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Lastindependent.Com
Kevin Powis
Helen
Knott
D.J. Nock
Michael Hunter
Terri Wood
Alec Sedgley
Stefania Crowther
Luke Kemp
Sam Kordbacheh
Siddique
Hussain
Mat Fernandez
Saranjit Birdi
Aamar Shahzad
Becki Neal
Stephanie Latty
Mark Jeavons
Dan Squier
Matthew Gaffney
Mark Hyett
Lastindependent is a film production company with a difference! We specialise in finding untapped talent - and letting it run riot!
Using a unique "open door" policy, we attract creative and talented artists (Writers and Actors, Directors, Camera, Sound and Make-up) to our web site (you guessed it - www.Lastindependent.com) and we enable them to produce original marketable content.
As you can probably tell from our name, we see the Internet as central to our business model. We shoot and edit all movies on Digital media (DVCAM or 3CCD Mini-DV) and we are also are heavily involved in pushing back the boundaries of Movie distribution via the web on a pay-per-view basis.
The Golden Sphere production was the testing ground for this business plan and the fact that in a few short months Lastindependent went from a storyline to raising 100% of all production and post-production costs from third parties - who believe in this business plan - speaks volumes.
It is nothing short of amazing how, by using the Internet as a tool, Lastindependent.com has been able to collect such a fantastic group of people together - all with their own unique skills.
Now we will roll this film out and ensure maximum exposure for their incredible talents - in front and behind the camera!
Producer and
Director Kevin Powis
My interests have long included writing and videography so I guess
it was natural that I should eventually combine them - and what
better way than film making. Once I had 'bit-the-bullet' and
decided to make a film I knew I had to recruit help to ensure the
best possible result in every area of the production.
All I started with was a few storylines that had been floating around my head for several years. I needed some way to reach out and connect with other people who had different skills and also wanted to share a film making experience. What better way than the Internet?
Thus LastIndependent.com was born...
I had facilities placed on the site that allowed visitors to volunteer their specialist services - such as screenwriting, acting, directing, camera, sound, make-up and even casting. Within weeks the site was receiving 100 hits per week from like-minded individuals - a lot of these obviously just thought it would be cool to 'have a go' - but we were also attracting professional and semi-professionals as well as obviously very talented and experienced amateurs (who in a few years would be the next batch of very expensive professionals). A talent pool any Producer would kill for (not literally of course that wouldn't be good).
Everyone who registered on the site received the same invites to take part. I thought that it was important to have an open door policy. So the beginner has the same chance as the professional. Such is these things that from the hundreds who registered when push came to shove and someone said "OK Here's your chance" 99% disappeared - probably never to be seen again. But the remaining 1% were talent in its purest form - a valuable untapped asset and a joy to work with.
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Helen gained her
Film and Communications Degree at Glamorgan Uni, then Film making
Diploma from The New York Film Academy, based at Universal Studios
in LA.
As as
part of that course she made many short films. On return to the UK
she learnt about Lastindependent.com's open door policy and
applied through the web site. Since teaming with
Lastindependent.com Helen has given several radio interviews and is
now compiling a schedule of film festivals to ensure maximum
coverage for The Golden Sphere.
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I'm a college film student lucky enough to have been chosen for this project - my first produced screenplay. Like everyone else involved, this is my chance to gain experience in the field I long to be successful in. I have been an avid fan of cinema for years (as my weekly online review column will show). It is a dream come true for me to work on such a film, and it was immensely enjoyable to watch the project grow from an idea to a fully-realised screenplay. Hopefully this will be the start of many projects with Last Independent!
It was a joy bringing Kevin's ideas to life, through my words, and I am looking forward to the shoot as it draws closer. Though I have been writing about cinema for years, it is my ambition to grow within the medium; to sample different roles in the film-making ladder, and to one day direct. Lets just hope that "The Golden Sphere" is the start of something greater.
When David's not writing brilliant scripts he is busy watching movies from every genre. So good his he at this that a large DVD site from the US recruited him to be their resident Film Critic/Reviewer.
The DVD
site itself is located at:
www.dvdmaniacs.net and there are scores
of David's reviews there for any film you may think about
watching.
Here are a few direct links to some of David's work
Volume 1 of his column
Volume 2 of his column
"Phone Booth"
"Die Another Day"
"Experiment in Terror"
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Terri bought her vast experience of acting and casting to the production of The Golden Sphere and helped us choose the superb actors that have made the parts come to life. She was also ready on set to give guidance to the actors and to whip the extras up into a frenzy when we filmed the club scene.
