Axman (2019)
Director: Marc Blake
Writer: Marc Blake
Stars: Fiona Hardy, Simon Scardanelli, Rob Trend, Marc Lucero, Ian Alldis
Petty rivalries and huge egos clash as Smokescreen, possibly the greatest Rock and Roll band of the 70’s reform for one last Album and tour. Trapped in an underground recording studio simmering tensions boil over with fatal results and dark humour.
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 Marc Blake a few questions about what we can expect from his new film Axman which has been selected to play at the festival.
Q. Axman has been selected to play at The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival. What can we expect from the film?
I hope, a taut, psychological thriller with a sly wit. Agatha Christie meets Spinal Tap.
Q. This is your first film as a director, why did you choose this as your first film?
Budget. It’s a project I have been developing since 2013 and when funds became available for a limited cast/location, it was my favoured option. Also, I love the story, the characters and the world.
Q. What were your influences for the look and style?
To contrast the cramped spaces of the seedy rehearsal rooms, I wanted the live footage to be saturated colour and action. Rather than dark, dingy horror tropes I wanted warmth – yellow amber/reds and browns as they grow enmired in the honey trap. Kubrick is always an influence but there was no room for wide compositions. As references, my favourite limited location movies are Pontypool, Alice Creed and Hole. In terms of Rock movies, Slade in Flame, Still Crazy and Almost Famous and of course, Spinal Tap but this is not primarily a comedy and does not go up to eleven.
Q. Did you experience any challenges whilst making the film?
Many. Storyboarding the entire movie only to be told on Day One that we were shooting it all on tripod/fixed camera – thus propelling us back to the 20th century and meaning I had to re-block every scene as we went. An extremely limited crew meaning no one for continuity, props or costumes, so a lot of time spent hunting around or sending back to London for missed items. A limited set with no roof and a tight 17-day shoot. A two-day shoot in Brighton in one room where we also slept and ate. The catering was great though, and so were the cast.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
The cast were uniformly professional, brilliantly talented, helpful and funny. They brought so much to it with their skills, patience and dedication. I could not have asked for better. I was paralysed with laughter behind the monitor each time wasted drummer Jon Ingham (Marc Lucero) wound up arrogant singer Steve Beaumont (Rob Trend) with his booze and drugs. Roz (Fi Hardy) is a complete star in the making and you simply can’t get a bad shot of her.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script?
There were several drafts before principal photography. I added the Press conference scene when a hotel became available, which opened things up. We were able to shoot flashbacks as written and not all were used. In the edit, I was able to cut a three-minute sequence about hunting for a missing mobile which, albeit tense, did not advance the story.
Q. Axman is about the ageing rock group Smokescreen who come back together to make one last album. Did you decide to use musicians or actors for the roles?
Simon Scardinelli (Roger Willows) is an amazing professional singer/guitarist and we used this as much as we could in the film. Rick Glossop (Ian Alldis) conveniently plays bass and brought his own guitar plus amp to the shoot. Jon Ingham (Marc Lucero) spent six month learning drums for the part. All four of the ‘band’ are primarily actors. I would not have cast musicians in lead roles. We just got lucky.
Q. Having made a film about musicians do you have a musical side?
Other than meandering guitar noodling, sadly not. If I could really play guitar or piano, I’d be out there doing it. I do love music however; particularly Classic Rock and Prog, which is huge now.
Q. Do you have any new projects which you are working on?
Two TV projects. Tribute is a half hour comedy about an AC/DC tribute act who get mistaken for the real band and are invited to Latvia for a million pounds. It’s NOT a Wonderful Life concerns a middle-aged man whose suicide is interrupted by a burglar who then takes responsibility for his life. I’m also performing a one-man show about Tour guiding hell called How far is Lunch? which will be at the Edinburgh Festival and the Camden Fringe in August.
Q. If someone is looking to direct their own film, what advice would you give them?
Storyboard everything. Spend plenty of time prepping your DoP and discussing exactly what it is you want and how She/he can help you to achieve that. Be fit and healthy because you will be on your feet all day, every day. Be thinking ahead by two or three days minimum so as to have flexibility. Keep calm and expect a thousand questions every day. Answer them – rightly or wrongly. You cannot be indecisive, but you must be ready to change and accept what you can and cannot do at all times. Love your characters and actors and do all you can to help them. Being polite, accommodating and patient will always pay dividends. Never lose your temper and stop drinking coffee after the fourth cup. Biscuits may seem to be your friends, but they are not. Follow the wisdom of Rudyard Kipling, but not the cakes.
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!
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