Film Agency News
Jun 2008
From Cardiff to Manchester: British Feature Comedy Wins Backing Of The Film Agency For Wales
One of the writers of 2007 British Soap Award winner and BAFTA TV Award nominee Doctors, has won the backing of the Film Agency for Wales for his new British feature comedy about a straight man who competes in a gay beauty contest.
Represented by Bethan Evans at The Agency, Cardiff-born writer Phil Charles is developing Mr Manchester, with the support of development finance from the Film Agency for Wales. Set in Manchester, it is the first feature film to be developed by Snowball Pictures, the production company run by Lee Ruette and Britt Harrison (PICTURED WITH PHIL CHARLES AND KEITH POTTER OF THE FILM AGENCYFOR WALES)
An award-winning advertising copywriter, Charles has been a regular writer on Doctors, the BBC since 2001. Granada Television has also commissioned the development of the returning drama series Strays and his short film Punch was winner of ‘Marchmont Shorts’ in 2005. Earlier credits include a feature-length episode of Murphy’s Law for BBC/Tiger Aspect and the 2001 drama series Village Life for BBC Radio.
Mr Manchester is the story of womanising builder who find himself in serious debt. When the unexpected opportunity to enter a gay beauty competition comes his way, the prize money is extremely tempting. Our hero decides to keep his heterosexuality a secret and enter the contest; a decision that will change his life forever. Mr Manchester is a mainstream and feel-good movie. Part The Full Monty, part Birdcage, all comedy.
“Britt & Lee’s feedback and direction has been invaluable, and being Cardiff born and bred I’m thrilled to be developing my first feature with support from the Film Agency for Wales,” said Charles.
Previously Head of Talent for the Film Agency for Wales where she successfully managed a development and production slate of more than 30 projects, Britt Harrison continues to work as a Script Consultant alongside her producing. “Lee and I are delighted to be working with Phil Charles on his terrific script. It is a testament to the universal ambitions and power of so many of the Welsh writers I had the privilege of working with during my tenure at the Film Agency.”
Producing partner, Lee Ruette recently co-produced the revamped version of the cult comedy musical Blondel for Feudal Productions and Wilde Justice. She has both produced and line-produced; including a cycle of short films from international film directors such as Victor Erice and Spike Lee. Ruette said: “If you’re going to tell people the truth, be funny or they’ll kill you. Britt and I feel incredibly lucky to be working with Phil on his rich script.”
Commenting on the development of Mr Manchester, Keith Potter, Head of Talent for the Film Agency for Wales said: “As an agency, our role is to support and nurture Welsh filmmaking talent. Working with Britt and Lee at Snowball Pictures, Phil has developed a script that shows all the makings of a popular, mainstream comedy.
“Once again, we’re delighted to have an opportunity to support a Welsh writer who’s developed a terrific script - our primary motivation for financially supporting a project, whatever its genre, budget or setting.”
The Film Agency for Wales is funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the UK Film Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, via Creative Business Wales, the latter of which was set up to support, encourage and increase the range and number of films being produced in Wales and to foster the abundance of creative talent in Wales.
For further information please contact Lisa Jenkins on 0790 873 8763 or use our contact form.
Quarterly archive
2007
2006
