Sophie and the Danegeld (2019)
Director: Michael Wood Wilson
Writer: Michael Wood Wilson
Stars: Daisy Boyden, Daniel Godward and Daniel O’Leary
The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival will be returning for its 11th year from 23rd May to 27th May. In preparation for the event I got an opportunity to ask writer-director Michael Wood Wilson a few questions about what we can expect from his new film Sophie and the Danegeld which has been selected to play at the festival.
Q. Sophie and the Danegeld has been selected to play at The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival. What can we expect from the film?
Sophie and the Danegeld is a crime thriller set in south Essex around Southend-on-Sea. You can expect plot twists, action and plenty of outdoor scenes filmed at south Essex landmarks: for example, Southend pier, Hadleigh Castle, Gipsy Bridge at Chalkwell. I shouldn’t reveal more, really.
Q. What were your inspirations for the story when writing the film?
Film noir. Raymond Chandler. The Big Sleep, the Bogart version of 1946. Although my film isn’t a noir as such and doesn’t feature an investigator like Bogart, its story focuses on blackmail and there’s a lot going on both in front of you on screen and behind the scenes.
Q. What were your influences for the look and style?
It’s a short film and I wanted to pack a lot in. I wanted depth, lots of plot twists and for people to have to think about what’s happening. Showcasing Southend pier and other local spots was a bonus. A quick pace, and punchy short scenes are also a feature of the film. There are 13 scenes and hopefully they move quickly enough for no-one to get bored. The film really gets going halfway through, I just hope viewers stick around long enough.
Q. Did you experience any issues or challenges whilst making the film?
We filmed at the tail end of a hurricane that had crossed the Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico so it was extremely windy all week. This also meant hard work cleaning up the audio files. Watch Sophie’s hair blowing around and the palm trees bending at Westcliff.
My cameraman and co-producer Struan Wallace was nearly killed in a car crash 3 weeks before filming and could hardly move his neck when filming commenced. He is a trooper, a tough Scot.
Jamie Oliver’s film crew were filming an episode of one of his food shows on the pier the day we arrived, with his staff and security everywhere. We turned up, just 8 of us. We had permission to film from Southend Film Unit but had a tiny window to film our scene and were told to keep out of Oliver’s way. The pier staff were great though. We told them we were local, and they got us onto the sun deck right at the end of the pier, kind of guarded it for us and left us to it so we got what we wanted.
An actor dropped out a few days before filming, the night before I had to fly to France on a short trip. I had to find a replacement whilst at Gatwick before boarding my flight, calling agents.
One of my actors had a heart attack the day before filming. I only found out on the day. I asked why they weren’t at home or in hospital resting and getting treatment. They replied they didn’t want to let me down. I thought that was fantastic and the actor will have my loyalty and support forever in return. Compare that to the actor who dropped out at short notice!
Due to wind, rain and traffic noise we sometimes had to film 3 or 4 scenes in a day with just a couple of usable takes per scene. It was brutal. But that’s low budget for you. I couldn’t reshoot or close off streets like the BBC.
I work couldn’t out the ending, the main twist. One night I had been out boozing and was very drunk and the idea came to me.
Making even a short film is extremely stressful. If one actor is ill your whole expensive day is ruined and has to be re-done. If it’s raining and you needed sun, you’re doomed.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
Daisy Boyden playing Sophie is a revelation. A fine actress and great to work with. Loved filming the Southend pier scene.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
I changed just one word during filming. “knew” became “know”. I don’t usually change any of the script during filming as it’s a dangerous path. Most lines and scenes are interconnected with others in the film and if you change something you can upset something else and discover your error in post-production when it’s too late, the actors are gone and the moment is lost. But I will improvise in other ways such as choice of shot or even location on the day.
Q. Do you have any new projects which you are working on?
I have several ideas for a new film but haven’t started writing any fresh scripts as yet.
Q. If someone is looking to direct their own film, what advice would you give them?
Study old Hollywood, not new Hollywood.
Don’t get too fancy with shots of two actors talking to each other – a master shot and a couple of over each shoulder shots will often suffice if short of time. Get fancy with your non-dialogue shots, get perfect composition, study art, angles, watch Antonioni’s L’Avventura (1960), especially its second half.
Focus on getting the script right first. Check out locations well in advance, photograph them and view at home before choosing the final location.
The better the script the easier it is for the director and actors. Everyone will believe in the film and give their best.
You can find out more about Sophie and the Danegeld on the website www.sophieandthedanegeld.com
The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival runs from Thursday 23rd May to Monday 27th May. You can find out more about the event and purchase tickets on the website https://www.southendfilmfestival.com
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!
