Shot in 12 days, Weekend Retreat is a Cornwall-set comedy thriller.
Sarah spoke to writer and director Brett Harvey about its making…
It came from two different places.
And then from that list of rules I came up with, the idea forWeekend Retreatappeared.
I found it really handy when I was writing to keep it contained to one day and one night.
Internal story logic is the bane of my life!
because I spent so long trying to work out the logic of this film.
It was one of those weird things where at the time, it seemed perfectly natural.
How did the cast and crew come together?
There are some great performances in there; Dudley Sutton in particular is awesome…
I was gonna say, how many films have just turned up with Dudley Sutton in there?
Man likes to work.
was a friend of a friend.
Its that stupid and lucky.
It was one of those situations like do you think shed read it?
yeah Im sure shed have a look and then she read it and she really liked it.
Yikes, that must have sucked.
and then that happened.
But everything happens for a reason.
I really love Si in that role, and I think that he and Dean have a fantastic chemistry.
So, blind luck!
Its like a combination of both.
But it wasnt like that, we just started filming.
So yeah, I was incredibly intimidated but very, very excited to be doing it.
I think I got away with it.
How long was the shoot?
It was 12 days.
How did you get funding to make the film?
And they went for it, so thats how we funded it, mostly.
We did some crowd-funding, as well, for post-production.
Basically, like every low budget film, we funded it by any means necessary!
What kind of feedback did you get from those village hall screenings?
We did question-and-answer sessions and Id just basically have to stand there and get it in the neck.
And Id say, I dont care whats wrong with their car!
Thats not the point!
I implore all filmmakers to test screen early cuts of their films.
Ill always lean towards comedy whenever Im writing stuff.
In terms of balance, I have no idea!
You just do what you feel is right at the time.
It was always about trying to ground all the performances, and make it as real as possible.
Which is kind of why the violence is, hopefully, quite real; its not slapstick.
Theres not a huge amount of gore, but what there is you really feel it.
I think a lot of thats down to the sound effects…
Yeah, the sound design is brilliant.
A guy called David Smithers did that, and it was just fantastic.
Whats happening with the film now?
Will readers be able to see it anywhere?
And weve just updated our website, so the DVD can be pre-ordered now!
Check out theWeekend Retreat websiteorlikeit on Facebook for more info and news about the film.
you’re able to find out about our offer to indie film makers here.