The Vision
This isn’t a movie.
It’s a project about transforming a community and lives through the making of a film*…
(* Which happens to be about transforming a community and lives through the making of a film.)
It is a story within a story.
We will be partnering with a community in Wythenshawe, Manchester to work on this amazing project - the end of which will result in the creation of a full-length feel-good comedy-drama feature film.
The Story
Milton had a dream.
Now he has a cafe, in a washed-up, rundown seaside town surrounded by his father’s collection of silent movie memorabilia
(And a mountain of debt)
Until Jenna arrives…
With a second-hand camera… and a crazy idea… and turns the cafe… the town… and Milton’s life completely upside down…
As they begin making films the whole community get involved, drawing people together, enabling them to see themselves & each other differently…
Silver Screen Dreams is about the magic of stories… and the fact that it’s never too late to change the ending…
Hopes and Goals
Ordinarily…
The process of making a film involves bringing together a group of people in order to create a finished product. We’re turning that process on its head: creating a finished product as an excuse to bring together a group of people.
As the old cliche goes, it’s all about the journey.
The film itself aside, we hope that this project will inspire the community and forge stronger links and relationships. We hope that it will be a positive experience for all involved and grow self-esteem. We hope that it will inspire their own grassroots creativity, and give those involved a huge sense of achievement when they watch the film.
(“I did that!”)
We also hope that it will bring positive PR & attention to the local area & businesses.
As for the film itself…
Well, initially there will be a ‘Silver Screen Dreams’ premiere event in the local community for all those who’ve been involved (with the obligatory popcorn and photos on the red carpet).
And then on to a wider audience…
Whilst the principal reason for making is not about finding critical acclaim or seeking fame & fortune, we still want it to be a great movie; a movie that will be enjoyed by and will inspire and encourage all those who watch it.
To that end...
The plan will be to enter the finished project into various
film festivals nationally & internationally. We will be looking to secure a distribution deal for it.
(At the very least we will sell it on Amazon Prime). If there are any profits they will be put
back into making films that bring hope and social change. We would also hope that this
would lead towards more projects in the future.
There might also be a possibility of filming a documentary type film alongside this film within
a film (making it a film within a film within a film!) recording community transformation as it
happens.
Teaching & Training
We plan to begin a weekly film-making club for up to 20 residents of
Wythenshawe.
We will give them training on how a film shoot works, explore the different roles involved from writing screen-plays and coming up with original ideas to operating
cameras, sound, lighting. We will involve professionals from the industry who will offer their time and tutor voluntarily. This experience will also give our core team transferable skills as well as project organisation and life skills.
Locations
We will be looking for a place locally to rehearse weekly with the community group. We will also hope to partner with local businesses and potentially use their premises for the filming of the mini adverts. This would involve them allowing us to film outside - or even inside -their premises. Their business would then be featured in the final film and would be a good promotional opportunity for them.
Adverts
We want to give our core group hands-on experience on a film set, both behind and in front of the camera, and so we will be creating mini-adverts for local businesses.
These fun mini-films (30 seconds - 1 minute in length) will be advertising a handful of local businesses in a very fun & quirky way.
These unusual mini-adverts, using actors from the core-group and others from the local community, will be released as part of a viral social media campaign in the build up to filming the main feature.
Support Us
There are a number of ways you can supports us!
From helping with catering to helping us raise the funds we need to pay our professional film crew.
GET IN TOUCH:
rebecca@topandtail.productions
Top and Tail Productions Ltd
44 Hillcroft Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4JE 0161 929 6384
Company no. 12773022
Made With Brizy