VolVentures Film & Media News and Blogs on our Film & Media Projects and Productions

The Red Rose (Short Film) 2010

This is the first in a series of quirky short films that portrays significant events or emotional situations wherein, what would otherwise be ordinary, everyday objects, acquire a special significance. The Red Rose depicts a woman’s (Laura) physical and emotional journey to and from the graveside of her deceased lover in a final attempt to overcome her grief and re-embrace a life worth living.

Log Line

Life after death is not always found where you look for it.

Synopsis

The Red Rose depicts a woman’s (Laura) physical and emotional journey to and from the graveside of her deceased lover in a final attempt to overcome her grief and re-embrace a life worth living.

Director’s Notes

The Red Rose is the first in a series of short films called The Colourful Things Collection. This series is intended to be a collection of films depicting the moments when seemingly ordinary objects require a deeper, poignant meaning. As I am 90% self taught in film The colourful things Collection is also intended to map out a journey through my learning curve in film making and script writing.

The Red Rose was my first attempt at a narrative fiction and at running a set. Although it was initially a little daunting and the English weather in February did not make exterior shooting any easier on anyone, especially the cast who were often needing to act impervious to the weather conditions, I think we all enjoyed making this little film. To me it certainly was a positive, invaluable experience that set me on the path to an addiction to making films.

I’d like to thank my little team of cast and crew very much for working with me and often having endless patients while I insist on getting the shots just right.

Cast

“Laura” – Sarah Hampson

Sarah grew up in North Norfolk and trained at Guildford School of Acting. An emotionally strong actress, she is able to bring great sincerity and dedication to a role. Sarah has been cast as many colourful characters in a number of films including a role in one of the Film 48 challenges screened at the Curzon and also “Broken Voices” screened at the NFT. She has recently filmed lead female roles in 2 films, “Happiness” directed by Ben Fredericks and “The Red Rose” directed by Wollie Boehm. Sarah has just been cast as the lead in another film “The Boy, The Rock And The Hard Place” directed by Michael Middleton-Downer and is to be shot in April 2010. She has also been in involved in advertising campaigns for Lipton Ice Tea, 3M, Nestle, Danone and The Co-operative. Sarah has worked as a professional children’s entertainer for the past 12yrs. Please see Sarah’s full profile here.

“Claire” – Heidi Agerholm Balle

Heidi is from Denmark where she studied Film and Media at the University of Copenhagen. During her studies she spent one year as an exchange student at the University of California (Irvine) studying drama and music before graduating in. She moved to London to pursue a career in acting when she was offered a place on the MA Acting Course (International) at East15 Acting School. After graduating in September 2009 she has also taken up writing.

“Aileen” – Michelle Jamieson

Theatre Credits include: “Kate & Mrs.Jones”, “Snow White Goes To Kitschville”, “No Excuses”, “Casanova”, “Macbeth” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Film credits include: “Queens Evidence”, “A Moderate Warning for a Severe Event”, “The Viva Voce Virus” and “Cabby”. Michelle is also a drama workshop facilitator. When not acting or facilitating she works as a cycling instructor. She is a Morrissey fanatic!

Project Crew

Producer, Writer, Director – Wollie Boehm

Wollie has had a rich and diverse background starting with an English degree, a post graduate in Artificial Intelligence, ranging to experience in New Media and 3D Virtual World R&D. She is a successful Writer, Director, Producer and Film maker with a growing portfolio of short and feature scripts and films. These include a quirky animated Star Wars spoof called "Fruit Wars" and an experimental short which provides a new perspective on womens surfing called "Surf Footage". "The Red Rose" is the first of a series of shorts which belong to "The Colourful Things" collection, which depicts those powerful moments when seemingly ordinary objects gain meaning and significance beyond themselves. "Caught in Amber" is a touching story depicting a womans secret communion with her unborn child. She has a number of exciting projects currently at various stages of development and production. These include: an animated feature called "High Rack" which is the story of a chicken and a fox who fall in love, a live action short called "Yellow Tandem", a Vampire feature, a human drama about Comfort Women and a gritty short film called "Girl Fight". Wollie also makes music videos and web based commercials for corporate clients. She is a keen photographer, and is developing her animation and computer graphics skills, which she believes complements making and directing films and other visual stories such as music and commercial videos. In her spare time Wollie is completing a novel called "Agents And Assassins" and collaborating with other fellow film makers on their exciting projects as Writer, Director and Cinematographer.

1st AD – Mark Umphrey

Born and raised in Canada, Mark made his first short film when he was 16. Thereafter, he put his film dreams on hold when invited to tour Canada as a lead actor, singer and dancer in a multi-million dollar production commissioned for Canada’s 125th birthday celebration. The show lead to a ten-year career as a professional actor, touring Canada, the States and Europe before finally making his home in London, UK. Wanting to return to his first love of writing, directing and producing film, Mark spent the past few years preparing by honing his business skills. Working within the head office of one of the UK�s largest retailers, he carved out a successful financial management career. Whilst working in finance he trained at The Metropolitan Film School and most recently The Central Film School where he directed his first short, �The Factory�. Now turning his energies full-time to film, he has just completed his second feature screenplay “Standing Still” and is working on several projects in various stages of development.

Production Design Assistant, Location Managment, Catering – Jude Dempsey

Jude Dempsey has acted in and helped in the production design of few quirky short films to date. She is passionate about developing story-telling as a medium for exploring new voices. She wrote and performed rant poetry in South London in the 80s and her Ballad of Brixton Town was published in the political press. She is currently completing her first novel and doing the research for a screen play whilst editing her poem collection Dark City. Jude is currently constructing a mental 3D map of Tottenham in oils, balsa wood and canvas. She has a degree in Economics and a postgraduate in Architecture.

Make-up/Hair – Alana Campbell

After working in cosmetics since she left school, Alana moved down to London at the age of 19 to pursue a career in Makeup for film & television where she studied at the Christine Blundell Makeup Academy in Camden. Although she has not been in the industry long she has taken every opportunity to broaden her knowledge and gain experience in this field. As a result of this Alana has worked on some great projects ranging from blood & gore movies to glamorous photo shoot.

Make-up/Hair – Leane White

Leane studied Hair and Makeup for TV, Film, Theatre and Fashion at the Christine Blundell Makeup Academy where she learnt basic hair styling, basic makeup, casualty and SFX makeup, basic prosthetics, wig work including styling and fitting, Facial hair, makeup for the theatre and fashion. She also learnt research techniques and period hair and makeup styles. Leane has gone on the do hair and makeup for various short films, music videos and a hypnosis DVD. She looks forward to all future projects through which she can learn and expand her techniques.

Special Thanks to

>> Anette Bonneau – for her hard work at the auditions.
>> Barbara Tierney – for her hard work at the auditions.
>> The Pirate Castle – for allowing us to use their offices for the auditions.
>> Fat Cat Cafè – for their lovely catering and use of their premises as our base on the shoot.
>> Abney Park Trust – for letting us film on such a lovely location.

Comments are closed.