'The premise is that we know houses can harbour energies from previous lives, so why can’t any object? So I thought then, that a hanging tree would hold so many energies from its past with the spirits of the dead haunting it.
So then, even after the tree was cut down and the timber reclaimed for furniture, the spirits would still remain embedded.'

Neville Steenson
- Writer, Co-Director, Co-Producer
RECLAIMED

Loss of a finger resulted in Neville Steenson ten-year career as a joiner to come to an end, but fired his enthusiasm for writing. Through Shooting People he tied up with producing partner Charlie Blackfield and his first film as a director was screened by Sky TV on Halloween. Now "Reclaimed" has been accepted by the New York City Horror Film Festival and Neville's off to the screening in the Big Apple

Tell us about your own background Neville, as a writer in Northern Ireland I believe?I came into writing late on as I was originally a joiner for 10 years until I had a working accident which resulted in me losing my ring finger -- my wife wasnt too impressed! -- and forced me to hang up my hammer. I started writing scripts before the accident as I have always loved to tell stories, but once I was forced to quit joinery, I focused more on the writing. I have had a number of scripts optioned which I have been attached to direct also, but Reclaimed is the first film I have completed. How did you and your co-producer/director Charlie Blackfield get started in filmmaking? How did you meet?I met Charlie through Shooting People after I placed a post seeking a producer for a feature length script I had written entitled Foot in Mouth which we pitch as the ultimate cow road moovie!Charlie applied for the post and we kind of struck it off right away.Tell us about your early film work?I started out in drama as I felt I had more to say but being a life long horror fan I kind of progressed into the genre and found there is so much more of a creative freedom there then say in drama and comedy.My early scripts are pretty gritty and slightly angry. I guess I have settled down a little as I tuned my craft. But I still feel they are important as to where I am today creative wise.

Where did the idea for Reclaimed come from and whats the film about? The idea for Reclaimed came from a number of different things. One of the main factors was the running time. I knew I had to keep it short but try to get the message out there through the story.The premise is that we know houses can harbour energies from previous lives, so why cant any object? So I thought then, that a hanging tree would hold so many energies from its past with the spirits of the dead haunting it. So then, even after the tree was cut down and the timber reclaimed for furniture, the spirits would still remain embedded.

Did you have any budget and how was it raised?Being our first collaboration we didnt really have much of a budget. We both personally funded the film ourselves, Charlie putting up most of the cash. Our budget came in at just under 1000.How about crewing up, how and where did you source your Bristol crew?We found most of our - very talented I must add - crew through Shooting People with the exception of three members. Shooting People is so useful and supports independent film so much, I have no doubt the film would have taken a lot longer to place together for sure.What sort of locations had you found for the film?We used Charlies flat for the interior shots and he found a really cool old tree, set in the middle of a field in Bristol. He stumbled across the tree while out for a walk one day and we couldnt really have asked for a better back-drop.Were people helpful in giving you cooperation and the things you needed?A. Everyone involved in the film did more then what was entitled from them. We have so much thanks for what they all placed in the project and we owe them one.

How did the shoot go?The shoot itself was hard work with very little room for error. But as I said we all pulled together and really went for it. When I look back at it now I can see how much fun we had on set even though at the time the pressure was really on!How long did it take? Tell us about your scheduleThe shoot itself was all done in one day, one very long and tiring day!We just didnt have the budget to push the shoot longer but I feel we really went to work and got all we wanted from the shoot. I am not to sure would it have been so effective if it was more drawn out.How do you and Charlie handle the co-directing? How does that work?Co-directing was a real learning curve for both of us. We really had to pull it all together and agree on everything before we were happy to place each shot. It is more demanding I feel with two directors on set as everything effectively has to be discussed twice. But it was a fun experience and one that I certainly will not be ruling out in the future.

Any special tips or techniques you used that you can pass on to other Shooters?Any tips? I guess the best tip I can offer would be to embrace all the cast the crew and listen to them. They can really offer some interesting points and can sometimes really hit on something.Yeah, treat them like royalty is always good also.What are your absolute priority must dos?The main priority is make sure you source the right lighting and sound for you film. They really make that big difference to the project. Dont cut corners with this as it can really let your project down and all the hard work can seem in vain.Any must donts?? Never take anything for granted and always be prepared to muck in when needed. Never ever enter a set with an ego, it will only let you down!

