Film Name: The Station
Director: Scott Dolling
Writer: Scott Dolling
Starring: Paul Dolling
What is going on at White Notley station? Why does no one seem to use it? Why do villagers not even want to talk about it? These questions have stirred interest from a regional news reporter, but there’s no certainty that anyone will be particularly bothered or notice what he discovers, or whether he returns!
In a new Exclusive Interview on Blazing Minds ahead of Horror-on-Sea I got a chance to ask Writer/Director Scott Dolling a few questions about the film ‘The Station‘
The Station will play at Horror-on-Sea on Saturday 18th January at 10.00am.
Q. Your film has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect?
A. This is a short film made in the style of a regional news item, picking up a local interest story. It starts off in a family living room on a typical evening when folks have the tv on in the background largely oblivious to what might be showing on scheduled TV in favour of society’s intoxication by mobile devices.
Q. What were some of your influences when writing the script?
A. This was born of a wider set of spooky activities shaping up in the village. I wanted to produce a short film to headline some ghostly tales on a walk and be able to provide the audience a highlight and something we would struggle to replicate live due to venue size.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. Probably Tales of the Unexpected and Inside Number 9 were in my thoughts with a seemingly benign non-event hiding something more sinister and with a touch of humour.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. Some small amendments largely to make it fit with the time and people we had available.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. This was completely done at pace and was fortunate that the only day I could come to make the second shoot was identical weather wise to the first otherwise would have been very difficult with any sense of continuity. Filming the vicar being interviewed in a different village church to where the interviewer was shot still makes me chuckle and in fact the two actors have still not met in person.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. Time pressure was ridiculous. I only had my lead actor for 2 hours and had to film a number of scenes in different locations with him. We were doing this completely with family and friends due to the nature of the broader project and no one really knew their lines and it was very much seat of the pants stuff to get the location work completed in time. There was one day of filming with the cast and one day of mostly GVs and me (plus the pub manager for a section we didn’t have time for on the main day). My nephew Alex pieced together some really challenging continuity issues and was an absolute star producing this film.
Q. What makes it stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. The premise of the station being the least used is accurate and the mystery why remains unresolved. I leave some questions about what happens at the end but at the same time there is a definite conclusion. The fate of the protagonist, along with the fate regional media is in the hands of the audience!
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. Come and visit White Notley station to find out more and see if you bump into the station master!
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. Always plenty of ideas invading my head.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Allow more time than I did. Lots more!
The Station will play at Horror-on-Sea on Saturday 18th January at 10.00am.
You can find out more about the festival and purchase tickets here
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!
