Category Archives: Film

Jason Croot on Making Films | Frost Interviews

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I interviewed Jason Croot for the second time recently. Jason is an incredibly talented film director, writer and actor. He is everything the British film industry needs: a talented, hard-working, pro-active filmmaker who puts himself out there and just does it. I am in a few of Jason’s films, notably Meeting Place and Le Fear, Le Sequel, but I am not biased- honest.

Jason: Hello Frost readers thank you for the interview.
 
How easy was Le Fear to make? Le Fear was a world-wind my directorial debut post production was only 3 weeks. We filmed it in 2 days, and we had a few difficult situations, but when you are making films you have to give everything and think on your feet. It was an improvised feature around a basic script and all in all I was very pleased with the outcome

What is the most important thing you learned?  A reliable crew is vital on a film set, we had a few people who let me down last-minute, but the crew where fantastic

Where did the idea come from? I was walking to the supermarket in Peckham and I thought I’d love to make a film about a film. After I made it I found there were about 30 films that were similar film within films, I’ve watched most of them. Day for Night is my favourite

How do filmmakers make money in this new climate? Great question, I’ve decided to show Le Fear for free currently on vodo.net http://vo.do/lefear.  There are a few distribution deals on the table but I believe vodo will hit 10,000 plus views and that’s what excites me more than anything at present, but to answer your question Netflix, Love Film, Creatspace will make you some income but it really depends how good your film is. My saying is ‘Cream always rises even in cheap coffee’.  

What has the feedback been like? Brilliant, when you send your film to be critiqued, especially when you have a budget of £1550 and this is a feature film you expect to be slammed, but out of 7 reviews we got one poor one, but the guy did give us 4 out of 5 for comedy so that was a good positive.

You obviously enjoyed yourself as you made a sequel, tell us about that; when will it be released? I would love to tell you about the sequel, I want to make Le Fear in to a series and really believe if people watch the first 2 films that dream can become a reality. The sequel is a 100% improvised feature unlike the original. It will be 90 minutes plus feature-length comedy horror, I must say the cast and crew where brilliant and we have 24 hours of footage to edit, I’m really excited about the prospect, no plans for a release yet, my films tend to be world-wind in making but lengthy in post, simply because I believe that method really works, okay give me a million pound budget I might film over 2 weeks, but the edit would take the same time generally 12-18 months after the film wraps, If you rush often your left unhappy so it will be ready when it’s ready. Sorry to be so vague, we will have a trailer out there this year and I have my target on a former number 1 soundtrack if I win the lottery I will definitely have that song in there, if not we will find a good track music and sound is so important in film making

What is next for you? Since moving into film making my acting as been limited but I’m hoping to get back into it. I’m currently looking at finding a new agent, I love directing so will hopefully will be working on some other films soon, I’ve decided not to make anymore of my own films until the four our out there{Le Fear, Demons and Doors, Meeting Place and Le Fear 2} hopefully start making some noise.

What advice do you have for people making their own films? Find a good crew, have your own equipment if possible, and always have a back up, especially with locations, finally sound is just as important as visuals; Finally never panic even if the crap hits the fan.
 
How important is IMDB to you?  I was on a mission for sometime to get into the top 10,000 on there starmeter, I think I hit the dizzy heights of 10, 861 in 2010 but I’m way out at present mainly because I’ve produced some low-budget films which sent my starmeter the opposite way. Generally actors are in the top 10,000 not film makers/actors. Saying that I believe it does hold a lot of weight and fell free to check me out 
 
What is your favourite movie? I don’t really do favourites, so I’d say Night on Earth

Favourite actor? Same again but I’d go with Roberto Benigni

Favourite director? I’m a big Jim Jarmusch fan

Thanks Jason.  Thank you Frost for having me!!!

Travel discounts with every Jameson Dublin International Film Festival ticket

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Film enthusiasts attending The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2012 could soon be starring in their very own season of discovery off the big screen.