Terri trained
at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama and is a member of
British Equity. She has also written, acted and directed for
stage, television and radio. She has been directing and teaching
drama in schools for over 20 years in the U.K. and abroad.
Terri is currently running Youth Theatre classes and directing
Panto!
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Alec gives a memorable performance in The Golden Sphere as loose cannon Marlon 'Moose' Jennings. Alec is 16 years old but is already a seasoned performer and has been acting for five years starring in a number of amateur productions in that time.
When not being filmed or treading the boards Alec is also an accomplished musician - playing the Tuba, Guitar and also singing.
He has just finished his GCSE's and is now moving on to college to study Music, Maths, Theatre Studies and Communication Studies.
Stefania has a Certificate of Higher Education in Acting and Theatre from East 15 school of Acting and is already well experienced on the stage with many theatre roles under her belt including:
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Titania- A
Midsummer Night's Dream, Snapback Theatre company at The Mill
Theatre Sedgely Catesby- Richard III, East 15 Florence Boothroyd- Billy Liar, East 15 Kate/Barbara- Play With Repeats (Martin Crimp), East 15. Don Pedro- Much Ado About Nothing, Central Youth Theatre Desdemona- Othello, Central Youth Theatre Nurse Ratched- One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Central Youth Theatre Creon- Antigone, School |
She has also
trained towards LAMDA certificated in Acting (Grade 8) and Verse
and Prose (Bronze Medal) and if that's wasn't enough she also
plays the piano (Grade 5) Double Bass (Grade 4) and Sings (Grade
5)
She will be starting a BA in Film and Literature at University in
September and is set to play Juilet (Romeo and Juliet) at the Mill
Theatre, Sedgely at Easter 2004.
Luke gives a superb performance as Sam Rushmore, one of the central three characters of The Golden Sphere.
Luke says:
I am a 17 year old acting student currently studying in my 2nd year for a national btec. After I have completed my 2 year course I am moving down to London where I hope to study for a 3 year hons degree in acting.
I have played main roles in many commercial shows such as:
James Bond
Moll Flanders
The Music Man
and many variety shows
I have just recently just finished a short film who's director was the story board artist for block buster films like Bridget Jones Diary 2 & Armageddon.
Also when I was in school I played a main role in another short educational film that got sent round many of the schools in the U.K.
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My devotion to acting, singing and dancing has led to my involvement with many amateur shows and productions. I have recently completed a project at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, in which I played a principal role in the performance of Guys and Dolls. This was an unforgettable experience that I would be thrilled to repeat, given the opportunity.
Another recent exciting experience of mine, was reading the Midlands weather on BBC1 from an auto-cue to which I wrote the script. It opened my mind to the immense stress that live news and weather readers are subjected to. It was a thoroughly enjoyable encounter.
However, my involvement with the film company LastIndependent.com has definitely been the icing on the cake for my amateur performance experience.
Films are what I aspire to work in, and hopefully one day I will reach my dream of becoming an actor who is content with life…
I will be continuing my education at college, where I will study for A-levels in Theatre Studies, English Literature and Language, Art and Design, and Psychology. Once completed, I intend to migrate to London and gain an Acting Degree at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
A great and wise friend once informed me that if I ever doubted myself in this business, then it would not be the business for me… I intend to accomplish my goals, and achieve my dreams, for at the end of the day, life is one big risk.”
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Siddique Hussain - Mr Musharraf
41 yrs old. Asian Male.
A self confessed film fan and lover of all things entertainment, Siddique Hussain, plays a small but critical role in lastindependent.com’s production of ‘The Golden Sphere’.This is his first video short film.
Siddique’s love affair with the movies started in the 70’s with Roger Moore’s ‘The spy who love me’ bond film and the start of the ‘blockbuster’ rollercoaster trend in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Further exposure to Woody Allen, Terry Gilliam, Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Bob Zemeckis and George Lucas helped to seal his fate.
As a professional marketing consultant his role on this short film extends beyond that of acting. He is also serving as stills photographer, behind the scenes documentary maker and will be steering the promotional campaign during the coming months.
Siddique says’ “My love of
films and in particular genres and filmmakers stems largely from
the desire for escapism and was, and continues to be, influenced
by long serving critics such as Barry Norman and visionaries like
George Lucas, Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles. I just love the
whole storytelling process.”
