MancMade Productions

06/09/2024

Picture lock on Gone Fishing.. Definitely a passion project for me and hopefully something that will resonate with others when we get it out there..

Men are (mostly) pretty s**t at talking about our mental health and even less interested in watching something that deals with that.. So I don't care how, where, why or when we do, as long as we do..

I'm hoping Gone Fishing does that..and..strangely enough, raises a smile or two in the process.. Men are weird 😂 How we talk about stuff is even weirder.. But who cares as long as we do..

Kris Hitchen and Chris Hatherall absolutely bought into that and have done me proud with their performances..

06/09/2024

Picture lock on Gone Fishing..

Men of a certain age will generally talk about anything rather than their mental health.

Ben and Pete are no different..

Two middle-aged mates on their first fishing trip without their friend Marko, whose recent, totally unexpected death was a huge shock to them both.

Even the crazy stories, dark humour and p**s taking can’t stop them opening up in a way they never expected.

03/09/2024

Picture Lock on Gone Fishing Short Film.. Next, Sound Design and Grade..

31/08/2024

A few more pics from our Gone Fishing Film..

In the edit now, looking like a picture lock in next couple of weeks or sooner..

Fantastic performances from Chris Hatherall and Kris Hitchen , ace Direction from Chris Deakin, looks beautiful thanks to our DOP Jenni Suitiala..

31/08/2024

A few more pics from our Gone Fishing Film

In the edit now, looking like a picture lock in next couple of weeks or sooner..

Fantastic performances from and .hitchen , ace Direction , looks beautiful thanks to

24/08/2024

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17/08/2024

Gone Fishing was going to be my last short as I concentrate of feature film and audio projects.. But I can't get Being Billy out of my head, especially that "Everyone has a history" tag line..

Falklands Veteran William (Billy) Livesey is suffering with dementia, living in a care home and not being treated well.. A single act of kindness allows Billy a few moments of lucidity, taking him back to the life changing incident which took place in the final hours of the battle for Wireless Ridge in1982. Everyone has a history.

14/08/2024

Another from Gone Fishing, taken in between takes..

Meant a lot to me to have .hitchen and as part of this..

Always love watching people do what they're good at and how they work.. even better to see them having a laugh..

Kris and Chris brought loads to the table before we even started filming and a fair bit whilst we were 😂 Loved that they felt they could..

You never know what works until you have a crack at it and when you have a group of people willing to make something better you'd be a real dick not to make the most of it..

13/08/2024

Three absolute powerhouses on the set of Gone Fishing Filming..

, a brilliant DOP who framed shots I couldn't imagine when writing it.. Marina, 1st AC & Focus Puller who literally brought focus to the story..
A top team, working brilliantly together..
.and , who as 1st AD brought an organisation to the whole day that stopped me getting battered by cast and crew and definitely made everything run so much smoother.. Fantastic support to our Director..

Everyone of these women working above and beyond to help bring this story about mens mental health together..
Thank you x

12/08/2024

Some screen grabs from Gone Fishing Film.. Colours still washed out a bit as needs to be graded.. But definitely has the cinematic look that I wanted.. As always great work by our DOP
hitchen

12/08/2024

Some screen grabs from Gone Fishing.. Colours still washed out as needs to be graded.. Definitely has the cinematic feel to it I wanted.. As always ace work by our DOP Jenni Suitiala..

Kris Hitchen

12/08/2024

A rare sighting of the writer/producer in the wild.. Trying to help, the rest of the group taking pity on him because he's dead old but still wishing he falls in..

I didn't by the way 😉

10/08/2024

Great day filming Gone Fishing Short Film with a fantastic crew and top cast.. Everyone working their arses off to make this the best it can possibly be..

.hitchen

07/08/2024

So much toxicity around.. So it is really heart-warming & appreciated to be getting amazing support on Gone Fishing Short Film from cast, crew & suppliers..

This is a paid project, but budget is tight..

There are good people out there, take time to find them..

05/08/2024

Last recce of the location before filming Gone Fishing this weekend.. Very lucky to have a great team on this, cast and crew.. Kris Hitchen and Chris Hatherall were both ace in The Long Shadow, one of the best TV Series I've seen so to have them in this is fantastic..

03/08/2024

Props arriving for the filming of Gone Fishing Short Film.. It'll make sense when you watch it 🦐🥔😉

03/08/2024

Props starting to arrive for Filming of Gone Fishing Short Film.. It'll make sense when you watch it 😉

16/07/2024

Checking out locations today for the

Bloody hard trying to tick all the boxes, though this definitely ticks a fair few..

09/07/2024

Having named as Best Actor at .spain is massively appreciated, especially at a festival that has given both myself and my Exec-Producer Lee Child a place amongst so many amazing Filmmakers from around the world.. With many looking to do as I am, develop our short into a feature..

I'm currently writing the script for Scáthanna, a feature based on The Visit..

There's been a huge amount of interest in discovering more about our Tommy McDaid character, played brilliantly by Cal.. Scáthanna looks at the world Tommy inhabits now, a place unimaginable during the height of The Troubles, but one that hangs in the balance, built on a shared history that has left open wounds on all sides.. An uneasy Peace is fuel for mistrust and violence but also a chance for a more hopeful future for generations to come..

It's fantastic to see The Trap (based on their Short Film) named as Best Feature Film at ..

Massive Congratulations to , named as Best Director and Michelle Fairley named as Best Actress for The Trap Feature Film..and to all the cast and crew involved..


Hopefully your success with The Trap will rub off on us 😉 x

07/07/2024

Fantastic news this morning as is named as Best Actor for his portrayal of Tommy McDaid in The Visit a .spain

Over 2000+ films have been part of the mix over the last few months in their monthly Festivals, leading up to the announcement today..

