‘Evacuees’ Feature Film in Development with Kato Pictures

I’m delighted to announce that my elevated period horror feature film Evacuees is now in development with Kato Pictures, led by fantastic producer, Lauren Parker. I’m attached as writer/director.

Conceived in late 2018, Evacuees started as a pitch selected as one of eight feature projects in Arrow Video FrightFest’s New Blood 2018 contest to receive mentoring from BAFTA-nominated producer Jack Tarling (God’s Own Country), horror icon Barbara Crampton, director/producer Jenn Wexler, and Queensbury Pictures’ Giles Edwards. Since then, the script has grown through its infancy to become a Stage32 and Screencraft semi-finalist.

Set in 1943, it tells the story of a Yorkshire town that plays host to a group of child evacuees from war-torn London. Childless outcast Elizabeth grows close to them, but faces a dilemma when she discovers the truth of their sinister intentions.

Lauren Parker is a member of the BFI Network x BAFTA crew as a producer, where we first connected, and was awarded one of only twelve places on their mentoring scheme. Lauren is currently mentored by Camille Gatin (The Girl With All The Gifts). She was also selected for the Edinburgh International Film Festival Talent Lab in 2018.

Lauren has produced successful shorts including the award-winning Night Owls and the Creative England/BFI NETWORK funded Wash Club. Wash Club received an online premiere with Short of the Week and a Vimeo Staff Pick. 

Lauren’s latest short Majority was funded by the BFI NETWORK and has screened at Krakow Film Festival, Palm Springs Shortfest and BFI London Film Festival. Her next short Lord of the Free Range is due to shoot in 2021 with the support of the BFI NETWORK. Her films have played festivals around the world including Frightfest, Sitges, Aesthetica, London Short Film Festival, This is England, Galway Film Fleadh and many more.

She started her career in television as a production assistant with Endemol and has since worked in TV production with CBBC, BSLBT and Wellington Films. She recently worked as line producer on the interactive project As Dead As It Gets. Lauren has also worked on a range of feature films, from low budget horror to the BFI funded The Devil Outside.

Lauren has produced countless commercial and corporate videos with clients including Porsche, Boots, Nottingham City Council and NY record label, Bear and Owl. Her music videos have been screened on Vevo and MTV as well as nominated for Best Radar Commission at the Radar Music Video awards.

As a filmmaker, this story allows me to explore themes and concepts around motherhood, fertility, femininity, gender and identity through complex characters that are rarely portrayed on screen.

I’m so happy to join forces with Lauren on Evacuees. Her passion and enthusiasm for the script is palpable, even through lockdown, and I look forward to channelling our energies into raising this project from toddler through to adulthood.

Shortlisted for FILMD Grant & Writing a TV Pilot

Had great news recently – one of my latest short film projects as writer & director was shortlisted for a grant by FILMD, the fantastic independent FILM & TV production platform for cast, crew, & creative professionals, co-founded by the inspirational Craig Roberts (Phantom of the Open, Eternal Beauty) & Craig Heyworth.

It was an honour to be one of ten short films in contention for funding to boost projects and gave me a real buzz as I’m in the thick of writing new projects and editing/rewriting existing ones.

I’m marching on with this short film though and looking to put it into production in the coming months when I can come up for air. It’s gratifying when there is unexpected support for quiet projects that come from a place of passion. If you’re interested in hearing more and backing my short film, or supporting in-kind in some way, please drop me a note on my Contact page.

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Aside from jumping back into making a short this year, I’ve just been through an intensive stretch of writing on a longer form idea I’ve had bouncing around my head. I was really proud to be part of the NFTS Wales cohort of writers on the esteemed Writing the TV Pilot course last month, supported by All3Media and an ex-TV drama commissioner.

I was living and breathing writing my pilot, which forms the basis of a returning comedy drama world I’ve created. It was a delight to fully immerse myself in the project for a rigorous spell – taking notes daily and writing and rewriting overnight and early mornings, then having readthroughs with actors and even pitching the piece. A truly great experience and I’m now making tweaks and will be casting it out into the world as part of my portfolio.

Here’s to 2023!

Podcast Guest – Brain Rot – ‘Don’t Open Till Christmas’

A British slasher? Better still, a CHRISTMAS British slasher film? Reader, they do exist, or at least, somehow – this one does!

I joined the exquisite Stevie Webb on the brilliant Brain Rot podcast to chat about the highs, lows and Caroline Munro of the 1984 festive slashfest, Don’t Open Till Christmas.

An incredibly troubled production, this little b-movie delight serves up a Christmas slay ride with a masked killer on the loose in London roasting the chestnuts of anyone dressed as Santa to rid the world of all the evil of the holiday season.

