The Team Behind Calling the Tune
It is 1980 in the Loire Valley, mid-western France. Elizabeth visits her estranged, housebound mother Gisele. But is she really housebound ? Why has she not ventured out for 30 years ? Why does she keep the shutters closed ? Slowly Elizabeth teases out Gisele’s past – though she would much rather not reveal the real reason for her shame.
But music lies at the heart of the mystery .....
Setting
1930s Europe was a hotbed of far-right hatred and antisemitism, a dangerous place. Spilling over into open warfare, it was a shock for the largest army in Europe to be overrun by German forces in just a few weeks, through superior strategy and tactics. Many French people accepted the situation and lived as normal a life as possible, while German forces rounded up Jews and deported them to death camps. Resistance was met with violent reprisals, with the execution of innocent people. There were collaborators and resistants. It was a dangerous time for both – and you never knew who you could trust.
Director’s Statement
This was initially a studio play for two women. It was well received when performed as part of the Loft Theatre’s season in Leamington Spa. But the themes covered are so similar to what is happening in the world right now that I felt it was too important to exist just as a few good historic newspaper reviews. It is a dangerous time. The world needs to wake up and stop the drift into another world war. I hope this film highlights the dangers
Cinematic Style
We have avoided the bleached style of Saving Private Ryan to go for full colour and make it more immediate, more contemporary, rather than a chronicle of historic events. Some of the scenes in this film are based on true incidents, but they are woven into a fictional narrative.
Project Plan
The film has already been shot and edited. We are presently working on colour grade, sound mix and visual effects. It can be ready for distribution fairly quickly. The story is very plot heavy and we have worked hard to cut it down to a fast moving 2h 3m including credits.
We plan to enter the film into the major festivals – and then we need help with distribution and, hopefully, a cinema release.
The Producers
Two Hats was set up by a collective of professional actors, writers, musicians and directors in 1997 to produce high quality theatre and film for the local communities in Warwickshire. The aim was to encourage and develop a pool of talent in the West Midlands. The company has many critically acclaimed productions to their name and maintains this ethos.
Wartime Productions is a collective of WW2 enthusiasts and military vehicle owners, whose primary portrayal is that of German officers, staff, and vehicles from the German 2nd Panzer Division during World War II. Members also partake in various Allied roles. Wartime Productions is a dedicated living history network with a significant presence in WW2 documentaries, dramas and films.
The Project Team
Roger Harding
Writer/Director/Camera
Roger is a versatile British actor, writer, and director (both film and theatre) known for roles in TV and independent films, including The Shamrock Spitfire (2024), The Lady Killers (2021), and Hangman (2019). Based in Warwickshire, he has extensive experience in film, short films, and producing his own work via Two Hats Films.
Awards include a Prince Michael Award for writing and producing an action-based road safety video. Roger studied TV studio production at North East London, along with portable video techniques and editing. He has been making films since he was 16
Huw Bowen
Camera
Huw is an award-winning film director from Warwickshire, UK. He has directed two feature films, including "Triple Hit", which won Best SF Feature at the Phoenix Film Festival in 2011. He has also directed numerous short films and music videos, and worked for many prestigious clients such as the European Commission and Malibu.
Robin Slater
Camera and drone operator
Robin has been a BIAFF Judge for four years and is an award winning film maker, with years of professional experience as a drone operator for West Midlands Police
Tony Philips
Camera
Tony worked as a professional cameraman for ITV from 1976 and was a post-production film editor. He was a TV studio manager and lecturer for 15 years at the University of London and works as a Media Technical Freelance at Abingdon and Whitney College
Julian Austwick
Camera
Julian is a Midlands-based filmmaker, director, and cinematographer known for his work on short films and media productions. His resume includes cinematography roles in Stationary (2024), Forgotten (2023), and Gemma's War (2021), along with television experience in the Thrash the Trash series. He is currently producing his own sci-fi futuristic TV series Belief
Bob Burnell
Sound
Bob has been ‘rescuing music from technology since 1975’. He has worked at the highest level, mixing live concerts of the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John, The Corrs and Gavin Bryars. He is a former Head of Sound at the Royal Shakespeare Company
Clare Bowen
Sound
Clare has been working on the project for the last two years
Sue Kent
Makeup and Prosthetics
Sue Kent is a makeup artist and department head known for her work in film, particularly in zombie makeup, special effects, and set decoration. With Sophie Fox, Emily Dean, Sophie Pobjoy and Adam Clarke
Janine Wheeler
Hair
Janine is a makeup artist and hair stylist with experience in TV and short film production.
Helen Brady
Costumes and props
Helen has extensive experience in costume design and sourcing, as Head of Department at the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, where she has been costuming productions since 2003
David Forde
Military Advisor
David Forde is the owner of Wartime Productions, a UK based WW2 production network supplying WW2 vehicles, equipment, props and uniformed supporting artists for film, TV & live events. He is a production coordinator specializing in historical/wartime projects, based in the UK. He has provided vehicles, costumes, props and actors for many acclaimed productions, including Hollywood films shot in the Uk.
Steve Iles
Armourer
Steve brings some 40 years of firearms expertise to the company. Steve is also a recognised martial arts professional instructor of international repute. He has been active in the living history/re-enacting field for over 15 years.
Lee Craven
Pyrotechnics
Lee is an experienced pyrotechnics technician. He has worked on public displays at The Victory Show for many years and was active in the Norwegian scenes of the last Daniel Craig Bond film No Time to Die. Assisted by Ade Kemp
Composers
Daniel Moult
One of the leading organists of his generation, Dan has pioneered the use of film to promote the music of the organ, has made many recordings and broadcasts, and performs around the world both as a soloist and ensemble player.
Andy Guthrie
Andy began his career as a keyboard player touring with Jackdaw With Crowbar and Bhangra singer Johnny Zee. He worked at Island Records with reggae producer Paul 'Groucho' Smykle before co-founding Banco de Gaia with Toby Marks with and producing the Mercury-nominated album Maya and Last Train to Lhasa.
Phil Harvey
Phil has been writing screenplays and shorts, as well as composing and playing music for them for many years. He is a multi-award-winning producer
Nicola Young
Unit Stills Photographer
Nicola is an award-winning photographer who has shot performances for many years mixing capturing unit stills for film and TV with theatre and event photography.
She has worked on numerous several TV productions and films including a couple of BBC TV series and unscripted and scripted shows for UKTV, a BFI funded short and a World War II love story feature film as well as numerous theatre productions.
Her work has been recognised by being shortlisted in the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year Awards more than 10 times since, including 3 winning places and a winning place in Urban Photographer of the Year.
