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We are excited to share our latest Film of the Month winner The Iron Men directed by talented young filmmaker Ruby, from Lancashire. Our Special Mention this month goes to Jubilee, by Sonny, from Brighton.
Based on a poem Ruby wrote remembering a visit to Crosby Beach, the location of Anthony Gormley's iconic Another Place installation, The Iron Men (engaging for 11+) blends poetry and striking Black and White imagery to stunning effect.
We caught up with Ruby to find out more about the process of making The Iron Men.
How does it feel to win Film of the Month?
It's been a great opportunity to share my film with other people. I'm planning to study Film Production at University later this year, so I'm really happy with what the film has achieved so far.
What was the original inspiration for your poem?
I don't write poetry normally, but I had an idea when I visited the statues in Crosby again. They're life-sized human statues, so they get mistaken for people stuck at sea, but because they're a local landmark I see quite often, it takes a while to realise that they're pretty unusual.
What led you to adapt it for this short film?
Most things I write are either horrors or comedies, and I wanted to make something completely different. I came across the poem again, and rewrote it before asking my Dad to read it out over the footage I shot.
Why did you choose to film in Black & White?
I watched a few black and white films during lockdown like Universal monster films or some of the Hammer Horror films, I just think it can make films seem more eerie sometimes. Plus, the sky was grey and overcast, so it made the statues stand out a lot more.
What are your filmmaking inspirations?
My favourite film is Shaun of the Dead, so I'd say the director that most inspires my work is Edgar Wright. The films that have most inspired me to get into filmmaking are comedy and horror films, like Knives Out and The Omen.
What advice would you give to other young filmmakers?
Read the scripts from films you watch, a lot of them are usually online. I found out most of what I know about formatting screenplays on BBC Writer's Room, but there's also a lot of great talks or panels from the BFI or BAFTA on YouTube.
Most of all though, I'd recommend making films on your phone with people you know, asking for feedback and putting them online.
What are you working on next?
I've written some more short films and a couple of sketches which I'm hoping to make soon, but in the meantime I'm editing a horror short film which I directed for my A-level Film Course and that's been really fun.
I also host a podcast where I interview people in creative industries called The Fifth Wall, so hopefully I can carry on doing that. I'm trying to write a lot more this year, so I've just started working on a play about football.
Ruby's film will now be shared with over 300,000 Film Club members online. It will also be featured on our YouTube Channel alongside a huge range of youth-made short films. They have secured £100 voucher to further support their filmmaking.
So, what are you waiting for? If you've already made a great film, enter it now! If not, get filming and make your submission soon! There's a new round every month, so you never need to worry about missing an entry deadline. Find out how to make your entry here.
Special Mention
The Special Mention category highlights a film each month that we feel deserves to be celebrated alongside the winning film. This month is no exception and we are delighted to share Jubilee by Sonny, from Brighton. Sonny's shared about their experience of making Jubilee:
I Served as all the major production roles on this film, and it had no budget with the actors being my nan, and other people I knew from school. I got the idea for a large part of the film after hearing that a self-portrait of Rembrandt was going to be on temporary loan at my local museum.
I sent an email to them asking if I could film there. After a short while they responded and got permission to film there. I was supper chuffed when I got my shots of the painting as I know I had a very strong moment featuring a famous piece of art to frame my film around.
