Life on Earth: Presenting the Cast!

The cast, from top left to right - Hannah Robson, Alex Skerratt, Waleed Khalid, Vicki Glover, Alissa Juvan, Alex Hewitson, Sam Chipman and Ken Boyter. 

So here we are, after three months of pre-production, may I present to you the fine cast of Skerratt Media's next project. The twin films, Life on Earth Retold and Life on Earth Rebooted, star Hannah Robson as Sadie Brown and Alex Skerratt as Spike Ombre.

Joining them will be Sam Chipman, Waleed Khalid (Enoch), Vicki Glover (Freya), Ken Boyter, (The Counsellor), Alissa Juvan (Lynne) and Alex Hewitson (Baron), with more to be announced.

In Life on Earth Retold, Spike ventures into the mind of Sadie Brown, hoping to uncover the truth behind her nightmares. But as he delves deeper, through a labyrinth of disjointed thoughts and possibilities, an old memory is awoken, and it is watching them both...

Life on Earth Retold is on schedule for a Christmas 2011 DVD release, to be followed by Life on Earth Rebooted in Spring 2012. Both will be available via skerratt-media.co.uk.

Stay tuned to this blog over the next few weeks if you want to hear my thoughts on the filming and see some pics!

Bye for now.

Sooty and Sweep: Filming

Nb. Skerratt Media isn’t making the new series of Sooty and Sweep! But Skerratt Media Captain Alex, (myself), is on board as co-writer.


Monday 27 June 2011 - Matthew Corbett
What a fantastic start to my time with the Sooty gang! Matthew Corbett arrived at Brean very early, and as a fan as I was, erm, mildly interested in meeting him...! Hum. And that I did! Heart pounding, I sat with him during his makeup, desperately fighting to contain my geekish enthusiasm, the obvious "What was your favourite episode??" and "What did you think of Sooty's Amazing Adventures??" being substituted for the more dignified "So how was your journey?" (!) although Mr Corbett did talk quite openly about his father Harry at one point, which was nice to hear. I understand also that, having watched some of the new series' edits the night before, Matthew told Richard Cadell how proud Harry would have been... What a compliment. 

Waited 24 years for this. So how was your journey!

          Then Matthew was whisked down to the park for his scenes! It's worth noting that, when me and Wink Taylor wrote this episode, we had to keep a lot of the dialogue quite 'loose,' as it wasn't certain which celebrity would be featuring. Because of this, said dialogue had been subsequently rewritten for the shoot by Richard and Matthew, and, honestly, it's first class, perfect for Matthew's appearance, and Mr Corbett was clearly having a great time "monkeying around" with the gang once more...!
           Unfortunately, he had to leave us almost immediately after his shots were in the can, but not before giving some time to meet the fans. He was a true pro and a gent and never seemed to grow impatient at the ever-increasing queue. On the contrary in fact - Mr Corbett seemed all too happy to oblige in the signing of autographs, and I for one was eternally grateful, having finally fulfilled a lifetime ambition to shake his talented paws.
           The afternoon was tricky owing to the weather, but Richard and the crew powered on with almost sublime determination, unfazed by the battering wind and rolling thunderclouds! They shot one of my all-time favourite Sooty routines, which I first saw on 'The Adventures of Sooty' VHS way back in 1989. And I am proud to say that Richard Cadell totally nailed it, with Honours.

But who's behind the Glass...?

           This was followed by a stint on the crazy golf course, where I fulfilled another ambition and actually appeared in the show itself as a golfer, a welcome break for me and Wink, our faces a little achy from the pitiful laughing at our own jokes, (we're so easily pleased.) Richard's chosen a fantastic setting for this sequence as well; it's a golf course-cum-safari park crawling with fake orangutans, rhinos and zebras, with a camouflage jungle Jeep to boot! It's going to look ace on screen.
           The day ended with a big stretch and a huge sigh of relief, wrapping around 7.30. They're long days, and I'm ashamed to say I was exhausted from just watching them all! But this crew's energy is relentless.




Tuesday 28 June 2011 - Vacuum Cleaners are Funny! 
Richard was kind enough to show me some of the Sooty rough cuts on Tuesday. I say "rough", although there's really nothing rough about them; what he and his team have achieved is astonishing. One episode was almost cinematic and wouldn't look out of place in Sooty: The Movie, so high was the standard, (thanks to some exquisite scenery and CGI.) Then there was another episode involving a vacuum cleaner that had me in stitches, (mostly my own jokes again, haha!), although it has to be said these jokes would be nothing without the performances. Another lovely thing about this episode was that it remained virtually unchanged from my final draft as emailed to Richard back in March, with even some of my quirkier writing moments making the cut, (I'd asked for a skull and cross-bones button to feature on the hoover, not for a moment thinking they'd include it - but they did!) 
           Filming wise, we were once again up at 6am with the birdies, just in time to film the arrival of a pink stretch Limo and a very special guest artist...

