Shooting Begins on Salvage

THIS week, Salvage, one of the three films commissioned by the groundbreaking Digital Departures initiative, begins shooting on location in Liverpool.

The Digital Departures scheme involves three films being funded (£250,000 per film), made and premiered in Liverpool as part of the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations. The scheme was devised by Northwest Vision and Media, with its partners Liverpool Culture Company, BBC and the UK Film Council.

Salvage is the debut feature from Lawrence Gough, written by Colin O’Donnell and is produced by Julie Lau with associate producer Alan Pattison.

The film features an exciting British cast lead by Neve McIntosh (Bodies, Gormenghast), Shaun Dooley (upcoming Eden Lake, The Mark of Cain), Dean Andrews (Ashes to Ashes, Life on Mars, My Summer of Love) and Linzey Cocker (the upcoming Wild Child, Conviction and Drop Dead Gorgeous). The horror film centres on what happens when a storage container with mysterious contents washes ashore. The residents of a cul-de-sac are plunged into a horrifying world of violence, terror and paranoia. Quarantined by the military and ordered to stay indoors, a single mother must overcome all the odds to save her daughter.

The film-making team is made up of the award-winning writer Colin O’Donnell, first time director Lawrence Gough and producer Julie Lau. Colin O’Donnell was discovered during his Screen Writing MA and went on to win the 2003 Lynda La Plante writing award. As Story Editor for Hollyoaks, he was part of the winning team that devised the ‘teacher and student affair’ storyline, scooping ‘Best Storyline’ at the 2006 Soap Awards. Colin is currently working for Stirling Film and TV in Belfast as a story editor and writer.

Director Lawrence Gough is new to feature films but has directed some impressive short films through his company Hoax Films, winning awards such as ‘Best in the Northwest’ and ‘Best Drama’ from the Cornerhouse Cinema.

Producer Julie Lau has predominantly worked within the digital medium. Most recently Julie has worked as line-producer on the feature film All Night and All Day and is producing Left Handed, which is currently in development. Her drama credits include Daydream and O Jerusalem and she also has a strong background in music videos.

Digital Departures judge Fiona Gasper, Executive Producer for Capital of Culture 2008 programme, explains why the Judges why Salvage was one of the final three: “We were particularly attracted by the Salvage team’s seemingly endless enthusiasm for their story, together with the creativity and vision of this young, dynamic new talent. Just as importantly, the film isn’t stereotypically Liverpool, but an all-round, exciting feature which I’m sure will have international appeal.”