04.08.10
Hiatus
Lazarus Films is in hiatus. It'll be back in one form or another in the not too distant future.
For 'The Birthday Present' go to SugarSpun Pictures
For 'Mycycle' go to Distilled Films
For 'Toshi' go to Wild Honey Films
14.04.10
Micycle - THE BIKE ARRIVES. ALL SYSTEMS GO GO GO
Great news, the awesome competition bike from Fixie Inc arrived in the UK yesterday which means we can launch the competition and get our funding drive on its way.
So what's the score?
Basically, this fixed wheel bicycle (worth around £1500) is up for grabs in a prize draw. All you need to do is purchase a prize draw ticket to be in with a chance of winning. Each ticket costs £5 with 20% of that going to groundbreaking children's charity London for London.
Easy peasy, just follow this link. WIN A BIKE
And for more bike p3rn and info join our facebook group.
13.04.10
Concept Art for The Birthday Present
I've just uploaded the first piece of concept art for my next short The Birthday Present onto it's page at indiegogo. Go to www.indiegogo.com/the-birthday-present and select the updates tab.
This piece is the first of three all drawn by Reggy Hafkenschied who can be found at www.movieXplosion.com or on twitter @ragingreggy.
We're still looking for help with funding this film so please do get involved if you like what you see.
28.03.10
Toshi wins at Bradford
I am very proud to announce that Toshi was awarded a special prize in this year's Shine Award at the Bradford International Film Festival. For the first time, judges decided to give out an award for best performance in recognition of Kentaro Suyama's superb playing of Toshi himself. Jon and I were on hand to pick up the award from legendary British filmmaker, Alex Cox. Here's what the judges said:
“This year, for the first time, the Shine Jury wishes to highly commend an actor for his title role performance in Jon Gilbert’s entry, Toshi. Kentaro Suyama is one of those rare actors who can carry and convey pathos, not just in his lines, but in his face. A Japanese Buster Keaton, in a lot of ways. This beautifully understated performance, as the put-upon and desperately lonely Toshi’s world crumbles around him, impressed us all. The beauty is that, as the film ends, Toshi finds that perhaps there is (after all) hope. We all look forward to seeing more of Mr Suyama’s work in the future.”
Congratulations to the whole team - and in particular thanks to Robin O'Donoghue and Pinewood Studios for sponsoring our promotion at the festival.
21.03.10
Toshi @ Hill County Film Fesstival
Toshi has been accepted into the innagrual Hill County Film Festival in Texas USA. The festival will be run between the 22nd and 24th April 2010.
Incidentely Richard Holmes, producer of Eden Lake and Shooting Fish, had these very kind words about Toshi.
"Funny, touching and beautifully put together"
Thanks, Richard!
15.03.10
Script Call Closed
Thanks very much to all those who responded to the script call. I've got a heap of reading to get through now and will be in touch shortly.
09.03.10
Feature Film - Script Call!
I'm on the hunt for feature film scripts to develop throughout 2010 for production in 2011. The brief is HERE. Please pass on to your writer friends. - Ta!
08.03.10
Sponsor - Toshi @ 16th Bradford International Film Festival
I'm delighted to announce that the festival sponsor who have pledged their support to the screenings of Toshi at the upcoming Bradford International Film Festival is none other than the legendary Pinewood Studios.
Synonymous with world class British and international productions (Bond, Harry Potter, Moon, The Wolfman, and the list goes on). Pinewood Studios have been the home to some of the most successful feature films since the beginning of the 20th Century.
It's clear to see that Pinewood are also actively involved in supporting new and emerging film making talent. I'm overwhelmed that they're involved with Toshi again (we did our sound post there) and extend massive a massive THANKS! to Robin O'Donoghue and the team.
01.03.10
16th Bradford International Film Festival
Toshi will screen in competition at this years Bradford International Film Festival on the following dates/times:
Sat 20th March 10:15 @ Cubby Broccoli Cinema
Sun 28th March 15:00 @ Cubby Broccoli Cinema
Sun 28th March 18:00 @ Cubby Broccoli Cinema (includes award ceremony)
Information on the film can be found HERE and tickets can be brought HERE
Promotional Opportunity! We're currently seeking a sponsor to assist with the cost of attending the festival and printing promotional material. In return for sponsorship we can offer your logo on our posters and postcards which will be distributed at the festival along with mentions on all our related websites, social networking sites and our far reaching email marketing.
You can download our sponsorship document HERE and examples of the posters and postcards HERE
19.02.10
*NEW FILM* (seeks funding)
I'm super excited to announce that I've got a new short film in the pipeline. Directed by the mega-talented Carlo Ortu,The Birthday Present, is a short sharp thriller with a twist as a group of bungling bank robbers find an unexpected *something* in the boot of their getaway vehicle.
