A BID to complete an independent film in the Isle of Man has moved a step closer as the makers start recruiting cast and production staff for the venture.
The film – Longtails – is the project of actress Elizabeth Arends, whose parents live in Douglas and boyfriend Richard Sanderson.
Penned by author Alex Hamilton, it tells the story of three criminals on the run who hide out in a run down house.
The plan is to use as the location a house in Derby Square in Douglas and the cast and production staff will use Manx talent as far as possible.
Ms Arends said: ‘We would love anyone on the island who wants to get involved to please get in touch with us.’
To make the casting of the film as simple and as accessible as possible they have used a website called Letitcast which gives some details of the film and roles available as well as allowing would-be stars to audition on-line.
The LetItCast site can be accessed at https://letitcast.com/en/castings/2099676557-longtails
Depending on the amount of interest generated, the film could even be expanded with additional scenes, which are referred to but don’t form part of the current screenplay, Ms Arends said.
‘Should there not be a part for actors there, we may be writing in the robbery scene and will have more parts available.
‘We are also looking for a 60-plus actress,’ she said.
In addition to performers, a whole production team will also be required, including sound crew and boom operator, assistant director makeup artists, runner and an art department. Ideally anyone involved in the latter would need to be creative and hands-on to take part in dressing the set of the derelict house where the film is set.
‘We have also started advertising and asking around but, we would love to be able to offer these roles to island professional and anyone who wants experience of a film set to please get in touch,’ she said.
They would like anyone who is interested to email movie@longtails.co.uk and specify if they are from the Isle of Man.
A funding bid was launched for the film on the Kickstarter website in November. This allows interested supporters to pledge sums of money which are then supplied if the film makes its target - in this case £12,000. When this failed the couple revised the budget downwards and relaunched it on their own web site.
She added: ‘We still haven’t got all the budget but we are hoping people will keep funding and pledging on our site www.longtails.co.uk so we won’t have to delve too much into the credit card situation! All fun though.’
Filming is currently scheduled to take place in the Isle of Man from February 17 to March 3 and all being well the makers are hoping to organise an island premier, possibly at the Villa Marina in the summer.