Pageboy Pictures

Presents

SELF HELP
Produced & Directed by James Page
Written by Kurt Brookes & James Page

Technical Details
RED 4K 1.85:1 aspect ratio
Dolby Stereo Mix
Running time 16 mins

Contact: James Page, 30 Choyce Close, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3AY

+44 7979 44 11 63
selfhelp@jamespage.info
Self Help Synopsis

Self Help is a comedy drama about a lonely middle-aged oddball learning

to be himself, with the help of a brash motivational speaker, John Power!

Every morning the first thing Geoffrey does is play his Self Help
CD, and puts on a fake moustache and beard. Crippled by a lack of
confidence, he reluctantly attends a seminar given by his idol, the
voice on the CD, motivational speaker John Power, in the hopes of
changing his isolated life, and finding the courage to speak to the
girl he watches secretly. The journey there and back will change
him forever. Self Help is about
learning to be yourself.

And fake moustaches.

Co-Written and Directed by British Film Maker James Page, Self

Help was shot over the late months of 2009 and completed by mid
2010. The story is partly inspired by writers Kurt Brookes’ and James
Page’s experience with the universal struggle to be comfortable in
their own skins, and the mask that many people wear to hide their
real selves.
Genesis of The Idea

Co-writer Kurt Brookes comments: “‘Self Help’ started out as a very

different film, a paper-thin comedy sketch. I put an
advertisement on shootingpeople.org which read
“I’d direct it myself but I’ve got as much enthusiasm
for directing as a fat man has for salad” In the hope
someone would reply. Someone did: “I’m a fat man
and I don’t like salad, but I do like your script”. That
fat man was Director James Page.”

James connected with the bigger themes the script touched on, and
immediately began working with Kurt to develop the script.

Kurt commented “I worked with James on the script for a couple of drafts,
really adding depth and pathos to the story, fleshing the character out.”

“I was determined to avoid some of

the things that other short film makers
do,” says James.

“I didn’t want it to be about a gratingly

earnest, melodramatic 20 something
dealing with his ‘problems’.

I wanted it to be a narrative that

audiences would enjoy but also connect with, whilst communicating some
of the more offbeat ideas we had in our heads.”
Putting the Team Together

James worked out the budget, and very quickly realised that he would
need £10k ($20K US) to make Self Help.

And he didn’t have that money.

James saw that he could earn just enough to pay for locations, materials,
food and travel, but wouldn’t be able to raise the money to pay people
their wages, so James went cap in hand to previous key collaborators,
armed only with the script and his
enthusiasm.

Many of the people he approached

were involved in Wasters, an
independent feature James had
Produced and Edited, which went on
to screen at international festivals,
winning awards as it went.

His message was clear: “I have no

money to pay you, but if you want to
be part of an exciting project then I
will work tirelessly to make sure the
experience is worthwhile”.

Luckily people responded enthusiastically, not least the Cast.

Casting

Pete Glover, a renowned theatre actor and comedy writer from

Birmingham, had a small but memorable role in Wasters, and James
was impressed with the truth in Pete’s
performance.

Says James: “Pete’s performance was

full of pathos and honesty, and I was sure
he would be able to capture the range of
emotion needed to play Geoffrey”

Says Pete: “From the first reading of the

script, I was drawn into the schizophrenic
world of the character and wanted to bring him to life. James and I sat for
many an hour talking about the character and who he was. By the time I
got on set, I felt that I knew him. It is also beautifully written - a part every
actor dreams of. I saw James’ passion and commitment for the project, so
I knew I’d be in safe hands”

Chloe Mander came on board to play the object of Geoffrey’s affection.

On why she took the small but pivotal role,

Chloe explained: “I thought the script was
beautiful, it made my mom cry! I was very
excited to be a part of it.”

With the majority of the cast in place, James’

attention turned to the crew.
Crewing

James approached Director of Photography

Peter Tainty to shoot the film. Peter and
James had been to University together,
and had remained great friends. For
Peter, It was an opportunity to work on an
interesting script, with a collaborator on his
wave length.

