Lookin' For Lucky

[Joanna]

LOOKIN' FOR LUCKY OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Well, since things really appear to be gearing up now for the 2007 release of Lookin' For Lucky (see above! ), I thought it would be nice to have a thread for it so that people can talk about it (and Chris's part in it! ) all in the one place. So here it is!

Great site, Joe. Loving the paint splodges that spring to life as soon as you click on anything in the menu. That's really in keeping with Chalkie and his world. And the trailer is a really good teaser for the film. Great stuff. Oh, and for those of you who might be 'interested' , Chris is in the latter half of the trailer....and doing a very convincing 'angry', from what I briefly saw of 'it'! I'm feeling a bit scared now....

It'd also be great to have a section on the cast/characters....with piccies! HINT!

On the site, there is also a link to Joe's LFL MySpace profile. Wonder who that 'Joanna' character is on there. Never heard of her myself.....

xx Joanna xx

PS..............

 

[angel clare]

Thanks Jo. We're all gonna be Lookin' for Lucky in 2007.

Kev

 

[Strawbs]

Good trailer. Makes it look a hell of a lot more interesting than Halal Harry to me, anyway.

Chris - Good luck with this as well as Bar Stewards.

Strawbs

 

[Fran]

The trailer does a great job at making you ask yourself a lot of questions about the characters and what's happening, it does it's job really well. Great to see Chris in it of course and even with that small snippet I found myself watching the character and not the actor, if y'know what I mean. Even the fact that they panned to the eyes of the drawings made me wonder what significance it had if any, I even found myself wondering who really did the drawings. The music built up a feeling of needing to find out more about what was going on. Great trailer, I hope the film's as interesting as it suggests it might be.

 

[angel clare]

Yes, I too was greatly pleased with the trailer. The trailer really gives you a sense that the film will be really good. Something more to look forward to.

Kev

 

[Albino Joe]

Hi Bar Stewards, Bad Lads and Naughty Girls...

BIG THANKYOU to Joanna for starting this thread - go girl, we just might ask you to jump on board and help us promote this - sterling work girl!!!

Thanx for the comments, looks like the triler is raising the right kind of questions and curiousity, really appreciate the feedback

Very astute observations Fran, there is some significance around at least one of the paintings/drawings in the film...

Thanx for the comments and keep spreadin the word...we're coming...

Joe xx

 

[Joanna]

BIG THANKYOU to Joanna for starting this thread - go girl, we just might ask you to jump on board and help us promote this - sterling work girl!!!
Joe xx

And I'd very happily do it, too!

On the trailer, I agree with what everyone else has said. And I also love how there are such a broad range of characters shown throughout. Then added to this, you show just enough of them that we feel more drawn to them and want to know more about their 'story' and the role they have to play in proceedings. So, the trailer is sort of giving us snapshots into different people's 'worlds'. By having this variety, it gives the trailer a sort of 'fullness' and a real identity of its own. Effective stuff.

xx Joanna xx

PS: Shame I haven't known the 'facts' about Lookin' For Lucky that I've known about Bar Stewards.....Could of done a LFL 'key facts' if I had!

 

[Fran]

And I'd very happily do it, too!

xx Joanna xx

And you'd do a great job of it too! Collecting, collating and dispersing facts about tv programmes and films is definitely your talent! We'd have missed an awful lot if it wasn't for you.

 

[Booth]

Hi Bar Stewards, Bad Lads and Naughty Girls...
BIG THANKYOU to Joanna for starting this thread - go girl, we just might ask you to jump on board and help us promote this - sterling work girl!!!

I was going to start a thread on it but I didn't want to steal Joanna's thunder. I know she loves breaking news and you beat her to it on Digital Spy so I thought I'd allow her the honour.

Good work Joe, I understand you've had a little bit of criticism from other filmmakers on the current trailer. Gotta say I disagree with some of the comments I read (not the ones on here by the way) but I hope the contructive ones serve to make the trailer/film better. And I hope those comments above indicate what a real audience might think.

Good work fella

Ps, we're hoping that Donna can make the cameo for Bar Stewards at the weekend. I'm crossing my fingers... She gets to shout at Birty again

 

[Joanna]

And you'd do a great job of it too! Collecting, collating and dispersing facts about tv programmes and films is definitely your talent! We'd have missed an awful lot if it wasn't for you.

