Trail Blazing

With just over two weeks since we completed the shoot (except for a couple of cutaways) Mike Leahy is pleased to announce that the trailer is now at "Final Cut" stage and so should be available to see after Monday.

This has taken several hours work for Carli de'la Hughes, director, and Jane Hosgood, director of photography, together with Robin Dobson, second camera man. But it is looking good and we all hope it will attract attention both at the premiere and film festivalsin which it is entered.

The story line has been kept pretty close to the original idea through screen-writer Amanda Evans's script and it seems to work well. It's hoped that Amanda likes the trailer and can see that her trust in the director and camera crew has been fulfilled. And of course Amanda is now working on her next script which we eagerly look forward to reading.

And now for some good news for local Swansea Bay and South Wales film makers. Swansea Film Productions are opening up to any film-maker in any discipline and intend becoming a hub to promote local film makers and help them create new and exciting films that will be shown. It's a sad reality of life that many films are created and made taking up great chunks of time for everyone concerned and then never fully promoted. A full announcement will be made shortly (hopefully before the end of March) when the idea has been fully explored and there is a concrete plan of how it will work.

Meanwhile, keep watching for the next exciting stage of The Doll   

Editing and making choices

The new website is up and running at www.swanseafilmproductions.co.uk.  Please take a look and watch for future developments.

When the shoot is finished the editing begins. The Doll is taking shape and with over 6 hours of recording and so much of it good, if not great, there's going to be some difficult decision making.

Taking a look at the shop, cemetery and beach scenes I can see how the film is going to shape up. With two cameras there is a good mixture of angle and view. The sound  is clear and good bt because all of the film has been shot on location this is going to be the untamed element. It's not practical or even possible to clean all external noises and often they can't be reduced because that'll have a detrimental effect on the voice quality. But that is where the crew scored with so many takes.

Once again Carli has taken to the critical editing role under the wing of Jane, who has so much experience in this area, like a duck to water.

I'm hoping we ca meet our target of having a final cut ready fior a private review by the beginning of April. These are exciting times.

Keep watching this space for more news, photos and video as we continue to press forward. Once again it's just been great working with such a close-knit team who have worked so well together and so professionally as individuals in their own fields. I believe that everyone on the production team has gained such valuable insight into diofferent aspects of film production that this can only be good for the future of Swansea Film Production.

We have some exciting ideas lined up and will be extending an offer to other local film-makers of whatever standard and experience to join the group wheee we can help each other to prioduce work of ever improving quality. So if you are interested in any aspect of film-making from writing, prop making, lighting, acting right throught to the editing then watch this space for some exciting news.

On location in the Uplands Diner

Making the Doll two Photos & video of shoot

Shooting "The Doll" at the Uplands Tavern, Swanswea on Tuesday 22nd March 2011.With Carli de'la Hughes making her debut as Director, this Swansea Film Productions project is written by Amanda Evans with Jane Hosgood, Director of Photography. Produced by Mike Leahy this film is scheduled for editing during March so watch out for more news and location video. A great cast performed well and acted coherently. There has been a real "feel good" factor throughout the whole production process from script conception, castings and read-through to shooting. It's now down to the post-shoot team to polish and bring the film alive.

Making the Doll one

The weekend was very busy. Shooting in several locations we managed to shoot over 60% of the film. Luckily the weather held out for us.

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NEW SCHEDUEL FOR THE 19TH 20TH feb

Carli de’la Hughes

**After a 9month build up to this production we are finally at the shooting date, Mike and my self had a meeting with two great creative minds of Swansea Gower productions.

WE HAVE THE GREEN LIGHT!!

TUE 22 WEND 23 THURS 24th TBC

19THSAT START 10.00 AM

SCENE17.

FUNERAL INT. CREMATORIUM. - DAY, NEXT WEEK

LOCATION: SKETTY CHURCH

Characters: Jane, Rob, James

******

SCENE1

THEATRE INT- AFTERNOON

LOCATION: SWANSEA DYLAN THOMAS THEATRE RECEPTION

Characters: Geoff (drama Teacher)

2PM ISH

SCENE15.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY beach scene: EXT. BONFIRE NIGHT - BEACH NEXT EVENING.

LOCATION: Swansea Beach

Characters, Jane Francesca, Jim, Sarah, Extras, Live local Swansea band TBC

SUNDAY 2OTH 9.00am

SCENE7

INT.JANES FLATSHARE, HALLWAY - LATER

LOCATION: Dan Seekings Student Home.

Characters: Jane, Francesca, Rob, Yasmin, Natalie, Kirsty. Laura.

The Big Shoot approaches fast

With just 3 weeks to go before shooting the pace is certainly warming up. Currently checking out the locations as I want this to have a real Swansea feel about it with several iconic back-drops such as Mumbles through the pine trees at Newton/West Cross, the Meridian Tower, Wind Street, Waterfront Museum, the Marina, and the Sail bridge.

Swansea has so much to offer the film maker with great back-drops and views within such a small area and beach to countrysie at almost a giant leap. But not only that, Swansea has such a wealth of talented and creative people that it's like fishing in a full goldfish tank at an aquarium. You come up with a winner every time with little effort.

Carli's Showreel

Carli de-la Hughes is making great steps forward preparing to direct "The Doll" next month. She'll also be one of the two main characters in the film so here's one of her Showcases.

A Blast from the Past

My intertest in film-making goes back about sixty years. It includes not only making movies but being a small sponsor of the National Film School in Beaconsfield: being invited down to Pinewood as a guest of Reg Berkshire of Eon Films (producers of the 007 films) to see around the lot and watch Roger Moore during a shoot. And of course I managed London cinemas for a while in the days when we diod our own promotional stuff and had the stars along to entertain audiences. Fabulous times.
Just thought these photos would make you smile! Probably taken around 1969 in Tottenham, North London where I started making short films with a local group.

When I say started

that's not strictly true, for I remember taking my father's Pathe 9.5 wind up camera when I was about 8 years and making a very short film with a couple of mates in Birmingham. We borrowed some of our sisters tartan skirts and we did a fighting (of course) scene in the style of Rob Roy with wooden swords. The projector was hand cranked so if you didn't wind the handle at a regular speed the picture was all over the place.But that's another story. I can vividly remember that we had a couple of Disney black and white cartoons.There was hardly any TV in those days so this was really novel. In fact only one family owned a TV in the road I lived in!! But more of that on my personal blog coming soon.

But coming back to this photo, I can clearly remember how difficult it was. There was no computer trickery. Lighting had to be perfect. Sound was very tricky. But we made some good little movies. I think in this photo I was directing and you can see I was setting up the shot so the lighting could be arranged. These old lights burnt very hot and had a short life. The camera. from memory and looking at the photo was a 16mm Bolex, although it might have been 8mm. I did use 16mm for some movies but it was expensive film stock. Editing was easier.

Sticking short lengths of film together when editing was a strain on the eyes and could be very tedious. If you made a mistake or damaged some film that was often lost forever whilst today with video you can edit but you still retain the original. As for tricks I can see a short scene a friend made where he had a ghost. He had wound the film back by hand to the place he hoped he needed to re-film and took another scene. He could have used a 45 degree mirror but he wanted to see how well he could do it in-camera. I think he re-took the scene about 15 times.

Meanwhile, the Doll is coming along nicely. Carli, our Director, is up to speed with her planning. So fingers crossed.

Shoot dates are set: Feb 18th till 28th

All is set schedules are planned awaiting conformation on sending to all cast and crew

Look forward 2011 THE DOLL.

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