Forest film festival duo signed by American distributor

A CRIME thriller made by a husband-and-wife team and screened at the New Forest Film Festival has been snapped up by an American distributor.

Do Something, Jake was scripted by Caroline Spence and directed by her husband James Smith.

Because of their local connections – the pair lived in Christchurch for many years before setting up their production company Raya Films – they were invited to a projection of their movie at Lymington Community Centre.

In a Q&A session with the audience, James and Caroline, who now live between Bournemouth and the Midlands, said they were “delighted” to confirm they had just signed a deal with a distributor – whom they are not able to name publicly just yet – to take it stateside.

“We’re so happy,” James told the audience. “This is the first feature film we’ve done. We have knocked about in the industry and finished some shorts previously, and now we plan to keep going – we have filmed another two and have a script for a psychological thriller almost complete as well.”

Do Something, Jake is a 110-minute crime thriller made on no budget in Loughborough in just three weeks; however, post-production took three years.

It depicts the struggles the main character, Jake, faces holding down a job while experiencing mental health difficulties. He also falls in love with a neighbour whose abusive boyfriend gets in far too deep with a pair of violent drug dealers.

After trouble ensues, the film rests on whether Jake can overcome the odds and save the day by asserting himself to do something of which he can be proud.

In recent months it has been shown at film festivals nationwide, gathered buzz and won awards; it was named best feature at the Midlands Movies festival and was an official selection at the Southend-on-Sea event.

“It’s really about someone who is being underestimated,” James added. “Many people are, and while they might not be able to articulate themselves, they have other skills that need to be recognised and acknowledged. It’s a film that’s funny and action-packed and not to be taken too seriously.”

Caroline, a former student at Brockenhurst College, has long been a professional screenwriter. She did not go to film school, instead studying the craft while she worked a number of jobs in various sectors, including law, the defence industry, finance and mental health.

After getting into the industry, she was commissioned to write screenplays by people from as far afield as the US, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia.

She was also commissioned to adapt a best-selling novel by an author in Louisiana, before deciding to branch out and work on her own scripts with partner-in-crime James, a passionate photographer who became obsessed with film and moved into directing.

Among their first work was the award-winning documentary, Gentleman of the Night, which investigated smuggling in the 18 century from Hurst Castle to Hengistbury Head. That was also screened at this year’s New Forest Film Festival.

Caroline said she and James were “very open” to the idea of working in the New Forest, thanks to the district council’s Film:New Forest initiative, which aims to encourage filming in the area.

“We’re always working very hard on whatever we can do next, and if the opportunity arose it would be fantastic to be able to take it up,” she added.