"Countdown to July 27" Diary: The Final Day

Friday July 27:

Todays the day.
In 25 screens across the UK The Man Inside is released.

There's nothing more to be done except to hope an audience find the film and take something away from it.

I'm under no illusion of what to expect. You'll not see the film on buses, or billboards or television adverts, it's not got that kind of support. So its down to those who want to seek the film out, or people who might take a chance on a little British film over one of the $$$$$$m blockbusters thats on at the moment.

I hope for those that get a chance to see it that it touches them and makes them think a little about the choices we are presented with in life.  thats what the film is about really.

I think this review in The Guardian probably sums it up.

I want to reiterate that its a privilege to get The Man Inside made and onto cinema screens.  I am a simple lad from Colchester in Essex who just wants to tell stories. I never dreamed I'd be able to do this.
I've had to work hard for almost twenty years now to get to this point and I'm proud of what I've achieved.

I'm grateful to everyone who has helped me and encouraged me over the years, especially my parents.

If you cant see the film at the cinema over the next week, then it will be hitting the shops in time for Christmas on December 17.  You can pre-order it on DVD and Blu-Ray.
I've been personally involved with some of the extras on the disk, so I look forward to talking about that nearer the time.

Thank you for your support.

"Countdown to July 27" Diary: Day Five

Thursday 26 July:

So nearly there now!

I've organised a few trips to different cinemas over the weekend to see how the film is being projected.  Well... I might as well, its not every day you get a film on the cinema is it?

I started this week worried about reviews, and friends much wiser than me, said to not pay too much attention as it was a subjective thing.  I still agonised though.

In fact, the first one I read, was unfortunately negative, and I fell pray to a nasty bout of insecurity.

The following day that movie magazine's main's competitor published a review that completely contradicted all of the things its rival said and praised the film highly.

Yesterday the same thing happened.  More rival magazines publishing reviews that contradicted specific elements.  

It was at that point that I shrugged my shoulders and thought "this REALLY is just opinions"  Why should I allow about 20-30 critics define what I, or anyone else think of the film?

So, now my feeling is... let the film find its audience.  

Of course, being a huge advocate of always improving myself, I'l read all the reviews together when they are out, and if there any opinions that form a consensus then I'll take that on board as a way of addressing those issues in future films.

And thats what next week is all about. Future films.

This week has been exciting, but ultimately I'm a filmmaker and I am ready to make more!

Countdown to July 27: Day Four

Wednesday 25 July:

Last night the car picked us up and dropped us on the red carpet at The Vue Cinema Leicester Square.
We walked into complete madness.
I was quickly ushered in front of a wall of paparazzi who flashed and clicked away making me fully appreciate the phrase "rabbit caught in the headlights".
They shouted at me to "look up, left, right, down, straight ahead, smile" etc etc and this went on and on until I could barely see.

Then the star of the film Ashley Bashy Thomas was thrust next to me and we stood and it all happened all over again.

I did my best to look cool, but frankly, when you're standing next to someone like Ashley you may as well just accept defeat.

After this I was ushered towards cameras and people with microphones where I was asked lots of different questions about the film, many of which were thoughtful and interesting questions.

The best of them all, was with the brilliant HEYUGUYS who are one of my favourite sources of movie news.

Here's the interview I did with them...




Once all that was done I was able to quickly say hello to the cast before the screening began.
After a brief speech the film began and I was pleased how the audience got quieter and quieter as the film progressed.
Afterwards the reaction was fantastic, and I was pleased and very proud to be told by many people how moved they were by the film.

This seems to the genuine reaction of people who enjoy it.  They seem to really become affected by it and the message resonates with them.

The final leg of the night was the after party.

I'll confess, this is not my favourite part, because I'm a filmmaker and not a schmoozer, but it was good to see so many people enjoying what we had accomplished and to say a personal thank you to a few very special people who not only made this film possible, but had also helped me throughout my career.