Film: Lay-By
Director: A G Longhurst
Writers: Julian White
Actors: Gary Hailes. Cassandra French. James Osborne
Synopsis: On a cold dark night, Lizzie’s car is broken down in a lay-by. Alone she needs help as she needs to be somewhere? Is Aiden her knight in shining tin foil? Or is he something else? But who is the one really in danger? Are they really who they say they are? Are they going to they going to the same somewhere?
In a new exclusive interview leading up to the Southend Film Festival I got a chance to ask Director A G Longhurst a few questions about the short film Lay-By.
Lay-by will be playing at the Southend Film Festival on Saturday 8th June at at 18:30 as part of the Mostly Made in Southend collection of shorts.
Q. Your film Lay-By has been selected to play at the Southend Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
A. Lay-By. Come about as we were approached by a local writer from Clacton on sea, Julian White. I decided that we could make it part of our main project, which includes our National Award-winning film Lucas and Albert and our next film Babysitters. The film is a stand-alone piece but will have connection which we hope will bring awareness to the project in general.
Q. How did the idea for the film come about and what were your inspirations when writing the script?
A. Julian White approached me with the idea. I then worked with him to develop it further. I wanted to create a pulp, comic book feel to the project. With other influences
Q. What were some of the influences for the look and style of the film?
A. My interest in crime genre stem from the crime thrillers of the 1960’s and 70’s. Tv Programmes like The Sweeny and films such as the Long Good Friday, Get Carter as well as earlier films such as The Criminal and The Robbery. With a touch of Film Noir and Tarantino thrown in for good measure.
Q. Where there any elements of the original script which were adapted during filming?
A. Yes. The characters from our previous film Lucas and Albert were written into the script to create a connection.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments whilst making the Film?
A. Working with Darren S Cook who was the director of Lucas and Albert and who is the director of Tales of the underworld. He helped me through the process. As well as this working with old friends such as James Osborne, Gary Hailes and Cassandra French
Q. Did you experience any issues whilst making the film?
A. Shooting in November with high winds and a Thunderstorm. Having to take cover while it passed.
Q. What do you hope people will take away from the film
A. I hope they will view the film as an individual piece, while also bringing awareness to the project and the universe on a whole. That will want them to see not only Lucas and Albert, Tales of the Underworld but Babysitters once it has been made.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are working on?
A. As I said we are working on Tales of the Underworld at the moment. We hope this will get us funding and investment for the final film Babysitters. I am also working on a novel about the history of the characters in the films as well as a one off TV Series
Q. If someone is looking to direct their first film, what advice would you give them?
A. Make sure you surround yourself with people that you trust and can help. Don’t be frightened, to ask for help and advice. Sometimes they see stuff you can’t.
You can find out more about the Southend Film Festival on the website
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!
Related Posts
