ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

3 weeks ago - Monika Baker

Dear Davin Jeayes,
I have just found out about this funding strand and recognise the deadline is today. This email is for information and to exchange details in the possibility of us working on a joint project in the future.

I have worked in the industry on documentary films over several years and my films are distributed by Cinenova and held in the library at Birkbeck University. They are also screened at festivals in India, Europe and US.

I do have a documentary project in preparation and I would like to work with an independent producer to secure funding if you also find it of interest.

Of course we can exchange our filmography details in due course but as a member of Shooting People I am accepting you have experience in the industry.

So sorry this request is somewhat too late, therefore useless but in the light of SP closing I wanted to find a producer who would be interested in working on documentary projects with me in the future.

Please let me know if any of this is of interest to you.

Yours,
Monika Baker
embefilms@gmail.com
07760304773

3 weeks ago - NICHOLAS PROSSER

Currently, my short drama film FREE AGAIN is having some success on the festival circuit as 3 times winner plus semi-finalist in a few more, But this project as writer and director was my finale in a 42 years career as drama director, primarily in continuing drama serials for television. Though still writing, as a director, I am now retired. However, I have written 5 more screenplays for short drama films, yet to be produced and these are waiting for a director to read them and pick up the baton to direct them. Also, I have a short play and drama scenes that might easily adapt to short film screenplays. I'd be willing both to offer these scripts for production and to act as an advisor or director mentor on these projects. If this is of interest, please e-mail me, Nicholas Prosser at nicholas prosser@gmail.com

2 weeks, 6 days ago - Louise Monaghan

Hi Davin

I have a script that is currently a nominee for best screenplay (between 1-30 pages) at the TINFF and the results should be announced very soon. Here's an outline of the film:
LOGLINE:
Sixteen-year-old NATHANIEL, a talented singer-songwriter, must choose between performing for music industry giants or attending his cousin MAYA’s bat mitzvah.
SYNOPSIS:
JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out is a coming-of-age comedy-drama about NATHANIEL, a sixteen-year-old Orthodox Jewish teenager who writes and performs songs that blend traditional Jewish melodies with modern beats.
When Nathaniel is shortlisted for a prestigious competition, he sees it as a chance to launch his music career. However, his excitement is short-lived when he learns that the showcase falls on the same day as his cousin MAYA's bat mitzvah—a family obligation he can’t easily miss. Torn between his dreams and his devotion to his family, Nathaniel faces an impossible choice.
The following Shabbat, distracted by the constant stream of messages from his excited friends and arch-rival, JAKE—a fellow competitor and serious contender for the prize - Nathaniel struggles to engage with his multi-generational family whose excited conversations about Maya’s forthcoming bat mitzvah reveal a distinctly competitive vibe.
Back in the privacy of his own room, Daniel surrenders to temptation scrolling through Jake's taunting social media posts and supportive messages from his friends, further fuelling his desire to defy his mother’s wishes and sneak off to the showcase.
When his grandmother ESTHER (85) – the matriarch of this family and don’t anyone forget it - discovers a search on his phone that details the showcase venue, she confronts him. Though Nathaniel is defensive, Esther sees through her grandson’s pretence. An ex-dancer herself, she empathizes with his passion but reminds him of his late grandfather's dedication to faith and family, - ‘May God remember him.’ – and weaving in her signature dark humour with reflections about her own imminent demise, she convinces her grandson to honour his grandfather’s memory and make the right choice.
Reluctantly, Nathaniel attends the bat mitzvah, making his disappointment and resentment clear. But when fifteen-year-old LEAH – who he has a secret crush on - asks him to perform, he hesitantly agrees. His rendition of Hava Nagila—infused with his own unique style—captivates the guests. With their thunderous applause still ringing in his head, and with Leah’s admiration brimming over, Nathaniel finds a different kind of fulfilment he could not have imagined. As the night draws to a close, he's hoisted high above by family and friends, seeing them—and his world—in a new light.
Back home, Nathaniel’s brief euphoria evaporates when he checks the competition results and sees pictures of Jake collecting his prize and schmoozing with the judges. A message from Leah expressing admiration for his music lifts his spirits momentarily, but the sting of missing the showcase lingers on.
At the next Shabbat dinner, Nathaniel withdraws into silence until Esther reveals that Leah's uncle—a talent scout—was enchanted by his performance and wants to meet him. Nathaniel's mother, SARAH (40’s) insists he follow up, declaring that this is the opportunity of a lifetime. As the family celebrates his unexpected success, Nathaniel begins to understand the true joy of missing out.

My debut short WEIGHTLESS starring Toyah Willcox won multiple awards on the film festival circuit and is now available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsPzIGxxVis

My short film CELEBRATING TCHAIKOVSKY is now in post production and Annie Lees Jones of Well Made films is onboard to produce my feature film THE MAN IN THE MOON. The script won best feature length screenplay at both the UK Film Festival and Unrestricted View last year.

My linkedin profile is available here for your info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-monaghan-b457a733/?originalSubdomain=uk

Please do let me know if you'd like to read my script.

All best
Louise

2 weeks, 4 days ago - Josh Kotcheff

Hi Davin,

I have a project you may want to consider. I'm an award-winning writer with pro credits. I spent three seasons on Law & Order: SVU, currently have a feature in production and half a dozen others in development. I also have an award-winning shorts director attached to helm. Please send me a DM and I can tell you more about it all, if interested.

Best,
Josh

2 weeks, 1 day ago - Paul W Franklin

Hi Davin,

This sounds promising. I tried to apply for the other BFI short film fund, but couldn't squeeze it into 15pp.

'Into Darkness' is an edgy portrayal of modern life, addressing issues of identity, diversity and sexuality.
It tells the tale of the old £10 note, inside which Charles Darwin is trapped.
As the note leaves a cash machine and passes from person to person, Charles witnesses this bustling new world around him, observing the changes of the last century or so - some bad, some good - fascinated by how humans have evolved.

Drop me a message, or I"ll try you via your website.
Cheers,
P.