This month is all about celebrating independent film makers.Our next featured film of the week is called Super Grannies and comes from the production company Lytham Film Company from North West England. We sat down with one of the co-founders Neal Gavyn to talk about the film that is currently in production and to find out why this film project is particularly special and definitely worth watching when it is released

Hello Neal – How did you get into filmmaking?

I have always been fascinated by the art of filmmaking! During my childhood I would spend all my time immersed in the worlds of Jurassic Park, Marvel, D.C, James Bond etc.

My background and training as an Actor was mainly in the theatre! Commedia Dell Arte’, Brecht, Shakespeare etc.

So all my writing and devising was tailored for the theatre at the time, various monologues, sketch shows, stories etc. So I never really looked beyond the stage for a while.

I fell back in love with film during my time at AUB, I collaborated with young up and coming filmmakers and I never really looked back! I still love the theatre and I actively write for both stage and film.

Meeting cinematographer Sophie Heppell and combining our skill sets to bring our imaginary worlds to life was the true catalyst in me becoming a filmmaker and I’m absolutely loving it!

How did the partnership between yourselves and Fairhaven Lodge come about?

My Mum [Carol Williams], is the manager of Fairhaven Lodge [Dementia] Care Home and for years I have been putting on activities for the residents, exercising, drama classes, trips to the cinema etc. So the team up was inevitable! It’s been an absolute joy!

Your film has a lot of members of the local community starring – why do you think this is important?

I think it’s really important to give a bit back!

The production team was full of lots of talented individuals all from various backgrounds with different reasons for wanting to join the project.

It was great to have fun and stimulate the residents of Fairhaven Lodge! The primary objective was to shine a light on them and give them something to look forward to!

It was a good opportunity to raise awareness about Dementia and show the world how important it is to brighten up someone’s day whenever you can!

Some members of the community wanted to have a taste of the film industry and get involved too! Which was a great experience for everyone!

We also wanted to give aspiring artists an opportunity to showcase their skills and I know from experience that it’s a hard industry to break into!

I will always endeavour to help out my fellow peers whenever possible and I’m really glad that I’m now in a position to do so!

We were also very lucky to have the services of some friends and experienced members of the industry jump on board the project!

We are on a mission to make a difference! This is the just the beginning!

How did the production of Super Grannies come about?

We asked the residents of Fairhaven Lodge what kind of film they wanted to make!

They wanted to do an action comedy! So we went away and came up with the idea of undercover grannies saving the world! We felt the title was fitting because they truly are Super Grannies! The rest is history! Haha!

What makes this film so unique?

Casting residents with dementia as lead roles I think is quite unique! I think offering opportunity on such a wide scale as well is quite unheard of!

We hope that we can start a trend and this will no longer be seen as a unique thing to do!

Another unique factor, is that the film is very ‘Lancashire’!.

It’s not every day you see Lytham St Annes on the big screen!

Not to mention the film is about secret agent grannies taking down super villains! Haha!

Do you have plans to work with Fairhaven more in the future?

It would be great to work with them again… Will there be a SUPER GRANNIES 2? We’ll have to see… No spoilers! Haha!

What’s your favourite thing about making films and why?

“Cop out I know but… It’s hard to think of one thing! I love everything about my job!

I just love creating and learning as much as I can!

I think it’s great if you can provoke thought and make a difference through your creativity!

“We are on a mission to make a difference! This is the just the beginning!” – Neal Gavyn

What’s the most challenging?

Time restraints and typical British weather have been a challenge at times during the shoot! Haha! We do love a challenge though! Filmmaking involves a lot of problem solving at times and that’s all part of the fun! I never think twice about rolling up my sleeves and crackin’ on! Whatever the challenge!

What’s the best advice you have ever been given about production?

“To approach work with professionalism, sensitivity and generosity.”

We will have more from Neal later this week….