Films

Running Errands
United kingdom 2014! Director Jacob Geldard
I believe that the root of all evil is abuse. Although you may not believe this quote from Patricia Cornwell to be completely true, the effects of abuse are certainly shown in this subtle realist drama set in present day suburban England from Jacob Geldard. When we first meet Sam hes comfortably playing with toys at home. Although his playing may be slightly odd as he talks and listens to the inanimate objects in his hands, he is clearly at ease playing in a world of his own. This is until who I think is Sams older sister Charlotte enters the house. Thenceforth Sam is on edge watching every movement he makes is acceptable in Charlottes eyes. Geldards first film In My World showed similar subtle signs of mental illness we see here in his new short. Charlotte sends Sam out on a task hes clearly to young to do hence the title Running Errands. From this point socially awkward Sam struggles to complete the task of going to the distant shops and collecting his sisters shopping, as he has a constant conflict with his own mental problems and the effect they have on him. The story looks set to show Sam overcome his problems and reaffirm the idea that any problem can be overcome. However writer/director Geldard isnt the sort to shove such a reassuring tale into the audiences face. The story is far from showing a plot with an end of resolution, what we receive is a tale that shows the effects of abuse on a child, and how unescapable they can be, with a glimmer of hope thrown in for good measure. Geldards first feature In My World showed the strains mental illness can have on a young boy, especially when his brother is dying and he has to move away from his family. In Running Errands we see how mental issues can be created due to the trauma itself. The middle class area is brought through from In My World with its display of leafy suburban Surrey. Geldard expertly escapes the tradition realist environment of poverty stricken areas, showing that economic climate is irrelevant sometimes. He also brings an extra level of realism to this piece by showing his ability to show and area of lower comic status, as Sam travels to a shop in what could be called a dodgy' area to be able to get his sister the cigarettes she asked for. The films content is certainly taking a risk in that what happens isnt inherently interesting or shocking at any point. As Sam travels to the shop collects the shopping without incident, the real meat of the story is what happens when he enters the wood to get home faster. He is commented by two teenagers who try to have some fun with Sam. The shot choice and sound design during these sections is well done and certainly builds some tension.This film ask a lot of the audience for them to spark up a some kind of a relationship with a protagonist that gives very little. However the younger brother of Geldard, untrained 11 year old actor Samuel

Geldard captures the mannerisms of someone who has an issue with social interaction and this helps. Geldard himself seems to be looking to create true realism rather than attempt a true drama with a hint of realist conventions. Sams character isnt on screen to purely entertain, hes follows the pattern of a disabled child sent on a task he is uncomfortable in doing. The film closes with Sam and the boys walking up the green, well kept street Sam lives on, As they arrive at his door they drop off the food Down and out: Sam Geldard and begin to leave, but Sam thanks them for there help and a kind hearted response is given. Sam smiles and a light can be seen at CREDITS the end of the tunnel for him, yet the film end with his sister calling him into the house and Sam shutting the door of the house. This Assistant Produced by delivers a true testament to realism, offering a Producers Lee Muson slight resolution with Sam finally speaking to James Mclemon Written by anyone, but a reminder that the circle of abuse Josh Beekes Jaocb Geldard isnt broken. The sort of anti resolution famed in Director of realist texts. This may be well and good for a film in this genre, it would be nice for Geldard Photography to take a few more risks, this could make the CAST Jacob Geldard film feel like it has a bit more personality. On Editors the whole the film delivers a quiet social Jacob Geldard Sam commentary of the effects of abuse, in this Production subtle realist production that has the ability to Sam Geldard Designer make the audience think. The film strikes the Charlotte Claire Geldard highest points of filmmaking in the areas of Grace Sheridan Music by location and character development. The plot Girl Jaocb Geldard has great meaning behind it yet the actual story Leah Reay Sound ark requires a real appreciation for this type of Boy film to enjoy the bland story. But the filmmakers Designer Myles Egan efforts to make a film with meaning and real Jay Davies characters shine through. It feels like Geldard Costume collected people and told them to play Designer themselves, with performances as real as these. Sam Merick And these performances just bring the meaning Hair and Make that when a child is abused it can effect them in up by many ways. And the locations shot in are a Claire Geldard refreshing change of pace from the usual broken Casting by homes and litter streets of social realist films. Jordan Knowles By no means is this throughly trilling, but Production certainly for filling - Craig Hound Companies Beacon Media GJD Film Made Up Productions Executive Producers Ian Bitil Bradley Gill
Noises in the woods: Sam Geldard

SYNOPSIS Surrey, England, present day. 9 year old Sam lives in a semi detached house in a middle class area with his abusive 19 year old sister who is the closest thing to parent Sam has. We meet Sam home alone, playing with his toys. Sam is startled by Charlottes arrival home. As she enters the house and goes to get her self a drink, Sam puts away the toys he was playing with. He waits for her to turn and face him before approaching her. As he does Charlotte gives Sam some money and sends him out to get her cigarettes. Noticing a bruise on Sams arm Charlotte pulls Sams sleeve down. As Sam walks to the shops he passes a field with a large behind it. Sam looks at the wood for a second before continuing to walk. The street of the shop very different from the middle class area Sam lives on. As Sam approaches the shop we see his effects of his physical and mental abuse as he is frightened to enter the shop. He waits outside biting his lips and heavy breathing before building up the courage to enter. He exits shortly after with a building bag of shopping that he struggles to carry. As Sam walks home he sees the wood again from a different angle and is forced to enter by the weight of the shopping and the time he has to get back to Charlotte. As Sam begins to get comfortable in the wood, he sees to older boys. The boys begin to scare Sam eventually ending in one of them accidentally knocking Sams shopping all over the ground. At this point the boys apologise and try and help Sam, but Sam denies their help. Until he realises there is to much for him to carry. Sam accepts the boys help and walks off, the boys follow. As they travel back to Sams house the boys try and talk to Sam but he doesnt respond. They arrive at Sams house, they drop off the shopping and begin to leave. The film ends with the boys walking off and Sam saying his first words of the film as he thanks them for his help. He smiles until he is called by his sister. Sams face drops and he closes the door.