Hello one and all, Today is a big day for us because Selective Listening is now available via YouTube and Vimeo. Here I am with Salvatore to explain more...
And so here are the links. Get comfortable, make sure you won't be disturbed, turn the volume up, make it full-screen and we hope you enjoy!
Hello! Just a quick one to say that, if you've seen Selective Listening, whether on TV, on DVD, online or at one of it's screenings, then please don't forget to rate it on the Internet Movie Database.
If you missed the TV premiere of Selective Listening on Friday night, then the film is still available on Amazon and Vimeo for you to own or rent and for your entertainment!
Hello! It's been a while since our last post, so it's good to be here again! The latest news for Selective Listening is that it will receive it's UK television premiere at 12:15am – quarter past midnight this Friday 2nd September night / Saturday 3rd September morning (however you like to see it) on London's own channel London Live! We'll be very interested to hear feedback from viewers and the voices / toys will be live on Twitter.
An interview with actress Camilla Rowland, who plays the role of Amber in Selective Listening.
How did you become involved in Selective Listening? I saw a casting call on CastingCallPro.com and applied for an audition. What was your reaction to the script when you first read it? I was definitely drawn in by the story, it caught my attention due to the subject matter. I was very interested in the part of Amber as I felt the film showed many sides to this one character. So, I was eager to show what could bring to the role.
Camilla Rowland as Amber
What are your feelings about Amber? Amber epitomises a certain type of young 21st century woman – she uses social media to try and fit in with what she thinks society expects of her. How many 'likes' she gets on a picture of herself and how many 'followers' she has means the world to her. She's most definitely self-obsessed, not afraid to display all aspects of her life to the world and blinkered to what's really going on around her. How did you prepare for the role? Preparing for the role wasn't straightforward because the real Amber doesn't actually appear in the film that often. I had not only to consider how she behaved in real life, but also how she would behave as perceived by Harrison, and perceived by Harrison when in different frames of mind. So, in a sense, Amber has multiple personalities forced onto her in the film and I wanted her to speak with a different rhythm each time she appears.
Is it true that you had to be semi-nude for some of your audition?
Camilla with Salvatore Stella in Selective Listening
How did you feel about that? Yes that is true – it happens sometimes, depending on how much your physicality is relevant to the role. The first part of the audition was fully clothed and then the second part I had to to do in my underwear. I felt completely comfortable. I also do a lot of modelling in swimwear and such, and I am used to having to get changed in front of rooms full of people. I don't even think about it. What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to do in an audition? Hmm. That's a tough question. I have had to do a lot of strange things. Pretend I have a talking parrot on my shoulder and talk to it? Pretend to eat a salad and really enjoy it(!) Oh, gosh the list is endless. How did you find the rehearsals for Selective Listening? All of my scenes were with Sal who played Harrison. We had a short rehearsal time but it was easy working with Sal – it always helps if you get on well with the actor you are playing along side, and we got on very well. Rehearsing the scenes went well because we all listened to each other and each other's ideas. Tim (the director) was open to suggestions which allowed some artistic licence within our characters. It is nice to be able to have some creative input and make the character feel most natural to you. All of this was part of the rehearsal period which was enjoyable.
Amber appears
There are rumours that you had a giggling fit on the set. What was all that about? Haha! Okay, so reeling off a list of tea seems simple BUT saying a list of teas in a seductive manner is more challenging than I initially thought it would be. Selective Listening was quite an intense and fast-paced shoot. How did you find it worked with your own personal process, as an actor? I work well under pressure and enjoy working at a fast pace. I feel that for me it's likely to be more natural if I don't have too much time to mull over how to do a certain line or scene. 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? I would love to play a role in an action film – someone who kicks ass!
Selective Listening, starring Camilla Rowland is available on DVD from Amazon UK:
Hello all! After discovering the popularity of The Body Coach's Lean in 15 videos and the non-stop Star Wars coverage, Smiling Herbert releases a new combo video...
Selective Listening, featuring Smiling Herbert is now available on DVD from Amazon UK:
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...?!
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:
