Arnold (Owen Collins) and Jane (Freya Parsons) are so addicted to television they find themselves unable to move. Can Arnold convince Jane there is more to life and break their comfy cycle? A film adaptation of The Sofa from Encompass stage production Life in a Sketchbook, this short was created by Tartan Viking Films in association with Pen & Rose Productions and Encompass Productions.
Directed by Jonathan Woodhouse
Written by Emma Minihan
Additional material by Liam Fleming and Simon Massey The Sofa was originally performed at Bare Essentials - and we've just recently closed entries for our next event! We've had hundreds of submissions from writers in the UK and around the world - we can't wait to perform their work! Expect an announcement in the coming weeks...
Hello folks, producer Jonathan here and we're back with another Stormin' Norman update!
So whilst Encompass has been busy with our new Bare Essentials event and pre-production for new play Who is Moloch? the Stormin' Norman team have been entering the final stages of post-production for this first Encompass project on film.
It's been a long time coming but we finally have a cut that we're happy with. Editing a film can be a laborious process, especially when the film in question is a short one and you have less time to play with! Simon (editor) has worked hard to fine-tune the film and has done a brilliant job responding to director and producer feedback - even when said feedback has been nitpicking! Perhaps no-one has been more brutal with his own work than writer and director Paul however - cutting unnecessary scenes and dialogue as he sees fit without any hesitation. It takes a certain artistic tenacity to be able to do this, a quality in Paul which I've had the pleasure of witnessing throughout this production.
Pan has been readying the sound, and it'll be interesting to see what he does with the urban soundscape of East London. I think after the brilliant London 2012 we all know how vibrant the city can sound! Whilst dialogue is a key component of this short (and just how much may surprise people) it'll certainly be interesting to hear how Norman's environment changes throughout his day and in the various locations.
Another part of post-production nearing completion is the score. Frequent Encompass collaborator Alex Burnett has finalised the music for the film and is recording the live elements this week. Here's what he has had via his new Facebook page:
"Creating a soundscape first can often lead to finding the right melodic material. The current film I'm scoring, 'Stormin' Norman', proved this yet again as I produced the ambient texture of the city before discovering the first melody of the soundtrack. For the final track what I wanted to achieve is a piece that not only brings the score and film to an exciting and emotional conclusion but also be a track that people can and want to listen to."
Composer Alex scoring Stormin' Norman
Alex's last project for Encompass - the acclaimed soundtrack for What It Feels Like - was produced electronically but this time he wanted to have live instruments present throughout the score, a decision both Paul and myself were fully behind. Alex is in the studio this week recording violin and guitars with EP associate performers Helena Gullan and Luke Manning respectively - Luke also appears in Stormin' Norman as 'Barry'. I'll also be dusting off my drumsticks to play drums and percussion - the rhythm is the real backbone of the score and I'm honoured Alex asked me to play for it! Paul, Alex and I felt that the blend of electronic and live elements would further extend the sonic scope of this ambitious soundtrack - it really is quite unlike anything we have heard for a short and having seen it in the context of the film we can safely say you're in for a treat! You can listen to a preview of the soundtrack below:
The exciting part of any project is seeing everything come together. Stormin' Norman is nearly complete! As we want it to have a presence on the festival circuit first we won't be releasing it online for a good while - however we will be organising screenings which you'll be able to come to! Keep an eye out...
'The Lady' chronicles the life of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh) and her husband Dr. Michael Aris (David Thewlis), with Jonathan Woodhouse (Encompass Founder and Artistic Director) starring opposite the pair as their eldest son 'Alexander Aris'. Directed by legendary auteur Luc Besson, the film is released today (December 30th) in the UK More information, images and trailers from the movie can be found at www.useyourfreedom.com.
Founder and Artistic Director of Encompass Jonathan Woodhouse was recently interviewed in two parts by Philippine Generations on acting opposite Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis in Luc Besson's 'The Lady', Encompass Productions, working at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and advice for those wishing to build a career in the arts. Check out the interviews at the Philippine Generations website by clicking below:
We've been given our first ever review for an event! The Residency - Live Music at Mascara Bar which took place last month was recently reviewed by HerUni - you can check out the review here!
***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT COMING ON JANUARY 1ST, 2012 - EXCLUSIVELY AT WWW.ENCOMPASSPRODUCTIONS.CO.UK!***
BECOME PART OF THE TEAM - CAST AND CREW NEEDED!
Written & directed by Paul G Raymond, Stormin’ Norman follows Norman, a homeless man living in the London suburbs. We journey with Norman through the ups and downs of his everyday life until he meets Sarah, a young woman who dares to break the routine.
SHOOTING EXPECTED TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 2012 - POSITIONS FOR EXPERIENCED AND NON-EXPERIENCED FILMMAKERS NOW AVAILABLE
We're heading The Brownswood for an evening of festive cheer and the best live stand-up and improvised comedy, this time raising money for the 'Crisis' charity! It'll be our last Residency event of the year and will feature some great live comedians including:
Sam Holmes - Jim Stoten - Andy Barr - Phil Boothman - Guy Fletcher - SHOOT FROM THE HIP!
All profits will go to 'Crisis at Christmas' which provides vital services for homeless people over the festive season and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. So come and join The Residency for one last time this year for a cracking night to celebrate all things Christmas...and all things comedy!
After their brilliant debut last week, SHOOT FROM THE HIP! are hitting London's West End again just in time for Christmas with their weekly improvised comedy show!
Everyone's favourite new comedy troupe will be at renowned Top Secret Comedy Club on Tuesday 20th December. Never the same show twice, everything SHOOT FROM THE HIP! perform on stage is completely unrehearsed and unpredictable. You give the locations, you give the characters...and remember with no script there are no limits!
So bring anyone and everyone with you for a night of improvised chuckles to keep you warm this winter at Top Secret!
AN INTERVIEW WITH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JONATHAN WOODHOUSE
Founder and Artistic Director of Encompass Jonathan Woodhouse was recently interviewed by Philippine Generations on Encompass Productions, acting opposite Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis in Luc Besson's 'The Lady',working at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and advice for those wishing to build a career in the arts. Check out the interview at the Philippine Generations website here.
'The Lady' chronicles the life of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh) and her husband Dr. Michael Aris (David Thewlis), with Jonathan starring opposite the pair as their eldest son 'Alexander Aris'. The film is released in the UK on December 30th. More information, images and trailers from the movie can be found at www.useyourfreedom.com.
AND FINALLY...
It's snowing at www.EncompassProductions.co.uk! Check out our website with loads of videos, pictures and information on who we are, what we do and why we're doing it!