Brain Rot deep dives into the best & worst VHS horror of the 80s & 90s, and this film is certainly one not to be missed for any self-respecting horror and indeed, film fan, so fill your stockings with Stevie and I as we dash through the snow of the history, trivia and ‘story’ beats of Don’t Open Till Christmas. Listen now on Apple podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Spotify and basically anywhere you listen to your pods!

Selected for BAFTA Connect

Was stunned to receive the news this week that I’ve been accepted as a member of BAFTA Connect! As a former BFI Network x BAFTA Crew member, I’m really excited to move forward on my journey with BAFTA over the next few years and beyond, and thankful for the support and investment in me.

I’m honoured to be selected – a genuine much-needed surprise – and eager to throw myself into the development programme and conferences, screenings and events, enjoy the club and literally connect with my fellow Connect community.

New feature in Film Stories, August 2021 – Prano Bailey-Bond Interview

I’m back in this month’s edition of the glorious independent movie magazine, Film Stories, issue 27, August 2021.

This feature is an extended interview with the incredible Prano Bailey-Bond, director of the hugely anticipated British horror, Censor, out in UK cinemas now! Destined to be an influential classic.

Prano discusses directing, her influences, the COVID delays to completion, horror and censorship. It’s a follow up article to my interview with the movie’s lead, Niamh Algar – also the star of Channel 4 true crime drama, Deceit, airing now.

The magazine is available for pre-order in digital and print edition.

Podcast Guest – Evolution of Horror – ‘The Blob’ Movies

Indulge in a bit of aural pleasure with the latest episode of the brilliant award-winning podcast, The Evolution of Horror!

I joined Mike Muncer as his guest to delve into cult classic The Blob from 1958 – starring Steve McQueen in his first notable movie role, and its far superior 80s remake, thanks to the golden horror combination of Frank Darabont and Chuck Russell. There’s lots to love about both these lovely, gloopy alien movies.

Prepare for a potentially controversial statement about another horror classic! Gasp!

Listen now.

Two features in Film Stories, July 2021 – ‘Censor’ & ‘Drop Dead Fred’ – on sale

On sale now – I’ve written two features for the latest issue of the glorious Film Stories magazine.

First, I chatted with captivating BAFTA-nominated actress, Niamh Algar, about British psychological horror Censor for the cover feature. I’ve been a fan of Niamh’s for a while now since her roles in The Bisexual and Pure, so it was great getting under the skin of her character in this movie – a stylish, smokey piece set against the backdrop of the 1980s video nasty era by debut featuremaker, Prano Bailey-Bond. The UK cinema release date is now 20th August.

Second, I had the honour of interviewing director Ate de Jong about a film I hold dear to my heart, Drop Dead Fred. A personal favourite from my childhood, for reasons I discuss in the piece, Ate and I spoke at length about the serious undertones of this gross-out comedy that was unfairly dismissed in the early nineties, but thirty years later has finally found its audience and cult status. Starring one of my all-time heroes, Rik Mayall, I got the skinny on all the folklore around Fred. I did meet Rik once in my twenties, but that’s a whole other story!

Massive gratitude to the editor, Simon Brew, for once again giving me the pages to write about films I adore and speak to people I admire.

It’s on sale now!

https://www.filmstories.co.uk/news/film-stories-issue-26-july-2021-full-details-and-order-your-copy-here/

‘Connie’ on Amazon Prime via Shorts TV subscription channel

The little fierce diva Connie has a new lease of life! She is back and has high-kicked her way onto Shorts TV’s subscription channel on Amazon Prime. You can watch the feisty foul-mouthed showgirl as part of a free seven-day trial now.

‘Evacuees’ in the Press – SFX and Starburst

My feature film, EVACUEES, currently in development with Kato Pictures, has made the press!

Big thanks to Starburst firstly for their continued support of my work. Full article here.

And we’re mentioned in Penny Dreadful’s fabulous column in this month’s SFX magazine (April 2021 issue). What a legend. We’re referenced alongside some awesome talent there – extremely flattering! Massively appreciated. Lauren Parker and I are chuffed.

Deborah M. Pratt long read on The Companion – could Quantum Leap return?

It’s alive! My second feature on beloved 90s sci-fi TV show Quantum Leap is now live on The Companion app and website.

Following on from the publication of my first piece back in January, One Giant Leap for Sam, Another Day for Samantha, this feature delves much deeper into my interview with head writer, co-executive producer and uncredited co-creator, the inspirational Deborah M. Pratt.

In Leapt Ahead of Her Time, Deborah talks to me about the challenges of getting the show made, pushing boundaries, the enduring love of fans that kept the show alive, working with Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell, and her plans for it to leap back to our screens and how we can all play our part in making that a reality!

Deborah M. Pratt – Photo © Erin Thomas Brown

Head over to The Companion to subscribe and read all about it, and other epic new long reads every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday – a must for 90s sci-fi fans.