Films: Split Check
Director: Daniel Keeble
Writer: Daniel Keeble
Actors: Alice Ryan, Samantha Anderson
Synopsis: This micro-short features Alice Ryan as the conflicted Rachel, meeting for lunch with her supportive best friend Nikki, played by Samantha Anderson, as they discuss signing her divorce papers.
With The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival will be returning once again from Thursday 8th June to Sunday 11th June, I got an opportunity to ask co-Writer/Director Daniel Keeble a few questions about the film ‘Split Check‘ which has been selected to play at the festival on Saturday 10th June at 6:30pm
Q. What can we expect from the film Split Check?
A. Handling life-changing moments is always easier when you have support from a friend or a family member, and ‘Split Check‘ is a glimpse at one important juncture, that is ultimately surrounded by a lie. This micro-short film closely examines the difference between romance and reality as a confession between friends about the end of a marriage slowly unfolds, with the wounded wife seeking comfort in the one who may have more to do with the breakup than she ever imagined. A fascinating examination of betrayal, relationships and how both can’t go together.
Q. How did the idea for the film come about?
A. The need to make a simple, one day shoot sparked the idea to create a film in one location, two female characters. Summer 2022, ARK Pictures was approached to provide work experience for a student, and as we didn’t have anything coming up we thought let’s just make something new for this. I also wanted to challenge myself, to see if I could do everything myself; so alongside teaching the student, I directed the actors, I set up the lighting, did the cinematography, dealt with the sound, as well as edit the film on set. So, essentially, we set out to make something simple, but I feel we came out with something a bit more than that, and I’m very proud of it.
Q. What were some of the influences for the look and style of the film?
A. We wanted to create a micro-short story that is emotionally driven, allowing the characters space to contemplate, to make decisions, for the dialogue to flow and for the audience to feel and experience the confusing dilemma for both characters by the time we reach the end credits. Films that allow space between words influenced our approach, deliberately slowing down the pace so we can feel the conflict wrapping around both the characters’ headspace.
Q. Where there any elements of the original script which were adapted during filming?
A. A few things here and there were adapted on the day, but the one thing I’m really pleased with is Samantha and Alice’s acting in this. It can be tricky to imagine how certain shots could come across, in the writing phase, but to see it come to life and see that emotion and what they bring to the table…really powerful stuff. A lot of ARK films don’t have too much dialogue, but this was a great chance for them both to showcase what they can do.
Q. Did you experience any issues whilst making the film?
A. As always, a lack of time was an issue, as well as crew. We knew this would constrain us for sure, but we never set out to make an elaborate film in the first place. If we had more time and more people involved the film would be different (for better or for worse), perhaps more elaborate compositions, for example.
Q. What do you hope people will take away from the film
A. If you have a story to tell, find some friends, find a location, grab a camera and shoot it. This is a short film that started off as an experiment more than anything, but it really showed what we could do as filmmakers, and in particular what Samantha and Alice can do as actors. We’re not breaking ground, regarding the narrative, but we hope we can inspire other filmmakers to just get on with it and create.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are working on?
A. We have 2 feature films we’re hoping to make one day. Since ‘Split Check’, we’ve created a short film titled ‘Nuts’ (also playing at Southend Film Festival), which is written and directed by local filmmaker Dave Gardner. A powerful film that we’re really proud of. Beyond that, we’ve been in a really good, creative space: we’ve shot ‘The Night Blooms’, a disturbing short film about a mother who keeps her children permanently asleep, we have ‘Alleviate’, an emotional story featuring local actor Darren Kent, and our big summer short film is ‘Limp’, which is an absurd dark comedy, which we’re currently raising the funds for it! Shameless plug: https://greenlit.com/project/limp
Q. If someone is looking to direct their first film, what advice would you give them?
- Read books and learn from the greats, watch lots of movies, world cinema, classic Hollywood. But also, get out there and live…make new experiences for yourself so you have a unique story to tell.
The Southend Film Festival will run from Thursday 8th June to Sunday 11th June
You can find out more about the films and purchase tickets for the Southend Film Festival 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!
