"HORROR-ON-SEA FILM FESTIVAL 2023"

 The IDEA 

What started as a rejected pitch  for our previous film project, “The Yird Swine” (2021), the idea of a killer stag was shelved for a long time.
 During lock down, all filming was postponed as I focused on near solo episodes of our Sci-Fi Show “The Pandora Men” (2015), generally having fun and trying to keep my mental health good during a tough time for everyone. As we entered summer of 2021, the possibility of getting people together again to film became a potential. But what to make?
 As I sat in the garden, enjoying the sun and playing with the dog, I was browsing the web when I saw an old film competition which had the prompt “SCOTLAND.” This got me thinking...a film about Scotland? Beautiful scenery? Bagpipe theme tune? Tartan? And yes, a killer stag. Thus, draft one began on “Stags Head.
 The WRITING

 The story was always designed to be simple - “Jaws with Antlers” was the first thing I wrote on a blank word document. The story flowed nicely and was written in a matter of hours. Draft 1 is never “nice” and is always rough and ready and in need of re-wording. I sent it to my brother, Andrew, who replied with one line: “so...the deer is just a deer?” to which I replied...”yes”...
 He took the script and added some of his ideas and sent back. I was worried at first it would be completely rewritten as I quite liked the simple “humans vs animal” concept. But I was thoroughly impressed with Andrew's redraft, adding in some great character arcs and an interesting “PTSD” through line. The script was ready.
 The PRODUCTION 

We began filming in May 2021 at Cove Bay, which inspired the next film project “Crannog Bay,” not to mention my desire to swim in the water! I can't describe the wonderful feeling of seeing everyone again and getting back onto filming properly – it was amazing, and everyone fell right back into it with ease. I am always impressed at how great the actors are and how much they contribute and bring to the production!
 Through the next few months we continued filming – 9 separate days in total. Stuart Mitchell offered his services as a drone operator and we got some amazing view shots and the scenes of Josh running through the forest! Just great stuff. Really added to the professionalism of the final product.
 The biggest drama was while exploring out in the wild on a day off, I slipped on rocks and seriously damaged my ankle and knee, with the camera ending up underwater! Eventually I managed to retrieve it and dried it out and...it worked! But I was essentially bed bound for 2 weeks, unable to walk or drive, but could still write! So began scripting another project inspired by my sea swimming adventures (also sea swimming was really the only exercise I could do so spent many days doing that)
 I had to move the filming schedule about so that we could film in my garden and basement for the finale, and then a few weeks later we were right back to filming again!
 Filming wrapped and we moved straight into pre-production (while simultaneously also moving into production of our next project “Crannog Bay”)
 The POST-PRODUCTION 

Different than our previous project, “The Yird Swine”, I had been editing scenes a day or two after had filmed them, so was complying the film as we went – this allowed us to do reshoots during the initial filming.  Danny began to dub, sound mix and generally work his magic with passion and dedication.
 At this point, I get the easy ride as Danny takes the reins and works hard to get everything to match my vision, sending across versions for me to comment on. I was so impressed from day one it was such a rush to see it coming together.
 The next challenge was the music. From day 1, I had always envisioned having a bombastic drum heavy theme to really set the mood for the film.  When out running one day, a track came on my playlist that hit the mark perfectly. A few years ago at a Japanese Celebration in Aberdeen, I had watched a Taiko Drumming performance by the incredibly talented Tsuchigumo Daiko, who are based in Glasgow but travel across the country doing lessons and performances. I loved the music so much so randomly one day emailed to ask if I could use their piece of music. They agreed!   
 Finally in early November, the film was finished with sound and music. I had planned to do a screening for friends and family but due to a rather serious illness it was postponed. Thankfully we were able to do it again in December, with 30 people attending. It went very well and we received some excellent feedback.
 On Christmas Eve 2021, “Stags Head” went online. I am unbelievably proud of the film, the cast, the crew and everyone who has supported us. So please check it out and let us know what you think!   