Ah, thank you, babe!

I was going to start a thread on it but I didn't want to steal Joanna's thunder. I know she loves breaking news and you beat her to it on Digital Spy so I thought I'd allow her the honour.

What a true gent! Thanks, Mike.

Ps, we're hoping that Donna can make the cameo for Bar Stewards at the weekend. I'm crossing my fingers... She gets to shout at Birty again

And there's a Finchy Friday coming up very soon, too....

 

[Albino Joe]

Hi Michael

In terms of the criticism you mention - yeh I posted on NWPD to get some feedback and frankly the silence is deafening, far more time was spent arguing the toss over pseudonyms, really positive stuff eh?

The post has been read some 38 times and we have had 3 responses, as the other four are my responses to these responses.

On the subject of the three responses (trying to set the record on how many times I can type responses in one posting) two of them I think are from the same person (alteregos agogo) and the other one is from an 'old friend' and 'staunch supporter' of bad lad - again that's not to say those points aren't taken on board but I'm sure you know what I mean...

It's a shame about NWPD - I appreciate the responses we have had - really - because at least it is a reaction and we've made a feature for Christ's sake - support? Nish...same old, same old eh?

There is far more talk on here about it than ANYWHERE else and for that I thank you - cheers Joanna... xx

Thanks everyone

J xx

 

[Joanna]

I posted on NWPD to get some feedback and frankly the silence is deafening, far more time was spent arguing the toss over pseudonyms, really positive stuff eh?

Hope you don't mind me posting this link, Joe .....Lookin' For Lucky - Trailer & Website

Hmmm, reading through the responses to your trailer, Joe, on the above thread...well....hmmm....It's fair enough if someone isn't a fan of it, but there are ways of saying things and then there are ways of saying things....and then there are things you don't need to say at all.....I'll wrap your Bafta nom around a finger of Fudge and a can of Bisto..... I can fully appreciate how important constructive criticism is to a film-maker, but the constructive parts in these posts were well hidden.

And in reply to that first respondent, I'd say that I won't just say something is great because someone is trying hard. I genuinely thought the LFL trailer was an effective and involving one, and so, when I said so on here, I was sincere. It ain't my fault if I've just got lots of positive thoughts about both the trailer and the film itself! You can try and put words into a gal's mouth....yes, you can try....

And on that last poster's comments on the trailer, I personally feel that the way the trailer builds to its 'dramatic' climax works really well. I can only imagine it has been done that way to create a more affecting impression on the viewer....and it worked on this viewer! I also don't agree that the music sounds like it has come from a corporate video. The music that's been chosen to accompany the trailer really adds to it, in my honest opinion. It builds along with the trailer, but maintains a 'gentleness' that means it doesn't overpower the images it is complementing. It gives the images the room to tell their 'stories' as they should be told.

I'm also intrigued as to why that schoolboy was running down that road! And, Joe, where your face is shown streaked with blood at the end of the trailer, it reminds me of a particular film character, but I just can't seem to place who!!

Anyway, I just think the trailer's great! So there!

And a shame no attention was paid to the '& Website' part of the thread title!

There is far more talk on here about it than ANYWHERE else and for that I thank you - cheers Joanna... xx

My pleasure, Joe.

xx Joanna xx

PS: Delicate lil soul, ain't I?!

PS 2: Just been having another look at the trailer....Loving the changes you've made to its climax, Joe!

 

[Fran]

And in reply to that first respondent, I'd say that I won't just say something is great because someone is trying hard.

I think we proved that when we gave our views on The Innocence Project. We don’t say we like something if we don’t and we don’t say we like something just cos Chris is in it, even though obviously we like to see him doing his stuff, no matter what he’s in. In the case of the Innocence Project those of us who didn’t like it said so and gave reasons.

I suppose the views of people ‘in the business’ are the most informed with regard to the technicalities etc… but, it’s the people like us that will decide to buy or not buy the dvd based on what we see in the trailer and I saw enough to make me want to see the whole film, and for me the music, which they apparently didn’t like, stood out enough to make me comment on it and how well it worked, (for me anyway), if it hadn’t had the effect the film makers wanted, I probably wouldn’t have even noticed it.

The trailer reminded me of the old kitchen sink dramas, which I’m not usually a big fan of, so the fact that it caught my interest is interesting to me in itself; there must have been something about it that worked the way it was supposed to, or my post would have said something diplomatic like “The trailer doesn’t really tell you much and to be honest it doesn’t look like my kind of film, but lovely to see Chris in it.”

