Chichester Film Productions

The City of Chichester

CHICHESTER FILM PRODUCTIONS are a dynamic new film production company, establishing themselves in one of the country’s oldest and most beautiful cities. The Roman city is situated only six miles from the coast, and ten miles from Portsmouth. It is a booming city, with many industries and outlets choosing to locate in or around the city. Chichester is famous for its unique cathedral, one of Europe’s top racing tracks at Goodwood, and most notably Chichester Festival Theatre, which is considered by many to be the finest outside of the West End. It is an ideal venue for a new English film company.

Our Objective

The main aim of CFP is to try and produce high quality films. The subject matter is not particularly important. However, two aspects need to be taken into consideration. CFP is a new company, therefore we do not quite have the budget to rival the likes of Independence Day or Mission Impossible. I hope it doesn’t sound too pretentious to say that, while we understand the need for structure, a script that follows a formula risks becomes predictable and drab. Secondly, CFP recognises the Free Market Economy. Consequently whereas a five hour black and white epic following the life of a slightly frustrated monk (with subtitles), may indeed posses all the qualities of a masterpiece, it may also lack an audience. So, we’re making no secret of the fact that we’re after quality films, with a lower budget, which will appeal to a large audience. This is balance that needs to be mastered.

So what makes a quality film? A solid script, versatile actors and a director with vision. On top of this financial input is required for production, distribution and marketing. One only has to look as far as Trainspotting to see how a bold marketing campaign can add to the prestige, and then takings, of a film. Contrary to Hollywood philosophy, you don’t need $40 Million, ten script writers, a big name over your title, and a trailer with the funny voice-over. All that is required is talent (of which the UK has an abundance), lateral thinking, a little cash, and a lot of attitude.

Submissions

CFP has only recently opened its doors, and at this stage we are only selling and recommending scripts. If you have a script that is witty, moving, ‘British’, and above all original, you are more than welcome to send it in to the above address. Please enclose a SAE if you want your script back! We regret that we can only accept standard script format. If you are unsure about how to lay a script out, send us a SAE, and we’ll dig out some notes. We do not charge for reading scripts, but there is a turnaround process of about two months. Please refrain from ringing every few days; this is never a good idea. One of us will read your script, and send you back their response with it. If we like it, and think that there is a place for it, we’ll put it under the CFP banner and recommend it to various production companies (predominantly in the UK). If this lead to a sale successful we would take a commission of about 10%.

We are well aware that writers aren’t often mathematicians, but many producers are. Hollywood producers claim that 90% of scripts have fundamental errors with structure. One can argue that they look for excuses, but it is a sad fact that a large proportion of scripts are weak. The word ‘weak’ is purely subjective. If we think we can spot fundamental errors in your script, we’ll tell you. We can advise you on what to consider changing, and we can certainly tell you what we like. Understandably the script is your baby, and you have the right to ignore any advice anyone gives you. But we believe it’s only fair to give our honest opinion. Opinions of course will vary from producer to producer. We look at scripts from our point of view, our angle. We will only recommend something that has a certain chemistry with us. But enough of the government health warning. If you’re a writer you don’t need to know that the odds are 500-1 against us recommending. As a writer you can take comfort in the fact that you are god, and you can defy these odds. Someone has to.

‘For Sale’ Section

Producers, get those cheque books out. The following screenplay(s) come highly recommended, and are available for you perusal by request, at the above address.

The Pact of ’88 Iain Wilson

‘Sex, Drugs, Violence, Bad Language and Inaccurate Philosophy’ This is hard to define. An atmospheric comedy adventure? Colin Farrow is an Oxford Undergraduate who receives a strange phone-call. An old computer-nerd acquaintance from High School has worked out how to get very rich quickly, and wants to share the secret with Colin and a four other select ‘friends’.

The five grown up school friends are reunited. Lead by Colin, and accompanied by the ultra-mercenary Dr Tory, they set out on an unwise quest to the London docklands. As the story progresses, the loveable but disillusioned characters re-discover each other at the cost of their scheme. Not everything ends quite as one thinks, with two wicked twists. The Pact of ’88 is primarily about the politics of youth, the philosophy of life and how they know so little, and think so much. It would appeal to the 15-40 age range, and with quality acting could easily transform into a quality film, as well as being economically viable. It is an uplifting, pacey and enjoyable film embodying British icons and placing electric characters within them.

Master Locations: 3
127mins
Principle Characters : 6

CFP plan to put all recommended scripts (in their complete form) on-line in the near future

CFP Producers

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - KATE HARVEY Kate is currently in Florence where she is working on a novel. She is delighted to be heading Chichester’s new film company, and hopes to represent it at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival.

She recently received one of only three awards given for outstanding achievement in English Literature. She will continue this at New Hall College, Cambridge in October. An encyclopaedic knowledge of literature, and keen admirer of quality cinema makes her an ideal judge of quality. As well as speaking fluent French and Italian, Kate also has ABRSM Grade VIII certificates on the Piano and Cello.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER - MARK WHITE Mark, who is reading Accounting and Finance at the London School of Economics is at the nerve centre of CFP. He is responsible for keeping CFP online in both economical and computing terms. Mark loves good comedy and is the only one of us who can read a full script off a screen in under an hour. When not scrutinising the most minor detail of a script, Mark earns a fortune writing computer software.

CO-OPERATIVE PRODUCER - PETER McLELLAND Peter, a fully qualified RGN and ex-monk has an idiosyncratic imagination and personality. With this he has the ability to spot and respect quality writing and filming in any genre. Peter has just co-written a children’s book, which is soon to be published. He is currently working on two scripts, a thriller and the comedy Snappers and Penguins. He particularly appreciates parody and surrealism.

ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSIONS AND SALES ENQUIRIES

Submissions: S.Buffer (Secretary)
Sales Enquiries: K.Harvey (Executive Producer)

Chichester Film Productions (CFP)
2 Old School Close
Birdham
Chichester
West Sussex
PO20 7ER

Tel. 01243 513859 (Correspondence via the post is preferred)

since 24/1/97.