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See a colour
version of this picture showing make-up in more details in the
"Behind Scenes" section
I got involved with making the film purely out of curiosity. As it was local, I went to see what was going on and was given a nerve-wracking audition there and then, in front of a line up of what seemed like most of the crew.
Surprisingly
I was offered a part in the film - I think they were short of
applicants. (No Mat you were just very good! - Kevin)
Nerves soon went and filming was really enjoyable. It was
interesting to talk to the cast and crew and see how the different
aspects of filming and sound are put together. It also makes you
realise how talented professional actors are - bringing to life
characters with nothing to go on but some writing on a page.
Also had some
really good broken-nose make-up put on by Jennifer, which fooled
one of my mates! (See picture)
Looking forward to seeing how the final film looks. If they make a
sequel I'd be up for another go.
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Saranjit plays a vital role in The Golden Sphere, one of Mr Musharraf's hench men - Kamram. With Mat (who plays Haider -the Driver) he is sent to track down Meg Sam and Moose. He can be seen in action on several of the daily rushes clips.
Saranjit is 43 and a Multimedia Artist and Architect
I'll let Saranjit take over from here...
I have performed on stage as dancer and jazz percussionist over the past 20 year and I relish the energy and spontaneity of improvisation in these particular arts.
Having studied literature, three years ago I got the bug for writing and began working on a crime thriller. This led to a writing a 10 minute Short film script. Subsequently I was accepted on a Trainee programme with Screen West Midlands working with funded short films. I auditioned for 'The Golden Sphere' for experience and, to my delight, was accepted, . This was my first acting role although I have done tv extra work such as on Dalziel and Pascoe and research for BBC documentary on inner city regeneration.
The crew on this production have been excellent and very focussed. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience as, I believe, art should be.
Awaiting
Photo
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Aamar plays Mr Ali's bodyguard and is seen in three scenes in the movie.
It was my first time ever that I considered my self as an actor, and actually my first audition too. I have recently entered the world of film and TV production and hope to equip myself with great understanding of media development and production.
I really enjoyed working alongside this team - well done everyone and good luck to all.
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When Becki auditioned for the part of Meg in The Golden Sphere it was a very hard decision to call. As is the way sometimes in acting this time she didn't get the part she auditioned for but she impressed us that much that we wrote a small cameo part into the script for her. She can be seen on stage with Michael and later in a bar scene.
Becki says:
I am also a singer and love singing in my spare time apart from acting singing plays another serious role in my life. I've recently started a club singing career.
In my spare time I write poems and songs on the guitar.
Since the age of 10 I have played main roles in many Theatre shows such as:
Crazy for
you
Cabaret
Charlie Girl
Aladdin
Beauty And the Beast
Dick Whittington
Moll Flanders
I have stared in many Variety shows and also I took part in a one night showing of a show celebrating the Hippodromes 100th birthday in another variety musical theatre show.
I have played in the chorus in many theatre shows such as:
Mother
Goose
Oklahomma
Sleeping Beauty
Annie
I feel that one day my talent for singing and acting will allow me to make a successful career in films shows and a singing.
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Stephanie is a fully qualified film makeup artist and was busy on set every day during the shoot. She studied her craft at Worcester college of Technology as has worked on many productions before The Golden Sphere.
| Dalziel & Pascoe BBC
Birmingham Bad People (Short Film) The Owl & The Pussycat The Swan Theatre, Worcester Victorian Theme Week Worcester Museum Jack the Ripper Kidderminster College Storm Studios - Stourbridge |
She is also an accomplished painter. Some of her work from both art forms are shown here.
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He trained at The Lighthouse Centre in Wolverhampton and was one of the students chosen to have his storyline 'Death by Chocolate' made into a film.
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As well as being a computer wiz, Dan is a 'sound' man in every sense of the word. Highly experienced, he proved to be a great asset on set helping us to make the best of some difficult locations.
Dan likes it when people describe him as a 'sound man'.
Matthew, who is
very experienced in video production, travelled into Stourbridge
everyday from Coventry to assist Mark and Dan with Camera work and
Sound on set.
I grew up in England, and at 24 moved to Atlanta in the US to study a degree in music. After graduating, I went on to work for a very successful commercial composer, where I got loads of experience in all aspects of film and TV music production. After seven years, I got the itch to come back to England. I got myself a job for a video game company, writing music and creating sound effects, and I really enjoyed it. However, film music is the field I love, which is why I contacted Kevin at LastIndependent.
If you want to contact me, my e-mail is mark.hyett@virgin.net