The Chase - A Short Film

If you know the brand, you will know we aren't strangers to creating our own unique Campaigns that tell a story and world-build.

It is our creative outlet. Yes, it would be simpler to just take studio photos but where would be the fun in that?

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Born from a love of the novel and the 1930s and 1950s films, I have always wanted to retell (in some way) 'The 39 Steps'.

My intent to tell this story was so much so that even one of the early jumper designs was named after the main character.

This was way back in 2019, when I first started the brand.

 

But, I hit a snag... I couldn't find the right people to play the part. As a fan of the first two adaptations, I had my heart set on finding someone who would be faithful to the characters portrayed by Robert Donat & Kenneth More.

So, the idea sat, waiting in the wings, until one day Rob Salathiel walked into the shop. He was perfect!

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It is funny how sometimes, it can take just one thing (or a person), for other elements to fall into place.

With one part of my cast confirmed, this then led me to stumble across some amazing footage Rob shot with a fellow student, Charlie Ord. 

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Charlie, is a wonderful cinematographer who, it turns out, is a huge admirer of Alfred Hitchcock and his early films... can you see where this story leads?

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It was then time for me to sit down and write the film. I already had a proof of concept but to sit and create something is an entirely different challenge.

The writing was done in a little cafe in Belper, near our shop.

This was when new team creative, Jack Hadley, began his work with the brand in earnest. 

As Production Assistant, Jack was instrumental in the behind the scenes, as well as being key to the success of the entire project. 

Jack also cast Rebeka Mihaela Ilie as the other half of our dynamic duo; Miss Fisher aka Fishpots.

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It then was an easy choice to cast Jack and Gary (my husband) as the Shadowmen. Even our own lovely 1938 Flying Standard gets screen time!

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The final piece in the puzzle was if we could find a steam engine and station...

Jack Shaw, the amazing Station Master of Quorn & Woodhouse Station at The Great Central Railway was delighted to welcome us to the LNER line in Leicestershire.

As an aside; I grew up visiting this railway line, and my Great Grandfather was an engine driver on the LNER line. So it felt incredibly special to film in all those wonderful locations.

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Another wonderful location that we must thank for all their support was the wonderful Fox House at Haversage.

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Our film was completed, despite the weather and a few things working against us and we are now in the process of post production.

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As I looked around me at all the hard working and talented individuals, it seemed to me that the film was going to be something very special.

I had been planning on using some license free (already composed music) as I had in previous projects... but it just didn't seem to feel as though that was the right path for this project.

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It deserved something else.

Music, as Hitchcock rightly pointed out, is key to a film's impact. A scary film isn't scary or suspenseful if you turn the sound off.

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So, this is when I began a new search... who could we get to write the music for the film?

It was the day after we finished filming that I popped on a certain playlist and the music of a favourite composer of mine came on. It suddenly occurred to me that this man might just be willing to help. He was a customer and supporter after all.

So, I dropped him a message and asked rather bashfully if he might consider working on this little project. I couldn't think of anyone better suited so I hoped that he might...

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We are delighted to announce that Emmy award winning composer Michael Price will be composing and conducting the accompanying score to the short film 'The Chase'.

Not only is Michael on board, but we'll also have a once in a lifetime experience to work at and record at the world renowned Abbey Road Studios.

I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams that this would have happened.

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Though Michael has been incredibly generous, there are still associated costs with recording at the studios and working with musicians. As this wasn't something I had initially planned or budgeted for, I have found myself short of funds to complete this Cinderella Project.

Would you help us cross the line and get our film completed the way we want?

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If you would like to contribute, and receive mention in the credits, please do so via our Gofundme page.

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Thank you in advance for following our little project.

Please do follow our progress on social media and be sure to subscribe for the latest updates and news of the first teaser trailer!

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Thank you.

Sophie