19/12/08 - The Resurrection of Pete Blaggit - Coming Easter 2009!!!

So 2008 has proved to be a difficult year in completing our second feature 'Pete Blaggit', but what are the prospects of completion next year?

Well, it looks as if we'll be able to go ahead with a 6 day shoot next Easter - I know I've stated possible shooting dates in the past without success, but this time it looks very, very likely that it will happen - touch wood!!

With the finance pretty much in place, I've been working on the budget, schedule, props list etc - the aim is to have all locations secured by the end of February ideally. We'll still have another week of filming to do after this six day shoot - but it's looking positive that we'll get this film in the can next year.

The other good news is that we'll be able to afford to shoot on super 16mm, so there's no worries about loss of picture quality. I'm still really excited and passionate about this film, and can't wait to get behind the camera again - roll on Easter 2009!

I'd like to wish everyone reading this a great xmas and a productive 2009 from everybody here at Sepia.

03/12/08 - Awakening Q&A online

Although 2008 has been quite a frustrating year for me trying to complete Blaggit, the development of new feature project 'Awakening' has been really positive. At the start of the year, I was contacted by actor Ben Field about possibly collaborating on a film together. Over the next few months we developed an idea, and then I started work on the script.

We now have script-development funding from Screen WM, and I've just completed a press kit and a business plan for the project. The film won't start until Blaggit is finished, but the whole development process has re-ignited my passion for filmmaking.

Myself and Ben recently did a Q&A together discussing the development of 'Awakening' throughout the course of the year, and you can read it here. It's definitely one of my most entertaining interviews I've done!

And no, this doesn't mean I'm overlooking Blaggit or putting it on the backburner - I'll have some news soon updating the film - things are looking good for a shoot in March/April next year.

29/11/08 - Blaggit SFX Designs & Photos now online

One of the highlights for me during the Blaggit shoot was the great work that SFX Artist Charlie Bluett did on the film. Charlie created the designs and special effects for some of the more surreal characters who appear in the film - the Werelion, the Tin Man, and the Blaggit Foetus.

We've now put Charlie's designs and photos of the end results on the website, and you can view them here. Charlie did an outstanding job with the special effects, and his work will really elevate the film to another level.

23/11/08 - Script development funding for 'Awakening'

Last week I found out I was successful in my application for script development funding from my local film council; Screen West Midlands. This means I'll receive a writer's fee for writing a further two drafts of 'Awakening' between now and April time.

I'll also work closely with a script editor and with collaborator Ben Field. This is fantastic news for me, and it'll mean we'll have a really strong script that will be ready for production next year.

09/11/08 - Stop-Motion Animation for Blaggit

I've recently been in contact with Second Home Productions with regards to them doing some stop-motion animation for a couple of the more surreal scenes for Blaggit. I was inspired by doing stop-motion after seeing similar animation in recent films like The Fall, Hellboy 2 and a few tool videos.

I'm really excited by the idea and think these scenes will add an extra layer of weirdness to Blaggit - as if it needed it! Work on the stop-motion scenes won't begin until after we've finished shooting the rest of the film, which will probably be the middle of next year. We aim to shoot the rest of Blaggit in the first quarter of 2009, and have post-production wrapped by September at the latest.

24/10/08 - 'The Illuminati' Artwork & Website Update

For the past year or so, I've been collaborating with artist David Ayling on concept artwork for our ambitious trilogy of films: 'The Illuminati'. I think David has done a terrific job on bringing my vision to life, and I'm sure his efforts will help in moving the project forward. The artwork is now up on the website, and you can view the work here.

We've also updated a couple of sections on the website - the News Archive is now up to date with yearly sections, and the Feature Films page has also been updated with the various projects we have in different stages of development.

16/10/08 - Script Feedback on Second Draft of: 'The Gateway'

Last month I finished the second draft of: 'The Gateway', and this week I've received some very positive feedback from readers at Abbot Management. Here's what they had to say:

"The premise is smart and original...the writer has an obvious grasp of story structure and scene structure. Scenes were well-crafted, with a beginning, middle, and end which led directly to the next scene...he is obviously a skilled writer who shows care in the craft...overall, I recommend this script for further development...it just needs some further stretching and tweaking to make it truly outstanding."

I think the second draft is a big improvement on the first, and I have lots of good suggestions from the readers on what to improve for the next draft. I'm also itching to start work on a new script entitled: 'Kill All Humans' which is a sci-fi apocalyptic type film, with dark themes about the future of mankind. Kind of like 'Mad Max' meets 'Sin City'.

13/10/08 - A Blaggit Update, though there's not much to Update

Okay, well I'm presuming most of you who read this News page are eager to know what's happening with Pete Blaggit. It's been another frustrating year in trying to get this film made, we've come close several times this year with securing finance, but unfortunately things just haven't materialized.

Back in May, I thought I had a private investor onboard, and we planned to shoot in July for a week - only for the investor to pull out at the last minute. We then planned to shoot for a week in August on a minimal budget, but a key crew member fell severely ill and that meant another postponement.

We've also had meetings with distributors who expressed keen interest in the film, but nothing has happened on that front yet. I really did believe that this year we'd finish the film, and it hasn't been for a lack of trying.