It's great to get the opportunity to work with Carlo on this film as i've been impressed by his previous films that have screened at a huge amount of festivals around the world. You can watch some of his films at his website www.sugarspunpictures.com
Get involved, you know you want to! We're experimenting with a new way of raising the budget for this film using crowd funding and the excellent website www.indiegogo.com. Using Indiegogo anyone can help fund the film, there are different levels of funding each coming with their own unique perks. We'd really appreciate any help with this so if you're interested in finding out a little more please click the link below.
15.02.10
Toshi goes to Bradford
Toshi has been accepted into the 16th Bradford International Film Festival being held at the National Media Museum in March 2010. Toshi will screen as part of their 'Shine' competition. We all know that Bradford is the home of film and photography in the UK so we're very proud to be involved.
07.02.10
Home Page Photo
FYI the photo on the front page was taken by Will Cooper-Mitchell. See more of his stuff here
02.02.10
Micycle - Bike Sponsor Confirmed.
I'm pleased to announce that we have partnered up with uber-cool German fixed wheel bicycle manufacturers Fixie Inc. Not only are they supplying a bike for our lead character 'Casper' to ride during the film but they have also donated a bike to help raise money to make the film. We'll be running a competition where anyone investing in the film will be entered into a prize draw to win a Fixie Inc Blackjack bike. It's a proper cool bike and we are very pleased that we've got one in our film. So thank you Fixie Inc!
02.02.10
Men at Work.
Here's a pic of me on the set of the Pogo Films 3D promo 'Dancing Dimensions'. As well as production managing the project I also stepped in to 1st A.D the actual shoot. It was a successful day and I look forward to watching the finished product in Stereoscope 3D. (I should've shaved!)
28.01.10
Tumble, Tweet, Take a photo.
26.01.10
Multiplatform & Interactive
Over the coming months I'm going to be taking part in a few training courses that concentrate on building skills and knowledge of multiplatform and interactive production (you know, webisodes and wotnot). I'm really excited about these courses as I see these as growth areas of the industry and will complement my current knowledge of traditional television and film production.
22.01.10
3D Crazy, 3D Mad
It feels as if the world is going a bit mental for all things 3D at the moment, and I'm stuck right in the thick of it, as I'm currently production managing a 3D promo for Pogo Films. It features Belly Dancers and huge amounts of technical kit but it's going to be a winner. You can follow the challenge of working with such new technology on the Pogo 3D Blog by clicking on the photo below.
12.01.10
New Project!
I'm working with Director Carlo Ortu on an dynamite little short that we're hoping to get off the ground some time soon. I'll divulge more info when I can but in the meantime why not check out some of Carlo's previous shorts on his website here.
04.12.09
Toshi in Moscow
Toshi was part of the official selection at the inaugural Moscow Short Film Festival (27+1).
http://27plusone.org/film.php?id=18
24.10.09
Micycle finds A cycle
News on our cycle sponsor for 'Micycle' coming soon!
20.10.09
Toshi in Berlin - Best of British
Thanks to our inclusion in the Best of British slate. Toshi will be screening at the Berlin Short Film Festival.
Screening times:
6.11.2009, 20:00 h, Babylon - Kino 3
7.11.2009, 16:00 h, Babylon - Kino 2
More info here
24.09.09
British Films
Hey, fancy learning a little about the truths of low budget film making? Then buy the DVD of Brit Indie flick How To Be from Amazon. Not only is it a charming and funny film starring current worldwide heartthrob - Robert Pattinson BUT the DVD extras boast super interviews with some well respected industry professionals (ahem!) sharing their gems of wisdom.
And hey, while you're at it, why not purchase these great recent British films - Hush and Shifty.
Abyss
I'm currently Line Producing a 40 minute film by visual artist Knut Asdam. To be shot on 35mm in and around London mid October.
Toshi Update
An early festival submission has come up trumps as Toshi has been accepted into the 2010 edition of the Be Film Underground Film Festival in New York. It will be held in spring 2010 so I'll be posting updates nearer the time.
19.09.09
The Arbor
I've spent the last five or so weeks working as 2nd Assistant Director (a first for me) on a feature film The Arbor. Directed by visual artist Clio Barnard it is about the life of British playwright Andrea Dunbar (Rita, Sue and Bob too). It really was a fascinating project to work on with a super cast and crew. I think it's going to be great.
Pulse Film Fund
I managed to get together a few projects to enter into the current round of Film London short film funding. It's a waiting game now to see if any of them get past the first hurdles. The projects are:
Grover - A film about a politically correct social worker and his racist dog. Writer / Director, Jon Gilbert.
Bloom - A love story between a flower seller and a window washer set at a busy roadway junction. Writer / Director, Jon Gilbert.
Micycle - A story of pride, confidence, individuality and a love of fixed wheel bicycles. Writer / Director, Will Garthwhite.
Dealer- A coming of age drama about a young Lebanese boy growing up in a gambling den. Writer / Director, Chamoun Issa.
No Milk Today - A short sharp gangster film with a surprising protagonist. Writer / Director, Russell Wilks.
Fingers crossed!
24.08.09
Toshi - Best of British?