 The IDEA 

What started as a rejected pitch  for our previous film project, “The Yird Swine” (2021), the idea of a killer stag was shelved for a long time.
 During lock down, all filming was postponed as I focused on near solo episodes of our Sci-Fi Show “The Pandora Men” (2015), generally having fun and trying to keep my mental health good during a tough time for everyone. As we entered summer of 2021, the possibility of getting people together again to film became a potential. But what to make?
 As I sat in the garden, enjoying the sun and playing with the dog, I was browsing the web when I saw an old film competition which had the prompt “SCOTLAND.” This got me thinking...a film about Scotland? Beautiful scenery? Bagpipe theme tune? Tartan? And yes, a killer stag. Thus, draft one began on “Stags Head.
 The WRITING

 The story was always designed to be simple - “Jaws with Antlers” was the first thing I wrote on a blank word document. The story flowed nicely and was written in a matter of hours. Draft 1 is never “nice” and is always rough and ready and in need of re-wording. I sent it to my brother, Andrew, who replied with one line: “so...the deer is just a deer?” to which I replied...”yes”...
 He took the script and added some of his ideas and sent back. I was worried at first it would be completely rewritten as I quite liked the simple “humans vs animal” concept. But I was thoroughly impressed with Andrew's redraft, adding in some great character arcs and an interesting “PTSD” through line. The script was ready.
 The PRODUCTION 

We began filming in May 2021 at Cove Bay, which inspired the next film project “Crannog Bay,” not to mention my desire to swim in the water! I can't describe the wonderful feeling of seeing everyone again and getting back onto filming properly – it was amazing, and everyone fell right back into it with ease. I am always impressed at how great the actors are and how much they contribute and bring to the production!
 Through the next few months we continued filming – 9 separate days in total. Stuart Mitchell offered his services as a drone operator and we got some amazing view shots and the scenes of Josh running through the forest! Just great stuff. Really added to the professionalism of the final product.
 The biggest drama was while exploring out in the wild on a day off, I slipped on rocks and seriously damaged my ankle and knee, with the camera ending up underwater! Eventually I managed to retrieve it and dried it out and...it worked! But I was essentially bed bound for 2 weeks, unable to walk or drive, but could still write! So began scripting another project inspired by my sea swimming adventures (also sea swimming was really the only exercise I could do so spent many days doing that)
 I had to move the filming schedule about so that we could film in my garden and basement for the finale, and then a few weeks later we were right back to filming again!
 Filming wrapped and we moved straight into pre-production (while simultaneously also moving into production of our next project “Crannog Bay”)
 The POST-PRODUCTION 

Different than our previous project, “The Yird Swine”, I had been editing scenes a day or two after had filmed them, so was complying the film as we went – this allowed us to do reshoots during the initial filming.  Danny began to dub, sound mix and generally work his magic with passion and dedication.
 At this point, I get the easy ride as Danny takes the reins and works hard to get everything to match my vision, sending across versions for me to comment on. I was so impressed from day one it was such a rush to see it coming together.
 The next challenge was the music. From day 1, I had always envisioned having a bombastic drum heavy theme to really set the mood for the film.  When out running one day, a track came on my playlist that hit the mark perfectly. A few years ago at a Japanese Celebration in Aberdeen, I had watched a Taiko Drumming performance by the incredibly talented Tsuchigumo Daiko, who are based in Glasgow but travel across the country doing lessons and performances. I loved the music so much so randomly one day emailed to ask if I could use their piece of music. They agreed!   
 Finally in early November, the film was finished with sound and music. I had planned to do a screening for friends and family but due to a rather serious illness it was postponed. Thankfully we were able to do it again in December, with 30 people attending. It went very well and we received some excellent feedback.
 On Christmas Eve 2021, “Stags Head” went online. I am unbelievably proud of the film, the cast, the crew and everyone who has supported us. So please check it out and let us know what you think!