Adventure travel specialist Intrepid Travel is offering a discount to anyone who buys Festival tickets at the box office, worth €100 off their next holiday*. One lucky film fan will also win a free 15 day-trip to India**, where they’ll experience the spice markets of Delhi, the beauty of the Taj Mahal, and the marble palaces of Udaipur.

Now in its tenth year, The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2012 is Ireland’s largest film festival and will include over 130 feature films, documentaries, shorts and events, and will showcase the best film-making from right across the globe, with films from a wide range of countries including Indonesia, Mexico and Cuba. There is also a ‘discovery programme’ of unexpected gems.

“Intrepid Travel has been helping people with a sense of adventure to get off-the-beaten-track and discover the world for more than 20 years,” said Daniel Pawlyn, Intrepid Travel’s Sales & Marketing Manager UK & Ireland. “We’re proud to be supporting The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival as it invites the Irish public to ‘celebrate the story and share the adventure’.”

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival takes place from 16 – 26 February 2012, and the Intrepid Travel discount can be redeemed at www.intrepidtravel.com, by calling 01 524 0071, or at a local travel agent.

The Muppets {Film Review}

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Over a decade since their last cinematic outing, Jim Henson’s iconic, comedic felt creations face a tough dilemma. Do they put on a spectacular show at the old Muppet theatre to restore their name and glory or do they slip away into the night; icons of a less complicated and cynical time? Whilst that may describe the plot of the movie itself, it also sums up the real world that the Muppet franchise finds itself in at present. Kid’s entertainment is mostly cyclical and yesterday’s fad creates indifference if not complete ignorance. However the care of craft is crucial and it seems to have paid of hugely. After a terrific Thanksgiving opening in the States, James Bobin’s reboot arrives on these shores. As someone who always liked and enjoyed The Muppets yet not a die-hard fan, I approached this with a certain sense of trepidation. Thankfully I was rewarded with one of the smartest, funniest and simply joyful mainstream family films of recent memory.

The central plot revolves around young Muppet Walter and his human brother Gary (Jason Segal, also the films co-writer). Growing up as the only Muppet in the ridiculously idyllic Smalltown, Walter finds comfort and joy through the Muppet Show on television. All grown up the two head to LA with Gary’s girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams in full on charm mode) in tow to see the Muppets Studios. However they find the studio empty and in decline, the Muppets broken up and etching out meagre livings and worst of all an evil oil baron literally named Tex Richman (a game Chris Cooper) planning to tear down the studios and dig up the black gold he has found beneath. It’s up to Walter and his friends to band Kermit and his Muppet companions together for one last show in order to raise funds and save their precious theatre. To be honest it’s a fairly tired and tested plot device yet the creators crucially realise that the journey is what counts and not the destination. For a film that is primarily aimed at a youth market, it’s a surprisingly melancholic experience as the central Muppet characters are forced to face their redundancy. These issues are raised on a more direct level with Walter and Gary who must confront the inevitable distance that grows between them.

As brave a move this is for a kid’s movie, only a fool would believe this would take the route of a Shakespearian drama. Bobin and Segal clearly understand the nostalgic appeal of the characters and play it wonderfully with a firmly tongue in cheek sense of humour that at once ridicules the characters flaws yet is clearly on their side and delights in their antics. Fozzy tells his bad jokes, Gonzo will perform death defying stunts and Animal will be unable to resist the drums. They’re aware their living in a movie world and there are several witty and well placed jokes referencing the confines of the films narrative that work well for both old fans and newbie’s alike. The human cast rise to the task with equal aplomb noticeably during the films playful song and dance sequences penned by Bret McKenzie of HBO’s brilliant Flight Of The Concords. The piece ‘Man or a Muppet’, drifts effortlessly between melancholy and mirth with a great visual pay-off. There’s also the bizarre sight of an Oscar winning dramatic actor rapping about his wealth with dance backing.

