The Crew
We are a group of passionate filmmakers from The Northern Film School in Leeds Bleakland is our graduation film, we care deeply about this story it’s a gritty social realism drama. Bleakland brings to light the issues surrounding people who are trapped in a situation that they can’t get out of, when watching we hope to put the viewer as close to trapped experience as possible just to show that its happening and its real. Bleakland is a drama but most drama short films have an unlikeliness to them you won’t find yourself in that situation but with Bleakland people are living it every day and we want to contribute to change this. We can’t wait to share our story with you as much as we can’t wait to make the film.
Producer
My name is Nico Walker, i'm 21-year-old producing student studying filmmaking at the Northern Film School which is based at Leeds Beckett University, I would consider myself a creative producer who treads on both sides of the role the creative side and the logistical side. Over the 2 years I have gained 3 producing credits while studying at the film school and we are currently in pre-production for Bleakland working with a very talented crew with amazing ideas I don’t have one spec of doubt that the crew will perform to there best and I’m very confident they will.
The reason I chose this script was it’s a very powerful story and it sheds light on issues that doesn’t really get talked about in student film, domestic violence because it’s a delicate subject that no one wants to talk about. I don’t want to hold back on the action this is a gritty in your face film I don’t want to sugar coat it I want it to look and feel as real as possible showing the audience that this happens in the real-world and hopefully we can get that message and realness across while telling a powerful story. One of the other main themes that the film explores in entrapment the people who live a bleak trapped cycle of a life and this film is almost giving them a voice which I really do like and Im very excited to move into production with this project.
Director
My name is Oly Gudgin, a 21 year old Directing student at The Northern Film School. I wanted to work on this script for a variety of reasons. Being from Bradford, I understand the reality of estate life. Many people that live in Bradford are born there, spend their whole life working and struggling within the city, and end up dying there. Bleakland explores the individualism within Jordan, and what sets him apart from the people around him. My mother, along with other family members and friends, grew up on council estates, giving me an insight into how these people should be represented on screen, and capture the correct atmosphere of the film. During my childhood, I was also faced with a similar situation as Jordan. I had to live with an abusive stepfather who was both violent and manipulative with me and my mother in particular. Being so young I felt trapped and unable to change my situation. This particular feeling is a theme I want to explore throughout Bleakland, while Jordan tries to escape the world he’s been born in to.
I am excited to direct this film because I believe I can bring out the best performances possible from the actors, having first-hand experience of the conflict the characters face. I am prepared to be completely open with my actors and allow them to ask me anything about my experiences to help them understand their characters. This will create a realistic, believable performance and show to our audience that these things do happen in real life and people are trapped in situations they can’t get out of.
Writer/DOP
My name is Greg Hodge and I am the Writer and Director of Photography of the film. I have been interested in the idea of ‘no escape’ for a long time now. Watching people grow up in my town and even if they have a choice to leave, they will still to choose to stay in the dull environment they seem to hate so much. Writing this script has been a challenge, but we feel confident that the message of the film is inspiring and we feel it shows true to what it is happening today. Being the Writer and Director of Photography for the film is truly exciting. I have been inspired by a wide variety of films and styles. The biggest inspiration would have to be City of God, exploring the favelas in Rio De Janeiro and the feeling of entrapment, but showing that anyone can escape somewhere if they try hard enough. British Social Realism genre is also a huge inspiration. The films of Shane Meadows and Ken Loach where a true inspiration when writing the film. I wanted to write this film to explore something I am extremely passionate, and have found myself very lucky to find crew who are also so passionate about the message and underlying theme.
I want this film to seem as real as possible, so therefore a lot of the Cinematography will be handheld, to enhance the realism. I want this film to feel very personal and shot in a way that can enhance a true emotional response from the audience. Using certain angles and framing to enhance the protagonist, Jordan within the madness of the housing estate. The camera in the film will feel like we are part of the film ourselves. Not as a Point of View perspective, but in a way that we are with the characters, following their every move. Colours will be a very important piece of the story, with the beginning of the film having a blue/grey colour pallete, eventually turning to a warmer, orange, brown pallete representing the dimmer of hope Jordan may have towards the end of the film.
We are extremely thankful to have the chance to make this film and would be extremely grateful for any support, whether that be sharing the page or a small donation.
1st AD
My name is Kieran Mather and I am 21 year old aspiring 1st Assistant Director from Manchester, England, I currently study at The Northern Film School situated at Leeds Beckett University. At this moment in time we are in pre-production of our short film ‘Bleakland’ of which I am really excited to get started on the production stage, which is just months away! The film really appeals to me because of the social issues it highlights in the society we live in today and can hopefully shine some light on an issue a lot of people experience every day, Domestic abuse.
I am very enthusiastic for this film to be made and with the help from you then it can be, I want this film to be entertaining on one end and also raise awareness to this issue.
Editor
My name is Louis Austin, I am a Filmmaking student in my final year at Leeds Beckett University, where I specialise in Editing. Upon reading the script for Bleakland I was immediately drawn to the project, as I have always been a huge fan of gritty, social-realist drama's. To me the film seems to represent dysfunction and how we deal with it. In the context of the film it is dysfunction in the family, however I believe the message is a connotation of wider society. As Editor, I have a clear vision of how the film will be paced. Using the real-time editing style, a focus will be taken on heightening tension and drawing out dramatic potential, by putting the audience in the room with the characters.
What is Bleakland about ?
Jordan
Disgust, Fear, Anger, Grief, Joy.
Mark
Aggressiveness, Slightly Caring, Rage.
Joanne
Fear, Grief, Love.
Laura
Fear, Trust, Awe.
Your contribution is very important to us and our film, we want to tell our story the best it can be and this requires the most realistic location possible which is a tower block flat if not a long list of items to dress a on location set similar to productions like This is England, Top boy if we can get either of the location options then this will give us the opportunity to bring our vision to life. We also require a piece of equipment that is essential for the shooting style without this piece of kit our vision will not hold-up on screen, further you will be contributing to important issues the film covers that don’t get a voice and need a voice! and of course we will be offering perks such as a simple thank you email to a signed posters and even a executive producer credit. To see all perks check out our perk list.
