MANCATTAN

Mancattan

2011-11-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

Mancattan
Uploaded by renderyardchannel. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.

Enough has been said about this film in other places, and since April 2010 it has occupied the World Stage and been seen by thousands of people. This is more than we ever dared to dream about, and everyone involved is hugely grateful and thankful for every single viewing. To say getting Mancattan this far is an understatement to say the least. However, at its simplest, we set out with a few simple questions.

"Is it possible for a few people with an idea, and the passion, to go out and make their own feature film? Will people like it? Will it do well? Can it be done?"

The answer is Yes.

Enjoy our film, and if the mood takes you, go make movies. - Love, Team Mancattan

If you have enjoyed the film, please consider making a donation to one of our chosen charities.
Thank you.

The Neurofibromatosis Association - http://www.nfauk.org/

Direct donation link - http://www.justgiving.com/nfa/Donate/

The Glossop Mountain Rescue Team - http://www.gmrt.org.uk

Direct donation link - http://www.justgiving.co.uk/Charity/Donate.aspx?cid=188612

Colin Warhurst - What he did next

2011-10-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

Colin Warhurst went onto make the short films Karma and Bog Standard and became the Director of Photography and Editor of the micro-feature film, The Watcher

He also became joint editor (alongside Producer, Chris Lane) of the collaborative independent film website www.northwestnewwave.org.uk and is a regular contributor to the Manchester branch of the Kino movement Filmonik

He is still a film-maker, working as a Camera Operator on films across the UK, and continues to work on his own projects as Writer/Director such as the web-series Cities Of Reign

His continuing work can be found at here;
www.colinwarhurst.co.uk

Phil Drinkwater - What he did next

2011-10-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Phil Drinkwater went onto make the short 'Count Dave' and is now a successful musician in the Electro-Synth band, The Narrows

Their website can be found here;
thenarrows.bandcamp.com/

Mancattan Write Up - www.brettgerry.co.uk

2010-10-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

Mancattan receives another write up, this time from Feature Film maker Brett Gerry on his rather excellent website www.brettgerry.co.uk

Brett makes it his business to research and comment upon the often sorry state of British Film, but he is also a film-maker himself and so directly understands not only the crazy ambition to helm a feature film independently, and the difficulties therein, but also the conditions into which such films are released.

Like a few of us on the region (see www.northwestnewwave.org.uk) we are trying to change things for the better. In this climate, Brett looks at Mancattan and has a few favourable words to say about our humble (and dare I say audacious?) attempt at creating a Film all by ourselves.

http://www.brettgerry.co.uk/2010/10/mancattan-2009-dir-phil-drinkwater-and-colin-warhurst/

Mancattan Feature - Glossop Advertiser

2010-09-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

Wahey, a feature on the Glossop Advertiser's main website regarding Mancattan's release. Thanks Advertiser!

http://menmedia.co.uk/glossopadvertiser/news/s/1313613_log_on_to_feature_film_and_help_rescue_team

Mancattan star goes onto Save The World

2010-08-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

That's right, our very own Sasha Kasthuriarachchi (with Vincent Heselwood in tow of course) have won a fantastic competition that has enabled them to travel and stay in Zambia for a year doing some highly important charity work. The video below sees Sasha explaining how the competition came about, why it is so important, and the value and serious nature of the work that she will be doing whilst over there.

This is not only a fantastic sounding adventure, but something that will have lasting positive effects in the areas they go to. Hoping to initialise links between schools in South Africa and schools in the UK, technology will be at the forefront of their work, and will also hopefully mean we can keep in touch with what they are doing.

We're unbelievably chuffed for both Vinny and Sash, and it is the very least we can do to help promote and plug the charity and the work they're up to, so if you can, please check out Sash'a incredibly brilliant work and join us in wishing our very own pair of Mancattan-Superheroes every success whilst they are over there.

http://www.pepaids.org/

Derek & Amy chat to Sasha Kasthuriarachchi from Hulme in Manchester who has beaten 2,500 people to win one of eight places in the Vodafone Foundation's 2010 World of Difference International programme.

On the International Stage

2010-07-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Mancattan fans,

Two bits of news today. The first isn't directly related to the film, but hear us out! Whilst filming Mancattan in New York way back in 2007, I took it upon himself to meet up with "someone from the internet." Don't worry, this isn't as sordid as it sounds! I had been a member of the Don Murphy Transformers message boards during the build up to the first Michael Bay Transformer film (the less said about that here the better...)

That person was a fellow film-maker from New York who online went under the moniker of "Jester JJZ" but in real life is known as Jarek Zabczynski. A few of of "Stooges" from Don's message baords had tried to arrnage real life meet ups, and so Jarek and I decided to be the first international meet and greet.

Jarek and I met up for the first time in person during filming and shared a burger in the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. After much discussion about Cameras, High-Definition, American Girls and some stuff about Giant Transforming robots, we posed for a pic and continued on our film adventure ways. Jarek's work is quite simply amazing, and cinematography wise in an entirely different bracket to Mancattan (which was shot on a humble PD170) and seeing as how Mancattan is finally gearing up for it's worldwide release on Juy 30th, I thought it timely to throw our American friend a shout out for his latest video masterpiece, "We'll Be Alright" - a music video for the artist Theory, which is quite simply... well, see for yourself; it is a stunning piece not just form a cinematic point of view, but just check out the amount of special effects and how well integrated they are into the piece.

Nice one Jarek, thanks again for your hospitality in NYC.

The second bit of news is that is you do a Google Search for "Mancattan 30th July" (or just click here) we are getting loads of results in search engines. The Daily Motion trailer is now almost at 900 and some American websites are also getting wind of it. It will be really interesting to hear what Americans, especially New Yorkers, think about our efforts.

All I can say is roll on Friday when I can finally sit back, stop pushing this film, and simply sit back to see if it loved or loathed by The World. The upshot is, that even if the film isn't to your liking, surely giving to charityis, so it is a good job that every hit coutns on our quest to make some money for our two fantastic charities.

Anyhow, over and out for now, and for anyone interested in Jarek's work have a ganders at his website ( http://www.jesterpictures.com/ ), and for any non-Brits out there reading this post, please check out Mancattan. It would be great to know what you think.

Peace Out - Col (a.k.a. The Defiant. Cheers Stooges!)

Mancattan countdown trailer gets 754 hits!

2010-07-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

Wow! The folks at Dailymotion have been screenig our trailer all this month (which we had no idea about) and it has already received a whopping 754 hits!

http://www.dailymotion.com/renderyardchannel#hp-e-l

Click the link and see for yourselves, and please, tell your friends! I had no idea that this film would be so anticipated already! Thanks again everyone, 7 days to go!

Col

Watch Mancattan: For Free!

2010-06-18T01:59:00.000-07:00

JULY 31st - THIS IS THE DATE YOU NEED TO PUT IN YOUR CALENDARS!