Everyone’s up for a laugh in the film, a clear fact from the celebrity cameos associated with the Muppets from their early days. The likes of Alan Arkin and Emily Blunt send up their own images in brief but well timed spots but perhaps in some of the later scenes there seems to be a wary degree of redundancy in the appearances, as though the makers just tried to get as familiar faces in as they could. This is particularly noticeable at the films climax; could they really have not found anyone else to ‘co-host’ the show. It’s one of a few niggling flaws that slightly undermine the film such as particular favourites such as Rolfe and Beaker getting only limited screen time (though understandable due to the brisk running time) and a only creeping sense of infantile humour that feels at odds with the all generations aspect of the original show. But no mind, these are only small flaws with what is otherwise a genuine gem of family entertainment and a glorious return to form for a set of beloved characters. Hell, ever Waldorf and Statler would be cheered up by it.

21 Tips for Living Life without Regret

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‘Living Life without Regret’

21 Tips for Living Life without Regret by Hilbre Johnson of Transform Life Coaching (www.transformlifecoaching.co), who recently lost a close friend to cancer.

1. Be proactive. Go after life, don’t wait for it to come and find you – it never will.

2. Start and finish each day by saying ‘thank you’. Many people didn’t make it through your day – life is a precious gift.

3. Show compassion. Kindness is free and it makes the world a better place. Always do for others as you would like them to do for you.

4. Set your intention for the day and know what you want to get out of it. If you don’t have any idea of where you are going, how can you get there?

5. Keep active and eat healthily. A flexible and strong body is a young body.

6. Keep learning. A stimulated mind is a young mind.

7. Challenge yourself. Always keep moving out of your comfort zone – it is the only way we grow.

8. Practice mindfulness. It makes each moment a far richer experience when your senses are fully alert.

9. Forget worrying about the future, just plan for it so you can enjoy it when you get there.

10. Make time for those you care about.

11. Always tell those you love how you feel about them. You never want to say ‘if only I had told them…’

12. Make an occasion out of even the smallest and most simple things.

13. It really doesn’t matter what others think. We only realise this as we get older having wasted so much energy on trying to impress them. Who cares!

14. Slow down. We all rush along blindly heading where ever it is we are going and miss all the scenery along the way. Life isn’t just about getting to your destination, it is also about enjoying the journey.

15. Spend more time with nature – we can learn so much by quietly observing how perfectly she goes about her daily activities.

16. When it comes down to it, life is all about the simple things.

17. Make conscious changes, if you don’t life has a way of making them for you and they won’t always be what you want.

18. Find your life purpose.

19. Love unconditionally.

20. Travel more. See more.

21. Life is short and you want to say at the end of it – I lived and loved like there were no tomorrows…

These tips are thanks to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and the DVD release of Restless, starring Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, Alice in Wonderland) and newcomer Henry Hopper (Dennis Hopper’s son), out on 13th Feb.

Directed by Gus Van Sant, Oscar®-nominated director of Milk and Good Will Hunting, the film follows Annabel Cotton, a beautiful and charming terminal cancer patient with a deep felt love of life and the natural world. Enoch Brae is a young man who has dropped out of the business of living, after an accident claimed the life of his parents. When these two outsiders chance to meet at a funeral, they find an unexpected common ground in their unique experiences of the world.

"It's the Audition, Stupid!" Book Review and Interview with the Author.

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“It’s the Audition, Stupid!”

It’s a brave opening gambit; a book that insults without giving you a chance to buy it a drink first. But if that upsets you then you’d better grow some thicker skin because Brendan McNamara’s 2011 book about casting doesn’t shy from delivering a few home truths.

And quite right too.

If you purchase the book then you probably are, or are intending to be, an actor. Good luck.

It’s a cruel and unforgiving career and, while the book gives invaluable advice on casting, the real value of “It’s the Audition, Stupid!” comes from its realism – a realism which newcomers to the industry would do well to embrace.

