WHAT'S THE STORY?

‘Grandma’s Hands’ is a UAL graduation film being made by third year students. 

The film is loosely based on the experience of our director’s own grandmother, Denise Gilden, who lost her lifetime’s love for painting, at a time where rheumatoid arthritis was beginning to take over her life. Whilst the film is a slightly more dramatised version of events, the reality of arthritis’ impact on quality of life is a theme that we would like to convey and feel as though it is important to represent it to our audience. 

(Some of Denise's work)

‘Grandma’s Hands’ follows Valerie Jones (Denise’s pseudonym), a once avid painter and artist. Her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in her hands has led to extreme daily discomfort, and both an inability and lack of desire to paint. Unsupported and overlooked by her husband, Valerie finds herself in a rut. Stuck in a mundane cycle of loneliness, almost every glimmer of her once creative self is now gone.

A leaflet landing on the doormat advertising a painting holiday to Spain spurs Valerie into action, giving her the driving force to try and recapture her creativity once more. Arriving in Spain, however, Valerie soon comes to the realisation that this is not quite the artistic adventure she had pictured. She must overcome obstacles and challenges in order to recapture her life long passion. 

‘Grandma’s Hands’ is a short film that explores the idea of recapturing a lost passion. Valerie represents the everyday struggle of someone with rheumatoid arthritis, finding difficulty in completing tasks that were once simpler. Arthritis has robbed her of the drive to create, and ultimately, it is only through venturing outside of her comfort zone, taking a leap of faith and asserting her independence that she can truly overcome her physical and psychological inflictions, and once again pursue her passion.

WHY ARE WE CROWDFUNDING?

‘Grandma’s Hands’ is an ambitious short film, and thus, we need your help and kind donations in order to bring the story to life. As the chart below shows, there are a variety of departments and factors to consider when budgeting for the film. From dressing the sets to dressing the cast, securing locations to filming in Spain, we hope the chart will better explain where your money is going. Every single penny helps, and we greatly appreciate your donations and support. We understand not everyone may be in a position to donate, and equally appreciate a like or a share on social media, or even sending the page directly to friends. Just one share could make a huge difference to us.

THE CREW

WRITER / EDITOR - Kasia Ostrowski

This is Kasia, both our writer and editor. Whilst Kasia’s main love within film is editing, this passion goes hand in hand with her enthusiasm for writing. Her ability to visualise the film in the early stages of development really helps drive forward a strong theme, and this continues right up until the film is finished. Having previously worked on both documentaries and short films, such as ‘Threadbare’ (2018/19), Kasia is keen to further develop and hone her skills whilst bringing ‘Grandma’s Hands’ to life.

DIRECTOR / PRODUCER / DOP - Lewis Lehrfreund

Lewis has been training for the past few years as a cinematographer, working in the industry on a large variety of shoots. However, he also has a passion in screenwriting and recently wrote the soon to be released short ‘Threadbare’ (2018/9). Lewis has been working on advertisements, music videos and promos, but is heading towards more narrative driven content. Beginning his creative career with an interest in photography, it soon flourished into a love for cinematography and writing films. 

//DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT//

I feel as though this is more than a story about arthritis. I want to make the film as accessible to as many people as possible. This is a story about humanity in its most delicate form.

CO-PRODUCER - Georgette Gregorio Mason

Georgette’s passion for producing is motivated by bringing exceptional minds and ideas together. After studying Performance Design and Practice at Central Saint Martins, she wanted to challenge her skills in producing through short films with compelling stories. Georgette is thrilled to be working on a film that supports an important subject that has also affected her own mother. She “can’t wait to work with a buzzing and talented team” and to share “a story that needs to be told” with the world.

CO-PRODUCER - Filippo Cordova

Filippo’s experience within the world of film ranges from working at a production company in Rome, to his work on projects both in and outside of university. As an experienced producer looking for new challenges, Filippo’s aim is to elevate the production quality of ‘Grandma’s Hands’, joining the production due to the strong message he believes the film conveys; working past one’s adversities, both physical and mental, and continuing with one’s passions. The challenges the production process poses, such as shooting in both the UK and Spain, excite Filippo, and he can’t wait to get stuck in.

CAMERA TEAM - Zachariah Brown and Harvey James-Dyer

Zachariah is a Cinematographer based in South London. He will be the camera operator and assistant on Grandmas hands. He has just shot Sian: The Portrait of a Photographer, a 15 minute documentary that's was featured in The British Journal of Photography. As well as being involved in numerous other long and short form documentaries he has worked on short films and been involved in many commercial productions for companies like ASOS, Under Armour and FILA.

Harvey’s love for film began at a young age in the remote seaside town of Falmouth, Cornwall. Since moving up to London to study at the University of the Arts, he has worked primarily as editor on a range of productions, yet equally has a keen interest in the camera department. Harvey appreciates the time, dedication and skill that goes into composing and lighting a shot, and is excited by the challenge of straying away from his usual passion in film, towards the world of cinematography, thus developing his knowledge and broad range of skills further.

SOUND RECORDIST - TBC!

We're currently in talks with a few amazing sound recordists and designers. We will keep everyone updated when we have more information.

PRODUCTION DESIGNER - Chenai Nduru

Chenai has worked across various platforms from short films to documentaries. Whilst working on various other projects within the art department she has most enjoyed production designing for film. Having previously worked on Something Fishy (2018) and ILE (2018) as a production designer, she is ready to take on a new challenge. Being involved in creating the world in which characters live in is something she is very passionate about.

COSTUME DESIGNER - Myfi Mountford 

While studying film making Myfi discovered her love for the Art Department, due to the creative freedom it holds. She began working on costume, and loves how it can portray character's emotions and the tone of the story. She is particularly excited to work on Grandma's Hands as the characters have their own unique personalities which she is looking forward to explore through costume. 

MUSIC 

We are delighted to have to have teamed up with Will Murray, from FUR, one of Brighton's hottest exports. Just off of the back of their first headline UK tour, their 60s influences leave the audience with an unstoppable desire to groove, move and wear an audaciously big collar.  Their latest EP has cemented their position in the UK music scene as one of the brightest prospects.

We have teamed up with Murray, who is really going to bring the film to life with an original song, and soundtrack. Stay tuned for more info.

Check out their page on Spotify to hear what all the fuss is about.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0e0z6v7dIm0XM7B...

CASTING 

We are currently midway through casting and will release out cast in good time.. Check out our instagram page and update feed for more information! 

THE IMPACT

By supporting Grandma's Hands, you will also be supporting the awareness of Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in particular. In the UK alone, there are more than 10 million sufferers, 400,000 alone suffer from RA. It can affect lives, and we want our campaign to show the bigger picture. It doesn't have to. 

THE NATIONAL RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SOCIETY (NRAS)

First and foremost, the NRAS are a charity selected by Denise Gilden, highlighted as an organisation that help her during some of her toughest times with arthritis. They have offered her valuable support and have definitely been an aide to her on numerous occasions.

Our aim is to send the film far and wide, entering it into global film competitions, which in return will boost the outreach of the NRAS and the great work that they do.

Through our crowdfunding, we aim to give a minimum of 10% of all money raised directly to the NRAS. If any money remains, once the film has been completed, we will make a secondary donation to the charity.

To find out more, check out their website! https://www.nras.org.uk/

MOOD BOARDS 

INSTAGRAM

@GrandmasHandsShort

For any questions or inquiries about the film, please email Georgette and Filippo at: grandmashandsfilm@gmail.com