ChrisG

The Lost Sock, an amateur-made full length feature film set in Felixstowe, Suffolk, is about to be shown on TV - here's the news release:

The Lost Sock, the only full length feature film ever made from start to end in Felixstowe, Suffolk, is to be shown on TV.

It's world TV premiere is at noon on Saturday, 1st September on Information TV, Sky channel 167, and it will be shown at the same time every Saturday during September, plus another showing every Friday night at midnight on channel 168!

The film was made entirely on an amateur basis, and came about after a casual chat between director Chris Gosling and writer Dave Feakes. Dave's writing group, The Felixstowe Scribblers, created a script that was originally to be 4 or 5 five-minute episodes, but became a 90-minute feature!

Shooting was entirely in Felixstowe during 2005 and 2006, and over 100 local people, firms and organisations were involved. The police provided a couple of special constables and a squad car to arrest the bad guys, the Port of Felixstowe provided an ambulance and crew, and Charlie Manning gave the crew free rein in his amusement arcades. Radio Suffolk presenter Rachel Sloan was shot outside the pier, and Evening Star Felixstowe Editor Richard Cornwell bravely resisted attempts to intimidate him!

The film became a regular part of the Felixstowe scene, culminating in it's world premiere in 2006 at the town's Spa Pavilion, where nearly 500 people sat and watched it. Over 200 copies of the DVD have since been sold, while tens of thousands watched the original episode format on the internet, where it was first shown.

On learning about the TV showings, director Chris Goslng said, "The film was watched by the broadcaster, who was tickled pink by the quirky humour and local appeal. Information TV Chief Executive Fred J Perkins told me that he thought it was a slow to start, but that after the first ten or fifteen minutes, it picked up pace and was lots of fun."

"For myself, I'm terrifically proud of having been part of a real community effort, where so many local people got involved. And getting the film on TV is the icing on the cake!"

Steve Crook

Well done, thoroughly deserved

Steve

ChrisG

Thanks, Steve - that's kind of you!

The whole thing makes me giggle . . . I suppose we'll have to do another one now!

Steve Crook

Of course it makes you giggle. It's all nonsense really - but such is life. And if you can raise a smile on a few people then you're not doing too badly at it

Steve

ChristineCB

ChrisG, I hope you'll write about how this tale developed, what options were considered but weren't used, and if some of those options now look better or do you think the choices made still are preferred.

(Maybe those could be castings? Maybe scenes? Maybe a subplot used or not? Scenes left on the cutting room floor? I'd be interested to know any of those little details.)

Then, I'd like to hear YOUR reactions to the show's reception. Did you hear unexpected reactions? Criticisms or praise you'd never considered?

kelp

Many Congratulations to all of you. Watch out Mr. Meadows the new kids are on the block!

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR...YOU MAY GET IT!

intelligence

Congratulation ChrisG for your achievement, Cheers!