Peter said: “It seemed natural for me to be a part of the project. We have
a similar visual sensibility, and we had long conversations about how the
film was to look. James had prepared exceptionally well, and is constantly
pushing to achieve the best from everyone, and I really responded to that.
Here was someone who knew what they were taking on and had planned
everything accordingly.”

With his DoP on board, James set about

securing the services of Casa Film’s
Antony Meadley to provide the camera
equipment. James had edited Antony’s short film ‘Portal’, and Antony
jumped at the opportunity to return the favour. Antony lent his RED One
Camera to the production for free, and acted as DIT on set.

After all positions were filled, a crew of 15 or so prepared for the shoot.
Shooting
Late September 2009 and a small but dedicated crew descend upon
Tamworth, in the heart of England.
For 3 weekends the crew worked
tirelessly, shooting at various
locations around the area; the Castle
Hotel, the local park, and a local
builders merchants, BuildBase.

Director James comments: “I knew

the beginning of the story needed a desaturated, earthy, melancholy feel,
whereas when we meet John Power for the first time, it was important for
there to be a contrast, as if everywhere he went he warmed the room, so
I collaborated with DoP Peter Tainty and Production Designer Amy Carroll
to find the best ways to achieve this.

One location had a suprise instore for DoP Peter Tainty! recalls Peter
ruefully: “We shot in a house that hadn’t been lived in for a while, and
nobody knew that it was infested with fleas! You could almost hear the
flea’s rejoicing when they saw me
coming! on the last count I had been
bitten 50 times!”.

On a more technical note, Pete

mentions “Our equipment was
extremely limited. We had 4 lights,
some battered old gels and diffusion,
had one lense for the majority of the shoot, so it was a real challenge to
achieve the look we were going for”
On his relationship with Director James Page, Pete Glover
commented: “James knows what he wants and communicates
very clearly and with patience. He
understand the acting process very
well and always shows a great
respect for the actors work.

Pete continues: “On set, he is

organised and focused, which gives
the whole process an energy and momentum. I was also impressed
with his ability to use humour to defuse the many stressful situations
that always occur on set - it was work, but fun work!

Most of all, I was so pleased to work

alongside someone who cared about
detail and worked hard to ensure
that the ‘right’ shot was captured.
I‘ve worked with too many ‘that’ll do’
directors - James is a perfectionist and it shows in the performance
he drew from me and the end result.”

DoP Peter Tainty commented: “I think our team pulled together

amazingly. When your trying to achieve the best with a tiny budget,
it soon becomes obvious who can
and cannot cope under pressure.
This team of people who worked
damn hard for pizza, tea and biscuits,
definately can.”
Post Production

Post began in February 2010, and to James’ relief all the preparatory
work, excellent casting and crewing meant the film came together
very easily. Editing took place in the evenings and at weekends, and
on James’ Laptop computer using Final Cut Pro software.

James comments: “I made some cuts for pacing reasons, but I finally
arrived at a cut which I was happy with after about a month.”

Music is an important part of

the film in helping to establish
mood and momentum, and
James turned to previous
collaborators, brother and
sister composing team Mary
Anne and Michael Tedstone.

Michael wrote :“We read the script and the next day we were still
discussing it, so we realised it must be good!”

Continues Mary Anne: “Writing the score was a combination of

discussing with James what he wanted to achieve, and our own
perception of the mood of the
film. Working with James was
very easy, he was always very
supportive and gave constructive
criticism that made the end result
better.”
Première

The film was finally completed and the première for cast and crew
was at the Royal Cinema in Leamington. The reaction to the film
was overwhelmingly positive; James received a deluge of positive
unsolicited emails the next day from people unconnected to the
production, telling him how much
they enjoyed the film.

Just some of the comments he

received :

Tom, Leamington:
“I was at your screening last
night and I just wanna say that It was a really amazing piece of work
and very inspiring.”

Marie, Warwick:
“I was looking for you after the screening to tell you I really enjoyed
your film. We all have a secret and public self and you brought that to
an extreme which I really liked!”

James comments: “I am confident now that the film does what I

had hoped. People laughed, were touched and moved. It’s the best
feeling in the world for a director and it’s why I do it.”
Lead Actor Pete Glover:

“I love the film. I love the gentle pace and unveiling

of this sad man’s little life and troubles. The music
is beautiful and, James has a wonderful eye for the
beautiful in the depths of despair and also the dark
humour in that sadness. He is brave and ready to
take a risk - and that’s what makes the film stand out
as something special.”

