The script for the Blackout Feature Film is complete and the key production team are now assembling together to further the development of the project.

The aim of the project is:

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To make a zero budget feature film in 9 months – from preproduction to a finished edit.
To make a film which allows each filmmaker to have as much creative freedom as possible whilst still producing a cohesive final picture
To make the film around Preston with as many creative and enthusiastic people as possible.

Over the coming months Blog Preston will be in close contact with the production team and will be reporting on the progress of the project as we follow them on their journey into making this fascinating concept of a Blackout in Preston into a full feature film. There will be many people involved from all walks of life and with various skills, from acting to film set crew and even catering assistants. Whatever you think you may be able to contribute, it may well be worth contacting the filmmakers to see what possible role you could play in the making of the film production.

Time to meet some of the current production team:

Alan Livesey

Alan Livesey, who is the coordinating director. Alan is an independent Director and Writer who graduated from UCLan (Film Production and Screenwriting Combined Honours) and has already received a commission to write a feature screenplay which received an official selection from the Beverley Hills Screenplay Contest 2014. He was also selected from over 50 applicants to join the 5000 Miles Project and produce a short film in Los Angeles 2013.

Tom Wolfenden

Tom Wolfenden, who’s role is Project Development, is also a self taught filmmaker and a Freelance Video Producer/Freelance Editor under the name Weird Wolf Media. Tom has been involved in creative projects in Preston since about 2010 when he and a friend organised the poorly named ‘Preston Harvest Creative Festival’ which was a multi venue multimedia creative festival here in Preston, since that they went on to create a creative network called Harvest Preston. This in-turn led Tom and another friend in starting The Gonzo Project, a documentary project about creativity here in Preston, which was his entry into film making.

Su Moffat

Su Moffat, freelance writer and screenwriter, is a collaborative writer for the project and winner of the Northern Rail Safety Film for 2014. Su was commissioned to write two feature films as an undergraduate, one of which has been funded and is currently in production in the UK, the other currently being read in LA. Commissioned as the only undergraduate to produce creative narrative copy for travel firm Gold Medal Travel 2014/2015. Su became involved with the project because the collaborative idea of writing interested her as a process, also, because she wanted to work with filmmakers in her hometown of the City of Preston.

André Reid

André Reid is part of the writing staff. At 13, he was enlisted into the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth for writing and at 17, won his first writing award. The Writers International Premier Screenwriting Talent Competition (WIPST) Crime Genre in association with VibeTV – Script entitled ‘Charlie’.

Due to dedication and effort, André was chosen to PA Bill Nighy, during his trip to University of Central Lancashire. On finishing University, he was awarded a 2:1 BA Hons Degree, and won his Second award, ‘Jack Rosenthal Screenwriting Award’ Winner 2013 at University of Central Lancashire – Script entitled ‘Painted On Smiles’. Due to the small amount of acclaim he had with this, he was sought out to write at script for an MA Director, Jumana Iyad Saleh Sa’deh.

André was approached by Alan Livesey to be on board with Blackout as one of the writers, this is where he jumped at the chance to keep writing and the opportunity of making a film. André said “I know how hard it is to try and break into the industry especially if you have been away as long as I had, especially if you’re not in and around London, or now Manchester. That’s one of the things I am getting a kick from. Not only the fact I am getting the chance to make a film, but I’m discovering new and exciting things along way, whether it is people, opportunities to write or the simple things like films I would not have heard of before”.

John Turner

John Turner is a film and television editor who recently moved back to Preston after 24 years in London. Having now edited many long form documentaries and feature films he will be overseeing the post production of the Blackout Film Project ensuring each team delivers the same high standards. The six individual film crews will supply their 15 to 20 minute scenes and it will be John’s task to carefully knit them together.

Starting his career at Molinare the prestigious facility in the heart of London’s Soho he has worked for all the major broadcasters in the UK and Ireland. As an assistant he worked on Father Ted, Da Ali G Show, Smack the Pony, The Mark Thomas Comedy Product and many other comedy shows. He edited the pilot of Bo Selecta that launched Leigh Francis career Aka Keith Lemon, and also helped Russell Brand get his career back on track after he came out of rehab for heroin addiction. With the rise in reality television he edited Fame Academy, I’m a Celebrity, and Hell’s Kitchen before moving to documentaries and whilst living in Dublin Ireland got involved in dramatic films.

Joeseph McDonald

Joseph McDonald is a project co-ordinator, advising in budget and production, he is also going to be a producer and director of photography on one of the chapters of the film.  Joeseph Co-owns a production company called ‘Red Pencil Films’ a very new production company with a lot of projects on the starting blocks. He is also freelance Director of Photography and has shot several short films and music videos, one of which includes ‘Matter of Time’ for The Struts, a band signed by virgin and are packing out arenas.

Emma Templeton

Emma Templeton was born and raised in Preston, interested in the arts and has a borderline obsession with reading and writing.

Emma attended Cardinal Newman College, where she studied English, Drama and History and fell in love with the PR, marketing and digital world after working with communications agency ‘The Write Angle’ in Chorley as part of her work experience. She continued to work there for the past five months whilst completing a Social Media apprenticeship and she just can’t seem to get enough of it all!

Emma is very excited to be working with The Blackout project and said, “there’s a great sense of unity and excitement within the team and this is something I love being a part of. I’m greatly determined to help make The Blackout a success and show off the amazing work that is being produced by its members.

“I’ve always been interested in film and consider myself to be a creative and theatrical individual. I don’t particularly have a favourite genre but I tend to take a considerable interest in anything that’s written or created to persuade and challenge people’s perceptions.

“My role in this incredible project is to help market and organise various events and to help The Blackout and Preston receive the recognition they both deserve”.

Photos of a day of preproduction brainstorming and script assessment in the studio.

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Co-ordinating Director Alan Livesey wonders where on earth his camera has gone!

The production crew are wondering if they should update their equipment

Surely there must be Sky Sports on this TV, shouldn’t there?

Photographer Alf Myers sharing his holiday snaps with co-ordinating director Alan Livesey

Photographer Alf Myers just loves being above the director at these photo shoots

When talking to the production crew for the film, one easily senses that these people are absolute professionals and very passionate about what they do. It becomes quite obvious that the Blackout film will doubtless be something that Preston should be immensely proud about and there does not seem to be any reason why it should not put Preston on the map for being successful in feature film production; after all, we have the expertise, the creativity and the determination to push the boundaries of film making with this ambitious and groundbreaking team of people with a great mix of skills, experience and a wonderful sense of humour.

Over the coming months, Blog Preston will be giving you an insight into all the aspects of the making of the Blackout film Project and following the production crew all the way to the final wrap.

What are your thoughts on the Blackout and would you like to contribute to the making of the film? Let us know in the comments below.