER

Natalie Higgins: NAT

Kelly Efthymiou: FRANCESCA

'DOLL' short film is CAST!!

Production Name	Doll
Production Type	Film (Short)
Production Details	DOLL short film produced by Swansea film productions, Mike Leahy written by Amanda Evans, independent writer. Director TBC Revolving around the world of Voodoo, its set in Swansea, has a theatrical play within the film (the crucible)and following the lives of two drama student Sarah & Jane. Twist of Jealousy, Friendship, and Revenge. (Michelle Morris as Sarah from The Knock 2008 and Carli De'la Hughes from High Hopes BBC as Jane. Liam James former student of RWCMD as Sarah's boyfriend Jim. Gabe Cameron former employee of BBC broadcastings London/Cardiff as Geoff, Drama teacher.)

Let's start at the beginning . . . .

Watch this space for forthcoming action and news about our new production. Script complete. Casting underway. Still under wraps.