Scriptwriting

Well, our two silent movie scripts are well on the way to completion and they are looking great.




Paul Arrowsmith spent last Sunday with our writing team looking over the first drafts. For our writers it was an opportunity to discuss with a superb script editor how make their scripts even better.

Paul is preparing to write his final script notes as we get ready for the big push into production. It's exciting to think that between now and the next round of auditions in Goole on June 10th, lots of hard work is being done behind the scenes.

See what Paul Arrowsmith had to say about his working with our young writers.

Notes to story editors

Paul Arrowsmith has asked for a copy of the 2 finished scripts for this Saturday so he can prepare notes for Sunday's writing workshop! Please paste a copy of your script in the comments section of this post so he can read it, by Saturday morning, 9am. Also email the script to goolesilentmovie@hotmail.co.uk. Don't forget to bring all your notes with you and along with a hard copy of the script...!
Thanks
NB Saturday's advertised effects workshop has been moved to a later date. Details to follow. Paul's writing workshop is the next session - this Sunday at 1-5.30.

Becky Ellerington is Anastasia!

Congratulations to Becky Ellerington, who's screen test during Sundays auditions won her the part of Anastasia in "The Lost Princess". Actor Paul Vates, who led the auditions, said Becky has something of the Cameron Diaz about her! See her first screen test, opening a box of chocolates, and judge for yourself.

We all took part in Paul's incredible workshop on silent film acting. The skills he give our actors in a few hours was amazing to see. We are looking forward to Paul coming back during rehearsals. Auditions are continuing over the coming weeks, with many big parts still to cast. If you are interested in acting in the film, let us know! We will be auditioning for more young people in Goole soon!

Casting director, Madeliene Frost, watches Paul Vates in motion.

Hello Dawn

Check out this short film made by two of our young filmmakers, Martin Ward and Beth Horncastle who made the film, along with Dawn Debenham. They made it in one day, which is pretty impressive. They describe the film as "dawn getting terrified because she is being stalked by richard, a dawn fanatic who greets her with the words "hello dawn". A good use of close-ups and some imaginative shots keeps the film interesting, and a little creepy!

Interview with Rebbeca Stothart

Writer Rebbecca Stothart, who's film "The Lost Princess" entered pre-production this week, tells us what it has been like to work with the two Paul's and see her film come to life!

Scriptwriting with Paul Arrowsmith

On Saturday screenwriter Paul Arrowsmith worked with our writers, developing stories into scripts. Our writers were introduced to concepts usually reserved for Pauls MA students and responded by producing an astonishing quality of work.

Paul was so impressed with our writers, he has agreed to come back and help polish their scripts this week! Sunday 20th May, 1,30-5.30 -writers bring your finished scripts! Paul will be spending an hour and a half on each script, going through it scene by scene, so make sure it's as good as it can be!

Calling young actors - auditions Sunday 13th May!

As announced live on Stray FMs Big Fun Breakfast this morning, Channel 4's 4talent, Talent Circle etc, we are looking for filmmakers, actors and special effects artists to join our team!

AUDITIONS are held Sunday, 13th May at Goole's Gate Theatre. You must be aged 13-20 and live in Yorkshire.

Celebrated mime artist Paul Vates is taking a mime workshop where young actors can learn the skills of silent film acting.

Starting way back in 1992, entertaining the queues outside Madame Tussaud's in London, Paul has since established himself as a one of the leading performers in silent comedy.

(We are particularly fond of him in his MegaMaths cape)!

Paul is asking actors to prepare a 1 minute mime routine. It has to be moral and legal and remember it's got to be silent!

You have to be available for rehearsing in Goole at weekends leading up to filming during the half term holidays.

Filmmakers interested in joining the film crew will have the opportunity to work actual film cameras and shoot screen tests. Artists interested in joining our special effects unit will be discovering the secrets of back screen and front screen projection and a range of optical effects.

Saturday 12th May is the day for young writers. See the winning story post below for details.

And the winning story is...

"The Lost Princess"

Congratulations to Becky Stothert and Emma Gill aka Ticket Productions, whose detective story "The Lost Princess" is our Goole Silent Movie project!

Beating stiff competition from our competing groups to win the Gong Show, it will enter production over the coming weeks.

"The Lost Princess" is a fictional story, a murder mystery like an Inspector Morse, the story of a New Inspector that comes to Goole and discovers a body of a young girl and has to unravel the mystery of her murder. Set around the docks of the port of Goole the young girl turns out to be Anastasia the missing Russian Princess, but who murdered her and why?

In the spotlight: Winners Becky Stothert and Emma Gill.

Congratulations also to Becky Ellerington, Hannah Littlefair and Emma Thompson aka 2 brunette's and a blonde, whose true life story of one man’s determination to save lives and improve living conditions in Goole will be made into a Pathe style news reel!

"A fiery story of a one-man battle against an almost impossible council after his best and most loyal friend dies.” The story of how Mr Ellis, one of Goole’s oldest residents, died due to bad housing and how Dr Holmes forced the Council leader to face up to the conditions people were living in. A Campaigning story that results in the bringing of hygienic housing to Goole.

This Saturday, screenwriter and guest lecturer at the Northern Film School, Paul Arrowsmith will help all our writers transform "The Lost Princess" and "Dr A D Holmes" into scripts. As a script editor/advisor on over 50 short films, Paul brings a wealth of experience to the Goole Silent Movie Project. Budding writers are welcome to join us this Saturday, 12.30-6pm at Dunhill Road Community Centre in Goole, next to The Gate Theatre.

It takes confidence to pitch infront of our judging pannel and audience. Well done to everyody who took part!

Director Peter Kerhsaw collecting the votes.

Actor Madeline Frost collecting the vote from project coordinator Nicola Dixon. Fresh from helping the count at Thursdays local elections, Nicola made sure the voting was properly regulated!

Pitch Perfect

Back from America for Sunday's Gong Show, here's director Peter Kershaw's last minute advice on how to pitch perfect...

Remember the who, where, when, style (genre) and content.
Does your project have a TITLE?
What IS IT LIKE? (Other story examples similar to your story we may have seen).
WHO is your story about – i.e. WHO is your MAIN CHARACTER?
WHAT happens to your main character?
WHAT starts their adventure?
WHO IS THE OPPONENT – i.e. WHO is trying to stop your MAIN CHARACTER achieve their goal?
HOW will the story end?
WHERE is it set?
HOW long do you think it will be?
As it’s a silent movies – think how animation and other effects could be used to tell your story.

Good luck (I like chocolate milk buttons if that helps)!
Peter

Bring on the Gong Show

Thanks to everyone at the National Media Museum who made our visit a memorable one. Seeing the film tests on the big screen was quite an occasion. The quality of the Kodak black&white film stock really did transport us back to the old world of early cinema. But what was even better was the spontaneous laughter, cheering and feeling of accomplishment of watching every ones first film tests. Colin Harding also gave a breathtaking insight tour behind the scenes at the museums hidden film collections.

Now it's on to the Gong Show this Sunday at Goole's Gate Theatre when the audience decides which groups film idea is going to be made for real. Judging by the quality of ideas so far, it's going to be a tight run race. Check out the 8 Golden rules of storytelling for some great tips as well as deatils about the Gong Show. It's an an open event, so anyone wanting an inside look into what we are doing, or thinking about joining our group is very welcome. The show runs 12-4 this Sunday.