The book itself discusses the intricacies of the casting process in refreshing detail. As an actor popping in and out of castings, which may, on occasion, only last 2-3 minutes, it seems a very arbitrary and mysterious process.

Casting directors too can seem a mysterious and distant bunch, with many actors sending off CV after CV and never hearing a word back. Brendan McNamara’s book does a great job in explaining the casting process and humanising casting directors.

Much of the advice given by the book seems, in retrospect, to be common sense – but it’s amazing how un-common common sense can be. The advice is frank, clear and given with tremendous goodwill.

The book is not just about improving actors’ attitudes towards auditions, it covers everything from drama school training to how to approach the right people. It also talks over the differences between auditioning for stage and screen work and the gulf between the two.

It’s a fascinating and valuable read, and if you’re an actor, it may just become your new best friend.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Brendan himself recently. You can find a copy of the interview below.

“It’s the Audition, Stupid!” is available now in paperback. You can find out more at www.pinterandmartin.com or buy a copy of the Kindle e-book version at Amazon. It’s the Audition, Stupid!: The actor’s essential guide to surviving the casting and getting the part

Tim Austin is a stage and screen actor based in the UK. You can read more about him at www.tim-austin.co.uk

 …

Frost Mag;

Hello Brendan. You started off as an actor – a pretty successful one too. What was it about casting directing that made you move away from the acting? And would you go back to acting full time?

Brendan;

I don’t think I’d ever act again. I was very confident as a child, I was quite quirky,… [but] I didn’t have a craft and the more I see great actors, I see a craft.

I’d no time for doing accents, which was very limiting. I was cast as a West of Ireland “cheeky chapy” and that was the extent of it, and that bored me senseless. A career of that wouldn’t’ve made me happy.

I got into casting because it started as a part time job when I was trying to pick up auditions and just became an obsession and love, basically.

Frost Mag;

Have you kept the same contacts from your acting and has that helped you in your casting?

Brendan;

Not really. A lot of contacts would’ve been in Dublin. If what you’re alluding to is “Are contacts important?” then yes. In every regard. Networking and contacts are, for an actor especially, or any industry professional, immense. You’ve got to have them.

Actors have to be pro-active. They should go to festivals, they should go to screenings and opening nights and everything because you don’t know who you’ll meet and it can help.

Frost Mag;

Do you feel that your past as an actor has given you an advantage as a Casting director? Does it, perhaps, give you an edge?

Brendan;

I think its definitely had an impact, I don’t know about giving me an edge, but it certainly helps me when I work with actors.

Essentially my job is to get the best performance from actors when they come to audition for me. The fact that I relish reading in with actors and do my best to give them something when reading opposite helps the actor and helps me.

Frost Mag;

Having spoken to fellow actors at castings and networking events, I’ve found that many of them consider casting to be a tad, if I may say, “elitist”. By that I mean, only interested in graduates of certain schools and certain universities. I don’t know if that’s true. I personally react a little against that.

Brendan;

I think that’s rubbish. I mean there might be casting directors who favour those schools and obviously I can’t speak for everyone but in my own terms, I have never brought someone in because they went to those schools. To be honest, I don’t even look for that any more.

I like nothing better than bringing in someone new. Who isn’t even based in London, who doesn’t even have an agent, who I’ve seen in something, I like their CV or I’ve spoken to or met them.

There’s so many myths about casting directors out there, made up by people; drama schools or people who just aren’t getting work. You have to realise – my job is very simple; I bring in the best people to make me look good because if I can bring in the best people and they all do great auditions then I look brilliant.

If you come in as an actor and don’t do a god job, I look bad. My job is to make you do a good job. Every actor that comes in I want them to be brilliant, I want them to be prepared, I want them to the best they can do because they make me look brilliant.

All these myths about a casting director being obstructive or getting in the way is rubbish.