DoP Peter Tainty:

“the pace of the film immediately
pulls you in and keeps you there for
the entirety of the film.
There are layers to the film that will
make the audience ask questions
during and after watching and thats
what we wanted to achieve.”

Co-Writer Kurt Brookes:

“Over the last few months I’ve gone through a range of emotions . I
started off almost petrified; what if it’s not good? What if I don’t like
it? What if people like everything except the writing? I’m pleased to
report that I am very happy. The first thing I’ve written has been made
into a film by a man who stuck his neck out and put a lot of blood,
sweat and tears in to making an exceptional film”
Director’s Statement
For the longest time, like many people, I lacked the confidence to be
who I really am. Also like many people I wasn’t exactly sure who I
was. And that’s what resonated with me about this story; a man who
is crippled by insecurity, who leads a double life, and is searching to
be himself.

What i didn’t want to do was make

a po-faced, melodramatic short.
Humour is a big part of my life, and
I wanted to incorporate that. The
film has a lot going on; Its at once
weird, creepy and sad, but also
funny and beautiful. And its that combination of feelings that i feel in
my life everyday that i wanted to get across on screen.

I am very proud of the film, particularly considering we had virtually

no money to do it! Through force of will power we got the film made,
and the film says what i wanted to say.

I hope people enjoy it, and perhaps it will give some people a little bit
of weird, creepy comfort!

James Page
Director “Self Help”
 Cast
Geoffrey/John Power Peter Glover
The Girl Chloe Mander
Natasha Amelia Tyler
Susan Andrea Cobhurn
Waitress Katie Holdsworth
Alan Daniel Lucas
Crew
Written by Kurt Brookes
Produced & Directed by James Page
1st AD Priscila Lima
3rd ADs Elizabeth Good
Chris Durden
Clapper Girl Rachel Leahy
Script Supervisor Vitor Guerra
Production Assistants Emma Grove
Katy Page
Director of Photography Peter Tainty
1st ACs Kelly Li
Paul McGrory
2nd ACs Sylvia Chan
Daniel Lucas
DIT Antony Meadley
Camera Equipment by CASA Films
Yoho Media
Lighting Equipment BlueTreeMedia
Curve Films
Hair & Makeup Supervisor Grace Tunesi
Hair & Makeup Artists Laura Goodman
Rachelle Milligan
Art Director Amy Carroll
Graphic Designer Robert Page
Compositors Darren Hayes
Robert Page
Edited by James Page
Sound Designer Paul Darling
Sound Recordists Adam Ward
Carl Noble
ADR Recordists Gilermo
Robert Page
Original Score by
Mary-Anne & Michael Tedstone
“Bus Stops”
Written & Performed by Katie Dove-Dixon
Supportng Artists
Boris Feldman Alan Watton
Ernest Vernon Allan Mclellan
Lewis Metcalfe Paul Dick Flemming
Damian Daykin Darren Hayes
Special Thanks
John & Joy Page The Castle Hotel
Rutherfords Lettings Buildbase Nuneaton
Tamworth Council Bluefish Media
Pam Hemmingss Dave Adams
Lewis Beach Sacha Andrews
Dale Driver Richard Higson
Chris Cooper Chris Chart
© Pageboy Pictures 2010 All Rights Reserved
James Page
Short Biography

James Page is a UK based Film Maker.

He has Edited three features, Dead Trees,
Interview With a Politician and Wasters,
which he also produced.

Dead Trees won a Royal Television Society

Award in 2005. Wasters won Best British Film at the Heart of England
Film Festival in 2009, and is screening at festivals worldwide.

He has edited several short films, the most recent, Small Gifts, was
nominated for Best Short at the EastEnd Film Festival 2010.

He recently completed the RED 4K short film Self Help, starring Peter
Glover.

James is currently developing several projects, including Stay, a

feature adaptation of the internationally acclaimed stageplay by
Graham Farrow.

Contact:
James Page,
30 Choyce Close, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3AY
+44 7979 44 11 63
selfhelp@jamespage.info