This month is all about celebrating independent film makers.Today we talk to Jem Mehmet who is currently looking for funding for his next up and coming short film that has a really insightful message. We sat down with him to find out more about The Good Boy

Hello Jem! Tell us a little bit about yourself?

My love for cinema began with the majestic score of Williams’ and the masterful direction of Spielberg. The moment the Bronchosorous lifted to his hind legs and reached for that top branch I knew my life would never be the same again. Since then I spent most of my childhood recreating my favourite movie scenes with a Super 8 Camera. My love for cinema grew into an education that I couldn’t stop myself from being engulfed in. I decided to turn my love for film into a job and went to uni to get a degree in film. I have then worked on several TV commercials and a couple of feature films. Now I want to take everything I’ve learned and apply it to my own film, “The Good Boy”.
 
 How did you come up with the idea of The Good Boy?

The concept for ‘The Good Boy’ has been a while in development. My initial interest was in what pressures make young adults into psychopathy. Is it a build up of choices made that batter our mental capacity to be able to function in the way society wants us to? That led me down a road of thinking what pressures we have as young adults trying to make our way in this world. This could steam from school and what choices we make there.

The story then developed into how far one would go if pushed into the direction they are fighting to get out of. In Elliot’s example, he comes from a working class family, with ambitions of going to Oxford. Although clearly gifted Elliot has no financial way of achieving his goal. That being paired with his mothers gradual mental decline after losing her husband, Elliot not only has to think about himself but he also has to take care of his mother and little sister. All these pressures weigh heavily on Elliot, being a young person with no experience or help, he makes choices that he feels he has no other option, not doing the right thing but for the right reasons. All these issues Elliot has to deal with resonated with me and this inspired me to tell this story.
 
Tell us a little bit about the story?

Elliot, a very hard working student has to make a choice – stay home, look after his widowed mother and little sister whilst studying for a scholarship he may or may not get – or, for once in his life, shrug all responsibilities, be a teenager and go to a party where he has been invited to by the most beautiful girl in school whom just happens to be Elliot’s crush. Elliot’s choices lead him down a dark road and he can’t turn back.

How did you go about casting for your film?

The casting process for ‘The Good Boy’ was easier than I thought, or maybe I got Lucky. I posted an advert for the roles on a website I have sued before, Casting call pro – I got over 500 applicants. But I knew in my head, as I wrote it, exactly how I wanted my lead characters to look like. I received many casting tapes, all were excellent, but on stood out!! Emma Hewitt — She nailed it. Exactly the mannerisms I was looking for. As for Elliot, I had to go a little deeper, as most of the applicants didn’t quite suit the role. I was looking for a young looking adult =, with a level of maturity to handle the role. He has to look street tough, at school, with a level of vulnerability. I found Jack Smith!

Sent him a script personally asking if he could do a read for me. After receiving the link, I was blown away and knew there was no one else that could play this role other than Jack. I offered him the role immediately and luckily he accepted.

Tell us about the funding campaign and what the money will go towards?

So we have made a funding page using Indigogo – Our target is £1000. That’s the figure the producer, Sam Dowson and myself calculated we needed for a bare bones budget that will get the movie shot, the crew fed and hopefully everyone happy.

The money will go towards dressing out locations, props, acting fees, and travel fees for crew, for a score to be written for the film and to feed us all. That’s it. We have all the film equipment needed as well as the very generous crew that are giving up their valuable time. We have locations. We just need that little help to get us over that line.

You can find more info and a teaser trailer over on our funding page.

Indigogo Funding page can be found here;

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-good-boy-film/x/386306#/

Why do you think this story is important to tell?

So many young children grow up with limited life options. They go through important milestones in their lives where they have to make choices that will affect the rest of their lives. Our story is so important to share as with many people, Elliot struggles to make these choices.

Having been raised in a less privileged household, not only financially but with the loss of an important member of the family, Elliot gets led into a situation where he has to make a choice that could affect the rest of his life. We want to show that this struggle is real and sometimes people do make the wrong choice and good people make bad mistakes.

 If people want to find out more about The Goodboy where can they visit?

If you want more info on the film as well as updates, we have a facebook page and a website.

Website https://jem-md.wixsite.com/thegoodboy
 
What films / directors or even television shows inspire you and why?

My main influences steam from so many different sources. From the smooth “oners” of Spielberg to the colour palette of a Fincher Movie to the dialogue from the master Sorkin. I soak up as much film as possibly loving elements from so many artists. One of my favourite TV shows of late has to be “True Detective” by Corey Fukugawa. From the complex story telling to the amazing cinematography, I feel this had it all. I could go on and on about my inspirations but that’s a little insight.

Whats the next stages to come in the production of The Good Boy?

We are ready to shoot. Crew are confirmed and booked. Locations are ready. We just want to ensure that we have the funds to pay for the production. We are cutting it very fine between raising the money and shooting, but we are all confident we are making the movie in the way we want to make it, and we all believe that the money will come in and help us with all the necessities of making a film. We then will package up at the start of the year to enter some of the most prestigious film festivals around the world.

In 3 words describe why people should donate money to produce The Good Boy?

In FOUR words, how can I convince you to donate your hard earned money to this project!

INNOCENCES IS A CHOICE

OR

YOU DECIDE YOUR LIFE