How about getting Reclaimed seen? How did you get it aired on SkyTV?We submitted the project to Propeller TV on Sky who where running a Horror Fest over Halloween. And we got chosen, which meant that Reclaimed was shown all over Europe and not just the UK and Ireland. It really was a very proud moment for all involved in the project and personally for myself as it was my first film as director.Now we have been selected for the New York City Horror Film Festival as one of the opening films. This is something I never thought would happen but there you go. I have also had a feature length script accepted into the festival entitled Holding Cell 284 - the first they have ever had accepted from outside the US Im told, so having two separate projects in the same festival is totally beyond anything I ever expected.I am very proud of both projects and thank you to Shooting People for all their support and taking the time to reading this interview. You can track the progress from the festival at www.nychorrorfest.comThank you Neville and good luck at the Horror Fest in the Big Apple, from all of us at Shooters!

The New York City Horror Film Festival.The Aftermath.When our film Reclaimed got chosen to play on the opening night of the festival I didnt really know what to think. I had some many mixed emotions going on inside from excitement to fear. I mean travelling to New York by myself was pretty daunting but it was a trip I knew I had to make. After all one of my feature length scripts had also be chosen to run in competition.Stepping off the plane in New York I was hit by a buzz in the air that never stopped all the time I was there, all be it only three days.The opening night arrived and it was the first time I have had the chance to watch the film with an audience. I have to admit I was in knots as the time drew closer to the show. I met up with the festival director Michael Hein who didnt really help my nerves by ushering me up in front of the audience and going onto tell the onlookers what a talented bastard I was! Well thanks mate, nothing like a little pressure then!!!Reclaimed played really well to the audience and we got a standing ovation which made the whole trip worth while alone. I got to meet some really fantastic and really talented new filmmakers from the States and caught some really cool short films. One of the films that impressed me most was Attack of the Zombie Vampires by a fellow Shooter and British based Writer/ Director Katherine King . If you can you should check it out.After the film screened I was sanctioned off to do some interviews with Fangoria the Horror film magazine and just really partied on through the night. It was a fantastic experience and the atmosphere was so consuming. The big difference I have to say is with the attitude towards the Horror film in the States as opposed to Britain. In the States they really embrace the Genre where as here at home it is seen more as a Sub Genre and dont take it as seriously. Even though Reclaimed didnt win the award for best short or my script neither I still feel I had such an eye opener and an experience that will live long in my memory. After all our film has now been shown all over Europe on Sky TV and made its American Premiere in New York I cant ask for more really can I?I am now back home and looking forward to other projects I have in the works. I am putting together another short film which has been funded and we will be shooting in London early next year. It is a Comedy entitled The Shocking Chair and I have already two members of the Reclaimed team onboard DOP Peter Thomas who I am over the moon to be working with again and the ever lovely and talented Rebecca Tromans who are both Shooters and will be joining me behind the camera this time.I have a number of projects in the pipeline and I am currently seeking funding for ranging from Comedy, Drama to Horror. One project in particular I am working on which I have written entitled Foot in Mouth which is hailed as the Ultimate Cow Road Moovie has attracted some major interest from some big names and we are working hard to get the funding to bring the project to the big screen. As I am sure you all know working in the Independent Film industry you are always on the look out for investment. But if I can do it then anyone can.On a footnote to all things New York I have also been contacted by a company in Hollywood called Golden Circle Films (White Noise, Slither, My Big Fat Greek Wedding) after they checked out my film on the NYCHFF web site and are interested in seeing my film and material. So fingers crossed on that one.I would again like to thank everyone at Shooting People for their support and all their help on the film and all the support they provide up and coming filmmakers with. Their resources are so valuable and should be embraced by all aspiring filmmakers seeking to pursue a life in making movies.And also a massive thank you to all you guys who read this for all your support. It means a hell of a lot to everyone on the project, thanks.Neville Steenson.Screenwriter/ Director/ Producer.