This was a crate moment...

           Next we went down to the beach to finish an episode started the previous week. You wouldn't have thought it was the end of June; overcast, windy and freezing cold, with me standing there in a t-shirt and waistcoat desperately trying to look Hard. In the end I succomed to Dan's, (one of the runners), kind offer of a jacket, and softened as I listened with interest to Brenda Longman's theory that we're currently living through the second Ice Age, evened out by the muggier forces of global warming - intriguing!
           I do love Brenda y'know. Never did I think there'd come a time when we'd be gazing out to sea together sharing our favourite Mo from t'market stories, (you can imagine what this was doing to the Geek Inside Me.) She remembered all the episodes I threw at her - the one with the white elephants, the Rosa Clebbs incident, the Say No to Holes campaign... truly an honour to be the sharing the sand with such a talented thesp. 
           Filming went very well despite the ferocious wind, and once again Richard and the team delivered their scenes with, erm, gusto...! There were some more cracking moments, including Sooty and Sweep on a bouncy castle which, (I don't think), has ever been done before, so I can't wait to see how that turns out.
           Sadly I had to leave at this point, back to Leeds, back to My Other Life as a jobbing filmmaker and bread baker, now a little sorer for the deadly sunburn I'd acquired from the rainy, overcast, FREEZING COLD beach! Made better by global warming! C'est la vie - loved every minute of it. Sincere thanks to Richard for his efforts and kindness, and to Wink and Wendy for their excellent hospitality, (they looked after me during my stay, and very grateful I am too.)
           Look out for the new series on CITV very soon!! :) 

Reflecting on Life on Earth Retold auditions

I had a fantastic time on Monday, seriously. Yes it was knackering, and yes I nearly choked to death in the West Yorkshire Playhouse canteen thanks to a suspicious piece of Feuille de Chene, but that's called Suffering for Your Art...!

"Yes I'd like to have a go at Spike please..."

I just wish it hadn't been so formal. Obviously these things are, to a certain extent, as it's essentially a 'job interview,' but there's a part of me that was, and still is, tempted to hold auditions in the pub, over a tumbler of Advocaat. Without lettuce. That said - I'd probably end up with Mr Blobby playing Spike and Crystal Tips playing Sadie, and then where would we be.

What can I say? Apart from disliking the formality, it was a day of Firsts. And my first First is an uncomfortable First. Two actors both went for the same role, (I understand this is often the case at auditions.) They were both exceptional, and in different ways. A complete dilemma, and an agonising final decision, which I am delighted with, and gutted about, gutted because it meant turning the other person away. This I did not enjoy.

My second First was meeting some new people, (for the first time), one of whom spoke fluent Blake's 7, and another who'd heard of Big Finish, proof, if any were needed, that there is indeed a God. I never thought I could laugh so hard, and so - grr - formally. But it was all good. Butter! Jiggy baby!

I must thank Kenneth Barker and Mike Thackray who were kind enough to help on the day, providing excellent company and moral support. Also a huge thank you to the attending thesps, especially those who came from afar!

So now - I've made my decisions, the actors have confirmed, I'm no longer chocking on lettuce, and we enter the scary, uncertain period of pre-production, where Anything Can Happen. Stay tuned.

Life on Earth Retold - Actors Required

Actors Required For a 12-Day Shoot in Leeds (and surrounding areas) in August 2011

Life on Earth Retold is an hour-long SF feature about Sadie Brown, a young woman suffering from sleep paralysis. When her terrifying visions escalate, Sadie realises that nothing, not even death, can save her from the malignant parasite that has stolen her mind...

The Cast

Sadie Brown

Female, aged between 20 and 26. Sadie is highly intelligent but emotionally vulnerable, and her own worst enemy. Her Christian faith cements her life on a firm foundation, but she is a slave to the most painful of memories.

Enoch Brown

Male, aged between 30 and 60. A creative genius, Enoch is a man driven by love for his daughter. However, this obsessive relationship with Sadie threatens to push Enoch to the very limits of sanity. 

Ben

Male, aged between 18 and 22. Ben epitomises "cool" to a surreal extent. Fresh out of college, Ben is a lover and a fighter whose very existence is shrouded in uncertainty, even to him.