Frost Mag;

What is it in a showreel that really jumps out at you, or is that different for every project that you’re casting?

Brendan;

Sometimes I don’t need to refer to it because I’ve seen the work that the actor has done or I’ve met the actor.

I sometimes have to refer to a showreel to check someone’s physicality or their accent or if I’m unsure how they look in their photo. But obviously if you’ve got a reel that has a great performance on it that’s what I’m going to tune into as well.

I don’t think there’s one thing. It could be anything; it could be a flash of the eyes.

For us it’s a reference or it’s something that I could send to a director and say “I like the look of this person, what do you think?” So if the work on it is strong or a good representation of the actor then it’s a very useful tool, basically.

“It’s the Audition, Stupid!” is available now in paperback. You can find out more at www.pinterandmartin.com or buy a copy of the Kindle e-book version at It’s the Audition, Stupid!: The actor’s essential guide to surviving the casting and getting the part
Tim Austin is a stage and screen actor based in the UK. You can read more about him at www.tim-austin.co.uk

 

The Bourne Legacy Trailer Hits the Web

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The Bourne Legacy has hit the web to a very warm reception from fans of the franchise.

Renner; fresh from his role in Mission Impossible stars as a new character called Aaron Cross, although he calls himself Kenneth in the new trailer.

As the first titles come onto the screen we are told that ‘Bourne was just the beginning’

Like Bourne before him, the trailer appears to show Cross being perhaps double crossed and ‘going rogue’ as he goes on a violent rampage, which features a novel unique use for a fire extinguisher and a house being blown up.

As Byer tries to find a way to hunt Cross down he says: ‘Jason Bourne was just the tip of the iceberg,’

later we hear Cross being described as an Outcome agent or – ‘Treadstone without the inconsistency’.

Rachel Weisz is a new addition to the cast as Stephanie Snyder while Joan Allen has reprised her role as Pam Landy.

Director Tony Gilroy has gone on record as saying that Renner was not replacing Damon and The Bourne Legacy was a ‘stand-alone’ film.

He told Mania.com: ‘This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel.

‘There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter…this is a stand-alone project. The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal… Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he’s very much alive.

‘What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I’m building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy.’

The Bourne Legacy is released in the UK on August 15. Keep this one firmly in your sights.

You can watch the trailer below

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVPpc4pk6RE&w=560&h=315]

Second Trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man Movie Hits the Web

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Yes indeed, the second trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man movie has hit the web and seems to have got the whole world in a spin.

Whilst there have been many skeptics (and who could blame them; after all a reboot of Spider-man is about as much needed as a reboot of Harry Potter)  Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Spiderman / Peter Parker in Marc Webb’s version (in the trailer at least) looks much more serious, determined and full of all those angst that teenagers have had to endure over the…erm, centuries.

So what are the changes? Well for a start there’s a whole different dynamic between Parker and the object of his affections, Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy, it could be a real love triangle – or web.

Then there’s the fact that in this reboot Peter Parker has man-made rather than organic web-shooters. This allows the film-makers to play up the teenager’s status as something of a budding scientific genius, rather than just a talented student. This in turn ties into the key plotline within The Amazing Spider-Man which revolves around Parker’s relationship with scientist Dr Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans).  For those of you not up to date with the comic book, Connors once worked with Parker’s late father, adding an extra layer of intrigue when his dodgy experiments transform him into the Lizard. Director Marc Webb, speaking in LA, said his film would examine “the emotional consequence of what it means to be an orphan.” He added: “We wanted to treat Peter Parker in a more realistic, naturalistic way. There are a lot of things from the Spider-Man canon: this starts off with Peter Parker and his parents.” Interesting eh? I thought so.

Lastly the production has been shot entirely in stereoscopic 3D. which can only be a coop for Sony who are looking to push their ideas of creating 3D within the home.