Finally, 3 years and four months after stepping off the plane in New York, we are able to bring our film to you, for free! Mancattan will be available for free viewing via;

WWW.RENDERYARD.COM

Many thanks to Mark and everyone at Renderyard for taking us on. They really liked the film and offered to distribute it online, for free. Big on the small screen, Mancattan is coming at you, for free, and all proceeds from advertising revenue go directly to charity. Spread the word, tell your friends, get ready to watch the globe-spanning independent film that put Manchester, The North West and England on the map of Indie Film-making.

OUR CHOSEN CHARITIES

The Neurofibromatosis Association - http://www.nfauk.org/

DIRECT DONATION LINK, NFA
http://www.justgiving.com/nfa/Donate/

The Glossop Mountain Rescue Team - http://www.gmrt.org.uk

DIRECT DONATION LINK, GMRT
http://www.justgiving.co.uk/Charity/Donate.aspx?cid=188612

Mancattan Composer Caught In Spandex!

2010-06-11T13:51:00.001-07:00

...the bass player in this Glam band, is Michael Hall. Our JAZZ pianist in Mancattan. Hmmm. Mullets in Mancattan?

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Oz - New Album Released

2010-05-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

My good friend and musician Oz (who I met travelling in New Zealand, the last peace I ever had as it was upon my return I started the Mancattan edit) is today releasing a new album. Hopefully some of you will have heard some of his amazing songs and vocal talents as we used tracks from his previous band, The Montagues, in Mancattan.

I'm glad to say that Oz is going from strength to strength, and mentioning his album here at Mancattan towers is the least I can do. You should seriously buy/download his stuff, give him a preview listen and see for yourself. A top talent who really raised the quality of this humble movie film at least.

Col

-------------

PRESS RELEASE

Following popular demand Oz's debut album, 'Chasing Rainbows EP' has had it's release date brought forward to today! The album is now available for download from the iTunes music store online.

Just search 'Oz Chasing Rainbows' and you will be able to download the entire album for only £3.16.

We really appreciate all your support with the project and we're delighted that the album is now available.Please continue to add your friends and spread the word.

We're delighted at the wealth of positive feedback that the album has been receiving and hope that you enjoy the music.

Thanks again,Conor Daly

Conor.H.Daly@googlemail.com
07815866009

Rare Woody Allen Interview from 70's Granada TV

2010-05-26T13:00:00.001-07:00

The ORIGINAL Mancattan! ;-)

Mancattan In Mumbai!

2010-03-29T01:35:00.001-07:00

So, Friday raises it's sleepy head and I decide that I am finally going to have a (short) holiday weekend without worrying about ANY film work. However, the world has other ideas. Our friend Joe O'Byrne sends me an urgent message via facebook. For anyone not already aware, Joe is an actor/writer/theatre-director local auteur, writer and star of another indie North West feature, LOOKIN' FOR LUCKY as well as the menacing star of the other big NW feature, DIARY OF A BAD LAD. So when Joe talks, I listen! The message goes something like;

"Hi Col, Joe here. Chris Leonard (Director of Lookin For Lucky) is off to do some lecturing at Mumbai University an show them the film. They've heard about the North West New Wave, and so Chris is also taking "Bad Lad" for them to watch. Want to include Mancattan to make a NWNW trilogy? Need the DVD ten minutes ago. Love Joe."

So, barely packed for my hol, the Col-Mobile leaps into action, dropping the most recent copy of the film off with Joe just before he starts his show on Salford City Radio. As you are reading this, the film is winging it's way to India, along with it's Indie brethren.

The great thing about all this is that Chris and Joe didn't have to do any of this, but all of the combined efforts of everyone who has taken an interest in any of these films and The North West New Wave recognises that we stand stronger together, that publicity, promotion and most importantly and simply, GOOD FILM from the North West can only positively benefit everyone. The eye us on the region to see what our indie film-makers willd do next... And we do not intend to dissapoint.

So thanks again to Chris and Joe, let's hope the NWNW Trilogy goes down a treat; they won't know what's hit them! Indie film in India! Mancattan has the honour of being shown across the other side of the world at a very prestigious University.

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Pennine Film Festival Programme

2010-02-23T01:33:00.000-08:00

The wonderful people at The Pennine Film Festival are screening MANCATTAN at this year's festival. We're alongside some fantastic films including SPLINTERED, THE BUTTERFLY TATOO, DIARY OF A DISGRACED SOLDIER and more.

Tickets to all films are free, but emailing in advance is required for seating purposes.

MANCATTAN is on Weds 17th Mar at 10am. After the film, lead actress Hazel Earle and myself as Producer/Co-Director will be on hand for a dedicated Q&A session.

The full festival programme line up can be seen below. We're really chuffed and can't wait! - Col

http://www.penninefilmfestival.co.uk/Welcome_files/Film%20Festival%202010_.pdf

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Mancattan - 4th Public Screening, The Pennine Film Festival

2010-02-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22566925028#!/event.php?eid=353028548344&ref=mfHello Autobots and Decepticons alike. Mancattan is being welcomed into this years Pennine Film Festival alongside some of the regions latest and greatest film-making talent. It's a Weds morning screening on March 17th (St Patrick's Day) and so most of you may be in that thing called "work" - However, for anyone not otherwise engaged, we would be honoured if you can join us for this screening at 10am. We'll be filming the veent for posterity,which will also include a Q&A session with myself and our leading lady Hazel Earle, who played the character of Rachel. Ask us anything you like, we may even answer!This will be the 4th Mancattan screening to the public, and quite possibly the last as the film in its current from... plans are afoot...Thanks all, it'd be great to have you there if you can make it. If anyone needs a lift, give us a call. - Colhttp://www.penninefilmfestival.co.uk/Welcome.html

BEATNIK TV SCREENING

2010-01-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

At incredibly short notice, our friends over at BEATNIK TV rang Col up for a DVD to squeeze Mancattan into tonight's BEatnik TV session at the Nexus Art Cafe. For anyone who doesn't already know about the Nexus or BEatnik TV, they have combined forces to offer late night screenings (2am - 5am!) of the best in music, shorts, animation and now, feature film, from around the North West. Not only this, but the Nexus offers you al armchairs, cracking food and drink and they even call you a cab home. Our mate Gaz from Beatnik has been a long time fan of Mancattan and we owe him a massive thanks for allowing us to take up a whole 90 minute block of his programme! So, public screening number two, a late night last minute almost ever so secret shindig... A little bit weird, kooky, spontaneous and out of the blue; a bit like our whole film! So thanks again to Gaz, I hope it goes down well.

http://www.myspace.com/beatnikmusictv

http://www.nexusartcafe.com/

Keyboard Rebel Update

2010-01-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

The lovely and musically brilliant KEYBOARD REBEL sent us an update on their German tour and a few other things, and so we thought we woul spread the news! Keybaord Rebel are of course one of the bands featured in Mancattan. Here's the update!

------------------------------

Happy new year everyone, a couple of goodies from our German tour... Thanks to our fantastic German label Aaahh Records, our Berlin show and an interview with us was featured on Deutsche Welle TV (Germany's equivalent of BBC World Service). You can watch our part of the TV show (6 minutes long, which starts and ends with us) in this YouTube video.

