Hello, I've just joined and looking forward to making connections. I've been a screenwriter for the last 16 years, and my feature film (as Screenwriter) 'Day for the Flowers' was released in the UK at the end of last year. It's still in Independent Cinemas around the UK and is going to be on as part of the Script to Screen breakfast club next Sunday in Vue Piccadilly so I'm looking forward to being grilled on what actually happened, from Script to Screen! The film went to the Mill Valley Film Festival and Havana Film Festival New York, among others. Great audiences there! I especially loved the Mill Valley Festival and New York festivals and can't wait to make another film and get back there! Day of the Flowers was shot Glasgow and Cuba(where I've been going since '97). Cuba has also inspired the project I'm working on now. It's a bit of a change for me but writing can be a bit lonely at times and I wanted to do something different. The Cuban Way is a feature documentary that I've co written and also directed over the last two years. I've loved been out there working with my all Cuban team with the fantastic characters we found. The link address is below if you're interested in knowing more. I'm interested in how you're all finding the current climate. It seems here it is increasingly difficult to get funding and exposure for Independent films, you have to be very determined to get something done, and then when it is finished, to get it seen, unless it's a big block buster. That's why I think connections like this can really make a difference and we can hopefully change the climate in our support of each other. Have a great Sunday. I am having a little fundraiser this afternoon, Mojitos, music, and showing The Cuban Way promo, so if anybody wants to pop by, let me know! http://thecubanway.co.uk/
Introduce Yourself : FILM AND TV WRITER and FILM MAKER FROM GLASGOW. by Eirene Houston
Other topics in Introduce Yourself:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
1 person likes this
Eirene...congratulations on your first feature after 16yrs. Great for sticking at it.
Thanks Darren, yeah it's not easy. I enjoy doing TV but getting your own film on the big screen, is special. I'm hoping it won't be 16 years till the next one! I think that's why I'm doing a documentary for a change, you can just get out there and do it. Good luck with whatever you're up to. Keeping going is probably more than half the battle. Check out the short demo on the website, when you have a minute.
2 people like this
Congrats Eirene! As an aspiring actor and screenwriter I'll be following you closely :-)
1 person likes this
Just fantastic, Eirene!
I think it's a grind..meaning labor intensive... no matter where you are in the world. As an artist it is always going to be a matter of selling and reselling your product. Convincing, showing, sharing...one after another of your value. Other obvious factors come in to play like luck both it's mostly perseverance. I am not a film maker, so I can't respond specifically to some of your points but I thought I would share something really cool. I was so excited to discover last night that the AMC movie chain is selling a $12 annual fee membership which invites you to see all their independent movie releases-free. There's other discounts but when she said I could come see independent films... I can only find these films in libraries or maybe, maybe on Netflix. So, to have a major corporation opening the door for me to be able to not only find them but be able to watch them...I was thrilled! Anyways, good luck and keep on keeping on...
1 person likes this
That does sound cool Jamie. Sometimes it can be so hard finding films you want to see, or ones that you don't even know about. Yep, perseverance and loving what you do.
1 person likes this
Hi Eirene, I came to the Day of the Flowers showing yesterday and really enjoyed it. Would've loved to chat with you about the process after that taster in the cinema, but you were very sought-after! I was especially intrigued about the script changing over time, and the difficulties getting a film seen once it's made. It's one hurdle after another! Congrats on getting that far, and on great characters. Tracey
1 person likes this
Saw the trailer on youtube. Well done. Ang
Thanks Tracey, sorry we didn't get a chance to chat and glad you enjoyed it. Check out The Cuban Way trailer , it's fun, I think you'll like it. Glad you like it Ang, thanks.
1 person likes this
Yeah it is fun :-) Love the contrast of young and older. I'm interested to know how you've made it into a full feature. Do you focus more on the individuals and their stories?
1 person likes this
Thanks Tracey, yes we focus on a few of their stories and what dance means to them in their everyday lives but also the changes and how they affect them and Cuba and the future of the traditions. Also our Rueda group have their yearly regional Rueda competition, so we see whether they win again for a third time, or not! It's very involving and lovely characters who I got to really care about and hope the audience will too. Editing now, we should be getting close by the end of this month.