Two independent filmmakers from Cornwall are hoping to establish themselves in the film industry with the launch of their new production company. It comes as Laurie James Blayney and Connor Stratton-Darling recently debuted their short films in a bid to try their hands at directing.
The duo from Penzance, who are based between the south west and London, have spent the last decade climbing the industry ladder, working in a variety of different supporting roles. Now, they have finally climbed into the director’s chair and released their debut short films on July 19.
Creating their own independent films was a lifelong ambition for Connor and Laurie, who have both been "obsessed" with films from a young age. For Connor, watching and analysing movies was a sort of family tradition growing up, whereas Laurie started creating his own storyboards before realising his passion for films.
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Connor told : “I have always loved films. Growing up, my parents and brother were really big into reading and I was the only one in my family who didn’t like reading, so my mum decided if I didn’t want to read, I would watch films and discuss them instead. So it developed a passion for me from then.”
Laurie added: “I have always written, I mean I write every day. I used to create story boards where I would put an A4 sheet into a DVD cover and make it as if it was my own film and I would write the blurb.
“Growing up, I was initially going to get into acting and thank God I didn’t do that as I’m a lot better behind the camera than I am in front of it.”
The pair met within the first few weeks of starting secondary school in Penzance and became friends after sharing their mutual love of films. After finishing school, Laurie went to study filmmaking at Kingston University in London, while Connor worked in a number of different jobs that included lighting installation, fashion photography and videography.
After three years in the making - and in between Covid-19 lockdowns - Connor and Laurie finally showcased their debut films at Newlyn Filmhouse on Saturday, July 19. Both films are also being submitted to film festivals such as Cornwall Film Festival, London Short Film Festival, London Independent Film Festival and many more soon to follow.
Laurie’s debut film is an experimental comedy called Hector's Proclamation, which was mixed and mastered at Pinewood Studios. “It explores the creative process of filmmaking and what it means to have an idea for a film and to pitch it and for it to be rejected,” he explained. “It also explores the counter balance between commerce and creativity where on one hand, you’re trying to appeal to the masses and on the other hand, you’re trying to be original.”
Meanwhile, Connor’s debut short film, Rock, Paper, Scissors, is more of a coming of age comedy drama. “It’s a sort of throw back to a simpler time before phones and texting and it draws on experiences Laurie and I had growing up, sort of finding your own way.
“It follows three young men who decide who’s going to knock on a girl’s door who they have all become infatuated with and it’s a sort of coming of age film with the trials and tribulations of that.”
Both Laurie and Connor said it’s exciting to finally be able to share their films with the world but admitted it is also quite “scary” to have their work out there. “It’s a really nice feeling to have our films finished because they both took three years to finish,” Connor said.
“It’s nice to be able to say you’re a filmmaker and actually have something to show for it but it’s also quite scary because as soon as you create a film and you do that final export of your finished product to show people, when you actually show people it’s not your product anymore, it’s out there.
“After spending so long making them and then to just give it away to everyone is quite a big thing but it’s nice and I’m enjoying the fact people can watch it and have an opinion on it.”
When asked if they feel there is enough support for filmmakers in Cornwall, both of them said there isn’t enough funding for the arts in the UK, let alone in the South West. “I think generally, there’s nothing in terms of support for filmmakers in Cornwall and the scraps that are, are picked up by the people who are already established,” Connor said. “Which is fair enough because they’ve earned it but I think even in London and the UK, funding for arts and cinema isn’t enough and it’s been cut over the last 10 to 15 years.”
Laurie added: “Growing up, there wasn’t an incentive to get into filmmaking in Cornwall. I mean, nowadays we have Mark Jenkin who made Bait but that was kind of the first instance of filmmaking like that in Cornwall.
“Before that, it seemed impossible because getting money was impossible, getting kit was impossible and I think the lack of opportunity in the South West is sad. It’s getting better but especially when I was growing up, we were almost forced out of the South West to the city where there’s more opportunities.”
In a bid to establish themselves within the film industry as directors, Laurie and Connor have now launched their new creative agency and production company Down & Out Productions which specialises in short films, adverts, stills photography and social media content.
Speaking about their plans for the future, the duo said: "We really love films, always have and always will, it’s an ongoing obsession to be honest. We’re currently represented by RED management and have a few really exciting new scripts we’re looking to move into production.
“Moving forward we’re looking to establish ourselves as industry directors, build Down & Out into a recognisable name and find as wide an audience for our creative projects as possible - eventually finding our way into big-budget commercials and feature films."
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