I'm now at the point where it's been over two years in trying to finish Blaggit, and the longer time goes on the harder it is to stay motivated about the project. With financing options pretty much dried up, we're left with the option of finishing the film with no money, which may hinder the quality of the film. But if we don't shoot for no money, then it's looking like the film won't get finished any other way.

So I wish I had more positive news about Blaggit, but at the minute it is in flux, which isn't doing my filmmaking career any favours. I'm not quitting the project, but it's getting harder and harder to stay enthusiastic about it. We will probably end up shooting the rest of the film for no money at the start of next year - will update when that time approaches.

06/09/08 - Second Draft of: 'Awakening' complete

Last month I completed the second draft of: 'Awakening' - a new feature length script that I've been developing with actor Ben Field. We're both really excited about this project - and we're not the only ones. Here's some feedback from Abbot Management script readers:

"Completely riveting, interesting, and original. I was captivated the whole way through, could not put it down...the descriptive passages are beautifully written...overall I think it is an excellent script, excellently written, an amazing, compelling, and original character story...this is the best unproduced script I have ever read...this has all the makings of a great film and I hope to one day see it realized."

That has to be the best feedback I've ever received from one of my scripts, and of course I'm absolutely chuffed! However, there are still plenty of improvements to be made, and myself and Ben have identified which areas of the script need to be strengthened.

I'll be starting the next draft within the next month or so, and plan to have a draft which we are both satisfied with by the end of the year.

28/08/08 - 'Directing the Future' Documentary by Philip Kelly

Back in December last year, I took part in a documentary all about filmmaking and how to go about building a filmmaking career. The documentary was made by then Lighthouse trainee Philip Kelly, and in it I discuss the highs and lows of my career to date. The documentary is now on youtube, and you can view it here.

22/07/08 - Scripts Update & Blaggit Update

Over the past month or so, I've started work on the second drafts of both: 'The Gateway' and new project: 'Awakening', and all is going well so far. 'Awakening' is a script that I've been developing since the beginning of the year with actor Ben Field, and can only be described as a psychological thriller about spirituality. It's an exciting project, and it'll be my third feature film which we're looking to shoot in 2009.

As for Blaggit, I've had some very positive news in the past week, which may mean we'll have to postpone the August shoot - but for a very good reason. Can't say too much yet, but will update this page as and when I can.

05/07/08 - ACRE Interview now online

A couple of months back I took part in an interview for ACRE. ACRE is a major EU research project, involving people working in creative and knowledge-based industries, and policy-makers, in 13 cities across Europe.

One of the main aims of ACRE is to better understand what it is that attracts talented and creative people to work, or to start businesses, in specific cities or regions. I was interviewed by researcher Caroline Chapain to discuss what factors play a key role in his decision to locate Sepia FIlms in the West Midlands region. You can read the interview here.

03/06/08 - Blaggit June shoot postponed until August

I know in my previous news post I stated that we'll be shooting in June, but we've had to have a bit of a rethink and have now postponed the shoot until August. This is all down to financial reasons, but it's a wise move - shooting in August will give us more preparation time to make sure everything is as good as it possibly can be for the film. More news as and when it happens!

20/05/08 - Blaggit Update!

Apologies for the serious lack of updates on here for a while. You'll be pleased to hear that touch wood, fingers crossed, we're going to be shooting Blaggit next month as well as in July. I've been busy prepping the upcoming shoots: securing equipment, locations, props etc. We've been forced to finish the film on a minimal budget, but I'm just relieved that all being well we are going to complete this film this year.

I've also finished a new script that I've been developing, and have received some very encouraging feedback on the first draft - second draft will be done before September. I'll post back probably after June to tell you how the shoot went - this time we really are going to get it finished!

21/03/08 - Need 2 Know Video Interview now online

In February I did an interview for Need 2 Know, which is an educational website for youngsters, and the video is now online. In the interview I discuss how I got into filmmaking, the ups and downs of making films, and how to go about getting a career in the film industry. You can view the interview here.

15/02/08 - Script feedback for: 'The Illuminati: Part One' & 'The Gateway'

Since Christmas I've been attempting to submit my scripts to numerous US literary agencies and production companies, with varying success. One such company; Abbot Management, allows you to submit scripts online, and after a period of time you'll receive analysis on your script from a number of their readers.

I recently received feedback from two of my scripts that I submitted: 'The Illuminati: Part One' & 'The Gateway'. Although the readers were very critical of my writing, there was a lot of positives to take from the analysis. Here's some of the positive feedback on: 'The Illuminati: Part One':

"The premise sounds interesting and very unique...It has the potential to generate a fair amount of interest...It is pretty original and unlike anything...The overall pacing was pretty strong."

And here's another readers feedback on: 'The Gateway':

"First of all, I have to say that this script definitely has its merits. It is well paced and certainly the concept is interesting...The dialogue is very realistic, and flows from the characters."

"Overall, I think this is a talented writer and an intriguing script. With a little more work it would definitely be ready for the marketplace."

So some encouraging feedback, but there's still a lot of work to do on these scripts and I'll definitely be rewriting them at some point this year. Since the new year I've been developing a new film idea with an actor colleauge of mine, and I'm going to start work on the first draft of that soon. More on that to come.

As for Blaggit, I'm waiting to hear on one final funding application. If unsuccessful with this funding application, I'll be taking the necessary actions to ensure that we shoot the rest of the film this year.