Short Film
I've made a lot of short films over the years; I think of them in-terms of an Artist's sketch pad, whereby one can experiment, and try things, with minimal stakes.
I also believe that filmmaking is a craft, and the more you do it, the better you get. Consequently, I'm always happy to pick up a camera, get some actors, and shoot some stuff!! I'm very much a 'one-man band' of filmmaking, which is completely frowned upon in the UK. For some reason, in this country, the more you're capable of doing, the less talent people think you have! I've never been one to care what others think; I enjoy every aspect of the filmmaking process, and on short films, if I can do it all, why would rely upon others? Especially if I don't have any funding (something that's also very scarce in the UK!). Besides, the best way of learning to do anything, is by rolling up your sleeves, and getting stuck in! It also means that the people I do collaborate with, are completely aligned with my (positive and proactive) mindset! Anyhow, here's a small selection of my film 'sketches', all of which are 'Zero Budget, Run 'n Gun' films, written, directed, edited and shot by me, on my trusty Canon 550D! (Until 2022, when I bought a new camera) Enjoy :) |
Alone At Your Desk:
Made in 2016 for the My Rode Reel short film competition (now defunct), this short proved to be me that 'Horror' as genre, really is the 'no/low budget' filmmaker's best friend!
The film didn't win the My Rode Reel competition, so I took it offline, and entered it into a few film festivals, where it received a much warmer reception than any of my previous work!
Like all horrors, it's all about the sound, so best viewed in a quiet room with loud volume, or with headphones on!
The film didn't win the My Rode Reel competition, so I took it offline, and entered it into a few film festivals, where it received a much warmer reception than any of my previous work!
Like all horrors, it's all about the sound, so best viewed in a quiet room with loud volume, or with headphones on!
Valencia:
Made in Early 2015 for the (now defunct) Reed Short Film Competition (I entered twice), this was a totally last minute film, because if you've got a spare day or two, why the hell not?! After all, Filmmakers don't talk about making films, they make them!
London is, and always has been, an International city. Yet, those young dreamers that come to this great city full of hope, are rarely ever represented in the stories told about London: I aim to change that...
London is, and always has been, an International city. Yet, those young dreamers that come to this great city full of hope, are rarely ever represented in the stories told about London: I aim to change that...
What About The Girl?
Made in Early 2015 for the (now defunct) Reed Short Film Competition (I entered twice), this is probably my favourite short film of mine (from that period in my life).
I tried to echo the Film Noir aesthetic from the 1940's, whilst also giving the film the kind of punchline that a contemporary audience expects from a short film.
I think it worked.
Once again, I did everything, except star in the film, and make the music (great job by Rod Bowkett, as usual). I was, however, joined by 'Shooting Assistant' that helped me in the 'Run 'n Gun' process! He's since gone on to bigger and better things :)
I tried to echo the Film Noir aesthetic from the 1940's, whilst also giving the film the kind of punchline that a contemporary audience expects from a short film.
I think it worked.
Once again, I did everything, except star in the film, and make the music (great job by Rod Bowkett, as usual). I was, however, joined by 'Shooting Assistant' that helped me in the 'Run 'n Gun' process! He's since gone on to bigger and better things :)
Unspoken:
Made in Summer 2014, this is a 'Point of View' film, that chronicles the span of a relationship. I felt it was time to break away from the confines of 'online filmmaking competitions' and focus on telling a story that was more personal, allowing myself all the time I felt necessary to tell it. It's the most 'Art House' film I've made.
Rod Bowkett once again provides the music, and this film really allows his talent to shine. If anything, the film is a music video for his score.
I was proud of the film, and entered it in a myriad of short film festivals, none of which accepted it. That was my first real taste of the 'scam' that is the film festival circuit.
Anyway, enjoy the film :)
Rod Bowkett once again provides the music, and this film really allows his talent to shine. If anything, the film is a music video for his score.
I was proud of the film, and entered it in a myriad of short film festivals, none of which accepted it. That was my first real taste of the 'scam' that is the film festival circuit.
Anyway, enjoy the film :)
A Better Life:
I made this in Summer 2013 for the Virgin Media Shorts competition (which no longer exists), with literal random strangers off the street (Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square to be precise!)!! I had my camera in hand, went up to them, and asked if they'd like to help me out by being in my short? Naturally, they agreed, and the rest is history!
I didn't win, but it was good practice, as always.
I didn't win, but it was good practice, as always.
Once Upon a Time:
Shot in the Summer of 2013, this film was for the Reed Short Film competition (which no longer exists). All my films are zero-budget 'Run 'n Gun' efforts, shot on Canon 550D (in 1080p - for some reason it's only available at 720p on YouTube, and I don't think I have the original file any more); this was another opportunity to practice my craft, and work with some great acting and voice talent.
True Velocity:
Made for the Sci-Fi London 48-Hour Film competition in April 2013. My composer friend, Rod, suggested we enter; so I put an ad out for actors, hair & make-up, and we all met at Rod's place at the start of the 48 hours, and went from there! I quickly wrote a story, making sure to include all the elements assigned to our team (including the title!), and off we went!
We finished filming at around 11:30pm, on day one. Everyone worked for free, gave it their all; and it was a really great effort!
