Introduction:
Gone For Milk is a comedy short about a couple of brothers killing time after escaping a family funeral.
Inspiration:
The film began when our co-producer and DOP, Harry Zundel, suggested we make a short.
We’d just finished a couple of commissioned projects that had been great but quite structured, and we were itching to make something that felt freer and more instinctive. Harry already had a handful of oddly specific images in mind: someone shouting at sheep, someone wandering around a church, and the backs of two people’s heads as they drove around in a car. He told me to “go write it up.” I wasn’t entirely sure what “it” was, but I’m nothing if not obedient, so I tried to build a story around those fragments.
It’s about doubt, avoidance, wondering if you’ve made the right life choices, and the peculiar, comforting intimacy of having a sibling who really annoys you. But really, it’s just about two brothers who have a couple of hours to kill.
The Process:
We were thrilled when Dave and Jack agreed to star, though the timing was chaotic. On the only day we could borrow a camera, Jack had an audition for a Maltesers advert, and Dave needed to be back by 4 p.m. to collect his child from school. So Harry and I spent some time driving around looking for the closest possible place to their houses in London that still
looked like the countryside. We knocked on doors, asked strangers if we could use their church/shop, car park/driveway, and amazingly, everyone said yes. People are nice!
Because of the time constraints, we shot the whole film in about six hours, with a crew of just 3 people. Me, Harry and our sound recordist, Sam. It was rushed and manic, but I think there’s a lot to be said for a crew this small. Although it still wasn’t small enough to all fit in the car we were shooting in so the sound recordist had to record sound from his car and drive as close as he could to the main car so the signal wouldn’t cut out. A real pro.
Much of the dialogue was improvised on the day, and we encouraged Dave and Jack to find their own way through the scenes without worrying too much about the specific lines. I think this way of working really adds a huge amount to a film, but relies, in an almost cruel way, on the amazing performers. Luckily, Dave and Jack are two of the best improvisers in the UK, so if the film is good, it’s all thanks to them really.
P.s. Dave got home in time to pick his daughter up, and Jack got the part in the Maltesers advert 👍 .
What It Means to Be a Finalist:
How does it feel to have your work recognised at Worcester Film Festival? It’s a huge honour for Gone For Milk to be nominated at Worcester. The process was scrappy at times, but every member of the team gave it everything, and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with them. I do feel a little sheepish about being singled out in the Best Director category – it really did take a (very small) village. I owe everything to Harry, Dave, Jack, Sam and all the very amazing people who worked on the film in post. I’m in love with them all.
Comedy can sometimes struggle on the festival circuit outside specialist festivals, so for this film not only to be selected but also nominated is a wonderful, heartening surprise.
Where to Watch / Follow (50 words):
You could, if you really wanted to, follow Harry and I on instagram at @willfarrell and @harryzundel. And why not go and see Dave and or Jack performing in London while you’re at it?