It's take two for Oxford film crew
STILL SUN-KISSED from a recent location search in Italy, the up-and-coming Oxford Film Production Society is currently planning its new project. It follows the success of a joint venture with Cambridge University's Talamasca Films. The Lost Domain, a film adaptation of Le Grand Meaulnes by Alain Fournier, was screened on six nights across Oxford and Cambridge and attracted an audience of over 700.
A new film is in the pipeline and shooting will take place over the summer in Bristol and at a "secret location" in Oxford. The society, founded by Adam Humphries of Balliol and Hugo Godwin of Hertford, is keen to find "anyone who is enthusiastic" to help conceive the project.
The film is an adaptation of the autobiography Too Close to the Bone about Allon White a cultural historian who died at the age of 35 from leukaemia. The essence of the film, according to producer Hugo, is "three memory strands, which all run together and are thematically connected."
Among others, BAFTA-nominated sound recordist, Graham Ross, is being recruited to train and inspire the budding film-makers. "It will be absolutely amazing for us to work with professionals," observes co-producer Adam. But equipment for film making is sadly lacking in Oxford; the Oxford Film Production Society has previously collaborated with its sister society in Cambridge.
The new film will be shot on 16mm celluloid, rather than the limiting digital camera with which they used to shoot The Lost Domain. The problem, it seems, is a severe lack of money: "Film making is greatly under-funded in Oxford. We're working in a vacuum" laments Adam. The Lost Domain - which cost £4000 to produce - received donations of £1950 from various Cambridge University colleges, but the result of efforts made in Oxford by the producers was only £200, donated by from Hertford College.
Auditions for the film are currently being held. Anyone who is interested should contact hugo.godwin@hertford.ox.ac.uk.
25th May 2000