I really need to blog about the Twisted Showcase Live event, but I have promised to keep this monthly blog going where I list films I've watched in the last month that I'd rate as 5 stars. Seen loads of great films this month, but with lots of them I've had quibbles, little minor niggles that have stopped them being a 5 star film.
So this month there are 4 films which get the 5 star rating. Here they are: -
LILYA 4 EVER - Another month, another Lukas Moodysoon film. Hard going as it focuses on homelessness and sex trafficking involving children. The tone is slightly alleviated by a fairytale feel to some aspects, but the bile and anger can be felt here. This film is sickened at the world but trying to find beauty, if you have the courage, give it a go.
ROBOT & FRANK - A subtle, low key treat with plenty of charm. If you liked Baymax in Big Hero 6 you might take to the robot in this, although the tale takes this to darker places. It hurt my heart but won't explain why as don't want to ruin this if anyone chooses to watch it. That's what I find hard writing these, getting across why I like them while allowing people to experience it for themselves.
THE BLACK CAULDRON - I'd never seen this Disney film, it's got some great, terrifying imagery and a lovely folk tale feel. It doesn't overplay it's cute characters and really made me laugh and make my eyes bulge out in fear.
THE LIVES OF OTHERS - Oppressive and plain looking with some disconcerting edits early on that keep you feeling a little on edge. The film, like it's lead character, slowly reveals its soul for a film that is beautiful in it's love of art and humanity, whilst also being tense and about a period of time and place I embarrassingly lack much knowledge of. Seek this one out for note perfect film making.
Saturday, 28 February 2015
Saturday, 31 January 2015
5 star films - January 2015
This is the first in what I hope will be a series of monthly blog posts where I name films I've rated 5 stars within that month.
Couple of things to bare in mind, this is just my personal opinion, what I thought of the film as I watched it on this occasion. It could change on a rewatch, some ties I could be watching with an analytical eye, other times I might be a few drinks into the evening.
Also it might not be the most relevant list, currently I don't go to the cinema that often, I haven't seen many of the awards films currently out at the cinema, in fact the only new release I've seen out in January has been Big Hero 6, and that didn't get 5 stars.
But, I have watched 31 films in January, so there is plenty of choice and maybe there might be something among these monthly recommendations that you fancy seeing, a reminder of something you've always wanted to see, or something you've never heard of.
This list is just as much for my memory though as for you. Onwards to January 2015's 5 star film
TOGETHER -Lukas Moodysson's 2nd feature is beautifully honest and uplifting in a strange way. I'm not sure why I find this uplifting, there's plenty of depression and constant arguing, but as people bond over a football match no one could really care about, the fun and joy shines through. Great believable characters make this one of Moodysson's best. Am currently working my way through his back catalogue so expect more to appear here, if he can reach 5 stars again.
THE ROVER - Another 2nd feature, this one from David Michod. I loved Animal Kingdom, but hadn't heard positive things about this one. I loved it's simplicity in narrative which focused you on character motivation and used the strange dessicated landscape and futuristic world as background. Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson have both never been better, but the soundtrack is the stand out, phenomenal.
THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN - I saw this not knowing much about it, I heard it featured plenty of bluegrass music, so my interest was piqued. I didn't expect the emotional maelstrom I was going to be put through. So intense I think i worked up a sweat and my hand hurt afterwards from gripping the chair. The blue grass works as moments of levity away from the story, but aren't separate from it, they weave in well. Structurally it is similar to Blue Valentine but with a wider scope of interest in the themes it explores.
THE MASTER - I'm a huge P.T Anderson fan and wasn't disappointed in this, another change of style and time period in a film where every second could be paused and framed, the performances are some of the best committed to film that show a complex relationship that gives you plenty to chew on.
4 films receive the 5 star treatment this month, out of 31. Come back for more end of February
Couple of things to bare in mind, this is just my personal opinion, what I thought of the film as I watched it on this occasion. It could change on a rewatch, some ties I could be watching with an analytical eye, other times I might be a few drinks into the evening.
Also it might not be the most relevant list, currently I don't go to the cinema that often, I haven't seen many of the awards films currently out at the cinema, in fact the only new release I've seen out in January has been Big Hero 6, and that didn't get 5 stars.
But, I have watched 31 films in January, so there is plenty of choice and maybe there might be something among these monthly recommendations that you fancy seeing, a reminder of something you've always wanted to see, or something you've never heard of.
