PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN COOKE
FILMING IN ROCHDALE When we think of the film industry we perhaps see images of glitz and glamour. We imagine red carpets, glamorous actresses, handsome actors, screaming crowds and hordes of photographers.
That might be true of Hollywood and the major film industries but for independent film makers making what one them recently described as a ‘no budget movie’ those are scenes unlikely to be replicated. However, Rochdale based John Farrington, owner of Leaky Shed Films tells us that there was a real sense of purpose and pride in the making of the film And She Cried, filmed on location in Rochdale.
“And She Cried is a short film addressing the issues raised by the murder a few years ago of Sophie Lancaster,” John told Style magazine in an exclusive interview. “We have been in touch with the Sophie Lancaster foundation, through which Sophie’s mum and so many volunteers work tirelessly to create tolerance of individuality. the film is not in any way the story of Sophie Lancaster or of her death, but it addresses issues raised about a murder that many consider to have been a hate-crime.”
John then went on to explain how it was possible to deliver what he insists was genuinely a ‘no budget’ project.
“We advertised in appropriate outlets for postgraduate cast and crew willing to work for no fee to produce what we already knew would be an important film,” John told us. “In our wildest dreams, though, we never expected those who did step forward to show such generosity of spirit. Lighting, sound and camera persons not only joined us but brought
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with them their own equipment. that in itself was fantastic, but they also really knew how to use that equipment and the production values of the film are very high. So, too, were the performance values. We were really lucky to be able to cast each role and have achieved some memorable performances.”
With the film to be shown in schools and universities and community groups to generate debate around the issues raised it all sounds very worthy but a long way removed from the bright lights and glitz described at the opening of this feature.
“of course, it isn’t hollywood,” John admitted. “however, there are connections in that many of the movers and shakers in the commercial film world lent us really expensive equipment, and we were even able to throw a thank you ‘wrap’ party, for local businesses, at Panalux, a Lancashire studio that is part of an international organisation.”
John then went on to tell us how Rochdale businesses have come to have their names in the film’s closing credits. As the music plays to a fade at the end viewers will see the names of all across the arts, The Baum, The Reed, The Horse And Farrier, The Bean café and The
Broadfield Hotel, without whom the late-night filming would not have been as comfortable.
“Between them, those businesses kept our cast and crew fed and sheltered,” John explained.
And the glitz and the glamour?
“We had a fantastic event at Panalux on completion,” John told us. “all across the arts, another rochdale company, helped us deliver a screening and a really professional question and answer session for invited supporters and their guests. the champagne was orange juice, the caviar was cheese and biscuits and the role of martin Scorcese was played by John farrington, but we are confident we have delivered a film rochdale can be proud of.”
Norman Warwick