New mini trailer...

Many thanks to all who have bought a Selective Listening DVD so far — we hope you enjoy it!

If you haven't ordered yet, do so now to get it in time for Christmas!

Here's a new mini-trailer to entice you further — how would you like to wake up to this...?!

Get your DVD copy from Amazon UK: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018KDWBWI

TODAY'S THE DAY!

Dear all! Today is the day!!!

Clip:

Selective Listening is now on general release!

Get your DVD copy from Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018KDWBWI

Spread the word!

And we hope you enjoy!

T&M

1 day to go...!

2 days to go...

3 days to go...

4 days to go...

5 days to go...

6 days to go...

Meanwhile, on Twitter...

Conrad, speaker of facts, has an observation retweeted by actor Eric Roberts...

WE HAVE A RELEASE DATE!

We are very happy to announce the Selective Listening has a general release date:

1st DECEMBER 2015!

The DVD will be available via Amazon UK and online in high definition to download or rent via Vimeo On Demand.

When precise links are available, we'll post them. Until then, please help us spread the word and make sure you put the DVD on your Christmas list!

DVD design

Happy Friday, one and all!

The DVD cover and face designs are complete.

More release date details to follow soon!

Happy Hallowe'en, Smiling Herbert...

In case you missed it last year, here's Smiling Herbert's Hallowe'en video...

Interview with actor, Salvatore Stella

Salvatore Stella

An interview with the star of Selective Listening, Salvatore Stella.

How did you become involved in Selective Listening?

I’ve known Tim and Miriam since we worked on The Special Effect (2010) and they asked me if I would like to audition for the role of Harrison. Before the audition I told them we would still be friends if I didn’t get the part!

What was The Special Effect?

The Special Effect has a thriller aspect to it but also deals with some mental health issues. It’s a short film with the look and feel of a feature. I loved playing Graham because I got the chance to do both physical and emotional acting.

What were your thoughts on the Selective Listening script when you first read it?

I felt the story had the right balance of humour and drama. I didn’t feel it was trying to force a particular point-of-view or statement upon you, but instead show a the day-to-day experience of a type of person that you don’t get to see very often.

How did you prepare for the role of Harrison?

Harrison is obviously very lonely and doesn’t have much contact with other people. I thought this could be one of the reasons the voices have been able to get such a foot-hold in his life. So, I started examining physical loneliness every time I was alone — on a train, in a café, at home — and what it would be like if this was always the case.

Salvatore Stella as Harrison in Selective Listening

Tim sent me a DVD of a documentary about people with different mental health issues. It was very uncomfortable to watch, as I felt sorry for the people suffering from these afflictions, but it did teach me something essential for Harrison — there are justifiable reasons for not wanting to take medication although without it, the line between hallucinations and reality can become blurred. Occasionally it’s impossible for Harrison to know that what he sees and hears isn’t real. More personal contact from friendly, level-headed people would help him in these circumstances, which is why his mission is to make new friends. Not an easy thing to do!

Some actors like to rehearse, others like to be spontaneous on the day. What is your preference?

I think rehearsals are important, especially for physical scenes, but not too much. You need to leave something for the camera, because you will always do several takes.

How did you find the rehearsals for Selective Listening?

I liked them. Meeting the other actors and feeling comfortable with what we are doing will show on screen. Some dialogue heavy scenes we rehearsed more as Tim wanted some shot in one take.

What factors do you find most important about getting the best performance on-set?

You have to feel comfortable and in a “safe place”. You expose yourself emotionally so whatever method you use to get up to that point you would like to do without interruption or piss-taking.

What differences, if any, do you think there are when acting in a comedy or comedy-drama as opposed to an out-and-out drama?

Obviously things would be lighter on-set with a comedy but as an actor you play the character. Most good comedies don’t have people trying to be funny, they are just being the character in a funny situation.

What are the pros and cons of acting with toys as opposed to other actors?