This list is just as much for my memory though as for you. Onwards to January 2015's 5 star film
TOGETHER -Lukas Moodysson's 2nd feature is beautifully honest and uplifting in a strange way. I'm not sure why I find this uplifting, there's plenty of depression and constant arguing, but as people bond over a football match no one could really care about, the fun and joy shines through. Great believable characters make this one of Moodysson's best. Am currently working my way through his back catalogue so expect more to appear here, if he can reach 5 stars again.
THE ROVER - Another 2nd feature, this one from David Michod. I loved Animal Kingdom, but hadn't heard positive things about this one. I loved it's simplicity in narrative which focused you on character motivation and used the strange dessicated landscape and futuristic world as background. Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson have both never been better, but the soundtrack is the stand out, phenomenal.
THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN - I saw this not knowing much about it, I heard it featured plenty of bluegrass music, so my interest was piqued. I didn't expect the emotional maelstrom I was going to be put through. So intense I think i worked up a sweat and my hand hurt afterwards from gripping the chair. The blue grass works as moments of levity away from the story, but aren't separate from it, they weave in well. Structurally it is similar to Blue Valentine but with a wider scope of interest in the themes it explores.
THE MASTER - I'm a huge P.T Anderson fan and wasn't disappointed in this, another change of style and time period in a film where every second could be paused and framed, the performances are some of the best committed to film that show a complex relationship that gives you plenty to chew on.
4 films receive the 5 star treatment this month, out of 31. Come back for more end of February
Thursday, 1 January 2015
How was 2014 for you
Another year has been and gone, like a flash, as seems to be the ongoing trend now. So, how was 2014 for you? Writing wise it's been my best 'almost' year. A few really exciting things got closer than ever before to happening, especially how close I got to writing on a programme I've loved since it began.
But, there wasn't just almosts, and whether they are positive or negative there was some actual stuff that did happen. It was a year where Twisted Showcase came back. Almost 18 months after Series 2 we managed to pull together another series, and I'm really proud of it. All the episodes were accomplished and each has their supporters. That was another thing that was great for me about 2014, people really started to champion my work, we gained some brilliant fans of Twisted Showcase who spurred us on to work even harder and even to release an E-book before the year was finished. We also had our first panel at a Comic Con,and I was embarrassed beyond belief by being asked for an autograph.
Also I found myself getting brilliant feedback from writers whose work I absolutely love. Two of my scripts were the main focus of this, my hour long TV drama pilot, The Benefits was the first, but the one which seemed to get most attention was a childrens' TV script called Smoke Beasts.
I'm tempted to go through my e mails and pull out quotes but I'll save my bragging for private moments, I say writing a blog of all my favourite bits of last year. To balance it out, maybe a few negatives. I struggled to get into a flow on a feature script at the end of the year, the last three months have been a slog on that and it's still not done, and although almost having great things happen keeps you going, it is also massively frustrating.
Having a series which gained lots of press certainly helped to keep me going. Honestly, if you're a writer, do anything to get some work out there. Audio plays, podcasts, monologues, short films, theatre productions, web series, whatever you can manage, do it, create something. Make that your resolution this year.
It could lead to anything. Here's some of my favourite press bits from last year.
Starburst E Book interview
Starburst Series Interview
Guardian Guide Twisted Showcase
My absolute favourite is that Guardian line '...like the League of Gentlemen, but with no jokes.' Which I take as a compliment, especially when paired with being compared to Black Mirror also.
So a huge thanks to anyone that's helped this year, from those who offered words of advice on Twitter, to those who read stuff, to those who passed on my scripts to others, championed them and met up with me.
Looking forward, I have a feature to finish, a format breaking sitcom that is beginning to form and a rewrite on a drama for one of the best first drafts I've ever written. Then there's this list of ideas to try and get to, and finishing up one more script for Twisted Showcase Series 4. I hope we can get it out this year, don't want another 18 month break.
Let's strap in, 2015 is about to start. What? It's started already. Blimey!
But, there wasn't just almosts, and whether they are positive or negative there was some actual stuff that did happen. It was a year where Twisted Showcase came back. Almost 18 months after Series 2 we managed to pull together another series, and I'm really proud of it. All the episodes were accomplished and each has their supporters. That was another thing that was great for me about 2014, people really started to champion my work, we gained some brilliant fans of Twisted Showcase who spurred us on to work even harder and even to release an E-book before the year was finished. We also had our first panel at a Comic Con,and I was embarrassed beyond belief by being asked for an autograph.
