27th December 2009

Happy Christmas and have a good new year from all at Loonatik and Drinks.

As 2009 draws to a close I realise that it's been over a year and half since we completed a film. While we've all been busy working on various projects, they've all been suitably complex and challenging films that have ensured we're not able to complete them in our normal timely fashion. This will all change in 2010!

Firstly, we have completed the final edit on 'The Wailing Well', it is now in the safe hands of Mr Gray to do all the VFX work and grading. However, we're trying to balance putting only the necessary touches on the final film so we can get it completed sooner rather than later. We're in the position where our imagination can run wild and we could do all manner of wonderful post production tricks to really blow peoples minds. But we do want to complete the film in the next year, so we're sticking to just what we need. Early signs are good and it promises to be a great film and one for us all to be proud of. I just wonder what the M.R.James fans will make of it.

Following on from the delivery of 'The Wailing Well', 'Lucy Spook in My Funny Valentine' will be dragged off the shelf and completed. We're going to have take a slightly different approach to the post production than we originally planned, this is to ensure that we don't spend the next 5 years working on it. Stay tuned for further updates.

Finally, following an open call for scripts, we are reading though a large pile of original scripts from a long line of talented writers. We're still looking as well, so if anyone has any scripts then please feel free to email either a treatment or full script to info@loonatikanddrinks.com.

Initially we're looking at producing a super short of a couple of minutes in length and then, later on in the year, we'll put a longer piece into production. This may be one of the adaptations listed on the projects page or an original script, depending on how things work out with 'The Wailing Well' and 'My Funny Valentine'.

All in all 2010 promises to be a productive and exciting year.

31st August 2009

Last weekend we had the final 3 days of production on 'The Wailing Well'. A 2 day shoot turned into a 3 day shoot after another disasterous first day of shooting - I mean, hailstones in August when you're filming in a field, someone give us break!

Saying that, days 2 and 3 of the shoot were probably the most pleasurable days I've ever spent on a film shoot ever, this more than made up for our rocky start to the proceedings. We were blessed with some wonderful weather on days 2 and 3 which brought out the best in our already glorious landscapes. Impressive performances from all our actors made our jobs a lot easier, people were getting spooked out from just watching the performances, that's always a good sign when you're trying to make a ghost story.

We're cracking on with post production now, got lots of footage to go through and get over to the editor. But Steve's got an action plan down on paper for all the VFX shots, so we're hoping we should be able to power through this one and get it ready for a Hallowe'en screening.

22nd July 2009

We've wrapped Day 2 of 'The Wailing Well'. Things started off badly with the 10, genuine boy scouts we were promised failing to show. This was doubly bad as they were bringing along accessories to put the finishing touches to the costumes. There was much foot stomping and swearing early on in the day.

As always, when you're faced with these disasters, you just have to carry on regardless - at least, we did when I'd calmed down. We powered through the day, got some amazing footage and brilliant performances from all. We also convinced members of the crew to don scout uniforms and mill about in the background for the wide shots. Miraculously I think we may be able to pull off tattooed men and women as authentic boy scouts, so long as you don't look too close - we'll avoid Imax screenings of the film.

The consequence of the missing scouts means we're going to have to make slight adjustments to the opening of the film, but nothing that will noticeably impact the final product. All in all we've pulled off a great recovery, and everyone's looking forward to the final 2 days of production in August when we'll be able to wrap the film and get on with post production.

But there is a real buzz from everyone involved in the film. Everyone really believes in what we're doing, and the more adversities that are thrown our way, the more determined everyone is to make a great M.R.James adaptation that will be truly worthy of his name.

20th June 2009

We had the first day of production on 'The Wailing Well' a couple of weeks ago. It was a simple start to production, with us shooting some bluescreen shots for a visually wonderful flashback scene in the middle of the film. It was a light but productive day, and the matte's recieved from Mr Gray are looking spectacular. We are now tidying up the script, and getting ready for the second part of the shoot, this is pencilled in for late July.

In other news, a full version of 'Vespers' has now been uploaded on to IMDB. Moviola Mayhem will make an appearance before long.

23rd May 2009

Loonatik and Drinks are on IMDB, it feels good.

'The Wailing Well' is well into production. We've completed the first shot, which looks amazing. We've booked the first of 3 shoot dates. We've cast all the adult roles, and we're holding audtions for the kids roles in June. We've spent the past few weeks putting together a test shoot which, despite the fact that it's got some rather ropey acting in it, is looking damn fine. Check out the brand new 'Wailing Well' page for an exclusive 'first look' still from the film.

22nd April 2009

At long last we have the full final versions of 'Vespers' and 'Mr McKinley in Moviola Mayhem' for you all to watch on the projects page.

We're still slowly chipping away at 'Lucy Spook in My Funny Valentine', but Mr Gray had a technical malfunction - or at least his computer did - so we're a bit behind schedule. Scratch that, we're very behind schedule, but we will finish this film one day.

Slightly better news is that 'The Wailing Well' is shaping up nicely. I've finished about draft 12 of the script (hopefully the final one, but I say that all the time), we've sorted all our lovely locations, and we're well into casting now. We're aiming to shoot the first scenes at the end of May, with the bulk of the shoot taking place over Summer. It promises to be a cracking film and easily our most ambitious to date.

1st February 2009

Happy New Year! I know I'm a month late, but that's how this year is panning out. All very hectic, but somehow I don't seem to be getting much done. However that will change very soon. The big news is, after a much needed hibernation period, Lucy Spook is back on her feet. The first images from 'My Funny Valentine' have come in from the ever busy Mr Gray, see below. I hope you agree it was worth the wait and I can't wait to see more. No completion date as of yet, but hopefully won't be too long as Steve may go insane if he works on it too long.

The other big news is that we're in pre-production on our next film. After much chopping and changing, the next film will be an adaptation of M.R.James' 'The Wailing Well'. We went for funding for this film and naturally got shown the door, but during the application process I fell in love with the story and script, and have decided to produce it anyway. It's a very ambitious film that involves boy scouts, the countyside and zombies - what a combination! We are hoping to make it in a similar vein to 'Vespers', by trying to use the beauty of the Derbyshire countryside as our backdrop, and then enhacing it with digital effects to give it a dark and gothic undercurrent.

Speaking of 'Vespers', we will be posting a copy of the full film on the website very soon. Check back for that those who have yet to see it.