Shoot

Having exhausted the public funding options, we decided to raise finance privately and pitched the project to filmmakers, suppliers and other partners. With many regular collaborators including DoP Nic Lawson and Production Designer Katharina Birkenfeld able to join the production and with interest and support from Arri Media and Molinare,
it was time to go ahead. Other Head of Departments making up the production team, who had also worked with us on Bushido: The Way of the Warrior were Jim Hampton (Editor), Ian Glenister (Gaffer) and Sound Designer (Jimmy Boyle) and were all extremely supportive.

Susan and Alex saw a range of talented cast recommended by Casting Director Matt Western. They immediately felt that Emma Cleasby (whose credits include Dog Soldiers and 55 Degrees North) was perfect for the role of Kate the Photojournalist. The remaining roles were filled with talent from UK cinema, TV and theatre including Richard Dillane, Julie Legrand and Jonny Palmiero. In Heather Cameron we felt that we had found a young actress with both the looks and, rare for someone of her age, the experience required for the role of The Girl.

The Shoot required an Eastern European location for the exterior warzone scenes. We looked at locations in the old GDR at the same time as scouting the UK. We had always felt that the Millenium Mills site in Newham was one of the few suitable options in the London area, without having the budget to travel abroad for the film. With support from Film London it was possible to negotiate permission to film at the stunning Millenium Mills site – one of the few places in an increasingly developed London that we felt could be turned into an Eastern European border crossing.





One week before shooting, London was rocked by bomb attacks. With the whole country on security alert, the producers took advice on whether to go ahead with the production, which would feature actors in army uniform with guns, explosions and smoke on what was essentially a derelict site right next to City Airport. After losing valuable days but with the full support of Film London, Newham Film Office, Local Police and City Airport Security, we were able to go ahead with filming.

Having lost time, it was hard work in the sweltering heat of summer especially for our Art Department team who needed to work fast to prepare the location – however the effect was magic. Turning over the first shot on day one, the set looked and felt like the real thing giving our cast an inspiring backdrop.

Three days’ filming later, the picture was in the can. The rushes were explosive.