The Curator The Making Of

The Curator.

In 2022 I released my biggest film yet.

But it isn't just about the film.

Let me explain.

The film is called The Curator.

The Curator is the story of the man behind the story behind the man in the story.

Every TV channel had already been turned down for putting this story into a film. They had asked and requested but flatly refused. The owner Nick felt they just didn’t get it. I did and he wanted me to make it.

What does that mean?

This is a film for an incredible business known as Alty Market, Altrincham Market and Market House. These guys are probably the most famous artisan market in Europe. They are also the most copied because of the success they accidentally created. Every and any modern marketing house you see in the U.K. was copied from this market.

Now…

The perception of the owners by the local public is more like "rich guy opens a market." Yet that couldn't be further from the truth.

I aimed to change public perception and reveal the true human story behind the story. This was a story that actually began way back in the late 70s.

The real story behind Altrincham Market carefully reveals how the whole seeds that led to a mental process of the market began way back in the late 70s. It also reveals that the market wasn’t purely about selling stuff and making cash it was about the love of a town and the regeneration of a town by uncovering a real human need. That need is people and connections.

So the film about the Altrincham market is a film not about just the market. It is a film about the people and the regeneration of a whole town.

It was important for me to reveal that in this film. The owners told me they had turned away many TV companies and people including BBC who all wanted to make a film about the market. They turned them down because they didn’t get it. They wanted to tell a story about the market rather than the people and the process.

So here we are now with a film about that real story.

Initially, when I spoke to the owners they had no real idea what they wanted but they knew exactly what they didn’t want. So during lockdowns, I arranged for myself, my production crew and the rest of the gang to set up and being the process of making this film.

At this stage, no script was created yet I had an idea and outline of what I wanted to do with this. After 3-days of filming, talking, interviewing and more we had enough material to go away with and start to construct the true story of Altrincham Market.

During that process, the idea of THE CURATOR came from one line in the film. Nick the owner said, ‘you get to a point where you cannot do what you used to do when younger but you can curate those that are younger.” This is where the core story to be told came from.

The result of Altrincham Market on the town was the most underrated story ever to take place in Altrincham. This is the story of regeneration.

Before Altrincham Market began the route to the regeneration of the town it is good to also understand Altrincham was a ghost town. Since the opening of the market, Altrincham is a busy, bustling town with the market acting like a wheel spindle. At the end of each wheel spoke is the growth of many, many new businesses and ideas. The town has even been voted one of the UK’S no.1 towns to live in.

Once you know the story of the curator you understand why. That is what I want to tell in the film.

And there styling of the film: I wanted a punk rock feel to the film. Informal, edgy, compelling. I think we all more than delivered. We also wrote the period-driven soundtrack to give it a generational feel for each period we covered.

I wrote, directed and produced the film. My team and I delivered everything from

The Idea
The story
The production
Post-production and edit
Music, sound and composition

Why a Film?

Selling anything is about the telling of a very real story. The story has to be true, and relatable. interesting, compelling and driven by the energy the viewer can attach themselves to. The sense of true reality must show through at every level. The story should have that human touch to it. That isn’t easy to do in the film. We more than delivered in the curator.

Yet a film allows you to offer a multi-dimensional angle to your audience.

Brand Building Films

Let's take a few different films.

Adidas use film to sell shoes. They reveal nothing about the company. They harness the power of their brand. The leverage on the human emotion of need and want. They sell something new that fills the needs and wants of those addicted to the brand.

Yet do you know the story behind the three ADIDAS bars? Do you know where the name of the brand came from?

It came from Adi Dassler. That is the name of the founder in 1920. The three stripes first appeared in 1949 to create recognisably on the running track.

I think it worked, do you?

But his story is much bigger than that. The history, the life, the trials, the torments and ultimately the triumph with a brand that is stronger than ever in 2022.

Apple also did the same kind of film. BMW and many other brands have also done the same in film over the years.

Let’s talk about the costs

Forget cheap films - you will not get the best from your investment. When I say cheap I mean a couple of grand. You just won’t get what you want at the price.

There have been millions spent on films. I would always aim for around £100k for a good film but there are so many variables it every film needs its own quote.

How long does Film production take?

A production has three stages, pre-production, production & post-production.

Pre-production

Give us your idea and we will create a bigger idea for you. Once the idea is approved we get into …

• Scriptwriting
• Script all clear
• Storyboarding
• Creative Direction
• Hiring Actors
• Voice Actors (if needed)

Then of course we have to call all of our filmmaking misfits to make sure we can get them all together at the same time and date.

The Production

Location, props, staging and more. Our producer will pull the whole production together. He will share with our director what’s going down and when. Then once done the creative and functional process kicks in.

In Post

This is where mastery and creativity really take place. 10 hours of film to get 30 seconds of advert. Cutting, colouring, sound, composing, grading and editing, adding any extra polish.

So how long does this all take?

This is a hard one to answer. Every production can take anything from a few weeks to a few months. Longer depending on the production complexity. Script clearance can take time too. Clearance can take time due to claims or the type of product or service that is being advertised.

Important considerations for production costs

Studio Hire

This is something you would consider for a shoot requiring a controlled environment. Where you can build sets, also if you want to control everything from lighting to sound, a studio is the only way to go. Limiting these variables is key to getting the most out of your shoots.

The size of the crew you need will also affect costs. Some clients can get away with a small crew, but others need a full team.

Lighting
Make-up
Wardrobe
Set Design
Production Assistant
Sound crew
Camera operator
Director
Focus puller
Dolly operator
Runners

The size of a crew is always determined by the complexity and the scope of a shoot. For most a small crew can be enough. There are times when the only option is a full team. This alters your price.

Your Story In Film

Imagine revealing that fuller story in a film. We are all developed and grow into adulthood through stories. Stories are our mainstay of education and progression. And today stories told in film can be watched overnight by millions upon millions as viewing figures online and through streaming TV.

The relentless thirst for the film has never been greater and never more urgent.

There has never been a greater tool for telling, and sharing your story, your brand or even your legacy in film.

A classic film that stands alone and lives forever as pieces, art pieces of short films. That is what we are doing - films that live forever. The story engages, compels and moves the viewer. As you can see by our work at this link we have delivered so far.

We’d Love To Make Your Film

And we are ready to go.

Contact me (Alan) direct and let’s start a conversation.

Everything from the script to the final delivery. T.V. film, documentary, legacy films - just ask if we can help.

We’ve made the most incredible films as you can see on our links.

Contact me now and let's start a conversation.

Contact me here right now at +0044 (0)7793069486. Most messengers or text.

Yours

Alan Forrest Smith

Write, Director, Filmmaker and Mentor

Note on films: All film needs a budget. They cannot be made with fresh air. Before you contact me please have a budget in mind. Please do not contact me and then tell me you gave it no thought. I can help you with your budget but I need a starting point from you. Then I will tell you after our conversation if it can be done within your budget.

Tamara Forrest-SmithFebruary 17, 2023Comment