Also I found myself getting brilliant feedback from writers whose work I absolutely love. Two of my scripts were the main focus of this, my hour long TV drama pilot, The Benefits was the first, but the one which seemed to get most attention was a childrens' TV script called Smoke Beasts.
I'm tempted to go through my e mails and pull out quotes but I'll save my bragging for private moments, I say writing a blog of all my favourite bits of last year. To balance it out, maybe a few negatives. I struggled to get into a flow on a feature script at the end of the year, the last three months have been a slog on that and it's still not done, and although almost having great things happen keeps you going, it is also massively frustrating.
Having a series which gained lots of press certainly helped to keep me going. Honestly, if you're a writer, do anything to get some work out there. Audio plays, podcasts, monologues, short films, theatre productions, web series, whatever you can manage, do it, create something. Make that your resolution this year.
It could lead to anything. Here's some of my favourite press bits from last year.
Starburst E Book interview
Starburst Series Interview
Guardian Guide Twisted Showcase
My absolute favourite is that Guardian line '...like the League of Gentlemen, but with no jokes.' Which I take as a compliment, especially when paired with being compared to Black Mirror also.
So a huge thanks to anyone that's helped this year, from those who offered words of advice on Twitter, to those who read stuff, to those who passed on my scripts to others, championed them and met up with me.
Looking forward, I have a feature to finish, a format breaking sitcom that is beginning to form and a rewrite on a drama for one of the best first drafts I've ever written. Then there's this list of ideas to try and get to, and finishing up one more script for Twisted Showcase Series 4. I hope we can get it out this year, don't want another 18 month break.
Let's strap in, 2015 is about to start. What? It's started already. Blimey!
Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Best of 2014
Here's a list of my favourite TV shows, albums and films I've seen that have come out this year.
TV
1. Happy Valley
2. The Knick
3. Transparent
4. True Detective
5. Peaky Blinders Series 2
6. Our Zoo
7. Hannibal
8. Doctor Who
9. Wolfblood
10. The Widower
Music
Sun Kil Moon -Benji
Alvvays
Taylor Swift - 1989
Ryan Adams
Honeyblood
Jane Weaver - The Silver Globe
Film
Paddington
The Babadook
Under the Skin
Grand Budapest Hotel
Godzilla
The Railway Man
The Lego Movie
God Help the Girl
TV
1. Happy Valley
2. The Knick
3. Transparent
4. True Detective
5. Peaky Blinders Series 2
6. Our Zoo
7. Hannibal
8. Doctor Who
9. Wolfblood
10. The Widower
Music
Sun Kil Moon -Benji
Alvvays
Taylor Swift - 1989
Ryan Adams
Honeyblood
Jane Weaver - The Silver Globe
Film
Paddington
The Babadook
Under the Skin
Grand Budapest Hotel
Godzilla
The Railway Man
The Lego Movie
God Help the Girl
Friday, 28 November 2014
Twisted Showcase Short Story Collection
It's come from nowhere this one. Certainly for me. Rhys has often wanted to write prose more, but I'm in love with screenwriting. But now and again I will dabble with prose, and this has led to us putting together a short collection of short stories.
The main reason for this is to hopefully raise a bit of money for Series 4, so please help in getting the word out so we can get going on Series 4 and bring you another great series of our show, and whilst you're at it get 8 brand new stories in our Twisted Showcase Collection.
It also contains a foreword by Gareth David Lloyd, which is brilliant.
It can be pre ordered from here
And more information on the stories is on the twisted showcase site here
The collection will be available from the 16th December. Perfect Christmas reading for the twisted at heart.
The main reason for this is to hopefully raise a bit of money for Series 4, so please help in getting the word out so we can get going on Series 4 and bring you another great series of our show, and whilst you're at it get 8 brand new stories in our Twisted Showcase Collection.
It also contains a foreword by Gareth David Lloyd, which is brilliant.
It can be pre ordered from here
And more information on the stories is on the twisted showcase site here
The collection will be available from the 16th December. Perfect Christmas reading for the twisted at heart.
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Twisted Showcase Series 3 : Part 5
For Payback our buzzword was tension
For Toilet Soup it was humour.
For Drugs don't Work it was a throw everything at the wall approach.
For Confession it was emotion.
For Empty Sofa it started off as being Eyeball. Our second episode in series one was an experimental 3 minute episode that never features an actor, it sort of does, mainly his eyeball or in two scenes he is shot from behind so we don't see his face. It was minimalist, experimental film making. Just me and Rhys, without a cast, but hopefully with a strong idea and script. Since all the other episode of this series really pushed us in new ways, larger casts, bigger names etc we wanted to go back to this minimalist and experimental challenge we set ourselves with Eyeball, but this time push it further.