There is also a small selection of photos from the tour in this album. The ones with us signing the guitar and records was at an hour-long session we did for Radio Hertz in Bielefeld. They had lent us the guitar so we were slightly shocked that they asked us to deface something that wasn't even ours.

The lack of more extensive photos is because we spent most of the week recording copious amounts of video instead. This is still in the editing process, but some stellar celluloid action should appear before too long.

One snippet of video that is ready is this sneaky live film of our superb psychedelic tour partners Ne:o. Enjoy!

All the best for 2010, Mike, Rob, Tom, Denis, Tim and Kate

Salford Public Premiere

2009-11-22T02:34:00.001-08:00

Many thanks to everyone who turned up jot just for Mancattan, but also our fellow "North West New Wave" film, Diary Of A Bad Lad.

Producer of Bad Lad, Jon Williams, recently dished out an acronym; D.I.W.O. (Do It With Others) This is much better as a school of thought surrounding our films than D.I.Y. as what we are all finding in the North West is that we are not alone in our individual filmic pursuits.

True, we may or may not have support from "official" bodies involved in film, but one thing we can count on is each other. Mancattan was only on at Salford because fellow indie film-makers wanted to see it, because festival organiser Steve Balshaw had seen it before and wanted it and it's inspirational theme in the festival, because film-makers from films such as Bad Lad would watch the film from a production history as difficult as our own and respect just how hard the whole thing was, and because it was a festival screening we had an audience informed on the nature of film who could and would watch our body of work as film fans and commentators.

I am more than pleased with the way it went down with the majority of the audience. Being a non friends/family screening, I believe we got an honest an enthusiastic response from the gathered throng, and I thank everyone who came up to myself and Phil after the film to say so (let us know who you are!)

A success. A critical and honest success. It goes a very long way to repairing the time inflicted wounds of Mancattans massive edit/production/publicity demands on my battered, tired and cynical psyche. Last night's screening and the reactions of colleagues and contemporaries in the world of film makes me think yes, it was worth it after all.

Roll on Thursday's screening at Nelson...

Col x

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Manchester Evening News / City Life interview

2009-11-20T01:31:00.000-08:00

Colin Warhurst & Phil Drinkwater are in a (factually inaccurate) interview in today's (20/11/09) City Life/Mcr Evening News.

See Mancattan TOMORROW@ The Lowry, 8pm, FREE

Sneak peek below, details in full to follow.

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Lunch with Manchester Evening News

2009-11-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Today Phil and I took a wee sojourn to have a very nice chat to the MEN about Mancattan's public premiere at Salford Film Festival (Sat 21st Nov, The Lowry Theatre) a little bit about the North West New Wave and how there us a woman somewhere in the US with a picture of Phil&Woody on her camera. Help us find that woman! As soon as the interview is in print, we'll let you know! Most likely it'll be in Fri's City Life this week or next...

NWNW DOUBLE BILL - Sat 21st, The Lowry

2009-11-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,

On Sat 21st, The Lowry hosts Salford Film Festival's chosen films for 2009. Two of their films represent the North West New Wave; films representing the underground and totally independent film-makers who refused to let the challenges of writing, producing, shooting and editing their own feature films beat them down. In old-cinema style, we are fortunate to be part of a good old fashioned DOUBLE BILL alongside the film that kick started the NWNW, "DIARY OF A BAD LAD."

This amazing poster design is straight from the geniuses of www.arkidstudios.com - all thanks and kudos to them. I hope we see as many of you there for both films in what will be a very special once in a lifetime screening event. Thanks, Col

DESIGN BY

www.arkidstudios.com

FOR FREE TICKETS TO THE SALFORD FILM FESTIVAL

0844 815 4874

http://www.salfordfilmfestival.org.uk/festival-tickets.asp

Keyboard Rebel Update

2009-11-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

Mancattan musical contributors, KEYBOARD REBEL, are on tour. We said we'd put a little update as to what they're up to, and so, here it is!

http://aaahh-records.net/2009/09/23/keyboard-rebel-neo-on-tour/

PUBLIC PREMIERE - FREE TO ATTEND!

2009-10-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls...

We are very proud, honoured and humbled to be accepted into this year's Salfrod Film Festival, where ilm will have it's first PUBLIC SCREENING. Due to Salford Film Festival being an incredibly passionate and well-run machine, the showing of Mancattan will be absolutely FREE.

All you have to do is get down to The Lowry, Sat 21st Nov, for the 8pm.

There is loads of publicity due for the screening and The Festival, and we are part of a "Double Bill" of North West Underground films, being shown not long after DAIRY OF A BAD LAD; another low/no budget, doing it for ourselves, local feature film.

We hope you can make it to our screening. Please let us know if you are coming, or even better, e-mail the festival to reserve a seat and make sure you guarantee a place at our well earned and long overdue "true" Premiere.

Thanks, Col

Advance (FREE!) tickets may be reserved through Quay Tickets by calling: 0844 815 4874

SAT 21st NOV - THE LOWRY - 8pm - FREE!

http://www.salfordfilmfestival.org.uk/film-details.asp?id=562

http://www.citylife.co.uk/cinema/event/47797_mancattan

http://www.thelowry.com/WhatsOn/EventDetail.aspx?EventId=4061

ABOUT MANCATTAN

2009-10-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

HERE COME THE FESTIVALS & PUBLIC SCREENINGS...

It's currently October 2009 at the time of writing, and this is a quick note to say that Mancattan now has a festival version of itself as a DVD being sent out across the globe. When a festival is savvy enough to "bite" and screen our humble movie film, we'll let you know. Currently, we have our PUBLIC PREMIERE as part of the Salford Film Festival on Nov 21st, then another screening hot on its heels at the ACE Centre in Nelson on Nov 26th. For all current and future screening info, click here

The first screening of Mancattan was at our semi-private Premiere at Manchester's Dancehouse which has its own entry here This was back in April 2009, and though a long time has passed, a Mancattan DVD of one kind or another, jam packed full of extra material old and new, is in development. I have no idea what shape or form it will take yet, but rest assurred, it is in the works.

If you know of a festival or venue that could benefit from a Mancattan screening, or need to get in touch with us in any way at all, simply contact SiabS at info@mancattan.co.uk Col xxx

Gallery - All Photos

2009-10-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

Please note this gallery launches externally using a Flash Player to display all the photographs.

Click to enter Flash Gallery

For Press pics to download and use in publicity material, please use the "Press Material" link to find easy links to download.

Behind the scenes in NYC

2009-10-07T16:18:00.001-07:00

Please note this gallery launches externally using a Flash Player to display all the photographs.

Click to enter Flash Gallery

For Press pics to download and use in publicity material, please use the "Press Material" link to find easy links to download.

