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.