The Box (2018)
Director: Christopher L Cook
Writer: Vivien Reid
Stars: Vivien Reid, Steven Duffy, Elspeth Turner,Garth Williams, Gareth Morrison
Following the disappearance of Rachel’s husband Richard, a mysterious box is delivered to their home. In order to move on with her life, she must first bury the past.
Date & Venue: Sunday 20th January 20:00
Park Inn by Radisson Palace, Southend, Church Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2AL, UK
With The Box having been selected to play at Horror-on-sea Film Festival I got a chance to ask writer and leading actresses Vivien Reid a few questions about what we can expect from the film.
Q. The Box is a new short film which has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival, what can people expect from the film?
The film was shot in Scotland with an incredible cast and crew. Directed by Christopher Cook and his brother Steven Cook was our superb cinematographer. It has a stunning original score composed by Philip Curran, the music actually becomes a character within the story. It is a Psychological Drama that shifts through many different worlds, home life, work life, the woods and nature and then the unconscious or dream world.
Q. How did the original concept for the film come about?
I had been writing feature films and getting really good feedback within the industry, but these projects require huge budgets, so I was encouraged to write a short film. I like to take long walks in the countryside and be near the river and it is on these walks that often the ideas start to dance, the trick is to catch them, then to get them down onto paper. I am very visual when writing so I can already see it up on the big screen. I find it thrilling getting to know my characters and finding out what makes them act the way they do. It’s all a game. A magical one at that.
Q. In addition to writing the script you also appear in the film as Rachel. When writing the character, did you write it with the intention of playing the role of Rachel yourself?
I have always wanted to be an actor it is my passion and it is part of my soul, the industry is very tough and lack of work can be crippling so if you can write a character that excites you then why not. Yes, I had every intention of playing Rachel.
Q. Are there any elements of Rachel which reflect your own character?
She is a survivor and she is motivated.
Q. Did you experience any difficulties whilst filming The Box?
A. We started shooting the film the week before Christmas, winter in Scotland is very challenging the weather constantly changing.
Q. Where any elements of the original script changed during filming?
We had the most incredible crew and wonderful actors, and everyone came with their own input and ideas, we all worked well as an ensemble the dream sequence became stronger through collaboration. Christopher our director also worked magic in the editing room.
Q. What was one of your favourite moments during the filming of The Box?
The snow all that glorious snow it was a gift from the gods and the moon made an appearance set against a blue sky which for me was a dream come true. We were also fed particularly well with food being delivered fresh each day from our local butchers and bakers The Forsyths, with it being so cold and the days long, we needed really good healthy food.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
I am working on my first play The Waiting Room, we held a rehearsed reading of it in December and have a full team of brilliant people on board, so it is all about pushing that forwards and I am always looking for acting work. I also have written feature films that are ready to go! Just need money!
Q. What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get into acting and/or writing themselves
I am not one for giving advice each path is different. I would say trust your gut instinct and surround yourself with good people. The industry can be extremely cruel and there are too many vampires out there willing to suck you dry. I trained at the National Youth Theatre and then later I went onto train at The Drama Centre in London and for me, it was the perfect training. I started writing when I was temping in London, I needed to find a way of being creative I didn’t know if I was going to be any good at it, I just knew I had to find a way to use my imagination. It helped me through some very dark times. I would say give it a try what have you got to lose. Dreams are so important so never give up on them.
You can find out more about The Box on IMDB and more about Vivien Reid on Spotlight and IMDB
You can find out more about The Box on IMDB
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Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