Intro (Old)

2009-10-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

“Those who can’t teach, teach gym...”
- Woody Allen, 'Annie Hall'

“Those who don’t know any better, make movies.”
“And we don’t know any better.”
- Phil Drinkwater & Colin Warhurst, 'Mancattan'

Siab Studios presents ‘Mancattan.’ A feature film made in our own time and on our own terms about love, life, tea and Woody Allen. This bittersweet comedy charts the ups, downs and neuroses of two Mancunians searching for their place in the greater scheme of things. Finding themselves lost in New York, will they come to realise where their hearts and priorities truly lie?

Shot entirely on location in Manchester UK and New York USA, ‘Mancattan’ is testament to the talent and audacity of a group of people working in their own time, who refused to accept the impossibility of writing, directing and editing their own feature film.

The film has finished post-production and is due to be premiered and released in 2009. This film was known during production under the working title of 'Untitled Woody Allen Project.' The first trailer under this name was available for a short time on You Tube for easier and faster viewing, but it has now been replaced with the official trailer here on Youtube and also on our trailers page.

'Mancattan' is written, shot and directed by Phil Drinkwater and Colin Warhurst. The film stars the two directors playing characters loosely based on themselves and as such, their characters are eponymous. Professional actress Hazel Earle stars as the female lead, Rachel. Sasha Kasthuriarachchi and Vincent Heselwood round up the main cast. Antony O'Hanlon and Dominique Binieda were the
technical crew on location in New York, whilst Antony also was head of
technical operations in Manchester working alongside Will Robinson, Ian Larsen and Nick Drinkwater. This page and the
dedicated 'Mancattan' website are currently under construction and new content will constantly be added as the film nears its early 2008 completion date.

For more info contact us; info@mancattan.co.uk

September Update

2009-09-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

A quick SiabS update for September.

1 - Hazel Earle, leading actress of MANCATTAN, is starring in The Killing Of Sister George at Salford's Lowry, Thurs, Fri Sat this week. Info & Tickets can be found here;

http://www.thelowry.com/WhatsOn/EventDetail.aspx?EventId=3976

2 - Pre-Production of BOG-STANDARD (formerly know as "Shat") is well under way. Location is lined up, cast and crew good to go, and the kit is 90% in place. Filming is due to take place in the next fortnight with a mind of the film being finished and screened by the end of October/start of November...

3 - The new Siab Studios website continues to be overhauled, whilst it's "little sister-site" www.mancattan.co.uk is receiving a behind the scenes upgrade. When it goes live, there will be much more content and info than the current website, including info on the latest screenings and the proposed Special Edition DVD

4 - Last Friday's screening of Mancattan at the BBC Club had a fairly decent turn out, with some new faces and some old. Hardly any BBC colleagues (unfortunately) but lots of familiar faces from Manchester's film scene and some old friends. The majority of them seemed to love the film and understand it's origins and roots in guerilla, home grown DIY film-making as well as representing the North West and the talent in the region. One or two guests seemed to expecting a major Hollywood blockbuster (they neglected ALL our publicity and explanations as to what the film actually is about) and so were dissapointed with the film when they were greeted by me, Phil, rainy Manchester, long-takes and footage from a grainy PD-170. But hey, you can't please all the people all the time, despite trying!

5 - KARMA has been submitted to the KINO festival in 2010, but we'll see if it gets accepted at a screening yet.The film's length does cause it a few problems, but if enough of you want to see it, it may persuade the local organisers to jam it in somewhere...

Thanks again folks, next update in October, unless of course anything massive happens in the meantime. Keep on rocking in the free world,

Col

Bog-Standard TV Interview on "Manchester Today" + Mancattan Screening News

2009-09-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

15/09/09

Whew! I'm back from the international tv/film trade show IBC that was held in Amsterdam. Two bits of important info that I have to quickly get out there due to my absence!

1 - BOG STANDARD
It was still all systems go for team SiabS during my absence, as Producer Chris Lane and Lead Actor Michael Justice go on local satellite TV show MANCHESTER TODAY, to discuss the upcoming short film BOG-STANDARD, as well as talk about our collective creative enterprises and a couple of nice plugs for Mancattan too!

2 - MANCATTAN @ THE BBC MANCHESTER CLUB - Fri 19th, 7pm

Four days to go until the screening at the BBC Club Bar Manchester.

*** PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ENTRY WITHOUT E-MAILING ME FIRST, AND ONLY IF I KNOW YOU IN "REAL LIFE" ***

No folks I know through Facebook alone I'm afraid; you'll have to wait until the public Salford Film Festival screenings.

All that being said, a very busy week still lies ahead. Hopefully I'll see some of you at the bar on Friday for a well deserved bevvy.

MANCATTAN @ THE BBC EMAIL ADDRESS:
info@colinwarhurst.co.uk

Mancattan - Screening @ BBC Manchester Club

2009-09-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

*******Mancattan - Screening @ BBC Manchester Club ******
Friday 18th September, 7pm - Free entry, free popcorn!

**Please note, non-BBC Staff will have to email me should they wish to attend.**

Hello one and all. I am rather pleased to announce an informal screening of MANCATTAN taking place inside the BBC Manchester Club Bar.

Friday 18th September, with a 7pm kick off. The bar will remain open throughout and "informal" is the key word. We'll putout as many chairs as possible, so be early if you want a guaranteed seat.

BBC Staff - Please just mosey on in on the Friday, and feel free to sign in as many of your own guests as you like.

Non-staff - Either find someone you know at the BBC to sing you in, or email me and I can sign you in as a guest. Please note that I have to take responsibility for any and all people I sign into the BBC and so if I don't know you outside of facebook, please do not take offence if I am not able to sign you in.

Never fear though, this screening is a prelude to our appearance at Salford Film Festival. Even if you have seen the film before, please feel free to come down and have a drink and some bar snacks wilst enjoying the new "sleeker" cut of the film.

Thanks all, my email is below.

Col xxx

info@colinwarhurst.co.uk

Mancattan interview on Indieflicks.co.uk

2009-08-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

A while back both Phil and myself were contacted by the wonderful folks at Indieflicks.co.uk (not to be confused with a ".com" site of the same name!) to conduct an interview regarding Mancattan. Even via email, I proved to be as verbose as ever and so I was trimmed down a bit. I have to conede that this is more than fair enough and the article reads better for it. I am starting to learn less is more. Many thanks to indieflicks once again for featuring us.

Click here for the full interview. Enjoy!

Hazel Earle stars in The Killing Of Sister George at The Lowry

2009-08-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

29/08/09

Hi folks,

We thought we would take this oppurtunity to let all Mancattan fans know that our leading lady HAZEL EARLE is starring in an adaption of THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE by Frank Marcus this September.

The play is running on Thurs 24 - Sat 26th (Sat has a matinee performance too) and it takes place at THE LOWRY STUDIO, SALFORD.

For tickets ring 0870 787 5780 or head to;

http://www.thelowry.com/WhatsOn/EventDetail.aspx?EventId=3976

For anyone wanting to head down with yours truly on the Saturday, give me a shout and I will book us a few tickets en masse. It would be great to see you there, not just to support Hazel and see her on stage, but to also enjoy a good night at the theatre rather than staying in to watch another bloody session of the X-Factor...

Thanks all, Col xxx

Feature films? No time at all...

