‘It’s gone from being a tiny little film to a full-on production!’
‘Is Anybody There…?’ poster with graphics by Graeme White and photography by Simon Boothe(Image: Just Be Productions)
Actress Justine Glenton has returned from Los Angeles to East Yorkshire to see her script transformed into a film. ‘Is Anybody There…?’ starts shooting at the end of February in Hotham Hall Estate, near North Cave, and Everingham Park.
Local professional talent has formed an extraordinary team, including multi-award winning director, Michael Lacey, known for Silent Witness, and RTS award-winning director of photography, Chris Ramage.
Emmerdale series regular heart throb ‘Mack’, Lawrence Robb, is playing the male lead. Actors Malcolm Tomlinson and Samuel Edward-Cook have also come aboard.
Justine said: “Half of Yorkshire Television are our crew. It’s gone from being a tiny little film to a full-on production even as a short because people really like the project… The first day on set we’ve got 76 people.”
Describing the script as “ambiguous without being annoying”, Justine said: “It is based on a real story that happened half a lifetime ago. It’s a purposeful project for me, certainly, over the years, the story has never left me alone.
“In that time, looking for answers, I discovered a good amount of people who have a similar story to tell and I know there are more people out there who just don’t talk about it, for fear of what other people think, and questioning things in their own minds as well, how to place it.”
While there are elements of the other-worldly in the story, it is open to interpretation. Whether or not people have leanings towards the supernatural, Justine said they will find the conclusion of the story satisfying.
She added: “Ultimately, it is a piece of art. If you look at a painting on a wall, what does it mean to you?”
Justine said the ultimate plan is to develop the short film further, either into a full-length feature film or a TV series. “But there is enough for it as a short to be complete as a short, but also enough to make you go, ‘I want more, what happens next!” she said.
Justine pointed out that Hull has a long history in the world of filmmaking, not least as the birthplace of J Arthur Rank, founder of The Rank Organisation. In its heyday, it was the biggest producer and distributor of films in the UK, owning Pinewood Studios and Odeon, among other famous names.
She added there is “so much talent up here” and nurturing it has become her personal mission. Just Be Productions, a local film production company, was co-founded by Justine and producer Vanja Penca.
The production is actively seeking crowdfunding, sponsorship and support from local businesses and organisations who want to invest in Hull’s creative future. Sponsorship directly supports local actors, crew, technicians and locations, while giving businesses meaningful visibility through the film, press, screenings and festival submissions.
For more information visit: justbeproductions.co.uk
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