How Midlands filmmakers are fighting the pandemic head on - Part 1
Glenn McAllen-Finney runs GM Finney Productions in Leicester and has been adapting his plans in light of the situation.
“I think its fair to say 2020 has been the most challenging year yet for many people in the creative industries, including the film industry, and more specifically for zero and low-budget filmmakers. This time last year we were looking ahead to what was to be our biggest and most exciting year so far. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible and never came to be”.
Glenn adds, “In some ways we were lucky to have been able to wrap shooting on 3 of our projects before all this happened and were able to spend a lot of time in post-production on those when the initial lockdown was brought in and all 3 shorts saw online releases instead”.
“With all the new rules and restrictions being brought in, we will need to run safer and carefully organized sets keeping in line with governments guidelines in order to keep our cast and crew safe. Part of this is supplying PPE and practicing social distancing while we work”.
“If it has taught us anything, it’s that a passion never dies in these circumstances, it only adapts”, says Glenn. “I believe we as creatives will come out of this stronger and better than ever before and I can’t wait to see what others and ourselves create next!”
West Midlands actor and filmmaker Nisaro Karim of Five Pence Productions explains how the frustrations can be turned into a creative outlet.
“The Arts have taken a hit this year there’s no denying that. Many artists have suffered in many ways. We’ve been told to retrain and have had our funding cut, films postponed, shows cancelled, cinemas and theatres closed”.
“It’s been a battle and its far from over. In this time of great uncertainty one thing is for certain; we artists shall not give up, we will continue to create art in whatever medium we desire. We will continue to entertain, to inspire, to educate, to feed, to nourish and so on and so forth”, Nisaro goes on to explain.
“We aim to do so with the vigour and passion that we have always applied to our art form. On a personal level I have created a short film in each of the two national lockdowns that we have had. Hoping to inspire or reassure someone who is struggling that there is an ember within all artists and it only requires a small spark to relight that beautiful artistic fire within all of us”.
Another filmmaker James Smith of Raya Films was hugely affected when European borders were closed early in the year.
“Having produced a number of feature films on ultra low or zero budgets over the years, you can imagine that we’ve become accustomed to fighting fires and somehow forcing projects through, no matter what adverse circumstances arise. So it appeared to be just another hurdle in our way when the Covid-19 pandemic reared its ugly head whilst we were working in Spain”, explains James.
“Two weeks was extended to five months due to severe restrictions imposed in Spain and nine cancelled flights! When we finally returned to the UK, we immediately put any ‘conventional’ productions on hold and started developing Casting Kill, a feature film specifically tailored for a pandemic shoot in one location”.
James continues, “We have built into our philosophy at Raya Films over the years [that] has left us relatively unscathed in the pandemic, whereas many larger outfits and organisations seem to be treading water until a supposed return to pre-Covid life, an approach I feel that has many risks and downsides”.
We thank the filmmakers for their contribution and we will be asking more filmmakers their thoughts in the next part coming soon.
For further info and guidance please check out these important Covid guidance links from the BFI and the British Film Commission
https://www.bfi.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/working-screen-industry-during-covid-19
http://britishfilmcommission.org.uk/guidance/regarding-covid-19-coronavirus/
