Writer's Circle - Short

The Plot

Martin likes to think of himself as a writer. Problem is, he’s just not very good at writing.

While attending weekly meetings of an amateur writer’s circle, headed by the pompous Hugo, Martin bears constant sniggering at his drafts from a group of equally frustrated wannabes.

At one particularly humiliating script read-through, an exasperated Hugo tells Martin to write from his own experiences – “write what you know!”. Which, unfortunately, Martin takes too literally.

Walking back home through a park that night, Martin snaps at a homeless man, beating him to a pulp and leaving him to die in the bushes.

Exhilarated, he begins to scribble down notes about his encounter. He soon realises that the story he’s scribbled down in front of him is the best thing he’s ever written – so raw, so visceral, so… real.

After all, Martin doesn’t have the imagination to make something like that up in his head – and now there’s only one thing he can do to give him more inspiration. Quickly, things start to get a little out of hand…

The Idea

‘The Writer’s Circle’ came about between our Writer – Leila - and Director of Photography – Matt - during their third year at University. As part of a Media & Arts degree, the screenwriting students had to pitch three ideas to the group of directors and producers. This was one of them.
After graduation, this story still lingered in their thoughts so an ad was put online and Pedro and David got onboard. The core team was now in place to develop this project.

The Writer - Leila Hobday

I specialised in screenwriting in my third year at Royal Holloway University but now I work as a Commercial Executive for documentaries, bringing in commercial investment to BBC Factual content. That sounds more complicated than it actually is.
I want to make this film because I like telling stories.

The Director of Photography - Matt Thomas

Having spent a large part of my childhood in my room, in front of a screen of some sort, it’s pretty safe to say - apart from being a nerd – I have always been fascinated with visual images. Now, after studying various types of imagery, I have finally fixated my passion within film and having the opportunity to turn those countless, antisocial hours of my adolescence into something productive is something I am very excited about. Hopefully my teenage social ineptitude won’t have gone to waste!

The Writer/Director - Pedro Rilho

I am a Film, Television and Advertising Licentiate Degree graduate from the Universidade Moderna in Lisbon, Portugal and have lived in London for a few years now.
I’ve worked my way up as an Assistant Director and a Production Manager on quite a few features, shorts documentaries and a couple of TV pilots. I've also directed two episodes of a sitcom and a music video.

The Producer - David Courtneidge

I was introduced to Leila and Matt by Pedro after working with him on a previous project. Straight away I liked the quality of the writing and the multiple meanings that both Pedro and Leila had written into the film.
I’ve worked in the production of several short films, documentaries and commercial pieces and have been lucky enough to produce one or two shorts myself. I’m always looking to getting seriously involved in a good idea and something with the thought and meaning of ‘The Writer’s Circle’ doesn’t come along often.
I’m very glad to be able to invest myself in this project as I think there are lots of opportunities out there for it.

The Pitch

This funding would help us take this project from its current pre-production stage (we're now finalising casting) right through principal photography and the edit as well as allowing us to submit it to as many festivals as we can.

It would also increase its production values such as the art design (set decoration, props, costumes) and the quality of the camera and lighting equipment we intend to hire.

Having already invested a fair share of our personal savings, we are now hoping to supplement that with an overall sum of £750.

We are quite flexible and open to any requests or suggestions from larger investors, so feel free to get in touch with us.

Finally, even if you can’t afford the financial aid, please help spread the word out by sharing this ad.

Thank you for your interest. We certainly appreciate it!

 

P.S.: Please visit our collaborators' websites as listed below.

www.mizlucas.com - Illustrator

www.thirdcontactmovie.com - Directed by Simon Horrocks ('Hugo' in the teaser)