2009-08-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

Blog has been super neglected. Adventures in film land... too many and too late at night to talk now.

I did want to mark this occasion however as me finally "finishing" a Mancattan DVD (version 7.0 of the film) ready for festival distribution. All bands have emailed to say they're ok. All actors are ok. The film itself and the DVD works ok. Am I ok? I will be if I never have to edit or touch this thing ever again.

Shame I have already started talking to Phil about version 7.1 eh?...

Two years, 8 months, ten days and eleven hours plus. To celebrate, I am sat on my own at a lonely computer at 11.45pm. This film-making lark is not as rock and roll as I believed.

Still, off to the great outdoors with a Panasonic HDX900 at the weekend I hope. Want to get some HD Great Outdoors footage in the can.

Still, no rest for the wicked. I will have two days off, then begin work on SHAT...

Catch up on our BBC Radio Manchester Interview

2009-07-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

20/07/09

Thanks to everyone who lsitened to us on the RADIO... If you missed it,

Click to play or right click and save this link

Mancattan interview on Sam Walker's BBC Radio Manchester's Introducing show

2009-07-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

16/07/09

...both Phil Drinkwater and myself are going on Sam Walker's BBC Radio Manchester's Introducing show this Sunday. We're appealing for more musician's to help fill some empty music slots in the film, and we'll be talking about the bands who are already part of the Mancattan Soundtrack. They will be playing The Sound Marshal's and Will Tang too, and Phil is playing live... [95.1FM / Web/ DAB]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/04/11/introducing_sam_walker_feature.shtml

Mancattan July Update

2009-07-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

11/07/09

Latest update - Col has gone back into the edit in order to fine tune and revamp some of the music in the film. We are hoping to re-launch the film this Autumn at a number of festivals and smaller screenings in the city.

Those of you who made it to our Premiere in April saw what will become known as the "Director's Cut" so you were a very select bunch of people! This new version of the film I am working on will be shorter and a little bit sleeker, but other than that, there are no massive changes. The cuts and tweaks I am making are merely to help the film conform to certain festival/screeing standards.

However, a lot of the bands/musicians that were part of the film have since gone onto many different things, and so I will have to ty and track them all down again to see if they still want to be part of Mancattan. There will also be openings for more music so...

...PLEASE, if you know any unsigned bands or musicians who may have material suited to being part of a Manchester Self-Made Independent feature film... Get in touch. We want more bands to be part of the soundtrack so that we have a fistful of varied musicians from right across the musical spectrum and the North West.

Thanks folks, keep the tea coming. Col xxx

Salford Film Festival's Steve Balshaw writes about Mancattan for Britflicks.com

2009-06-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

05/06/09

STEVE BALSHAW (Salford Film Festival) has composed an article regarding the NORTH WEST NEW WAVE of films. Here is the section inwhich he discusses our humble little movie-film, MANCATTAN.

"The most recent addition to the North West New Wave is Siab Studios’ micro-budgeted MANCATTAN. Very much a case of seizing the day, and making best possible use of a trip to New York, the film offers a postmodern Manc spin on the romantic longing and nerdy self-pity/self-aggrandisement that characterise the films of Woody Allen - specifically MANHATTAN, as the title suggests. But the film's approach is interesting, and has certain elements in common with BAD LAD: MANCATTAN, too, stars the film's own creative team, and blurs the boundaries between the real and the fictional. But whereas BAD LAD exposes the moral emptiness of the "true crime" doc, this takes on the RomCom(!) The film's writer-directors, Phil Drinkwater and Colin Warhurst play (fictionalised versions of) themselves: two former film students, now working in jobs they don't really like. One is facing commitment difficulties, the other pines after a female friend. Fleeing their troubles at home they go to Manhattan to make a documentary about Woody Allen. Here they bicker and philosophise about life, work, and romance, and finally achieve some kind of resolution. The initial cut, which I saw at a preview screening, had perhaps a bit too much “student humour”, and was a little overlong, but it has real heart, sharp, naturalistic dialogue and performances, and there's a definite voice there - and it's not Woody's! The film is currently being reworked slightly in response to audience feedback, and Colin promises the second cut will be “much zippier”. It should be well worth catching if you get the chance. Again, these are talents to watch and to nurture. They have the right attitude to go the distance."

Link to full article here

Col x

Mancattan featured in Films & Festivals Magazine

2009-05-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

22/05/09

What's this? The saga continues? Post-Premiere hope for Mancattan? Who knows, it seems that Mancattan is part of a bigger picture here in the North West. It is our moral duty to get the film ship shape and ready to stand alongside it's regional filmic brethren and start a revolution...

PAGE 32 - FILMS & FESTIVALS MAGAZINE (ONLINE VERSION) - "NORTH WEST NEW WAVE"

Article Here

Mancattan Premiere Footage now online

2009-04-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

25/04/09

Mancattan Premiere - Footage from the night is up now!

http://www.siabstudios.blip.tv

Can you spot yourself?

The Premiere 04/04/09

2009-04-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Mancattan Premiere on Saturday 4th. Every single one of you who turned out made the entire film-making process worthwhile; you made us into proper film-makers.

I shall endeavour to create a full write up of the event as soon as possible, and if you have any comments please EMAIL us. Photographs from the evening taken by Gwen Jones are below, and videos of the night will also be online soon. Thank you once again! - Col W"

FOOTAGE FROM THE PREMIERE!

Mancattan Premiere - Footage from the night is up now! Can you spot yourself? Many thanks to Sarah Hodgetts for being our camera operator on the night.

SIAB STUDIOS BLIP TV CHANNEL

OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS - BY GWEN JONES

Please find below the official photographs taken on the evening by photographer Gwen Jones. All of these images are available for purchase in a number of sizes. If you would like to purchase an image in print (the watermarks
will be removed) simply make a note of the photograph reference DSC REFERENCE NUMBER, then email it to gwen@gwenjones.co.uk. This gallery is also available on the official Gwen Jones website here

Print prices:

7x5" @ £3
8x6" @ £4
10x8" @ £5
10x12" @ £5.50
Please add £1.00 extra for P&P

ENTER PREMIERE GALLERY

Channel M - Pre-Premiere TV Appearance 03/04/09

The CITY LIFE segment of local Manchester TV station Channel M, came to The Dancehouse to interview both Colin Warhurst and Phil Drinkwater about the upcoming Premiere and about the film. Catch the video link below! (If the link is broken, please report it here - thank you!)

City Life - 03/04/09

Legality, Creativity and Car Parks

2009-04-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post today folks from my lunch break. I was doing some reading yesterday on the BBC's film-making guide (link below) with regards as to what I would need to make a Mancattan DVD or secure a release. As originally suspected, but long ago blown away by enthusiasm and our "just-get-on-with-it" attitude, Mancattan is legally ******.

We have no clearance or copyright for ANY of the logo's, places, icons, photographs or quotes in the film. The thorny issue of defamation and using Woody Allen's name (if he and he alone took offence to it, even though we have made a fan film praising his work) plus the fact we have no papers signed for anything makes this all very difficult.

