Introduction:
My film, Signs Of Life, is an uplifting, moving and often funny feature film exploring grief, kindness and connection. The script was written as my final assignment on a Master’s Degree in screenwriting, but the themes grew out of a couple of short films we made in previous years.
Inspiration:
We’ve all had the experience of oversharing with a taxi driver or someone you sit next to on a plane. I wanted to test this to its limit, two grieving adults, out of their usual environments, suffering deeply in very different ways, becoming unlikely companions. I wanted to show all the humanity and humour of real people in such a situation. Sometimes all you need is the outstretched hand.
The Process:
We made this ambitious feature film on a TINY budget. Technically, I am told this qualifies as a ‘NO budget’ feature. So I planned meticulously, my cinematographer Elliot Millson and I reccied many times, every location. I line-produced for a year and raised money on Kickstarter, and pulled in every favour I could from my thirty years in the business as an actor. We shot in the UK and on the Canary Islands with a tiny crew (only three crew members on set), and the cast and team around us were experienced but largely family and friends. Somehow, we got the film in the can on time and on budget. Post-production was a whole other story!
What It Means to Be a Finalist:
Being selected as a finalist at Worcester Film Festival is an unexpected delight. It’s great to know such a tiny but mighty film was watched and enjoyed by your team, and the main thing about any awards is the hope that more people will want to watch this useful film for the tricky times we live in. We can’t wait for it to play in Worcester.
Where to Watch / Follow:
Follow the film on Instagram @signsoflifefilm1. Our film is now released in selected cinemas across the UK, and will soon be available digitally too, distributed by the brilliant Bulldog Film Distribution. So come see, say hi to us and spread the word.
By Joseph Millson