Might just be my opinion but the new trailer looks awesome. I am still not so sure about that suit but one thing is for sure is that there is action, tons of it and most importantly, although trailers tend to just show the best bits it looks like they are holding nothing back. It seems as if Spider-man is about to come of age.

The Amazing Spider-man is due for release July 4th – Check out the trailer below

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tnxzJ0SSOw&w=560&h=315]

First Cut Returns To C4

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Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Aysha Rafael has commissioned 12 x 30 minute First Cut films which will TX early summer.

The First Cut strand showcases original and bold documentary films by up and coming first time directors as part of Channel 4’s continuous commitment to nurturing new and diverse talent. It first launched in 2007 and now in its sixth year. These forthcoming films chronicle a range of fascinating stories from the world’s first IVF lottery, a finishing school for Chinese students in London, Britain’s oldest stand-up comic – to the moving story of the mother of one of Ian Brady’s victims who is making one last plea to him to reveal where her boy is buried.

First Cut Commissioning Editor, Aysha Rafaele said: ‘First Cut continues to be one of the very few platforms on primetime TV for emerging film making talent in the UK. I am proud that Channel 4 continues to showcase and support distinctive singular documentary films and is always open to introducing fresh new opinions and ideas. This new series of First Cut once again delivers a run of thought-provoking films from a variety of talented first-time directors.’

Films for the 2012 run will include:

The Harry Hunters
Since the marriage between Kate Middleton and Prince William, Prince Harry has been thrust into the spotlight as the most eligible bachelor in Britain. Handsome and third in line to the throne, the remaining Prince has become an object of desire for girls across the globe. The Harry Hunters follows five girls on their quest to snag a royal including Cassie who grew up in rural Iowa watching Disney movies and dreaming she would one day marry Prince Harry. She’s done her background research and has a plan – to hit his favourite haunts – from Polo clubs to exclusive Mayfair nightspots. Production Company: Rare Day; Producer and Director: Emily Hughes; Exec Producers: Emily Renshaw-Smith and Peter Dale.

Dear Mr Brady
This sensitive and poignant film tells the story of Winnie Johnson, and her son Keith Bennett who was horrifically murdered by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in the 1960s. Out of the five victims of the Moors Murderers, only Keith remains buried on Saddleworth Moor. Almost 50 years after Keith’s disappearance, Ian Brady still refuses to say where he buried the 12-year-old boy. Now 78 years-old and recently diagnosed with cancer, Winnie refuses to give up her quest to find and bring home her eldest son and makes one last plea to Ian Brady to tell her where he buried Keith. Dear Mr Brady examines the extraordinary relationship between Manchester Matron Winnie Johnson and Britain’s most notorious serial killer, Ian Brady, and reveals how Winnie has coped with every mother’s worst nightmare. Production Company: Century Films; Producer and Director: John Coffey; Exec Producer: Liesel Evans.

Fraud Lord
Lord Davenport is the extraordinary tale of ‘Fast Eddie’ Davenport and his spectacular fall from grace. How did this titled London socialite end up sentenced to 7 years behind bars? He was already notorious for a lifestyle that was said to include orgies, fast cars, and dodgy property, even before he hit the front pages following his conviction for a multiple-million pound financial fraud. Davenport has property around the world and who could not be impressed by his website which includes a gallery of photographs showing him at parties that were attended by the likes of Mick Jagger and Paris Hilton. It turned out he used the movie star pseudonym James Stewart to execute his multimillion pound con. Production Company: Ronachan Films; Producer and Director: Ruth Reid, Exec Producer: Helen Littleboy.

