Bluebird

"You want me because I don't know how to be wanted."

STORY

A compelling story of love and loneliness, Bluebird is about a young woman looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places.

SYNOPSIS

Set across 24 hours, Bluebird is a candid and brutally honest story of a young women, Lydia. Seemingly easy going and fun natured, Lydia is hiding a multitude of inner turmoil that she herself is yet to face. Whilst to everyone around her she may seem like she has herself together, secretly she battles her father's unrequited love, a crisis of identity and a subconscious hyper sexuality. She seeks constant gratification, but hates the way she seeks it. She wants the attention but hates herself for needing it. Her lack of understanding of her inner demons makes her numb to the people around her. She is isolated. Confused. She acts on impulse and often finds herself having no control over her actions. It's powerful but terrifying for her.

We meet Ian, Lydia’s father and become witness to an incredibly difficult and compromising relationship. Ian is depressed, abusive and temperamental. Like any young women, Lydia craves her father's love but the attention he gives her is the wrong kind, misplaced and uncomfortable. As a result, Lydia has no freedom to explore her self and her sexuality outside of her relationship with her father, leaving her mind chaotic and confused.

Then suddenly there is George, a young vibrant man who starts changing everything for Lydia . George is different. George wants intimacy. He see’s past Lydia’s performances and wants every inch of her, flaws and all. Their chemistry is electric, their energy charged but for Lydia this makes her life spiral further out of control. How can these two relate to each other when Lydia has no real knowledge of an intimate connection? For Lydia sexuality is devoid of intimacy, it's ritualistic, a game. As their relationship intensifies Lydia attempts to face her troubles head on.

But then her father does something she didn’t expect and Lydia is forced to confront her darkest thoughts. How far would she really go for his love?

WHY THIS STORY?

I have always wanted to tell stories that felt honest and had truthfulness at the root of them. Stories that moved or impacted others in some way and opened up conversations we may be struggling to have. Growing up watching work by the likes of Andrea Arnold and Paddy Constantine, I was inspired by their ability to create work that felt like a true glimpse into someones world. 

I wanted my writing debut to be a story that would represent the voice I want to have in the industry and Bluebird is exactly that. Its a personal story based upon my struggle to grow up with a challenging relationship with my Dad and the impact this had on my ability to interact with others around me. I’ve always been interested in the influence our parents have upon us and society’s idea that our parents are there to be our biggest supporters. But what happens to those of us who don’t experience this? 

I was lucky enough to have a wonderful Mum who I am so grateful for but this didn’t mean I was able to escape the lack of father figure. Becoming a woman, understanding who I was and being able to grasp my sexuality was incredibly challenging. None of this had any freedom outside of my lack of father figure. I think there is an assumption that because I am a women all I needed was my Mum, but the reality was and still is I needed both. Both female and male influences in whatever form those influences took. The father daughter relationship has therefore been of great interest to me and Bluebird will explore further what that relationship really means.  The short offers a unique exploration of such relationship and the value women place on their own sense of mystery and charisma. I hope this short film offers a unique female perspective and explores how important our formative relationships are. 

This short is an incredibly personal story for me and I am aware of how exposing its going to be. Whilst I am slightly terrified, I am also incredibly excited and know it is a really important story for me to share. If Bluebird can support someone, or challenge another or even just make someone feel something - whatever that may be - I will be satisfied. Its an intimate story that comes from my gut and heart - which I believe are the best kinds of stories to share.

I really hope Bluebird is the start of encouraging us all to look at the world and people more closely to fully grasp how complex we all are.

WHAT WE NEED & WHAT YOU GET

Nothing about Bluebird should feel heightened or glamorous. The idea is to create an intimate experience for the audience, they should feel as though they are getting a glimpse into someones real life. Therefore, it is crucial we get a DOP who can reflect this raw approach in their filming style, it should be gritty, authentic and realistic. Some of the scenes are incredibly intimate and its really important to feel that we are safe and supported by the right crew.

The aim is for Bluebird to be entered into as many festivals as possible, as well as two screenings in London. Our short is something we want to share and get seen by as many people. Its a story we are all in such support of getting out there and we will be working incredibly hard to do so. 

We are asking for your help to raise 10K (2/3rds) for our production budget, with a planned shoot taking place early October 2021. This will allow us compensate everyone involved fairly, cover the cost of equipment, food, transportation, and filming locations.

In terms of what you get, not only will you get the first chance to view our film or attend our premiere but you also can get an opportunity to gain an insight into the behind-the-scenes of filmmaking and learn from our amazing team- you can ever be an extra! Check out the perks your donations could get you at the top of the page!

THE TEAM

PAULETTE RANDALL - DIRECTOR

Bluebird is being directed by the fantastic Paulette Randall who is an inspiration to me. Not only does she have an MBE for her contribution to drama but she is also the first ever black female to direct a play in the West End. She completely lights up a room and never lets actors get way with doing any less then their absolute best. I feel totally safe in her hands and there is truly no one else I would trust my script with. I am so thrilled to be continuing to support her incredible work by handing her Bluebird.

Paulette was keen to give us some words of her own...

“As a director, you are always on the look out for a fresh, new, original and exciting voice. Bluebird is all of that and then some! Its a wonderful, thought provoking film that creeps up on you and challengers your perception of yourself and others. It draws you in beautifully and then unsettles you.”

JESS CONNELL - SCRIPT EDITOR/PRODUCTION

We also have Jess Connell on board who works at Gaumont Film and Television as a development Producer. Jess has been our script editor and an incredible guidance in the production side of Bluebird. She has such a vast and strong understanding of the industry and her expertise has been so valuable to us. Her support throughout and on going means the world and we know with her we will make something brilliant.