The pros are that the toys have no egos — not that there were any egos on this set — and they don’t forget their lines! The cons are that I worry I’ll be remembered more as a puppet stand than as Harrison! I will be very upset if the toys get their own TV show!

Sal Stella as Harrison and Phil Gyford as Robin

Was there anything that you found particularly challenging about the shoot?

They only time I had a bit of difficulty was when we shot with the voices interjecting into conversations as written in the script because we had rehearsed without them and I got completely distracted. We had to film the dialogue and leave enough gaps to add in the toys’ comments in post-production. Trying to keep a straight face when working with Phil Gyford was also difficult.

Were there any behind-the-scenes moments on Selective Listening that are particularly memorable?

Any scene where the toys were animated. I have a lot of respect for the toy operators who had to work around me or inside cupboards. Filming outside attracted some funny looks. The whole experience provided a wonderful story to tell of how creative people can adapt when they don’t have a mega budget.

Selective Listening was quite an intense and fast-paced shoot. How did you find it combined with your own personal process, as an actor?

I liked it. “Concentrate on the project, get it done right.” We knew we had time and money constraints and that gave me the motivation to be as ready as I could be. I didn’t want to be the reason the shoot fell behind schedule.

What is your preferred way of working? Do you find it occurs often?

I like meeting the other actors beforehand and doing some rehearsal, but not too many takes! I find discussing the script and character with the director very useful and I was able to do that with Tim and Miriam. I’m flexible, so how I like to work occurs all the time!

Salvatore Stella as Harrison,
surrounded by the voices / toys

After seeing the film for the first time at the premiere, what were your thoughts?

I was very pleased with the result. I finally got a chance to see what the toys were doing behind my back! It does not look like a low budget film, which is a testament to the talent of everyone involved.

For the benefit of any writers, directors or producers who see Selective Listening and decide they want to work with you, what roles would you say you would be most interested in?

Of course I would be interested in playing any role in a quality film, but two roles particularly interest me — either a comedy sketch show or an action role like James Bond or The Transporter, or even fantasy or sci-fi. I have a lot of martial arts and stage combat training and I would love to put it to safe use! Whatever the case, I wouldn’t like to be type cast.

What are you working on at present?

I’m starting to be seen by people who can take my acting to the next level so hopefully I will continue in that direction. My writing has picked up as Selective Listening has shown me the quality you can get with a low budget and a top script. There are high-budget, spectacular stories in my head but they will have to wait!

Salvatore Stella has been awarded Best Leading Actor at the International Independent Film Awards for his portrayal of Harrison in Selective Listening.

Selective Listening is due for release in late 2015. Exact date to be confirmed.

The short film, The Special Effect (2010)

starring Salvatore Stella, Harriet Moran, Sarah Gordy and Phil Gyford:

A new poster and a Star Wars trailer reaction...

Good day all!

Our poster has undergone a little re-design to bring it into line with the DVD cover...

...and, noting the social media eruption surrounding the release of the new Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens trailer, Smiling Herbert has contributed with his version of a fan video:

Health Triangle magazine review...

We're very happy to see a review of Selective Listening in the latest issue of the UK's Health Triangle Magazine.

Check it out here: http://ukhealthradio.com

Doug Stanhope at the Apollo...

Just a quick one to say Miriam and I we were in the house, among the beer-soaked clientele of the Eventim Hammersmith Apollo last night to see US comedian Doug Stanhope, with support by Dag Soras.

A superb night. Doug Stanhope delivers the most poignant points in a way you won't forget and, other than comedy, the relevance to this blog is the fact that, in his current set, he has much to say about mental health issues.

The best stand-up comedian I've ever seen live — possibly altogether. Vital for comedy fans.

http://www.dougstanhope.com/tour-dates/

World Mental Health Day 2015

One of the themes that we hope Selective Listening highlights is the prejudice faced by those with ‎mental health issues.

Saturday 10th October is World Mental Health Day — let's raise awareness, develop further understanding, create empathy rather than fear and stop making snap judgements!

Conrad came across a poster from the Mental Health Foundation. Please take a moment to read it...

