Mara Begins (pre-production) - short
Mara Begins
Writer/ Director, short film (pre-production)
/story
In a flooded world, children take part in swimming trials in the ocean. On this day, one little girl is left behind as the others swimming confidently to shore. Mara must decide whether this is the end of her story, or just the beginning.
/key crew
Director, Hannah Adey. Costume/ Dresser, Dani Kidson.
/in production
Currently casting for this female-led dystopic story, with shooting dates pending.
Dopey Dick (development) - short
Dopey Dick
Producer, short film (development)
/story
In 1977, Derry was known as the bleeding battleground of the Irish Troubles. But one November morning, that changed. A killer whale got lost in the Derry harbour. His misadventure earned him the name Dopey Dick. Craigavon bridge was lined with spectators and busses of school children arrived to marvel at him.
At McCloughsky’s bar, 19 year old BRIDIE watches an evening news report, wonders if the whale, much like herself, will ever make it ‘out of this toilet of a town’. But Bridie doesn't intend to wait and let the current dictate her future, Bridie McGee’s dream is to join the IRA. When two of its members show up in town with her first mission, her conviction is put to the test.
/key crew
Director, Shannon Ashlyn. Writer, Justin Trefgarne.
/next steps
This short is currently under funding review by BFI Network, response due August 2023. Shoot pencilled for November 2023.
Dopey Dick is a proof of concept for feature film, No Dogs, by the same creative team and introduces the lead character Bridie and the beginnings of her involvement with the IRA.
Belonging(s) (development) - feature
Belonging(s)
Writer/ Director (Test shoot: 2018/ In Production)
/story
In this over stuffed and chaotic world it's a miracle that you can find anything, least of all, the most precious item, LOVE. When Jake and Ellie move in together, old baggage begins to get in the way of their relationship. Is it time to declutter their lives or just pack their bags and go?
/key crew
Director, Hannah Adey. DOP, Nick Blair. Sound, Adam Hurley. Runners, Aurora Bollettinari, Bettine Mackenzie & Stephanie Schiffner.
BTS Photographer, Nik Rahmel.
/key cast
Protagonist (ELLIE), Dilly Evan-Smith. Love interest (JAKE), Anthony Vanders. Homeless girl, Lucy Wordsworth.
/in progress
Originally written as a short rom-com with a test shoot in late 2018 to help hone the look of the film, using the neon look of London at night and diegetic sound to create the overwhelming and, for this point in the narrative, foreboding sense of the city, I quickly realised that the story I wanted to tell and themes were bigger than a short project.
Plans are now in motion to develop Belongings into a feature script.
Sand Castles (development) - short
Sand Castles
Writer- Director, short film 2018
/story
Set a stone's-throw from the British seaside, a family struggles to reconcile Grandma's present day progression of Alzheimer's with the 'perfect' memories of how things used to be.
/key crew
Choreographer, Jeff Tong.
/in pre-production
Currently working with a swing dance choreographer to develop a memory scene; location-scouting for a town hall to set dress in 1950s period & casting dancers and an elderly couple to play the protagonists.