We have now officially finished the March 2024 Action On The Side one-month filmmaking project: the crime horror thriller Coming Clean
Coming Clean
This is the first time I have run the Action On The Side one-month filmmaking project since March 2020 – right as the first lockdown started.
Each time we run the project, I always try to improve something – in the project, in our filmmaking technique. The improvements I implemented this time were:
The legal paperwork was all signed digitally using Adobe Sign, in advance of the project;
The legal paperwork now has a GDPR section;
I provided the full budget to participants so we could all work together to deliver the project in under budget;
Instead of the film only going online, we have a festival strategy and have already submitted to some festivals;
We sold tickets to the screening for koha (donation), with funds raised going to the film festival submission fund;
We have additional meetings during the post production process to look at sound delivery and process;
we have a deliverables document, focusing on how to deliver to SVOD and what graphics are needed;
we have used Wix groups instead of Facebook groups;
It’s Reading Week this week – meaning no lessons. I’ve been focusing on a few different things this week: grading research, my business accounts, promoting the upcoming AOTS project, prep for the project (including writing scripts to pitch), selling things on eBay, and meetings with potential collaborators. I’ve been writing proposals for longer projects. Early days, so no public news yet.
I’ve produced two videos for the AOTS project: one on the legal stuff and one on the pitch process. I’m not anticipating many views: they’re mainly for the people taking part in the project. But they are public for anyone who is interested in what the project is.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining a virtual Shut Up and Write session for the first time. These are sessions whereby writers turn up, sit and write together for a set amount of time, and can chat afterwards if they want. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’m more productive if I think people will judge me if they see me slacking off on my screen. This is a way to focus, set aside time for your writing goals, and have some sense of community — because, let’s face it, writing is a lonely task.
The session was run by my friend Candace Little (give her a follow on Instagram). Candace is a writer, a kiwi, a mum based in Australia – she’s a friend and I’ve known her for years!. The session is 11pm on a Sunday for me, so I’m a bit shattered today, but, y’know what? I got some writing done (well, marking student work, but it all counts!)
On Sunday mornings (9am-11am), I join a free virtual writing group. The group was set up by attendees at the London Screenwriters Festival. Anyone can join. The group is predominantly from the UK, but there are some international writers. We chat about various things, including getting ahead in the industry, networking, and productivity tips, but one can also share work with the group for feedback. As it is on Zoom, there are also breakout rooms – so you can log on, write for a bit, then re-join the chat when ready. There’s a Whatsapp group for communication, and we even met up in person for a Christmas lunch last month!
I’m not sure if/how to promote the group, so if it’s something you’re interested in, message me and I can provide details.
Finally there are the script development workshops that I run with Action On The Side. I gave a fortnightly in-person script development workshop that I run at the Curzon Soho (in the bar or café area), on Wednesday evenings. I also have a virtual script development session once a month.
We used to run the sessions that people turn up with (printed) scripts, we read each others’ scripts, write our feedback using a pro forma I developed, then give each other feedback. Currently there is more of a focus on workshopping structure, dialogue, character, logline — it’s a bespoke workshop, so it depends what people bring to the session.
I’ve also got a Wix group for writers. I’m sharing writing resources and posting reminders of upcoming workshops. Ideally each person who regularly attends the workshops will join the group and join the discussion. A safe space to share loglines and scripts for feedback, and build a sense of community. It’s early days, but I’m working on it.
Most Sunday mornings, I join an online writers group. Today the conversation went to social media. I talked about the importance of building one’s brand, and how producers, publishers, & distributors will want to see that you have an audience who you can promote to. That said, social media is not effective if you are only shouting into the void.
I’m editing a short project rn, and, on the external hard drive, I’ve seen some of my archival photos that I hadn’t seen in ages. So this reminds me of the power of social media to document our own experiences for our own future reference.
Hence, a bullet-pointed list for now, of what is happening in my life this month…
Pearls (pka Me Too) screened in Liverpool on Saturday 20th January 2024, at the NEW YEAR, YOU’RE YOU Trans and Non-Binary Film Night.
For KEN short film, we’re prepping a script readthrough next month and will be starting a crowdfunding campaign in around March. On our Facebook page, I’m sharing short documentaries on disordered eating and muscle dysmorphia in men (it’s a social awareness film, so this is part of our strategy). We’re also still weighing up whether the film will be shot and set in Northern Ireland or London.
A Winter Barbecue played in the London Lift-Off Festival in December 2023. I added the films in the Local Filmmakers Shorts I could to a Letterboxd List.
On Sunday 21st January, I directed a showreel scene called Desk Jockey, which I’m now editing. If this film goes well, we’ll be making more showreel scenes.
I’m in talks with a Writer / Exec Producer to produce and potentially direct a 9-page period piece short in Sheffield. It would be shot around August, to be finished in November and screened in December.
I have been focusing on grading student work and prepping lessons. I’ve been sick with the lurgy for the past week + , which has made it difficult to meet the deadlines I set myself.