The theme of the day this year is Dignity in Mental Health. Visit the World Mental Health Federation web site to learn more:

http://wfmh.com/world-mental-health-day/wmhd-2015/

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! with Smiling Herbert.

A new video entry from Smiling Herbert...

Surbiton Festival Screening!

Hi! Tim and Miriam here.

We just wanted to say that we had a great night tonight, with a screening of Selective Listening as part of the Surbiton Festival's first film night (due to the film being shot in Surbiton).

It was a great experience to watch the film for the first time with an audience who did not know what to expect, and the reaction was fantastic.

As well as responding well to the film, the audience participated in a nice Q&A with us afterwards and we received some humbling, positive comments, both from those who found the film funny and entertaining, and from those who are in-the-know about mental health issues.

Many thanks to Bob Noble and the organisers of the Surbo for asking us to be among the other superb works that were shown.

It's been a very rewarding night!

NEWS OF THE DAY!

The BBFC have had their say on Selective Listening. We'll let the voices give you the result...

Meanwhile, on Twitter...

Happy September one-and-all!

Twitter activity continues. Recently, Conrad (speaker of #‎facts) has developed an interest in Kim Kardashian West's wide variety of activities, such as posting selfies in bed; posting selfies while pouting; posting selfies in black & white, etc...

Meanwhile, on Twitter...

Meanwhile, on Twitter...

One of Conrad's Facts gains attention when it is retweeted by the legendary Henry "The Fonz" Winkler:

And when a chance presents itself to endorse Lord Alan Sugar's post, telling professional troll Katie Hopkins to shut up, plus draw attention to the inaccuracies in her Twitter CV, Smiling Herbert takes it. He then manages to get retweets, favourites and followers when she retweets him.

Many would be unsure whether to thank her or continue to berate her questionable output at every opportunity.

We have it on good authority that Smiling Herbert won't be thanking anyone...

If you're on Twitter, you can follow:

Smiling Herbert: @SmilingHerbert

Conrad: @Conrad_speaks

Molly: @Mollys_voice

Bean: @BeanInHarrison

and

Selective Listening: @AllOnFive

Smiling Herbert goes for a Picnic [VIDEO]

Getting into the spirit of Summer, Smiling Herbert attends a picnic...

A new poster!

We've designed a new Selective Listening poster.

What do you think...?

(click to enlarge)

What are the chances...!?

Tim here.

When one has made a micro-budget, as-yet-unreleased, British indie comedy-drama feature film about a nice guy who hears voices and projects them into hand-operated puppets with an unknown cast and no budget, it would be easy for one to become a tad unnerved to discover a trailer for a Hollywood comedy starring Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton and Anna Kendrick about a guy who hears voices that emanate from a CGI cat and dog...

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT?! I mean, when was the last time you heard of a film about a someone who hears voices and projects them into anything?

BUT, we see the sunny side!

Having only just come across the trailer for The Voices (written by Michael R. Perry and directed by Marjane Satrapi) and not seen the full film, the only thing I can say is that the storylines seem a lot different as does the style of humour.

It's obviously impossible and unwise to attempt to draw any further conclusions until we see the film, which we look forward to once it has been released here in the UK.

We hope that the cast and crew of The Voices get to see Selective Listening soon as well!

"Natural Selection": Selective Listening in a magazine!

Hello! 

Yesterday we were very happy to find an article about the making of Selective Listening in this month's edition of Digital Filmmaker magazine (January 2015 / Issue 22).

The magazine interviewed us last month and asked if we had any nice behind-the-scenes photos. We were nicely surprised to see an article titled "Natural Selection" that ran for several spreads!

If you want to learn more about the film, the cast, the crew and the process of making Selective Listening, check it out!

Digital Filmmaker is available in the UK from WHSmiths, Sainsbury's and some independent stores. In the US, via Barnes and Noble. 

Digital downloads are available from the iTunes store, or at www.pocketmags.com. 

You can buy online from www.selectps.com or call (+44)1202 586848.