Ted Evans

Update

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to post anything. Retreat has kept me very busy these past few weeks. We’ve worked very hard on the film and the light at the end of the tunnel draws closer day by day.

In just two weeks time the film will screen at Deaffest for the first time and begin it’s journey out there. It’s been a massive learning experience for me and I’ve enjoyed the ride!

More on Retreat later…

Whilst post-production has been going on I’ve been out and about on several other jobs. I worked recently with screen south on their uSpark short film project. We met and interviewed loads of awesome people and it was a real pleasant project to film. 

Here are a couple of screen grabs from the interviews I shot. 

Lot’s going on in the next couple of months, looking forward to it all! 

GRAEAE SHOWREEL

Before I went off to shoot Retreat. I cut this awesome showreel for Graeae Theatre Company. Very proud to say I produced around 40% of the films in this reel with collaborators and talented filmmakers over the years. Check them out at www.graeae.org 

RETREAT: Production Wrapped, Provisional Poster & Post-Production

Hello everyone

It’s taken me a week but I’m still recovering from the 4 days and 4 nights we filmed Retreat. It was such a great experience even though it was an ambitious schedule and a real hard graft. We got it all and I am so delighted with everyone’s efforts and attitude. The crew were superb and the cast really worked their socks off. We couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of people and I take away with me great memories of our time together making this film.

On the Saturday we had 30+ extras from all over to join us for a very creepy scene. Everyone was brilliant and the day went so well. The extras gave everyone a huge lift towards the end of the challenging production. We have the behind the scenes film to look forward to and I can’t wait to relive the whole experience. Hopefully the film will be worth it. 

The results look beautiful so far and Tom our editor has the project. We will soon begin to see our film cut together and I’m real excited.

Here’s our provisional poster for the film, featuring the brilliant Sophie Stone:

 Check out the facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/retreatshortfilm

T

RETREATING…

Well this is it… This is me signing out and I’m going off grid to film my next short, Retreat. We’ve worked so hard these past couple of weeks and we are now ready to roll the cameras (just about).

Juggling client projects and the film has been a challenge but thankfully everything is ‘on schedule’. I’ve never been so busy when writing/making a film and if I did this project a couple of years ago (the way it is) I may have panicked a little. But I’m experienced enough to know that panicking achieves nothing.

As I’m about to go into production I can’t help but think about my past experiences and looking back on the last 3 films I’ve done; I’ve noticed a couple of recurrences. 

1) I’ve shot all my low-budget films during the month of February. Unintentionally…

2) The number of extras increase considerably (twice in size) for each film.

3) I’ve used my folk’s vehicle(s) in every film - G.A - Car Crash, The End (deleted scene) and now their van will make a cameo in Retreat.

4) All films premiered (or will premier) at Deaffest

Thankfully one occurrence does not seem to be reoccurring again. Before both of my previous films (2010 & 2011) went into production, my youngest daughter unfortunately was taken into hospital with laboured breathing on both occasions. I was very close to pulling the plug on The End. Thankfully today she is fit as a fiddle and is happily winding me up at the moment. Just how I like it : )

Sadly this time round I am going to miss my eldest daughter’s 11th birthday. I will be sad not to be sharing her special day. Unfortunately the dates could not be moved and I regret that. I will have to make it up to her though (and she is going to love the presents I have got her). 

I go into this production with a bit more experience but also with a bit more pressure and expectation on my shoulders. I’m ok with that and I’ll do nothing but my best to deliver. Low-budget filmmaking is always testing but this project is particularly ambitious for the following reasons: 

* We are sleeping, eating and filming on location for 4 days and 4 nights.

(this has taken a sizeable chunk out of the budget… and is a b*@!± to organise!)

* The location is pretty remote, in the countryside & is not accessible via public transport.

* We are shooting in the woods, in a stream and in fields (in February!)

* We have 32 extras coming for a massive scene on the Saturday. 

* We’re doing everything guerrilla style with a small close-knit crew, using our own kit etc…

It’s going to be a battle and we’re going to return home next weekend battered, knackered and shattered; all in the name of entertainment. However, I also know it is going to be fun and something we’re all going to remember for a long time to come. Wish us the best of luck… (please!)

See you on the other side. 

T