I’ve had a change in financial situation over the past few months, so I’m selling things and applying for more paid work.
With my teaching work, I have access to LinkedIn Learning, which I’m finally taking advantage of. Speaking of learning, I’m over 800 days with my DuoLingo learning (in case you’re interested, I’m keeping up the French, whilst learning Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, and keeping up Music and Maths).
In my goal to write a feature film this month, I’m still trying to get into the regular habit of writing. I’ve picked up a short film that’s been in my mind for a few years, at which I am tinkering. I also wrote a draft first chapter of a longer-form project.
I gave myself a second resolution for 2024 to get myfilms I’m pretty sure I’ve seen but I’m not surelist on Letterboxd down by 100 films. [13 films down so far]. I’ve also been trying to watch films in my Watchlist to keep it below 700 this year.
My accounts are due at the end of February, so that needs to take priority soon.
The plan is to run the Action On The Side one-month filmmaking project in London in March, but time is marching on and I haven’t been doing enough marketing and promotion. Plus I haven’t confirmed the location to run the preproduction weekend. I have a worry it (again) isn’t going to happen then.
Adding to the concern that I’m not promoting enough, with AOTS, I’m running weekly script development workshops this year on Wednesday evenings – both online and in-person. Registrations are here, as is a calendar where one can see the dates of upcoming events.
If this post inspires you, let it inspire you to share your own monthly update for your own documentation.
It’s the last day of 2023, and it’s time to reflect on the year that was.
My 2023 Resolution was to keep my Letterboxd Watchlist below 700 films. It raised up to nearly 750 this year. I’m hours away from the new year, and should be able to get it down to 699 (which is proving tough, because I strained my eyes by using screens too much lately).
My 2024 Resolution is to write a feature film script (at least one).
At the end of 2022, I was told my employment at Vice would end at the end of January. Last year’s Xmas and New Years were tough, because I was applying for work.
Over the year, I had two periods of unemployment. I even experienced being on the Jobseekers Allowance. I returned to Teaching, which was in part enjoyable and confidence-giving. I’ve worked for important industry organisations, developing a better understanding of the screen industries. It’s been a tough year. I’m currently working part-time at the Beeb, teaching media at a University as an HPL, and using the rest of my time to work on film projects.
I’ve been working on two major film projects this year. On Hortensia Road (aka Tinsel Town) is a Christmas feature; we’re developing the script and raising finances. Ken is a dramatic short about muscle dysmorphia and disordered eating in men; we’ll be running a crowdfunding campaign and aiming to shoot in 2024.
Pearls, the film we shot in 2022, has screened in one film festival so far. A Winter Barbecue, the last Action On The Side short film we made, is currently playing in the London Lift-Off Festival, in the Local Filmmakers Shorts. (I’ve been listing the other films in the festival on Letterboxd here).
For Action On The Side, we ran our short screenplay award; I ran Cinema SoundEX for the first time in the UK – which created 6 short films; and I ran The Ealing 48 | 48-hour film competition, in which 11 teams took part — something I have been wanting to do for years!
Other things I did in 2023:
In April I visited Liverpool, Belfast, and Dublin, seeing family and friends;
I was on the jury for multiple film festivals: International Film Festival The Hague; The London Sci-Fi 48-hour film competition; and Tels Quels LGBTQ+ Competition Court Métrages.
I was a guest lecturer at Rose Bruford.
I visited Sheffield for the first time, and helped manage the Sheffield Global Cinema Festival as the Assistant Location Manager (I’m pretty sure that was my title), and I ran a filmmaking workshop.
I continued to run regular script development workshops, and I took part in a weekly online scriptwriting group.
In 2024, I look forward to more filmmaking, scriptwriting, teaching, business, and improving my physical and mental health.
The screenings and workshops are being held at Site Gallery. Most of the films are shorts, with at least one feature.
Tickets to the screenings are available on Eventbrite here. Most of the films are shorts, with one feature. I’m MC’ing at least one of the Q+As.
There are a series of free scriptwriting workshops. Details on Eventbrite here — however I understand they are already sold out! I am running a workshop on making a short film in 4 weeks, talking about the stages of production, Action On The Side and the recent 48-hour film competition The Ealing 48.
If you’re at the Festival, come say Hi. I look forward to meeting Sheffield- and Northern-based filmmakers and visiting the city for the first time.
It’s less than two weeks until The Ealing 48 | 48-hour film competition!
I’ve wanted to run a 48-hour film competition for years, and it’s finally happening!
Teams will have just 48-hours to write, shoot, edit, and submit their short film. The films are 5-7 minutes (including credits), and must be in the genre we allocate and must include the three random elements we announce (a prop, a line of dialogue, and a shot or filmmaking technique).
The competition runs Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th November, 8pm-8pm, GMT (aka UK Time).
The competition is open to filmmakers based in Ealing, London, and the world! That’s right, teams can take part from anywhere in the world — the Kick-Off Event is in person and will be live-streamed, and the submission is online through FilmFreeway.