Another keyword was clip show. I love sitcom clip shows, but know a lot of people hate them. We thought this one would be hated but seems to be liked out there. Some people even called it clever.
I suppose in a way it is, but we worried it'd be seen as lazy. After all we've weaved a 3/4 minute film out od 10 seconds of new footage. Looped footage of an empty sofa and brief flashes of Rhys. There's a voiceover guiding the story and a multitude of clips, these were both scripted, most of the selected clips were anyway, we had some wiggleroom with the montage as we hadn't filmed any of Series 3 when we wrote The Empty Sofa so weren't too sure what'd look best.
It was the right time for a clip show, we've somehow completed 3 series in two years. Minor miracle right there. At the time of writing the episodes we were also considering wrapping up Twisted Showcase, so this was a full stop on that world we'd created, that all took place around this character and destroyed him. But, it seems it proved cathartic to us and we had already written a few episodes for Series 4 before 3 had come out. So we'll be filming those soon.
In even better news though, coming even sooner, out first Twisted Showcase short story Collection, containing Twisted tales by myself and Rhys Jones. There's some belters on there, including a messed up Christmas tale, and it'll be out just in time for Christmas, available worldwide on Amazon.
But that's not all, this e book contains a brilliant foreword by Gareth David Lloyd. It's a must buy to make your Christmas, well, Twisted.
It'll be with you soon, on a Twisted Tuesday in December. Check here and the website for more details.
For Toilet Soup it was humour.
For Drugs don't Work it was a throw everything at the wall approach.
For Confession it was emotion.
For Empty Sofa it started off as being Eyeball. Our second episode in series one was an experimental 3 minute episode that never features an actor, it sort of does, mainly his eyeball or in two scenes he is shot from behind so we don't see his face. It was minimalist, experimental film making. Just me and Rhys, without a cast, but hopefully with a strong idea and script. Since all the other episode of this series really pushed us in new ways, larger casts, bigger names etc we wanted to go back to this minimalist and experimental challenge we set ourselves with Eyeball, but this time push it further.
Another keyword was clip show. I love sitcom clip shows, but know a lot of people hate them. We thought this one would be hated but seems to be liked out there. Some people even called it clever.
I suppose in a way it is, but we worried it'd be seen as lazy. After all we've weaved a 3/4 minute film out od 10 seconds of new footage. Looped footage of an empty sofa and brief flashes of Rhys. There's a voiceover guiding the story and a multitude of clips, these were both scripted, most of the selected clips were anyway, we had some wiggleroom with the montage as we hadn't filmed any of Series 3 when we wrote The Empty Sofa so weren't too sure what'd look best.
It was the right time for a clip show, we've somehow completed 3 series in two years. Minor miracle right there. At the time of writing the episodes we were also considering wrapping up Twisted Showcase, so this was a full stop on that world we'd created, that all took place around this character and destroyed him. But, it seems it proved cathartic to us and we had already written a few episodes for Series 4 before 3 had come out. So we'll be filming those soon.
In even better news though, coming even sooner, out first Twisted Showcase short story Collection, containing Twisted tales by myself and Rhys Jones. There's some belters on there, including a messed up Christmas tale, and it'll be out just in time for Christmas, available worldwide on Amazon.
But that's not all, this e book contains a brilliant foreword by Gareth David Lloyd. It's a must buy to make your Christmas, well, Twisted.
It'll be with you soon, on a Twisted Tuesday in December. Check here and the website for more details.
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Twisted Showcase Series 3: Part 4
I have a confession. I didn't know how to structure this weeks' blog regarding the 4th episode of Series 3 Confession. so I asked Rhys Jones, who directed this episode, to ask me some questions and thought I'd have a go at answering those. He hasn't made it easy for me though. Watch the episode, and then have a read of the short interview below.
The first draft of Confession, if I'm remembering right, was about a man who nobody would listen to. Sarah Louise Madison's involvement drastically changed the plot. Can you tell me a bit about that?
You're half right. It started off being quite a sci fi idea, a man riddled with guilt lives in a world where every one was silent. Since we were concentrating on the insular environment the idea was too big, and at this stage I changed it to a female lead. I thought it'd be more interesting, and the rest of the series was getting quite male heavy at this point.