Also...

Freya (female, aged 18 - 26), Lynne (female, aged 30 - 60), Baron (male, aged 28 - 45), The Counsellor (male), The Writer (male), The Assistant (female) and The Reaper (male). 

Participation in the film is voluntary with the possibility of payment after release.

If you are interested in auditioning, please email details, (including a bit about yourself and a headshot), to alex@skerratt-media.co.uk. Previous and professional experience is not necessary; I'm just looking for passionate and committed performers. 

The auditions are being pencilled for mid June 2011 at a time and place TBC. Pre-production will commence in July with production in August and a possible release date of December 2011.

Thanks, and "see you on the set" !

Alex

'Oldest' for Lineham Farm, plus Trailer

For all copies of 'The Oldest Life on Earth' sold in May, I'm going to donate 50% of the sale price, (so £3.50), to Lineham Farm. They are a registered charity based in Leeds providing a centre for children from all walks of life, hosting a range of fun-filled activities from wall climbing to orienteering to table tennis! You can find out more at their website: http://linehamfarm.co.uk/

If you buy a copy, I hope you like it, and thank you for your donation. :)

On a separate note, some of you may know that I acted in an SF feature last year called On The Shoulders Of Giants? Well the first teaser trailer is online now at www.wotr.co.uk, or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvtdAYn4aNA - (look out for me, I'm the one arguing with a plant.) Enjoy...

"A fantastic achievement" - The Oldest Life on Earth

I'm chuffed that The Oldest Life on Earth released last Monday 28th March to some very positive feedback! My Sooty colleague Wink Taylor, who has vast experience in the TV industry, was kind enough to give the project a full critique. Here are some of the things he said:

"The Direction was good with some really nicely chosen shots and I felt the whole thing was edited with a lot of pace and energy. The main thrust of the story, (the... concept of "is he dead or isn't he?") really held my attention and I enjoyed trying to guess the conclusion."


"I thought everyone gave a really good spirited performance and no one diminished the project - in fact I thought all the players were really good."


"To think that you wrote this, acted in it and directed it - is a fantastic achievement. You are a good old fashioned auteur like Charlie Chaplin, Orson Welles and Clint Eastwood."


But don't just take his word for it. Punk! (Okay, I can't pull off Clint Eastwood.) Find out for yourself and order a copy now from www.skerratt-media.co.uk/theoldestlifeonearth.html .

I'd also like to thank those of you who've already taken the plunge and given this film your hard earned time, (as well as your cash!) I rely a lot on your support and I genuinely appreciate your honest feedback. Thank you :)

The Oldest Life on Earth Classification & Release Date

The BBFC has today officially classified the forthcoming DVD The Oldest Life on Earth a 12. The details can be found here: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/AVV277432. The consumer advice is that it contains moderate violence and occasional sight of blood. (!) I can assure you though that it's all tasteful and in context.

This means that the film will be available to buy from this website as from Monday 28 March 2011!

On a personal note, I'm very chuffed that all this has gone through without a hitch. The classification has been a big expense but I was very keen to do it, primarily because it's the law, but also because this DVD has been a serious project. It wasn't something that I dreamt up one drunken evening in the Local, before setting out the next day with a couple of mates and a camcorder! (Although that has been known to happen...!) It's taken hours and hours of planning, writing, editing, visual-effects-designing, publishing... not to mention brutal financing. Because of these reasons, I am very keen that, when you fine people hopefully watch it, you will appreciate that it was executed with dedicated seriousness, and I want people to take me seriously. That's why I believe a classification is important.

Moreover, it's been a new and fascinating process that I've been through with the BBFC, and in fact I've had a lot of Firsts over the last few months! Particularly notable is the 'mass production' that I initiated on Monday thanks to my fellow filmmaker friend Mr Kenneth D. Barker - (do give him some time and attention at his website: http://www.wotr.co.uk/, he's a clever fellow.) Mass production is something I've never done before, and Kenneth has been kind enough to let me use his equipment to print and duplicate DVDs en masse, which means I am now drowning in copies of my own creativity! I don't mind though - they're all shiny and lovely and I'm very proud of them.

See, they're wasted sitting in a big box under my desk! Come back on the 28th March and buy one for yourself! (Warning: impending sales pitch.) They're excellent value for money at a bargain basement £6.99, and they feature the main film plus an exclusive introduction, trailers, and a side-splitting outtake reel in which I fall over, while standing still, on the spot, for no reason whatsoever. That alone has to be worth the price of the DVD, if only for the point-and-laughability.