The Kick-Off Event – where we allocate the genres and announce the random elements – is happening at OPEN Ealing, 7pm to 8pm.
The top films will screen at an event at ActOne Cinema in Ealing on Sunday 26th November, 11am to 1pm. The selected films will receive support in distributing their film, and will be up for prizes, including Best Cinematography, Best Performance, Best Editing, and Best Soundtrack.
My previous two contracts ended, so I have spent July applying for new job opportunities.
This involves daily checking of LinkedIn, regular updates to my CV, networking, and doing other film work in the background. I’m in an interesting situation because I can work in at least four different areas.
I can continue teaching at FE levels or return to lecture at HE. I’m applying for University Lecturer opportunities in their Film departments. [Fun fact: I’m getting my documentation together so I can go for QTLS in the next academic year if I continue teaching in FE as an Agency Teacher].
I am applying for Production Coordinator roles. I have my wealth of experience in Production, having worked on all the short projects I have and having produced over 30 short films and AD’d on many others. My challenge is that there is a lot of competition (the industry has stalled internationally because of the writers strike and recession) and I don’t have Production Coordinator on my CV (I have Producer, but I’m not going for Producer roles).
I’m applying for Post Production Coordinator roles, continuing from my role at VICE (combining my love of organising and administering with my technical knowledge). A challenge I’m facing is where these roles request more experience in that job title than I have on my CV.
I have my 12+ years background in University Administration, coupled with the administrative Coordiantor roles, so I’m applying for Administration roles within the Media industry.
Those are the three main roles I’m applying for. I have at least three CVs that I’m rotating between, all focused on their respective skills.
my Film Teaching CV
my Production and Post Production CV
my Film Administration CV
I’m also keeping busy with continuing and new opportunities
I’m continuing to apply for freelance short-form production gigs as an AD, Production Manager, or Script Supervisor. (I have a 2-day Script Supervision gig in just over a week).
The Ealing Film Festival is ramping up for 2023. The final submission deadline is next week, so I’m rating short film submissions for selection and supporting with admin in my role as the Festival Coordinator.
I ran the Action On The Side Short Script Award. This included reviewing the submissions, writing feedback, and having one-to-one sessions with the Winner and Semi-Finalist. (Which reminds me, the next iteration opens on August 1st – I need to promote that)
With Action On The Side, I’m running fortnightly script development workshops, Cinema SoundEx in September, the short film project in October, and a 48-hour film competition, in conjunction with Ealing Film Festival, in November (details to come).
Pearls (pka Me Too) has been submitted to film festivals. We’re waiting for decisions and submitting to more.
KEN short film has a new Director on-board (who we’ve still got to announce). We’re in the process of raising finance, and will be running a crowdfunding campaign later this year to shoot early next year.
I’m part of a team producing a Christmas Dramedy called Tinsel Town (this short film is the proof of concept). We’re currently developing the script and raising finance, aiming to shoot and release in 2024.
A friend of mine is developing a HETV pitch based on a Hollywood starlet’s autobiography. I’m helping him with the pitch deck.
I’m working on a documentary pitch with a colleague.
Also I’ve been inspired and am writing my own projects. No announcements until the scripts are finished and in a good place.
So, still busy, but applying for work. Send positive thoughts my way, and let me know if you know of any suitable roles coming up.
I think I got sick of not making movies, so I’ve given Action On The Side a kick up the rear!
I’ve scheduled two projects this year: June and October.
I’ve started running fortnightly script development workshops again. They’re running at the Curzon Soho bar* on Wednesdays, 18:30-20:30.
The next one is on 26th April.
Registrations are on the AOTS website. Participants need to sign up, so I can message them where we’re sitting, and if there are any last minute location changes***.
I’ve run two so far this year: The first, a tester, was with a friend. We went through pitch decks and how defining your audience and the look of the film can help develop the script. Last week, we workshopped an experimental film idea and found it can fit the narrative structure.
We even used a new form I’ve created to develop three short film ideas. Two of them are mine – so now I need to write those!
Outside of the script development sessions, I am working with a writer/producer to develop her holiday feature film, with the aim to make the film as one of the producers.
I’m attending a weekly online script development group on Sunday mornings (when I can, of course). This is a group that was borne from the London Screenwriters Festival.
And I’m reading scripts. From people who want to work together, friends wanting feedback, submissions for the AOTS Short Screenplay Competition, submissions for the AOTS anthology feature (more on that in another post), and produced features.
So, London peeps, if you have a script or idea you want to develop, join me at the script development workshops.
*people who know me know the Curzon Soho is my go-to for meetings and working in town.**
**I used to run script development at the Curzon, but I felt conflicted charging a fee for a workshop in a public space. I did look at alternatives, but it all ended up too costly/too hard. I like the Curzon for meetings, and it’s usually quiet on a Wednesday.***
***Sometimes they have events on and close the bar area. So I can notify the participants who signed up where we have moved to.
Busy Times 