This earth gone mute idea hung around, until I had a few lovely people read it and give me some feedback, all of which said it should be more self contained. I tinkered with it a bit but it wasn't clicking. This is where we chatted a lot I think, finding good stuff within there, but not enough coherence. But I battered it into some kind of shape, and as we made the crowdfund total and we celebrated I had the idea of Sarah Louise Madison. One thing felt like a stumbling block, I'd written the character as much older, so we asked, very cheekily, if Sarah could send us a video of her reading some lines.
WOW!
Even that was the most affecting thing we'd saw, and it suddenly clicked into place. This was about a girl who got married too quick, too young and was isolated in her marriage. So that changed, and the reason for her husband being quiet did, because it wasn't a murder I don't think in previous drafts. It became a lot better anyway.
I'd like to know you thoughts on the film, were you happy with how it turned out?
Yes. I was nervous about this one. It's one of our more striped back ones, and I know it features a lot of monologues, probably a bit too much dialogue. It's a location we've used before. But when I was sat in the edit I could feel the emotion within the film was there, and that was what I loved about this one. We tried something risky by looping the moment where Sarah's character tells Freddie, she loves him, over and over and I think it's a devastating moment. I know some people aren't as keen on this, as the twist just relies on who's dead and who's not, and is a reversal of expectations but nothing else, but it's my Mum's favourite so that's a win for me.
What works for you?
Sarah's performance. For some reason I love the shots where you can see her image within the camera and also looking down the lens. I think the reversal works really well too.
What doesn't?
As I've said it's probably got too much dialogue. It's a very Twisted Showcase film, we've been known to use minimalist cast and locations, keeping it small scale. I think this is sort of our last straight forward one of these, unless we get a great idea of course, but I feel we've done all we can with it. We do have one script for next series that features just one character, but it's a very out there idea, set in a future dystopia (are there any other kind) On a final note, James I think does well in this too, and his ignoring, not present attitude is quite horrifying in comparison to his wife who is pouring her heart out.
As always any other questions leave them in the comments. Come back next week for a quick round up of Empty Sofa and some news as to something new coming to you before Christmas.
The first draft of Confession, if I'm remembering right, was about a man who nobody would listen to. Sarah Louise Madison's involvement drastically changed the plot. Can you tell me a bit about that?
You're half right. It started off being quite a sci fi idea, a man riddled with guilt lives in a world where every one was silent. Since we were concentrating on the insular environment the idea was too big, and at this stage I changed it to a female lead. I thought it'd be more interesting, and the rest of the series was getting quite male heavy at this point.
This earth gone mute idea hung around, until I had a few lovely people read it and give me some feedback, all of which said it should be more self contained. I tinkered with it a bit but it wasn't clicking. This is where we chatted a lot I think, finding good stuff within there, but not enough coherence. But I battered it into some kind of shape, and as we made the crowdfund total and we celebrated I had the idea of Sarah Louise Madison. One thing felt like a stumbling block, I'd written the character as much older, so we asked, very cheekily, if Sarah could send us a video of her reading some lines.
WOW!
Even that was the most affecting thing we'd saw, and it suddenly clicked into place. This was about a girl who got married too quick, too young and was isolated in her marriage. So that changed, and the reason for her husband being quiet did, because it wasn't a murder I don't think in previous drafts. It became a lot better anyway.
I'd like to know you thoughts on the film, were you happy with how it turned out?
Yes. I was nervous about this one. It's one of our more striped back ones, and I know it features a lot of monologues, probably a bit too much dialogue. It's a location we've used before. But when I was sat in the edit I could feel the emotion within the film was there, and that was what I loved about this one. We tried something risky by looping the moment where Sarah's character tells Freddie, she loves him, over and over and I think it's a devastating moment. I know some people aren't as keen on this, as the twist just relies on who's dead and who's not, and is a reversal of expectations but nothing else, but it's my Mum's favourite so that's a win for me.
What works for you?
Sarah's performance. For some reason I love the shots where you can see her image within the camera and also looking down the lens. I think the reversal works really well too.
What doesn't?
As I've said it's probably got too much dialogue. It's a very Twisted Showcase film, we've been known to use minimalist cast and locations, keeping it small scale. I think this is sort of our last straight forward one of these, unless we get a great idea of course, but I feel we've done all we can with it. We do have one script for next series that features just one character, but it's a very out there idea, set in a future dystopia (are there any other kind) On a final note, James I think does well in this too, and his ignoring, not present attitude is quite horrifying in comparison to his wife who is pouring her heart out.
As always any other questions leave them in the comments. Come back next week for a quick round up of Empty Sofa and some news as to something new coming to you before Christmas.
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