Come to think of it… I seem to remember saying something similar about DMC’s… but that’s just cos I’m a wimp when it comes to blood and guts.

Who knows, I may not actually like the film, but the trailer has me interested in finding out the answer to that question.

 

[Joanna]

Exactly, Fran.

I think the chosen music is key to why I believe the trailer works so well. It brings an extra dynamic to the images, which makes them all the more potent for me.

And on those comments, what particularly stood out for me when reading them wasn't so much the core views of each of those posters but the way they actually expressed those views. For me, it was just a shame the posts weren't of the particularly 'thoughtful' variety.

xx Joanna xx

 

[Booth]

Hi Michael
In terms of the criticism you mention - yeh I posted on NWPD to get some feedback and frankly the silence is deafening, far more time was spent arguing the toss over pseudonyms, really positive stuff eh?

I was alerted to it by Joanna before I saw it on NWPD and posted my comment to you by email the next day when I received yours. Didn't really want to add fuel to some of the fire there if you know what I mean.

Then I saw the replies on NWPD and was going to post something about if El Mariachi was still in production, but was produced in the NW of England, and what the criticism of that might be? (hypothetically of course, because I know the first thing that might have been jumped on is... "What's a Mariachi doing in Greater Manchester!")

It's a shame because some of the comments were constructive opinions that seemed to be quite honest reactions to the trailer. But if you're going to go to the trouble to post some genuine constructive criticism to a piece of work then end it on...

I'll wrap your Bafta nom around a finger of Fudge and a can of Bisto.....

It's not going to make me take either the poster or the comments very seriously. I mean if it was even funny you could take that kind of a comment, but to be honest it's a really poor attempt at taking the piss.

That said they seem to enjoy themselves over there bless em'. Kind of like a one hand clapping kind of thing like but if they get something out of it.

And a few other filmmakers on there have come off far worse. Look at poor ol' Chase. Top man is Chase too. At least your criticism was partly constructive

 

[Albino Joe]

And a few other filmmakers on there have come off far worse. Look at poor ol' Chase. Top man is Chase too. At least your criticism was partly constructive ;

I'm not complaining about the criticism - of the three quotes two are from the same guy after all - but I have to agree with Joanna on how heavily laced they are with cynicism and sarcasm, but then most of the more voiciferous on there are quite cynical and place themselves on there as some kind of Movie Making Gurus.

Mike Ogden apart, they know who I am but do I know who they are? And have I heard or seen anything they have done? I'd love to.

As for some of the 'pearls of wisdom' handed out there - gosh really? We'd NEVER have thought of that! And hey, maybe we should have just contacted Thomas Newman - hiya Tom can you do us a score mate?

In fact why didn't we just cast Robert Carlysle, Ricky Tomlinson, Helen Mirren, James Mackie, James Nesbit, Emily Watson, Ray Winstone...?

Ah...now I remember why...we HAVEN'T GOT A BUDGET!!...

The comments were put on there to stir up anger, it's very easy to diss something - but as you know Mike, we know what they are about over there so nothing is taken too seriously.

This film is my child - our child, I'm very proud of it and of everybody's contribution in it - no one has sold themselves short - the performances are professional performances and any one of the Lucky cast could place themselves alongside the above names and punch their weight.

I'll say it again...WORK IN PROGRESS...

And thanx again for all the support on here, we won't let you down.

J xxx

 

[Albino Joe]

...and RYAN FARMERY (check him on myspace) has done a great job on scoring the trailer - and he'll be scoring the film when he gets a rough cut.

In fact if these people had bothered to check the ABOUT THE FILM sectin on myspace, they'd have seen what we're all about. That's about giving talented beginners an outlet for that talent...

...last time I looked we seemed to be doing that...

J xx

 

[Booth]

I'm not complaining about the criticism.

Yeah I know, I was more highlighting that you got an easy ride compared to other people for Joanna & co's benefit and so that other viewers aren't reading this thinking that LFL and only LFL is getting this treatment.

Ps Joanna, they're dissing Dr Who too.

