Corran Gourlay (Film Studies, 2023, Cartmel) tells of how he has continued to pursue his ambition to direct films despite budget limitations aided by a community spirit and local connections.

"The easiest place to make films is university. During my time studying film at Lancaster I was surrounded by like-minded students, as well as a host of supportive, encouraging staff. I had access to equipment I wouldn’t have been able to afford normally. There was an overwhelmingly wide range of resources in the library to improve my theoretical knowledge. My life was saturated with ever-increasing knowledge of, and passion for, film. I left university knowing something that I wasn’t sure of when I started in 2020. I wanted to be a director.

What I found immediately after graduating was how difficult it was to continue this creative journey I had started. The advice I received very often was to try and find an entry-level job and then climb whatever ladder I can find. For me this just wasn’t an option. I knew that if I took a job like that, I would not have the time and creative energy to continue making my own films. If I wanted to be a director, I couldn’t just stop directing for an indefinite period of time. Crossing my fingers I might climb this mythical ladder everyone seems to know about. With this in mind, I settled on working a part-time job and dedicating all my remaining hours to filmmaking. This way my creativity wouldn’t be stunted and I could continue honing my voice as a director.

I was prepared to continue this lifestyle for however many years it took, but to my delight, in February I won the BFI Film Academy DIY Filmmaking Challenge with my film The Tablewhich I had made while at Lancaster. My reward for this was a £1k grant for my next short film! For me though, more than the money, the real prize was being able to attach the BFI Film Academy and Film Hub North names to this project. Whatever I made would automatically gain a wider audience just because of these stamps of approval.

I have taken this rare opportunity very seriously and in the few months since winning the challenge I have pushed to make a film that far exceeds what could usually be made at this budget. The upcoming short is titled 'Paint.' It depicts a grieving old man whose method of coping is to paint the walls of his late wife’s art room. Over the course of the film the room gets smaller and smaller with every layer. Until it is completely filled up.

This is a logistically difficult image to pull off on film at this budget level. But I felt that it was just ambitious enough while still being just about achievable. To make this happen my team and I needed a full-scale, bespoke set build. This is something that can cost tens of thousands… we needed it for pennies. The way in which my producer, Jack Clarke, and I went about securing this was by utilising the strong community spirit that exists in the Morecambe Bay area. I already had connections with artists in Lancaster, and through them I was passed on a few times to many different people, until we happened upon Queen’s Market in Morecambe. And most importantly, Nick Smith.

Nick Smith has been renovating Queen’s Market for the past eight years, and his goal is to turn it into a profitable business that invests in creative talent within the Bay area. Within Queen’s Market there is an abandoned squash court and Nick Smith is a skilled craftsman with a history of renovating homes. The stars were aligning and Nick agreed to join our film as set designer, not only to demonstrate his desire to support local talent, but because the film we are trying to make connected with his own DIY ethos.

As 'Paint' prepares to grace the silver screen, the community is invited to support Queens Market and Nick Smith's vision for the area. By sponsoring a petal for just £1, individuals can contribute to the restoration efforts and become a part of history. Each sponsored petal will feature the donor's name and will adorn the ceiling of Queens Market, symbolising unity and community spirit. With room for one million petals, Nick Smith aims to set a world record while raising vital funds for the Community Interest Company (CIC). Donations will go towards setting up the CIC, ensuring that Queens Market continues to thrive as a cultural and creative hub for generations to come.

To follow the progress of 'Paint', you can find the film’s Instagram page by clicking this link."