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Notes from Gary Thomas, Producer, writer & director.
Most of the time I have ideas
when I’m asleep. I wish I could write them in my sleep as well. I have
had numerous ideas whilst dreaming, including my 1st novel,
Wilbur, as well as an American TV series, both yet to be written.
I had the idea for Dave’s
character around 2001, when the very first call for the UK Film Council
Digital Shorts Scheme came up. I was working at the time, at a local
newspaper company, and on quiet days, I would write about Dave. The
original idea was a ‘one night stand’ type story, where Dave meets his
lover Paul in a night club, they go home together, and decide to make a go
of a relationship. Needless to say my first short script was never
shortlisted, and my rejection later came as close to Christmas eve as the
post office would allow.
Fast forward to 2004, and Dave
and Paul had become a permanent fixture in my head, with a coming out
feature script and, inevitably, Dave and Paul’s life histories. Around the
same time I saw a DVD available from Bavo Defurne, with four of his short
films, including a film that I had heard of but not seen – Campfire. I had
seen this displayed at the National Film Theatre on numerous visits, so
this time I bought it. The moment I saw ‘Campfire’ is the moment I thought
I want to do something like that (if not that good then like it), and
after a while I wrote ‘Dave goes camping’ which, of course, became Early
One Summer.
I wanted a ‘happy ending’ for
my film, which of course almost never happens, and I knew, like me, Dave
knew his sexuality from an early age. So once I decided that I realise
that there’s no conflict in a happy ending, so this became represented by
Steve being married, as he has been unsure of his sexuality most of his
life.
I researched in magazines and
various websites how couples have reacted when husbands (or wives) ‘turn
out to be gay’, and it happens perhaps more frequently than anyone would
care to think about. And then it became easier to write the final scene.
In may 2006 I learnt that I
received Arts Council funding for a installation project, and with it a
fee, and with that ‘Dave’ went into production in July 2006, with Charlie
Ross playing Steve, Graeme Dalling Playing Dave, and Janet Greaves playing
Steve’s wife, Delia.
I nearly didn’t put a credit
as Producer on the end titles. I think Writer & director is sometimes
enough, but in the end I did so no one had to ask ‘who produced it?’ I
have always been pushing my own stuff forward as at the moment is it seems
to be the best chance I have of seeing my projects come to life. One day
I may decide that I want someone else to write my feature scripts and then
I will become a producer / director, but as for now, everything else has
come together relatively easily. It wont always be like that.
Interview with Charlie Ross (Steve)
How
did you meet the director?
I’m
also a stand-up comedian and was doing a gig in Glasgow. Quite by chance,
Gary Thomas the director was up for a stag night, saw me perform and asked
me afterwards if I’d be interested. Considering I used to be a teacher and
I’m gay, and the part required for me to play a teacher who was gay, I
kinda felt I might be right for it! It was one of these things, I emailed
Gary the next day, but the film-making process being what it is, I didn’t
hear from him for about 6 months! Was glad he remembered me!
Why
did you get involved / what did you like about the script?
I
liked the idea. The notion that it’s the older guy who is pursued by the
younger guy. Debunks the myth that it’s the other way around, plus it was
a different coming out story. The older, more experienced and wiser
character is actually out of his depth and it’s the teenager who is kind
of in control.
What
were the auditions like?
I
was lucky enough to get the part without an audition, but was asked to
read in for the casting of the two other parts. This involved spending a
morning having to kiss handsome young actors! It’s a tough business! But
the flipside of that was spending the afternoon being beaten up by
actresses casting for my wife!
It
was an interesting insight into the process. Having gone through the
audition trail for so long, and often being let down, it was kind of
heartening to realise what a fine line there is between getting the part
and not. There were a few very talented actors who could have played Dave,
but Graeme had an edge, just a look that felt right.
How
was it working with the crew and other actors?
I
have to say it was one of the most enjoyable few days I’ve ever spent.
Everyone had such a wide range of experience. Having not done much short
film work, I thought the crew would be mostly students or people new to
the industry. A couple of the guys had worked on a James Bond film for
goodness sake! Great to work with people with that kind of background. And
also to know that your work is in safe hands!
The
entire crew and cast were fantastic, really friendly and helpful.
Considering it was a short film, everyone really pulled in, to make it the
best they possibly could.
A
huge factor was the relationship I had with Graeme. We got on very well
and that helped because I think that rapport comes across on the screen. I
now know what critics mean by having chemistry! Graeme is very talented
and I learned a lot from him, very committed to his craft. I’m sure he has
a big future.
Okay, more importantly, what was the director like on set? (be
honest!)
Gary
is definitely happy to let the actors do their job. Which is good, he
trusted us and was receptive to ideas. At the same time, he knew what he
wanted and let it be known if there was something he didn’t like or didn’t
want to happen. Having written a lot of things myself, it’s difficult to
try and visualise and translate your work to the screen. The standard you
set in your imagination is very high, so I only hope that we came close to
meeting that standard.
Low
budget short films, they don’t normally do very well… do they?
They’re a great stepping stone to other things. My one gripe with short
films is they tend to be very arty or worthy. And there are almost never
comedies. Although “Early One Summer” doesn’t have any comedy, it has a
good story and is mostly concerned with telling that story and not getting
all ethereal!
What
are your hopes for the film?
I
just hope that people get to see it. It’s a nice piece and has a nice
story to tell. Obviously I’d like it to be hailed as the best short film
in the history of the universe, but a few screenings at film festivals and
people getting the chance to see what we’ve done. I’m proud of it, and
just want to show it off!
Finally, if you got to make a short film, what would it be about?
Well
I think I’ve already answered that! A comedy would be great. I’ve written
a feature length script and when I get the bloody chance, I’d like to
develop a segment of that to make into a short.
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