Still, because I am brilliant, I am going to try. First stop is to get the blessing and go ahead from everyone in the film. If they're all OK, same with the bands, then the locations (Manchester at least) and so on. If I have to re-cut the films with blurs over every logo, then I shall do so and make a point of it.

I was more than happy to let Mancattan lie after the Premiere. But people seem to have fell in love with the idea of it. They want more. And so the DVD is now in production with documentaries telling the story behind Mancattan and so much more... Bearing in mind Mancattan took 2 years, I wouldn't bank on me finishing this anytime soon! But it is on the go.

My current workload is taken up by "Karma" my next short film. And bearing in mind all of the above, this is being done properly from the get-go. The lovely people at North West Vision and Media are helping me track down a location, and I begin rehearsals with the actor's next week. Learning what I have from Mancattan, this should be a "proper" film in all the legal sense of the word, and so the tax-the-creatives "fascists" that could be lurking out there (or maybe they exist just in my head) can get stuffed this time round. Karma is coming at you; soon. Ish.

Quick shout out to Paul A and Paul B for the excellent theatre production of "Raving Beauties" at the Salford Studio last night. Excellent show, highest professional standards throughout. It is invigorating and inspiring to have met so many like minded people in recent months, who are all on the same creative "lets-do-it-for-ourselves" wavelength; looking back, doing Mancattan on our own was sheer madness. The future is looking bright as I hope to work with all these wonderful people soon. In short; life is good.

READ THIS FOR THE COMPLEX TANGLE OF FILM STUFF YOU WILL NEED SORTING IF YOUR FILM STANDS A CHANCE OF EXISTING IN TODAY'S LEGAL MINEFIELD...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/Filmmakingguide

Post Mancattan...

2009-04-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday who I haven't seen for a number of years. We were talking about what projects we were up to next respectively, and it took me a while to explain, and to realise, exactly how much Mancattan had been part of my life. This past week has been a strange sort of liberating limbo. The immense weight of our film no longer hovers above my head like Damocles's proverbial blade. As such, I find myself sort of "pottering" about doing little bits of this and little bits of that, including writing this blog...

To read more, head to www.siabstudios.co.uk

MANCATTAN – Last ticket push & after party info!

2009-03-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

MANCATTAN – Last ticket push & after party info!

Hello Mancattan and Film Fans!

Thank you all for your donations so far; thanks to your efforts we have now have an epic night planned! Please get your glad rags on, suits, tuxedos, dresses and ball gowns (whichever order you wish; I look rather fetching in a gown myself). Here’s the breakdown of the night, and the reason why you should snap up a ticket (if you haven’t already) and spread the word to get more people to this one off feature film event!

There are still lots of you who have pledged interest in getting tickets, but I’m afraid I can’t hold you a seat or let you in on the night unless I have received your donations in advance; very sorry!

Dancehouse Website (includes parking info; nearest car parks are situated on Charles St or Whitworth St.)
http://www.thedancehouse.co.uk/access/mcr_map_100/mcr_map_100_c.asp

ITINERARY

7.30pm
Doors Open at The Dancehouse. Drinks at the bar, photo opportunities on the Red Carpet with cast and crew…

8.00pm
Gather in main theatre for introduction by Colin Warhurst, “thank you” speeches by Col & Phil, and a selection of upcoming project trailers (if any of you film types have any trailers for your own projects, please contact me asap!)

8.30pm
Part one of Mancattan begins. Don’t be late! (50 mins)

9.20pm
Interval. Drinks at bar, more photos and the like! (30 mins)

9.50pm
Part two of Mancattan. Hoorah! (50 mins)

10.40pm
Post film drinks at The Dancehouse bar. But the party continues at The Dancehouse bar until they refuse to stop serving! Then we head into Manchester and paint it red or some other such metaphor.

Please, please, please get any remaining ticket donations to me via Paypal, or email me for an address to send cheques. I have had to fund all of this entirely by myself, but I hope that all the investment pays off in what should be a memorable night for everyone.

I thank you all humbly once again; your support means everything and has literally made the difference between this film being shown “in a pub” to this epic party that you can all look back on and say “yeah, I was there.”

Thank you. – Col xxx

---£5 Donations to get your film ticket and invite to the Official After Party---

PAYPAL
– Log in to paypal and make any donations out to mancwunder@hotmail.com

CHEQUES
– Email using that same address and I can send you a postal address for cheques.

CASH
– Get cash to myself, Phil Drinkwater or Antony O’Hanlon BEFORE Saturday 4th. Cash cannot and will not be accepted on the night or at the door as this is a pre-invite event only.

MANCATTAN - THE PREMIERE!

2009-02-12T15:14:00.000-08:00

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE PREMIERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello one and all,

Two years and two days after first setting foot in New York City to shoot part of our film, we are finally proud to invite you to the premiere screening of MANCATTAN.

MANCATTAN – INVITIATION ONLY PREMIERE

--- SATURDAY 4th APRIL ---

THE DANCEHOUSE, OXFORD ROAD, MANCHESTER

The Dancehouse have kindly offered to host our film in this amazing building, which was actually a cinema in days of old, and it still retains its original art-deco styling. More importantly, The Dancehouse understands and supports the independent nature of Stuck In A Box Studios and Mancattan itself as the product of many talented people coming together to achieve the seemingly impossible; the creation of our very own feature film.

If it wasn’t for the many people who helped us along the way, we wouldn’t be where we are now, and so this premiere is for those people who have been directly involved and have supported us in any way, shape or form along the way. Due to the independent and self funded nature of the film, we do not yet have a certificate or BBFC rating, and so this invitation is a private screening by INVITATION ONLY.

As much as I would love to throw open the doors for each and every one of you, I am afraid that I am covering the hire of the venue and the technical equipment out of my own pocket. In order to fund this event, I am afraid that I must ask for a £5 donation per person, in return for a formal invite to the screening. This small fee will entitle you to watch our humble feature film, and to join us in the bar for a celebration of our achievement, our love of movies and all things Manchester.

If you would like to come to our Premiere, and to support independent film, then please get a list of names to me, along with the £5 donation, and your names will promptly be added to the list of guests. Be quick, as we already anticipate selling out the entire venue!

**********
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT TAKE CASH ON THE NIGHT! ALL DONATIONS AND NAMES MUST REACH ME A.S.A.P. – ABSOLUTELY NO LAST MINUTE ENTRY ON THE NIGHT WILL BE PERMITTED FOR LEGAL REASONS.

Please email me at mancwunder@hotmail.com in order to register your names and arrange getting your donations into the fund to guarantee your seats.

If it is easier, then you can use PAYPAL to get your fees to us. Please make out any PAYPAL payments to mancwunder@hotmail.com and don’t forget to include your guest’s names in the Paypal instructions.

I wish it could be a free event, but your £5 will help make this a night to remember, and to give Mancattan and all the people involved the moment in the spotlight that we feel it deserves.
********

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who has supported the film. Your encouragement has always lit our darkest hour, and made sure that we had the audacity, stupidity and courage to see this through to the end. I hope you can be there to celebrate it with us.

