Been waiting for an insight into 'Progeny'? Well, here it is...
No spoilers though.
I had the great opportunity to direct my tenth film last summer when the incredibly talented Maria Shevstova approached me. I'd met Maria for a coffee the year prior and we'd got on really well, with lots in common (including our love for witchcraft!). So, this film was perfect for us both as it explored that theme.
Although I only had a synopsis to work with, at the point of attachment, I was excited to get stuck into a fantasy short film (although, later the genre came to be decided as folk horror, for its darker themes). I have wanted to delve into genre filmmaking for a long while, especially to grow my more thematic reel, away from pure dramas. This was a mix of that, of course, as this film has a heavy drama element to it.
I was able to work with James Fane Trefusis, a talented writer, on the script and developed it with him alongside Maria and our other producer, Joanna Vymeris. And, soon we were prepping for shooting with so much happening behind the scenes.
It was decided that we'd film in Hungary, and we ended up doing two recces over two months, before filming, to scout and determine the final location. It was decided that this would be Vácrátót National Botanical Gardens, which had this beautiful house in its centre that was just the perfect location.
Whilst this was happening, we were working with Claire Bleasdale to search far and wide for our cast and finally decided on three actors - Sukey Willis for Alka, Ellie James for Rowan and Karen Connell for Devana. I had the privilege of seeing all three of them audition, and I'm so glad that we chose them. Plus, Sukey and Ellie were perfect as sisters.
And, three months after the script was written, with all the cast attached, crew ready and location sorted, we filmed over four very intense days in the extreme heat under the blanket of the trees in the gardens. I had the privilege of working with Jenni Suitiala, who is an insanely good director of photography, and we brought this little script to life. I also can't go without shouting out to my great friend, and 1st AD, Josie Connor, who kept me on the straight and narrow.
And, so, 'Progeny' was born and now it's a cold, wet January and we are 3 weeks away from finishing this amazing project. My post-production team are some of the best in the industry and I can't thank them enough for the hours they have put into making this film look like it's made for the opening of a Netflix TV show.
This story is so special to me because not does it only allow me to continue my love of directing personal stories, but I'm able to show an intense relationship between two sisters. Being a sister I understand everything both of them go through in this film, and I hope it's relatable to others who watch the film.
Now, we sit back and watch how festivals come to unroll. I can only hope that it picks up traction and that audiences around the world come to praise this fifteen-minute short film. And, of course, it would be great if it gets picked up for feature or TV show development. Wouldn't that be nice?
Some of the cast and crew (there were 50+)
A SHORT VIDEO INSIGHT FROM ME
The actual good documentary is coming soon.