Garston-born creative entrepreneur says inspiration for his work came from a love of films in his childhood and is now crowdfunding for his second production, The Neolith

Liverpool-born filmmaker Daniel Boocock, the man behind The Desolate One that scooped awards on two continents last year, has embarked on his second movie, The Neolith.

The Garston-born creative entrepreneur says his inspiration for his work came from his childhood.  Daniel said: “When I was really young my parents would always try to encourage my imagination. Film was the medium that made the biggest impression on me.

“I would see films such as Fantasia or the elephant scene in Dumbo and be really into it- almost hypnotised. As I got a little bit older my grandparents would always have westerns and war films on the television. I must have only been about six or seven and I would watch The Wild Bunch, Spartacus, Das Boot and even Aliens.

“Everything about them made a huge impression on me. I didn’t know it then but that was the spark which started it all.   

“When I reached my teens I watched films such as American History X, Scarface, Cuckoo’s Nest, Fight Club, The Godfather trilogy and those pieces of work (along with many others) just confirmed what my intuition and imagination was already telling me, I said to myself ok, whatever happens this is what you are going to do.”

Talented people

Speaking about The Desolate One, Daniel added: “Being recognised here in the UK and aboard has been quite an achievement.  Just getting it made was a task in itself as it was shot upon and around Mount Snowdon in the middle of a winter blizzard – with virtually no money or backing, save my own.”

He continued: “Most people doubted it could even be done, especially in terms of logistics, but I knew it could.  I was prepared and a small amount of very talented people helped me enhance the film.

“To have it screened in many festivals worldwide and winning Best Short Film Award in Liverpool’s very own International Film Festival, Copenhagen’s annual CPH fest and receiving a platinum award at World Fest Houston in Texas at which the likes of the Coen brothers, Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone and Steven Spielberg’s earliest works where all first recognised was a nice touch.  

‘Atmospheric piece’

Daniel believes his next project is all or nothing and described The Neolith as a “very ambitious and atmospheric piece”.

He explained: “It is a large-scale, high-end short film which I plan to shoot upon the Isle of Skye this coming October.  It is set in older times and is about a mysterious enigmatic figure who senses an outside force few can comprehend.

“It is cast with actors from Liverpool, Denmark and Northern Ireland and crewed with people from Liverpool and Scotland. 

“Permission has been given by the Highland Commission to shoot in the specific locations requested upon Skye. Half of the film will primarily be set around the Black Cuillin region.

“During autumn the light is pretty special along with vast brown grasslands and granite black rocks situated there. I have been to Skye many times planning how best to go about the film and I will soon return again.

“It is looking very good so far.  Those directly involved and others who are now circling the project can sense the huge potential in it. For me The Neolith is an all or nothing opportunity. That is why I am very focused on making it the best it can be.”

Funding drive

Daniel says that securing finance for short films can be “tricky”, pointing out that, even on a most basic level, a good smartphone costs £1,000.  A good camera can cost £55,000-plus. 

“For The Desolate One I did not ask for funding,” he said. “I saved up a couple of thousand pounds and funded it myself because I knew that logic would come good when needing finance for The Neolith.

“This film is a big step up from anything I have done before but that is the point.  Its budget is £50,000, part of which we already have that will be invested. With regards to acquiring the rest of the finance, it’s about identifying the right people, crowds or organisations who I think will be a correct fit for the project.  Discussions are already taking place.  

Daniel’s production company, Claret and Blue, has just embarked on a crowdfunding campaign for The Neolith. For more details click here.