Film / hartcliffe
Big ambitions for award-winning film set in 1980s Hartcliffe
Finding streets free from modern vehicles and post-1980s signs is just one of the challenges for Will Stone as he embarks on an ambitious project.
The filmmaker is building on the success of his award-winning short film, The Fence, by making a full feature-length version, with plans to start shooting in the summer as long as the six-figure sum needed to get it off the ground is in place.
Inspired by his dad’s many tales of growing up on a council estate in Hartcliffe in the 1980s, the film was a labour of love for the 25-year-old, who spent time during lockdown last year writing the new script.
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Together with co-producer and cinematographer Adam Pickford, Will intends to make the full-length version even better than the original, which has received almost four million views on YouTube and won two industry awards.
The Whitchurch-based filmmaker is already scouting out possible locations in Hartcliffe, as well as in Weston-super-Mare, Avonmouth and further afield.
“It’s a bit crazy for a first time film,” admits Will, explaining the difficulties of finding street scenes in keeping with the era with no vehicles or other post-1980s signs, rendering filming the entire thing in Hartcliffe “impossible”.
He says the decision to make his own full-length film was born from a desire to work on his own material and The Fence already has a loyal following.
“I still get comments daily,” Will tells Bristol24/7.
“Some people say it takes them back.”
He adds: “I know I can do such a better job the second time round. We are building our audience as we go.”
Will has been talking to fellow filmmaker Paul Holbrook, who is from Hartcliffe, about the project and potential to grow the narrative film industry in the city.
With a soundtrack featuring the likes of The Selecter, The Beat and The Pogues, The Fence was created as part of Will’s final year university project was completed in just seven days with a crew of five and £1,000 of his own savings.
Will is not letting on exactly how much it will cost to complete the full-feature version but says with a budget of under £500,000, it will still be very much low budget.
“I’m trying to go big in a small way,” says Will. “My goal is to get Bristol behind me.”
Will and Adam have already received hundreds of offers from people keen to be involved with the film, from offering 1980s vehicles to help with makeup and props.
The pair plan to recruit crew members and actors locally if possible, with plans to hold auditions before the summer.
Will adds: “If we can make a difference to even one local’s life then that’s a big win for everybody.”
He is also interested in hearing from any organisations that might be able to help out with sponsorship grants, although is not relying on this as a source of income.
Will Stone with his dad, whose stories inspired the film – photo courtesy of Will Stone
Further information about the film project and how to get involved is available via www.facebook.com/thefencefanpage/?view_public_for=106019264233150.
Main photo courtesy of Will Stone
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