As for some of the 'pearls of wisdom' handed out there - gosh really? I'd NEVER have thought of that! And hey, maybe I should have just contacted Thomas Newman - hiya Tom can you do me a score mate?
In fact why didn't I just cast Robert Carlysle, Ricky Tomlinson, Helen Mirren, James Mackie, James Nesbit, Emily Watson, Ray Winstone...?

Ah...now I remember why...I HAVEN'T GOT A BUDGET!!...

I know, there was a time when there was a respect and a bit of kudos to making something with no money. I think it still remains but not like it used to. I reckon this is because there's so many people out there making films with cheap equipment now (or at least claiming so) that productions with more love than money lavished on them can get overlooked or seen as just another digital filmmaker. Mike Ogden is right in some respects, there's so much crap being made these days, for the wrong reasons and little love. But what he's got complete wrong is that he seems to believe that if you can't get the money for it, don't do it at all - that's half right. If you can't get the money for it, adapt it so you can make it with no money!

And of course, not all of them should be overlooked. If people did things his way we wouldn't have Sam Raimi, Peter Jackson, David Lynch, Robert Rodriguez... Etc, etc, etc...

What they completely don't understand is that you can learn a hell of a lot from making something that isn't perfect. And unless you've actually tried to make a film with no money, you have no idea how difficult it is. It's a crash course and an uphill struggle at the same time. And who says it won't come out perfect? I actually prefer The Evil Dead to The Evil Dead 2, which is a loose remake made for $$$'s more!

If you want some impartial feedback from people you don't know, so have no agenda. Head on over to dvxuser.com and post a link to the site in the appropriate forum. Not all the advice will be useable but there's some good people over there. Just remember to mention that their might be some 'offensive' scenes as I got in trouble for posting a shot of Finchy with a naked out of focus Roxy behind him

The comments were put on there to stir up anger, it's very easy to diss something - but as you know Mike, we know what they are about over there so nothing is taken too seriously.

That's why I'm posting less and less over there. Look at Dead Mans Cards, a film made with money and one of those 'critics' on there has said some unkind words about it. Funny thing is that George Lucas likes it...

I actually set up the NWPD forum, and afterwards offered some advice on how to run it, but it's fallen on deaf ears and I feel that this is the result

Sad because I like the NWPD and what it stands for.

 

[Joanna]

In fact why didn't I just cast Robert Carlysle, Ricky Tomlinson, Helen Mirren, James Mackie, James Nesbit, Emily Watson, Ray Winstone...?
Ah...now I remember why...I HAVEN'T GOT A BUDGET!!...

Though, of course, LFL would surely do better commercially with any of the above being involved, their involvement wouldn't necessarily make the film itself any better, as I'm sure that the actors/actresses that are in LFL have been more than up to the challenges of their respective roles. It's the film itself that matters most, after all.....

And thanx again for all the support on here, we won't let you down.
J xxx

I know.....

Btw, Joe, do you know if it would be alright for me to link to Ryan Farmery's MySpace page on here?

I was more highlighting that you got an easy ride compared to other people for Joanna & co's benefit and so that other viewers aren't reading this thinking that LFL and only LFL is getting this treatment.

I'm obviously very much an outsider looking in when it comes to NWPD, but from what I've previously read over there, I, sadly, didn't get the impression that LFL was being singled out for any 'special' treatment.

Ps Joanna, they're dissing Dr Who too.

Thanks, Mike. Well, I've got a well-reasoned and considered response to the DW dissers.....Ya boo sucky eggs!

What they completely don't understand is that you can learn a hell of a lot from making something that isn't perfect. And unless you've actually tried to make a film with no money, you have no idea how difficult it is. It's a crash course and an uphill struggle at the same time. And who says it won't come out perfect? I actually prefer The Evil Dead to The Evil Dead 2, which is a loose remake made for $$$'s more!

Yeah, it's makes for interesting thinking to even begin to wonder what it would mean for upcoming actors/actresses/film-makers if every film-maker was given an automatic, and decent, budget from the start, and so they'd never be any 'no-budget' films made EVER again. Being realistically cynical , it won't ever happen, but the thought is an interesting one, nonetheless!

xx Joanna xx

 

[LovelyLaura]

The website's really great Joe! It looks fantastic and is really well designed

Thanks for the help with the trailer- I've got it to work now! I love what you've done with it. It's really eye catching and makes you want to go out and see the film.

The film looks and sounds really good. I can't wait to see it!

Good luck with it Joe, I hope it's the success it deserves to be