Thank you. – Colin Warhurst (on behalf of Phil Drinkwater, Antony O’Hanlon & “Team Mancattan.”)

www.mancattan.co.uk
www.siabstudios.co.uk

--------------------------------

No go at Manchester's Cornerhouse

2009-01-30T15:19:00.000-08:00

30/01/09

Hi all,

Okay everyone… I am afraid to announce that The Cornerhouse is a no go for various reasons. The main one being that we could only hire it on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

And so I do have another City Centre venue of better statue lined up. But in order for this to happen (and for legal reasons as we do not have a BBFC rating) I can organise an “invitation only” screening, but I would have to collect cahs for your ticket/invites in advance personally. I can do this cash in hand or via Paypal. Before I can work out tickets, I need to know how many of you would be willing to;

a) Turn up
b) Pay £5.00 (if I can get this lower I will, hopefully it won’t be higher than this)
c) Get this money to me before the event in exchange for your written invite.

I don’t want to mention the venue yet as I have only made a query with them, but it is indeed out of this world. Once I have an idea of how much revenue I can generate, I can see about hiring the venue (it has a bar so don’t worry about pre and post film drinks!) and the cost of a projector and screen; the bigger the better.

So please, if you can subscribe to all three of the above, please let me know and I will add you to a super-spreadsheet. Then I can confirm, collect and book this film and give it the Premiere that we feel it deserves.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your continued support; I will try not to disappoint. Col

Where can one show a movie in this town?

2009-01-29T15:21:00.000-08:00

29/01/09

Hello folks,

Apologies for anyone who thought I had slunk away without telling you. I’ve been off working on other things whilst waiting to hear back from The Cornerhouse… and I’m afraid it isn’t good news.

At the moment, The Cornerhouse would not be able to accept it into one of their Programmes; which means we can’t get the film into the Cornerhouse without paying for a private screening(s). I had to leave the idea with them over the Christmas break and have only just now got the final answer. And so this leaves me with two choices…

ONE – To hire the Cornerhouse for a private screening. This is going to cost at least £250. Prior to popular belief, I didn’t once mug Uncle Pennybanks from Monopoly in the street, and so I don’t have this kind of moolah; especially to blow on a “one off” screening/premiere, as much as I want one. If I was to pursue this option, I need to either find a sponsor to put up the cash in return for me gushing about how wonderful they are, wearing a branded t-shirt, and sticking their posters all over the cinema on the night. Another option would be to set up a PayPal account, and ask any of you wonderful people who want to come to put the money for a ticket in up-front… This way I know I have the cash, and you know you get a guaranteed ticket/seat. I’m not sure how you would all feel about that though, so please let me know and think seriously if you would be happy to PayPal your ticket money to me.

TWO – Realise that this film promoting work is far to much for one man to do, and that this has gone on long enough, and that maybe not many of you will turn up and so put it on at a certain bar in the center of Manchester. The venue is a popular one and they have been most helpful but despite all this, it isn’t a cinema. However, I can get the venue pretty soon for the end of Feb if I act now (based on your opinions) and at least we can all watch informally in a trendy bar and have a bloody good drink/laugh/cry at the whole Mancattan experience.

So; for anyone who still would like to see the film… and is able too… Please let me know if your happy with getting money to the Mancattan Cinema fund via the internet in return for a ticket/seat, or a casual bar premiere in the middle of town…

Thanks again everyone; I’m still trucking on to make sure you have the chance to see the fruits of our labour. – Col

www.siabstudios.co.uk

Mancattan - Thank YOU for making it worthwhile

2008-11-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

Hello all.

Just to say that I have put you all in the credits. Not in the fashion of Lord Of The Rings thanking every member of "The One Ring.net" by name, but I have said thank you to the facebook/the website readers group for all of your kind words of support.

Just to announce that 1 year, 8 months and 9 days after filming the first shot in Manchester, DVD v1.0 of the film is ready to go.

Which means I am now organising a Premiere. Get your glad rags ready on standby, and somebody find me a cheap red carpet.

Captain Col

The Finish Line - Smoke me a kipper...

2008-10-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

October 2008 - The Finish Line

Hello one and all,

First of all I’d like to say a big thanks to anyone and everyone who sent “Congrats” messages to me after last weeks “Film Finished” bulletin; it meant a lot. It’s been a long, hard and tortuously slow journey at times, and it feels good to be finished.

So what’s next I hear you all ask? Well, that’s my dilemma. I’m left with a 100 minutes long piece of work which has been my life for 18 months. The edit has more or less killed me and it starting to affect my mental health. I’ve crossed the finishing line, but doing so has finished me.

To quote a line from the film, was making our own movie “A false hope, or a dream?” Neither option seems to offer any concrete solution, and so with weary but satisfied feelings, I’m hanging up the Mancattan boots. This film is as good and as finished as it is ever going to be.

I’m currently sorting out the final permissions with all the wonderful musicians who’ve allowed us to use their music. But even this task has made me to stop to think about what I would have to do to push this film into all the places we dreamed about way back then. I don’t have any forms signed with the actors, I don’t have any forms signed with the locations we used, I don’t know how to discuss music copyright, I don’t have copyright clearance for the still images in the film; in fact, all the things needed to make this film “proper” in the sense of marketing and selling and all the rest… I just don’t have.

This film was made in a totally guerrilla style. It’s old footage (I haven’t shot anything new in whole year as I’ve been stuck working on this film) it’s ropey hand held footage and although it IS and always will be an amazing piece of work that everyone involved, in even the smallest of roles, should be proud of, it was never going to be Blockbuster material.

Does that mean I’m not going to push the film? Of course not; I owe it to everyone involved, from the NYBs, to the bands, to Antony, Hazel, Vinny & Sash and anyone whose nut I’ve done in moaning about my slow PC. It does mean that I am not going to start chasing up the legal ins and outs of selling, copying, rating, copyrights, and all the rest of the stuff that if this film was going to be where we said it would, I would still have to do. I have reached the limit of what I can achieve and I’m not too proud to admit it. If I push this film any more, I’m gonna break.

So what does this mean? And what is the point of this message?

It is to extend a huge and heartfelt thanks to anyone who has raised an eyebrow, left a comment or a slap on the back for all things Mancattan. It is to say that you should keep your calendars free because there WILL be screening(s) in and around Manchester. It’s to let you all know that Mancattan is officially finished, and now we wait for results of our hard work.

It probably means that this film will never have a distributor, and that in the modern age of Youtube and digital content, that we will find a way to host this film online ourselves, and have people watch our movie on the internet; without paying a middle man. I want people to see this film; and I’m going to make it happen, but not in the traditional way. Even if it does just live on www.siabstudios.co.uk and never goes anywhere, I'll be satisified. I honestly don’t think it will pass the scrutiny of a film distributor; technically or legally. I’d love to try, and I’m certainly going to investigate, but this is a reality check. I only want this film to be seen by as many people as possible so that our hard work can be recognised.