Toshi has been selected as one of the best British short films made in 2009. It joins six other films in the Candella Films slate that will promote the films as a package to international film festivals. We're proud to be included in the slate which includes these shorts:
A Man of Letters Directed by Tom Turley
After Tomorrow Directed by Emma Sullivan
Jade Directed by Daniel Elliott
Marker Directed by Susanna Wallin
Transit Directed by Chris Roche (and produced by Olivier of Pogo Films)
Washdays Directed by Simon Neal
Google these films if you have they time. They're all worth a watch.
In other Toshi news - We're waiting to hear whether Toshi has been accepted into no less than 10 film festivals from around the world. Fingers Crossed!
20.08.09
The End of JF (or just the beginning?)
At last. We've finished the film. With fantastic sound design from Chris Didlick and amazing grade from Jamie at Pogo Films we've layed the film back to tape and now the festival submission begins. I'll keep you posted.
03.08.09
Film London : Pulse & Borough Film Fund
Film funding time is here again in London. Both the Pulse and Borough Film Fund schemes are open for submission.
I'm on the hunt for London based film makers to collaborate with for this scheme.
Budgets can range from £2,000 to £8,000 and projects should be between 2 and 12 minutes in length.
I'm looking for energetic and exciting ideas that portray its story with a unique vision. I'm particularly interested in comedies or drama with themes such as: Youth, Counter Culture, Art, Music, Gay & Lesbian or Disability. Having said that, if you've got an idea that doesn't tick any of those boxes but you feel passionate about feel free to get in touch.
30.07.09
Hands Solo - Wrapped!
We've wrapped the three day porno-esqe Hands Solo shoot. It was a pleasure to work on this project on which I met the best of what our industry has to offer in terms of up-and-coming talent. I have no doubt that this film is going to be excellent once cut together and it will find an appreciative audience out there on the film festival circuit.
Oh and if anyone wants any recommendations for talented crew on their projects, I've got a few names, so get in touch.
22.07.09
Hands Solo
I'm Production Managing a UK Film Council funded short film 'Hands Solo'. The mockumentary film is about a deaf man who becomes an internationally famous porn star because he is very, very good with his hands!
Funded by the UK Film Council as part of their Magic Hour disabled filmmakers scheme it is directed by William Mager.
Filming at the end of July it is scheduled for a premiere at the London Film Festival in October 2009.
03.07.09
Back from Palm Springs
So we're back from the short film festival at Palm Springs. What an event! A truely wonderful experience on all counts. Toshi was screened as part of the 'Boy Meets Girl Meets Boy' programme which was jam packed with awesome short films.
Toshi received an excellent reception from film makers and industry delegates alike. Some people seemed to really connect with the film and it was a great experience to get such positive feedback (and not bad for the ego either).
One of the best reasons to attend a festival like this is to see what other short films are out there on the circuit and to meet the film makers behind them. I have a long list of excellent films that I managed to see and I'll post up links and information shortly.
In the meantime. Some photos.
Jon and I with British film maker Laura Brocken whose personal and moving film Tell screened at the festival and Canadian writer/director Alan Miller whose film Conrad the Wise entertained the audience and was the pick of his particular programme.
Jon , Laura and I with fellow Brit film makers Andy Pearson, director of Souvenirs and UK Film Council USA delegate Lusine Akopyan.
Crisp eating in the film makers lounge.
24.06.09
New artwork for Toshi !!
One of the most important things to think about when your short film is going to be screened at a film festival is your marketing materials. Primarily this means posters and postcards. The posters will adorn the walls at the festival and the postcards will be placed at different locations around the site. These materials help create an interest in your film which, if successful, could turn into a "Buzz". It was really important to both Jon and I that these materials were as well executed as possible so after a couple of awful self designed efforts we decided to seek out professional help.
Using the Indexhibit network I came across three graphic designers whose portfolio really impressed me. I then approached them to see if they would be interested in designing some marketing materials for the film. Luckily, they agreed, and I couldn't be happier with the results.
1.
The first to get back to me was designer and motion graphics superstar Peter Richardson. Who designed the poster below. This poster was used at the unofficial world premiere for cast, crew and industry which was held on the 5th June 09 at the Soho screening rooms in London. We'll be using this again at future festivals.
2.
Karl Spurzam is a really talented designer with a background in book cover design. He designed the poster below. Simple and stylish we used both the poster and postcards designed by Karl at the Palm Springs Short Film Festival where Toshi had its World Premiere. These designs stood head and shoulder above the majority of the marketing materials supplied for other films and played a big part in creating a "buzz" about the film.
3.
James Kelleher provided the final designs and as you can see came at the brief from a completely different angle. We didn't have the time to get these printed for Palm Springs but we're really excited about using this design at future festivals and finding out what effect such a different design will have on creating that "Buzz"
08.06.09
Festival Acceptance
Toshi has been accepted to the Palm Springs Short Film Festival. It will screen on the 24th June at 7.30pm at the Camelot Theatre.
Make it if you can!