It's a brilliant Festival that really appreciate Filmmakers from around the world with a fantastic ethos.

07/07/2024

Fantastic news this morning as Cal MacAninch is named as Best Actor for his portrayal of Tommy McDaid in The Visit at The Barcelona Indie Filmmakers Festival..

Over 2000+ films been part of the mix over the last few months in their monthly Festivals, leading up to the announcement today..

Cal's in great company too with Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark in GOF) winning Best Actress and Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister GOF) named as Best Director..

It's a brilliant Festival that really appreciate Filmmakers from around the world with a fantastic ethos.

Jake Murray Trevor Dwyer-Lynch James Quinn Liam Collins Seumas Dougal Mackinnon Steve Connolly Shareesa Valentine - Smith Melanie Clarke Jamie Clarke

14/06/2024

Life cycle of a Film Poster..

10/06/2024

New Poster for The Visit, rejigged for Amazon Prime..

No idea how I've managed to put my cheekbones on Cal MacAninch 's face 🙄

09/06/2024

Will be launching this soon..

Speaking with people who create "stuff" or support those who do from around the world..

Bursting that w***y Manchester creative bubble to expand networks & get s**t done here, there & everywhere in between..

Fancy being on it?
Let me know..
Paul

03/06/2024

Fantastic to confirm filming date today for our Gone Fishing Short Film starring the brilliant .hitchen and (both absolutely class in ITVX's The Long Shadow)

Directed with the equally ace as our DOP, Written & Produced by Paul Ludden..

Gone Fishing

Men of a certain age will generally talk about anything rather than about their mental health.

Ben and Pete are no different..

Two middle-aged mates on their first fishing trip without their friend Marko, whose recent, totally unexpected death was a huge shock to them both.

Even the crazy stories, dark humour and p**s-taking can’t stop them opening up in a way they never expected.

03/06/2024

Fantastic to confirm filming date today for our starring the brilliant Kris Hitchin and Chris Hatherall (both absolutely class in ITVX's The Long Shadow)

Directed by Christopher Deakin with the equally ace Jenni Suitiala as our DOP, Written & Produced by..me..

Gone Fishing

Men of a certain age will generally talk about anything rather than about their mental health.

Ben and Pete are no different..

Two middle-aged mates on their first fishing trip without their friend Marko, whose recent, totally unexpected death was a huge shock to them both.

Even the crazy stories, dark humour and p**s-taking can’t stop them opening up in a way they never expected.

02/06/2024

Really appreciate it when people take the time to reach out and share The Visit, helps promote the cast and crew, which is why we released it for Free initially rather than bang it behind a pay wall straight away. Will look at putting it on Amazon, again to give a platform to everyone involved in the next few months..If you fancy watching it for Free here's the link..

https://youtu.be/vT7qpuGAmn0?si=Dzv8hoWc4pp8Aw2L

And if you could share on here, across your other socials that would be great..

Ta x

01/06/2024

Crazy to see Kisses in the Dark shooting up another 61 places to #29 today in UK Apple Podcasts Charts, was #10 last week..

Can't remember how many times we've charted since releasing this back in 2020. Recorded during lockdown with Con using his iPhone, yet we managed to produce a top quality series, 7 Eps, just under 7 hours, that has really caught the attention of listeners around the world..

As of today we've charted in over 36 countries, been #1 in 7..

Hopefully we can replicate this success with upcoming Pod Play Series, Testament, Somnial and Coup De Main..

Also brilliant to see Who Am I This Time with back in the charts.. Love this series..

Listened to the first 2 Seasons last year on holiday, will save Season 3 for when we go away this year..

Would love to work with David on anything, even better if I could get him and Con in something.. You never know..

31/05/2024

Gone Fishing has had a real journey since we recorded it as a Pod Play in Feb'22, inspired by a 2min scene we released a good while before that..both of which I'm really proud of.. Great performances from Steve Connolly Chris and Colin..

I wrote the script for the short film and was so lucky to have Ian Puleston-Davies Reece Dinsdale and Paul Fox attached. Three ace actors, top humans..

Been trying to make this happen, pull schedules together for everyone, but life has managed to pull the rug a few times.. Which is how it is..

Paul is touring with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and absolutely smashing that.. and will be for a good while yet.. So I rewrote that script, because I couldn't see anyone but Paul playing that part..

We've been looking towards an August filming date but, and I'm really chuffed about this because it's great for them, both Ian and Reece have been cast in to top plays that they'll smash (then Reece will has Directing committments till the end of the year..)

So, after speaking with Ian and Reece, who've been great about this, I've recast the roles, mainly because this may well be my last short film..I want to concentrate on features and The Pod Play Series and I feel more than ever that Gone Fishing is something I need to get made whilst I have the opportunity..
.I will do something else with Ian, Reece and Paul, whether they like it or not 😂😂

Again, I've been massively lucky to get the two actors I have for Gone Fishing. Both ace, both I've wanted to work with for a while.. Once we confirm a couple of things filming wise I'll be able to announce..

Point for this is nothing is ever easy, but if you choose to work with good people you can always work your way through things.. x

24/05/2024

IRA man Tommy McDaid is pulled back to 25 years after he helped plant a huge bomb that devastated the City Centre and changed the course of his life forever.

https://youtu.be/vT7qpuGAmn0?si…

A Short Film From Lee Child & MancMade Productions

MancMade® Productions and Lee Child Present "The Visit" Starring Cal MacAninch IRA man Tommy McDaid is pulled back to Manchester 25 years after he helped pla...