Stalked
Stalked is the story of how one man became entangled in the murky waters of 21st century sexual manners; and how easily the word of one person can transform your life, causing you to question your own past, and fear your own innermost thoughts. When a single, thirty-something writer living in London awoke to find a woman he’d met just hours earlier saying she loved him, an alarm bell started to ring. Six months later, his life changed for the worse. Told through dramatized sequences and interviews with friends, family, workmates and neighbours, Stalked reveals how a confident young man ends up as a terrified victim. What are the rules of contemporary sexual politics? How does it feel to be transformed on the say-so of one person, from victim to sexual assault suspect? And why does nearly everyone view the idea of a man being stalked by a woman as a joke? Production Company: ACME Films; Producer and Director: Lottie Gammon; Exec Prod: Jaimie D’Cruz.

A Tale of Two Chinas
China has an increasing impact on the UK. The Peking pound now props up the British housing and education market, Chinese hunger for haute couture accounted for a third of the spending in 2010 London Christmas sales and almost half of London’s Canary Wharf apartments are Chinese owned. The largest number of foreign students in the UK are Chinese, but they can find it hard to comprehend British culture. This is where Anglo-Chinese businesswoman Carrie Waley comes in. Carrie escaped to the UK from Beijing and now runs a strict, straight-talking finishing school for Chinese students studying here, eager to learn British customs and snap up the top international jobs, but also to take on the ‘correct’ etiquette, fashion and business persona. The film follows Carrie back to Beijing as she revisits the places of her childhood and hears her mother talking for the first time, about their family’s humiliation and persecution during the Cultural Revolution and asks if China too can reconcile past and present? Production Company: Keo Films; Producer and Director: Frankie Fathers; Exec Producer: Katie Buchanan.

Britain’s Oldest Stand Up
Chelsea Pensioner, 90-year-old Jack Woodward has a dream: to revive his career as a stand-up comic and perform on stage at the Hammersmith Apollo. This film follows Jack on a heart-warming journey as he attempts to make it in the modern world of stand-up comedy. Jack has grown restless and is looking for a challenge and wants to do one last gig to rival them all. His comedy CV is already impressive – he cut his comedy teeth in working men’s clubs in the North, performed on troop ships during WW2 and was a BBC warm-up comic in the 1960s. He complains that comedians today swear too much, but can they actually teach him a thing or two about modern comedy and help him update his act so he can compete with the best of them? For an old dog learning new tricks, the road to the Apollo will be littered with obstacles, both practical and emotional. But the reward will be the opportunity for Jack to feel the buzz of a live audience once again – and to finally achieve a life-long ambition. Production Co: Testimony Films; Producer and Director: Clair Titley; Exec Producer Steve Humphries.

Win a Baby
Fertility problems affect one in seven couples in the UK so when single mother Camille Strachan announced back in July 2011 that she would be launching the world’s first IVF lottery, it caused both a media storm and provoked a huge ethical debate. The scheme comes at a time when more and more people are citing a ‘postcode lottery’ with regards to receiving IVF treatment on the NHS and promises a monthly chance of winning a luxurious all-inclusive fertility treatment package worth £25,000, all for a £20 ticket online. Win a Baby follows Camille as she prepares and launches the first lottery of its type in Britain and meets the people who are planning on entering in the draw. Production Company: Roast Beef Productions; Producer: Danielle Clark; Director: Joseph Martin; Executive Producers: Mike Lerner and Martin Herring

What’s My Body Worth?
Could selling your hair, fingernails or eggs make you rich? Filmmaker Storm Theunissen examines the reality of the body parts industry and embarks on a hilarious yet painful personal journey; trying to sell every bit of her body she legally can from a lap-dance to her own eggs. Setting her sights on Hollywood – the market leader in egg-brokering for IVF – Storm learns that model looks and intelligence could easily net you $15,000. Egg donation must be altruistic in the UK and What’s My Body Worth is a timely contribution to this moral minefield. In April this year, the UK government is tripling the payment for expenses to £750 in a bid to solve a shortage of these donors. The film also follows Storm as she aims to discover whether her body is worth more dead than alive. Production Company: Ronachan Films; Producer and Director: Storm Theunissen; Executive Producers: Monica Garnsey and Angus Macqueen .