Filming
for a £2.5million movie in Shetland and Aberdeen
next year is expected to inject hundreds of thousands
of pounds into the local economy.
The director and producer of Devil's Gate,
Stuart St Paul, chose Shetland for its barren
location but will also be filming a few city scenes
in Aberdeen in January.
Mr St Paul said the move will put about £400,000
into the economy — with local caterers, transport,
accommodation and taxi firms being used.
Filming will be for a few days in Aberdeen but
about four-and-a-half weeks in Shetland.
Mr St Paul would also like to employ behind-the-scenes
film people and is hoping to recruit a local make-up
assistant and costume assistant.
However, he said the main role in the film had
not been finalised yet.
The film is about Rachael, who ran away from home
five years earlier and has been living in the
city. She receives a call from her childhood friend,
Rafe, who says that her father is ill and she
must return home. Reluctantly, she returns to
her remote island home which her mother left when
Rachael was 10.
As soon as she arrives home, she realises it is
a trick. But Rachael is left to search for her
mother. The next morning, however, just as she
is about to go back to the city, she finds a clue
hinting at her mother's whereabouts.
Mr St Paul said the drama is like an Agatha Christie
movie with lots of twists and turns.
"We have sent out a couple of offers to up and
coming actresses for the part of Rachael but it
has not been finalised yet."
Mr St Paul said a location at Skeld, on the west
side of Shetland, has been chosen for most of
the filming.
The crew will be filming in other parts of Shetland
also.
As a contrast, Mr St Paul said the crew also needed
to show a little of Rachael's life in the city.
Aberdeen was chosen for budgetary reasons.
"We chose Shetland and Shetland is serviced from
Aberdeen so it will be easier to film there and
then move the crew and several truck loads of
gear up to Shetland on the ferry.
"This is a low-budget film and half the problem
we have is costs. We are hoping to use local people
but I will be using people with the right skills
and in many cases will be calling in favours from
friends."
In Aberdeen, Mr St Paul will need to film a major
hospital complex and a house in the middle of
a city.
He said he was interested in hearing from any
film studies students who wanted to take part
in the project.
Mr St Paul has more than 30-years' experience
in the entertainment industry.
The project will be co-produced by two London
film companies, Alchemist and IndyUK, together
with Shetland-based partner Penultimate Films
and Features, which is run by the Lowes family.
The script was written by an Australian film writer,
Trevor Todd, but has been reworked.
Mr St Paul said that the film should be finished
by April and will be marketed at the Cannes Film
Festival.
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Filming
for a £2.5million movie in Shetland and Aberdeen
next year is expected to inject hundreds of thousands
of pounds into the local economy. 