Jess started off her career as a script editor. First in stop frame animation before moving to work in the continuing drama world at BBC Scotland. After four years of storylining, script editing and producing she went freelance. Since, she has Story Produced Season Two and produced Season Three of Tin Star for Sky Atlantic and am now in a development producer role at Gaumont's UK division. 

Jess also shared some words on Bluebird...
“Isla’s writing immediately gripped me - Bluebird is a small intimate story with a lot to say about women and their place in the world. With Paulette wealth of experience and talent I am excited to be a small part of this beautiful film”

ISLA JACKSON-RITCHIE - WRITER/ACTOR

Isla trained at Drama Centre London and since has some impressive credits. They include, CALL THE MIDWIFE BBC, HUMANS Channel Four, COLLATERAL BBC, TIN STAR Sky Atlantic, THE GIRL AND THE MOON Courtyard Theatre, THE VIEW FROM DOWN HERE Oval House Theatre. Most recently Isla can be seen playing the series regular role of Sarah in Netflix's TOPBOY. 

Bluebird will be Isla's writing debut! 

BENEATH THE SHADE PRODUCTIONS - PRODUCER

Founded THIS year, Beneath The Shade Productions was created by Isla herself. With a passion to tell compelling, interesting and exciting stories with truthfulness always at the root. Beneath the Shade is committed to exploring more 3 demential characters and providing opportunities within the creative industry for ALL. Isla believes that short film development is one of the best ways to find and nurture new talent, whilst still allowing them the freedom to hold onto their artistic autonomy. She is excited to offer this opportunity and discover new, inspiring talent/voices with stories that will leave an impact. She is committed to exploring what it means to be human and our place in the world. 

 ROOTED STUDIO - PRODUCER

Founded in 2020 as a creative and visual response to the year that nobody expected. With years of experience in Fashion and the creative world, Abi Smith and Prince Plockey joined forces to form ROOTED STUDIO with the aim to present challenging and thought-provoking visuals that represent, inspire and champion what it means to be 'other'. ROOTED STUDIO is a collective of all shapes, sizes and colours. 

"As our first short, it's an absolute honour to pair with Beneath the Shade Productions and Isla Jackson-Ritchie to bring Bluebird to life. We want to make the best film possible and with the resources and talents that we share, we know we're going to make a sick film".

THE IMPACT

Bluebird looks at the hyper sexualisation of a young women, a topic that is close to my heart and one I am really keen to open up a further conversation about. Hyper sexualisation isn’t talked about nearly enough and I only wish growing up earlier I had seen more stories similar to mine. Perhaps I would have felt less isolated. I hope in making Bluebird I will be able to encourage others to start engaging in this conversation and to have an awareness of what hyper sexualisation is and what it looks like. 

I found myself struggling often to connect to my feelings throughout this period of my life, sometimes I felt like I felt nothing at all. Other times my feelings were far too intense and I shut them down again but  I hope Bluebird will encourage people to feel. I hope in making an exposing, intimate story that doesn't shy away from perhaps ugly parts of people, that this film will impact others into recognising their own complexities. Maybe even embracing them. 

Whilst I believe the industry has started to make some changes, I also still see a huge lack of complex female characters and female lead stories. Bluebird explores all sides of its central female character Lydia, the good, the ugly, the challenging, the exposing. It offers a unique female perspective through a carefully constructed central character.   These are the types of stories we need to see more of, these types of stories would have made me feel less alone as a young woman. I want to see more work within the industry that supports exploring all different walks of life and the challenges people face. We so often take people for granted and can be lazy in our judgements of others. Bringing to life more challenging, 3 dimensional characters with stories that really explore the intimate more private parts of people are something we need more of. I've chosen not to shy away from the darkness and I hope in doing so have created a raw and exciting narrative that invites the audience into a new perspective. 

As Jess Connell herself explained, Bluebird has a lot to say about women and their place in the world - this comes from my own experiences of abandonment, loneliness, sexuality and being hyper sexualised. I hope it will open up further conversations of the complexity that comes with developing into a woman within society. 

I really hope Bluebird is the start of encouraging us all to look at the world and people more closely to fully grasp how complex we all are.

Paulette Randall is also someone I really believe in and really want to support. Her work in the industry has been so inspiring and I think the creative industry could only continue to learn from her. I want to work with her not only because I know she is the only person I would give my story to but I also want give her another opportunity to showcase what an incredible talent she really is.

RISKS & CHALLENGES

Over the past few weeks, we've have spent time calculating and solving any and all obstacles that may occur as we move through production. We are a team of professionals who have worked in the creative industry over a long period and believe that through collaboration we can persist and overcome any uncertainties that we may encounter.

We continue to closely monitor any changes to COVID-19 regulations and we will take into consideration any changes that may arise in the UK that could delay our shoot.

Raising finance for film and most creative projects is extremely difficult  but it is beyond important to us that all members of our team are paid fairly. Too often in this industry we are asked to work for little to no money at all. Every single person has worked incredibly hard to hone their craft and are professionals at what they do, so it is important that their fee reflects that. 

Other Ways You Can Help?

ANY donation will mean the world to us. We are so committed to making a film that is of the best quality possible and made by a creative team that we know will be able to support the purpose of the film. No donation is too small and we will be forever grateful for your support. 

If you aren't able to financially give, we still need your help! We'd love it if you could help us spread the word about our film and share our campaign to anyone that you know who'd be keen to support.