Should a distributor, against the odds, stumble across a DVD or film festival where we’ve been able to show the film without having to have me train up as a lawyer to sort out contracts, paperwork and all the rest, and who wants to push the film for us, then hell yeah, I’m all aboard. As it stands, with this monumental task facing me, I acknowledge that my reach has exceeded my grasp.

Mancattan was a grand experiment and a bloody marvellous example of what hard work, grit and stupidity in the face of adversity can achieve. The question we had back in March 2007 was “Why don’t people make their own films?” I believe I am fully qualified to answer why they don’t.

But that won’t stop me from doing more.

Mancattan has simply took me as far as it can, and I’ve taken it as far as I can. No amount of tweaking the sound, the colour, the timings, the edits or music will make this film up to the technical level I know I can film at now, or wanted this film to be. I’m not knocking it’s quality, but I am acknowledging that it is a pimped up Ford Focus, and not a Porsche 911. It hasn’t been so much a learning curve as a vertical cliff edge, but I’ve scaled this particular mountain and now I need a break before taking on the next.

So thank you and goodnight from Colin Warhurst on Mancattan.

Thank you to Hazel Earle, Vincent Heselwood, and Sasha Kasturicachi for starring in our film.
Thank you to Dominique Binieda for putting up with, and supporting us in New York.
Thank you to Michael Hall for composing an amazing jazz soundtrack.
Thanks to Will, Scotty, Mr Sifter and everyone involved on a days filming.
Thank you to all the musicians who have lent us their music.

Thank you to Anthony O’Hanlon for being there from the start of Siab Studios, and who will probably be the last to leave the party.

And the biggest thank you to Phil Drinkwater, whose baby this is. Without his idea, drive and enthusiasm, Mancattan would still be just an idea.

I hope you enjoy the film. Smoke me a kipper, I’ll be back for breakfast.

Col 14/10/08

Sound mix - Done!

2008-09-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

29/09/08

The sound mix has been finished on the film, which means I am finally on the last leg of the edit! I am "grading" the film to the best of my ability. Grading is the process of tweaking all the colours, brightness, saturation .etc to make the original footage look at it's best or tweaking it to suit a certain mood in the film. It is one of those processes that a film maker could easily spend hundred's of years on, changing each colour and nuance ad infinitum until they are happy with it. Unfortunately as Lucas once said, films are never finished, they are only completed. So, I am whizzing through the grade doing a job that I will be more than happy with, but a few years or hundred's of pound in a Da Vinci suite could still improve.

We have one more test screening (limited invite only) to gauge the film with a real uninitiated audience, then I have to do the credit sequence and then...

...well, we will have the Premiere. We have a few ideas of what we want and where, but why not let us know what YOU think we could/should/would do with the film at its unveiling and beyond. Know any good screening venues? Can you get a crowd there? How would you all feel about the Cornerhouse, AMC or Printworks? Any preferences? These questions and more, let us know what you guys think because this film is for YOU; all the people who have supported us from day one and are genuinely intrigued to see our DIY movie try and take on the world; or at the very least a cinema for one night only.

Peace & Love - Col :-)

Our first TV interview

2008-08-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

18/08/08

Hello one and all! First of all, I am officially halfway through the sound mix, and hope to be done in time for a well earned holiday. Upon my return, the grade shall take place, which means the film's release and big premiere is just around the corner!

Phil has been hammering the press for interviews and publicity (if anyone can help here, please get in touch! Radio, TV, Print, Web, whatever you have, we will take!) and it seems we have our first TV interview due to be filmed tomorrow (Tues 19th).

At this moment, I THINK the recording is due to go out over the air at 5pm; we will update tomorrow after the interview takes place (in my lunch break!)

So please stay tuned for updates and/or glued to Channel M to see our interview (hopefully a Good 'Un) for us to Big Up Manchester, and to see snippets from the film...

CHEERS ONE AND ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

To get Channel M on Sky 203
Tuning-in to Virgin media 878
Terrestrial (tune into RF Channel 39)
http://www.channelm.co.uk/tuning_in.html
http://www.channelm.co.uk/schedule/daylistings/20080819.html

Bands - We need you! Now!

2008-07-29T15:31:00.000-07:00

29/07/08
Col is a third of the way through the sound mix. Needing final band submissions in the next fortnight!

Where's my existence gone? Sure I left it round here somewhere...

2008-06-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

04/06/08

Locking off NYC footage tonight during our second technical screening. Inserting Manchester GV footage and then sound mixing and final band placement is next on the agenda. Working my nuts off DAILY now people. Support, brew, beer and love needed for my weary self. Col x

Mancattan -The Second Trailer

2008-05-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

20/05/08

Col got back from New Zealand, and work has resumed. Behold my efforts in the form of the SECOND TRAILER.

----
Second, much longer, trailer for the upcoming independant Manchester made feature film MANCATTAN.

Written and directed by Phil Drinkwater & Colin Warhurst.

MANCATTAN charts the ups and downs of modern day mid-twenties Mancunians, and in particular one obsessive neurotic Woody Allen in love with someone else's girl.

Made entirely by Stuck In A Box Studios; a small team of Manchester based creatives, this film has been shot in Manchester UK and NEw York USA entirely on the team's own time, using their own skills, finances, talent and enthusiasm. This is truly independant film-making, and we'd love to have your support.

Stay tuned, keep watching the trailer, visiting the website and plugging this film and help make this an event that will make all Mancunians, Woody Allen Fans, film lovers and anyone who may want to feel okay about not knowing what to do in the big wide world can cherish and be proud of.

Be part of the vision. Thank you.

Col & Phil

www.mancattan.co.uk
www.siabstudios.co.uk

URGENT - We need Unsigned Bands to donate tracks to our epic movie. In return, your music is featured in the film and we will promote, push and sing your musical graces wherever we, and this film, will go. Please email us at music@mancattanc.co.uk URGENTLY if you feel you have some music (not neceesarily jazz! We're after anything and everything) that could be part of our film. Thanks.

Test Screening goes down a treat. No bribery needed.

2008-02-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

24/2/08
The rough cut has now been screened for a select test audience and it seems that people really like it! This has made me feel all warm inside, like when you drink too much brandy or you have indigestion. Now we just need to mix the sound, finish the opening sequence, get the music locked and colour grade it. Not much, then! But then we will be ready to begin our assault on the unsuspecting public. Bring it on! This just may be huge! Peace out housies. Phil and Col xxx

Final pick-ups

2008-01-31T15:38:00.000-08:00

31/01/08
Planning for final pickups underway with shooting scheduled for this weekend. Eleven months after the first shot was taken! Approaching the final parts of our edit (before sound and colour grading of course...)

"UWAP" is now "MANCATTAN"

2007-11-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

27/11/07

New film name officially released; "MANCATTAN"
New website launched; www.mancattan.co.uk

First Trailer...

2007-10-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

25/10/07

The First Trailer Arrives, here on Facebook for you viewing pleasure. See it and share it on Youtube also. Enjoy.

Col & Phil

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bQuoDN34e4U