"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.

"Countdown to July 27" Diary: Day Two

Monday 24:

Just read that the film is to be reviewed by Mark Kermode on Thursday.
Thats going to be fun!

Meanwhile...

Went to see Batman last night.  Although that's another story...
I was looking at the amount of screens the cinema had and counted seven screens given to Batman. two for Spiderman, two for Ice Age and the remaining one to Magic Mike!

That puts getting cinema distribution into perspective a bit, especially as the next Hollywood juggernaut "The Lorax" rolls in this week as well.  Its a miracle we got on any screens!

I think I'll try and see it in a few cinemas over the weekend to get an idea of what its like to see your film in the local multi-plex.
Also, I think I'd like to try and organise some arts screenings, especially in Newcastle.
Its a shame that we couldn't get a showing in newcastle, as thats where the crew are based and where the film is shot, but it couldn't be helped.
Instead I'll look into ways of organising something myself perhaps.

I'm very lucky to have lots of friends who keep reminding me what a great week this is going to be.
naturally, my fragile mind is fixating on the scary bits, so its a welcome relief to hear other perspectives.

"Countdown to July 27" Diary: Day One.

So many emotions racing around, with just 5 days to go until the release of my film The Man Inside.

So... I thought I'd do a diary of the week leading up to, and including, the release.
The anxieties, the highs and the lows and everything in between.
I've been blogging for about 3 years now, so it makes sense to cover what is easily the most important point in my career so far in a bit more depth.

Here goes...

Sunday 22:
I've got my suit ready for Tuesday.
I've never done a full-on red carpet premiere like this in the UK.
Two years ago James Moran and I attended the red carpet for The Streamy's award ceremony in Los Angeles, when Girl Number 9 was nominate for 5 awards over there. That was terrifying!
So hopefully it's warmed me up for what to expect.

It's a bit surreal to think I will be at a red carpet premiere in Leicester Square for a film I wrote and directed. I'm pinching myself a bit. It's the kind of thing I'd always imagined happening to other people far more important than me.
I'm told there will be a lot of press, although I imagine the cameras will be saved for the glamorous guests rather than little me! I don't quite know how to approach the premiere, so I'll probably drink a few gins and smile a lot, whilst my glamorous fiancé Sally steers me through.

With that out of the way there will be the business of introducing the film to several hundred VIP guests. I'll totally wing it. That's the only way I can do this kind of thing without sounding like a strangled Dalek with a speech problem.

I'm going to fill tomorrow with a lot of "stuff" to keep all the insecurities at bay.
Usually I get quite nervous before a film goes "out there", but this is on a whole new level for me, so this time the insecurities are amplified to crazy levels.
I guess it's the reviews that are the most terrifying.
It's a personal film with my fingerprints all over it, so any criticism is very close to home.
But, the film ultimately has to stand as a piece of work, and theres nothing I can do to influence anyone!

I reminded myself today that the film is a very dark and intense piece of work, and you know what?  I'm not actually quite sure how it got distributed!
I know that sounds daft, but it is a very challenging piece of work, and not always easy to watch. People who have seen it have been very affected by it and it seems to stay with people long after its finished.
A few people, in particular, have told me how much they love the film, including the one I respect the most - Peter Mullan.  His phone call after seeing the film for the first time will stay with me forever, and when I get a bit down in the dumps I always think about that call.

I'll be buying that man a large drink on Tuesday :-)

The man behind The Man Inside

In January 2009 I sat down and wrote The Man Inside in ten days.
I had been planning it for months beforehand, but I was so ready to write it that the story literally just fell out of my brain onto the page.

As the script had so many biographical elements, many of the characters simply spoke through me, and i did not need to keep stopping to think about what would happen next.
It was an incredible process and the most enjoyable writing experience i've ever had.

It was May of that year that i was introduced to Producer Dean Fisher by a mutual contact, and we immediately hit it off and set about developing the script further.

Fast forward to july 31st and we called wrap on the shoot of the feature film in Newcastle. its in the can, and Dean and i are very very happy with what we have.

As the writer and director of the film, I'm obviously responsible for an awful lot of what you will see, and with this film ive been more hands-on than normal, even down to defining costume colours!

But, let me make this clear. there would be no film without Dean Fisher.
His tireless enthusiasm and belief in the film is the reason its now finished shooting.

The Man Inside is as much Dean's film as my own. He has never wavered in trying to fund the film, during some very difficult times, and even when I thought it was all over, he still persisted. He wouldn't leave it, no matter what.

Along the way, he's protected the script, and made sure it all got on screen.
During shooting he supported every decision i made and backed me up to the hilt.
The reason the film looks so amazing, and is not compromised, is because Dean made sure every penny ended up on screen and that i had every resource the budget could afford.

When I changed a scene at the eleventh hour, moving locations and creating a scheduling nightmare, he simply asked me "Do you think its the right decision?" when I said "yes" he didn't hesitate. Despite others being upset.

There were times when I spoke to him or phoned to throw my toys out of the pram, but he soaked it all up.
With Dean it was all about the film, and nothing else.

Whatever happens to The Man Inside, and I hope it will be a success, then it will be down to the incredible Dean Fisher. The best producer a director could ever have by his side.