Who We Are & Why We're Doing This
We're a startup film production company based in the Isle of Man (a beautiful island in the heart of the Irish Sea) run by two recent graduates. We live and breathe film, and set up this company to do it our own way.![]()
Find out more about us and our company on our website.
This film is one we've been developing for over two years, and that time has allowed us to review, refine and perfect it, packing concise complexity and thrills into a 15-minute short. It unites two things we love greatly; drama filmmaking, which we trained in at university, and the Isle of Man, the magical mythology of which has inspired this film.
But we can't do it alone. The arts and culture funding bodies here, Isle of Man Arts Council and Culture Vannin, have kindly supported and encouraged this project but we need your help to fully realise this film.
What We Need & What You'll Get
The total budget for this film is £14,000, and the funding we have received so far is going towards cast and crew hire, location hire, score composition and recording, insurance and distribution. Our target for this campaign is £5,000. This is going towards:
- travel expenses (so everyone involved can get to set)
- wardrobe and props (setting the scene)
- extra kit hire (perfecting the cinematic look)
- post-production (bringing it all together)
- catering (keeping cast and crew fed and watered for the duration of the shoot)
- providing perks (all the goodies you'll get!)
- covering platform fees (for using IndieGoGo)
- a contingency for the production (for potential unforeseen costs or circumstances - something every professional film needs)
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Of course, we've got lots of ways to say THANK YOU for being involved in this project. Each funding level has its own perks, and some will be exclusive to our Facebook followers, so sign up and follow our pages to get in on those. See the perks list on the right for a full breakdown of what you can get out of supporting this project, from a poster signed by cast and crew to a private tour of the location with us!
If we don't reach the full goal, the funds will still go towards the film. We're shooting in September/October 2019 and if we don't meet our goal, we will fundraise on the ground in the remaining months before production.
Our Aim
Our aim with this film is to share culture; Manx mythology is rich and full of imagination, and we want to show its universal qualities. The original story, The Lost Wife of Ballaleece, was collected by Sophia Morrison here in the Isle of Man and was a grand total of three pages long. We've updated that story to a modern setting which still reflects the traditions it's built on, and leaned into the mystery genre, one that is familiar worldwide. We've dug into each character to make a compelling ride for all audiences whether they know the folklore or not - and if not, they will learn something new.
Once the film is complete we intend to enter it into film festivals around the British Isles and the Celtic nations to spread the word, not just about the relevance of traditional stories to today’s world but also the Island’s beauty, heritage and culture. We will also be using local produce and resources wherever possible, promoting the fantastic products of the Island and keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum at the same time.
Ultimately, we are here to entertain. Drama is our specialism and we have hand-picked our cast and crew to make this film top-of-the-line and have the greatest possible emotional impact on every one of its audience members:
Meet the Team
PATRICK CRELLIN - Director and Producer ![]()
Born and raised in the Isle of Man, Patrick has lived and breathed film since he was four. Having worked on productions such as Mindhorn (2016) and Ready To Go (2017) and directed multiple films at university, he's ready to make his own mark on the film world.
BETHANY WHITE - Writer, Producer and Sound Designer![]()
Bethany has been fascinated by stories for as long as she can remember. She's a commissioned and award-winning writer (Singularity50 winner, York HARPE Awards 2018's Formidable Female Talent and BlueCat Screenplay Competition 2019 Quarter-Finalist) and has recorded sound on a multitude of professional sets.
GRAHAM MAKEPEACE-WARNE - Cinematographer![]()
Graham is a fantastically accomplished wildlife photographer who works for Manx Wildlife Trust and runs his own production company, Great Media Works. He has branched into fiction filmmaking through local group Mannin Shorts, where he has shot several short films. He knows how to show what the Isle of Man has to offer.
CAMILLE HATCHER - First Assistant Director ![]()
Camille is another recent graduate from the University of York's Film and TV Production course. She is a hugely versatile and skilled filmmaker, taking on a variety of roles on lots of short film projects, as well as being a formidable writer. Since finishing at university, Camille has been a Production Assistant on the romantic comedy Last Christmas, which was inspired by the music of George Michael, directed by Paul Feig. Camille is one to watch, and The Lost Wife team are hugely lucky to have her on board!
SARAH BUSS - Costume Designer ![]()
Sarah is a final year student studying costume and performance design at The Arts University Bournemouth. Whilst at uni, Sarah specialised in costume making and has made both male and female costumes which used historical costume making techniques for the modern body. In the past year she has made a beast costume for Winchester Royal’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast and is currently working on her final project- a recreation of 18th century dress worn by Madame de Pompadour. When she comes back to the island she loves to get involved with productions going on at the Gaiety Theatre and has helped backstage at the past 2 pantomimes and many other shows. She's really excited to be involved in this project, exploring new elements of costume and to be working alongside other Manx creatives!
MERA ROYLE - Composer ![]()
Mera is a local harpist and winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner 2018, the first Manx person to win this particular award. She has been playing since she was 9 and has performed at many events around the island in the years since, including the Irish and British Council meeting and festivals such as Cropredy, Towersey and Cambridge Folk Festival. While she has composed her own music before, this will be her first composition for a fiction film.
WILL FLETCHER - Editor ![]()
Another alumnus of the University of York’s Film and TV Production course is Will. Having undertaken a number of projects in a post-production capacity during University, he has since gone on to work as a Post-Production Runner, and Assistant Editor at True North Productions working on shows such as The Yorkshire Dales and The Lakes and Building the Dream
JEREMY THEOBALD - William ![]()
Jeremy has been acting since he was a student, with his most notable role as the lead in Christopher Nolan's debut feature Following. He's been living in the Isle of Man for three years now and knows a few Manx farmers like the one he will be playing.
William is a man of few words, focused on his livelihood and privacy until Nancy comes along. We know Jeremy will do a fantastic job of bringing out the subtleties of William's inner struggle when Nancy goes missing.
JENNY QUIRK - Jane ![]()
Jenny has worked the Gaiety Theatre stage many a time, most recently in Yes, Prime Minister, but this will be her first performance on screen. We're very excited to be producing Jenny on her screen debut, and to be working a with born-and-bred Manx actor for the character of Jane.
A practical woman, Jane helps William with maintenance on his farm (and he on hers) every year at harvest, but she never manages to mention the feelings she holds for him.
EMMA FINDLAY - Nancy ![]()
Emma has featured in many short films and a feature film over the past three years and we're excited to have her on board. She is represented by Stiven Christie Management and blew us away in her auditions with her energy and focus.
Nancy is a complex character who evolves throughout the film, and Emma can dig into every facet.
Of course, we've got lots of ways to say THANK YOU for being involved in this project. Each funding level has its own perks, and some will be exclusive to our 
