HAUS DIGITAL

Super Heroes and Zombies

We’ve all had the dream: to write a script, cast our friends as the leading roles and shoot a film in the place we live and love. Howard Mosley-Chalk caught up with one such chap that is living that dream; local writer and director Miles Watts.

Living and working in York, Miles’s films are packed with the kind of action and humour you’d expect from Joss Whedon, but with an edge of modern cultural reference you’d normally get from an Edgar Wright project. Previously he has written and directed for ‘HumDrum Films’ and now, along with fellow film-maker Tony Hipwell, has set-up MilesTone Productions to entice new talent and new investors to the area. From full-length features to music videos, from short films to web series, his work has one ongoing central theme: York.

Miles, what is it about York that lends itself to film?

“First of all it’s incredibly beautiful.  Turn just about any corner and you can see some amazing architecture, quirky street or intriguing detail.  In fact people should look up more in this town because we discovered how many odd and amazing rooftops there are.

While wandering around location scouting it wasn’t hard to find a huge variety of different settings and looks for each scene.  Plus each location is within walking distance of the next, so you don’t have to lug equipment that far.  I know some cities that charge for filming on the streets but York doesn’t, and it never should.”

You’ve just completed your second feature film. How easy is it to get a film made in York?

“It’s staggeringly easy.  We were completely bowled over with the amount of help we had in making CrimeFighters, from York Council for a start but also from residents and shopkeepers, who let us use their places of business for locations or as power sources.  CrimeFighters is about a community gone bad that comes good, and we definitely saw more of the latter.”

CrimeFighters, his latest film, tells the story of three disillusioned 20-somethings living in York who, as a reaction to escalating violence and thuggery in the city, turn to a life of vigilante crime fighting. Makes sense; we’ve wanted to turn crime-buster at some point in our lives. The film has recently been critically acclaimed at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. How was it?

“It was amazing!  They gave us such a warm reception and then proceeded to laugh at every single joke and even applauded one towards the end!  They just totally got the film and its characters and funny little moments as well as the sly digs at pub culture and the silliness of people dressing up as vigilantes. Our first review was 4 stars and it’s very encouraging for the upcoming cinema tour, because showing it to some mates in your hometown is one thing, but putting it out there is both scary and gratifying. Really couldn’t have gone better.”

CrimeFighters, with its gothic noir feel and black and white presentation, shows York in a new and fascinating light; far removed from the typical ‘tourist-friendly’ representation the media paints. Was there any one thing in the city that inspired the film?

“Architecturally I’d have to say York Minster, as CrimeFighters came directly from an idea I had while cycling past the Minster at night. The first time I remember seeing the Minster and really appreciating it was when I was about 18, it just loomed ahead and I think something must have stirred in my head because since then I’d had it at the back of my mind to set a film climax there.  So CrimeFighters began and ended (literally) at York Minster!”

As you’d expect, cash-flow is a pressing concern for the young film-maker, with CrimeFighters costing a mere £7000. When asked what he’d do with a large injection of cash (£100m to be exact), Miles said:

“We are working up to filming a movie version of our web series Zomblogalypse, so right now I’d have to say we’d spend the money on that.  And for £100m we’d FILL the city with zombies and have the Minster on CGI fire and possibly spaceships in the sky for that amount of money!  Also a big chase scene.”

As he says, feature films aren’t the only projects taking up Miles’ time these days and recently his web-series Zomblogalypse has gone from strength to strength and now, in its third season, is watched and downloaded by thousands of people across the globe. The series, also set in York (albeit a zombie ridden, post-apocalyptic York) tells the story of a group of friends battling to stay alive and keep their firm, juicy young brains safely out of reach of the growing zombie hordes – while keeping their video blog constantly updated. Kids these days…

With yourself and others making films here in York, what do you think the future for the city as a filming location will be?

“The future has never been brighter for York as both a filming location and a centre of filmmakers.  We’ve set up MilesTone Productions as an official company with strong links to York University and some other exciting ventures that are starting up this year.  It’s been a dream of mine for about 5 years for York to get on the map as a filmmaking town and we’re getting there.  There are now 3 web series made here regularly and more shorts and features going into production so it really has never looked better.  I love living in York and always wanted to stay here and create a film community rather than moving elsewhere to find one, and I’m happy to say I think we’re doing it.”

Info on the upcoming cinema tour of CrimeFighters can be found at www.crimefightersfilm.com and Zomblogalypse can be seen at www.zomblogalypse.com