I then went home, worked all night on the edit, and sent it to Rod, who did the sound and music the next day. Meanwhile, I continued to work on the graphics and post-production.
It was exhausting, mainly because I'm a control freak that prefers to do everything himself! But it was also a lot of fun, and proof that you can indeed make a high concept short film in 48 hours! We weren't selected as finalists by the organisers, but what do they know?
It's only available at 720p on YouTube, even though I shot it in 1080p, and I don't think I have the original file any more.
We finished filming at around 11:30pm, on day one. Everyone worked for free, gave it their all; and it was a really great effort!
I then went home, worked all night on the edit, and sent it to Rod, who did the sound and music the next day. Meanwhile, I continued to work on the graphics and post-production.
It was exhausting, mainly because I'm a control freak that prefers to do everything himself! But it was also a lot of fun, and proof that you can indeed make a high concept short film in 48 hours! We weren't selected as finalists by the organisers, but what do they know?
It's only available at 720p on YouTube, even though I shot it in 1080p, and I don't think I have the original file any more.
True Velocity: Special Edition
A year later, I re-edited the film, got Rod to do a new soundtrack, and entered the film into the Virgin Media Shorts competition (which, sadly, no longer exists!). We didn't win that either. Filmmaking often reinforces the notion that it's not the winning that's important, but the enjoyment you get from the process...
Valentine's day:
I made this 3-minute short in January 2013, for the annual Reed Film Competition (which sadly, no longer exists). For some reason it's only available at 720p on YouTube, even though it was shot in 1080p, and I don't think I have the original file any more. This film marked my first collaboration with composer Rod Bowkett, who became a regular collaborator, and a great friend. It was also only the second time I felt confident enough to work with professional actors, who along with Rod, all worked for free! I still aim to repay all the people I've worked with over the years with paid work, as soon as I get funding!!
The Man That Killed The World: Prologue
'The Man That Killed The World' had been my passion project for a good three years by 2012 (which is forever when you're young!). I had written a high concept, futuristic science fiction, which would probably cost a few tens of millions to make, but I really believed in it!
I was, and still am, extremely passionate about the Environment, and I hoped to 'wake' the masses to the dangers of catastrophic climate change, by making a great film all about it!
To that end, I made a two-minute proof-of-concept film, that served as teaser/prologue to the much grander film. It was zero budget affair that I entered into the 2012 Virgin Media Shorts competition.
It didn't win, and the lead actor later asked if I could take it down (for personal reasons), so I obliged. It was a very ambitious short, for a very ambitious feature, which I've since tried to scale back and rework, many, many times.
I still plan on making the film, in some form or other!
In the meantime, check out these screenshots of the short film, from the summer of 2012!
I was, and still am, extremely passionate about the Environment, and I hoped to 'wake' the masses to the dangers of catastrophic climate change, by making a great film all about it!
To that end, I made a two-minute proof-of-concept film, that served as teaser/prologue to the much grander film. It was zero budget affair that I entered into the 2012 Virgin Media Shorts competition.
It didn't win, and the lead actor later asked if I could take it down (for personal reasons), so I obliged. It was a very ambitious short, for a very ambitious feature, which I've since tried to scale back and rework, many, many times.
I still plan on making the film, in some form or other!
In the meantime, check out these screenshots of the short film, from the summer of 2012!
Make it Happen:
By 2012, I had already been chasing my dreams of 'Love' and 'Hollywood' for over a decade, and had got nowhere with either of them. I felt worn down by the chase (little did I know that this would continue to be the story of my life for decades to come!).
Reed, the employment agency, were hosting their annual short-film competition, so I took the opportunity to make a motivational video geared solely towards one person: me! Literally Visualising my goals, by starring in the film too!
The film was long-listed, but sadly never reached the final, or won. Still, my confidence was renewed, and I very much felt as though my journey as a filmmaker would finally land me somewhere!
I shot it on my trusty Canon 550d (which I bought second-hand from another filmmaker, who went on to bigger things), filming in 1080p, but for some reason it's only available at 720p on YouTube, and I don't think I have the original file any more.
In terms of 'Love' and 'Hollywood'?
Later that year, I did make a micro-short of 'The Man That Killed The World' (no longer online), and later still, I had a beautiful relationship with a girl I fancied from the moment I first laid eyes on her... so the film kinda worked! But not quite.
My quest for both continues!
Reed, the employment agency, were hosting their annual short-film competition, so I took the opportunity to make a motivational video geared solely towards one person: me! Literally Visualising my goals, by starring in the film too!
The film was long-listed, but sadly never reached the final, or won. Still, my confidence was renewed, and I very much felt as though my journey as a filmmaker would finally land me somewhere!
I shot it on my trusty Canon 550d (which I bought second-hand from another filmmaker, who went on to bigger things), filming in 1080p, but for some reason it's only available at 720p on YouTube, and I don't think I have the original file any more.
In terms of 'Love' and 'Hollywood'?
Later that year, I did make a micro-short of 'The Man That Killed The World' (no longer online), and later still, I had a beautiful relationship with a girl I fancied from the moment I first laid eyes on her... so the film kinda worked! But not quite.
My quest for both continues!
Coming Soon
Still developing my feature film: 'Killer Simp'
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