Yorkie Ripper - Newzstreak!

[shanemeadows]

The Yorkshire Ripper project that I am considring doing at the moment is actually part of a quartet of films that channel4 are making next year as their headline act for next years 25th anniversay of C4.

They are all based on the Red Riding Quartet Novels by David Peace, set 3 years apart - 1974, 1977, 1980 and 1983. they are getting 4 separate directors with 4 different visions to bring these to life. anyone who has read these novels will know how incredilble they are and I must confess to being very tempted.

It would be the first time I have ever worked on a novel and the first time working from someone else's script (one writer for all four films). Paddy has read 1980 and also seems very keen to get involved. Having just done a period piece, I feel confident I could pull it off and the story is right up my street, but....

The only but, and it's a fairly big one, Is that it is a different production company (Revolution - Michael Winterbottoms company) running the show and I am pretty gutted that I can't have Mark on board as producer and that Warp cannot be involved in it's production. This is no reflection on Revolution, it's just their baby and there is already a full deck of producers and execs taking a slice of the pie, that it could only really work as a totally separate project.

So that's where we're at. Mark is totally cool for me to take 6 months out to do it. But, As we have so many great ideas lined up already, I'm not sure which way to turn. As I said, The book is mesmorising and I have a very personal reason for wanting to tell this story, but without Mark in there with me, It just doesn't quite feel the same.

[Hyde]

Yeah that is a big but, sounds like you would be safest to not do this... but then I think if you did it (and there was no problems with c4 or revolution) then it would be really cool.

[RydCook]

Decisions ay shane!? i bloody hate them.. i got a big decision to make and i'm 50 50 all the time. Anyway i'm not gonna sway you either way, both directions sound good to me. I think you should just go with your heart, your instinct. Sounds cheesey but yeah you know what i mean. Anyway i hope you can make a choice dude, i'm sure everyone on the forum will back ya either way.

[fatself]

I can't stress how much I would like to see this...I think you should definately go for it.

[jill]

Shane, I'd go for it. You are obviously really taken with the book and relate to the story in a personal way (great start), so sounds like you're on safe ground re: the material you're working with. Assuming this Revolution team/Winterbottom chap is not a total nightmare to work with, it will be a new and potentially really rewarding experience to work on a different kind of project with different people. More instrumentally, it sounds pretty high profile. As for the downsides, well it seems that it's more a qustion of delays than being forced to make an either or choice and, as you say, Mark is cool with it. Personally, I'd love to see it. Jill

[large michael]

Look at it as a positive thing, you may take away something important from working with outsiders, even if its that you never want to work with anyone but your own crew ever again !! Trying a different perspective now may help your future work too, and besides, in the immortal words of Uncle Monty, one shouldnt cut oneself orf from new experience...! :-)

[salvador]

It sounds like agreat project and something you seem really passionate about. It's up to you Shane, go with whatever you believe in. I'm sure friends will stick by you whatever you choose to do and you dont seem the kind of guy who forgets about those close to him.

Good luck whatever happens! ;D

[marksherbert]

It sounds like it could be amazing. Go for it I reckon.

[Companero]

I would have to say go for it, Shane. At the end of the day, you have Mark’s blessing, so it’s not like you’re going to be biting the feeding hand, so to speak. I really think you should do this film, Shane. It’s fascinating material that you have an interest in, Paddy’s interested and working for Revolution/Winterbottom isn’t at all like “working for the man” – considering Winterbottom’s body of work (i.e. he makes the type of films that he wants to make, without compromise, it would appear), I should imagine he’s have utmost respect for you as a filmmaker.

This project really excited me when I heard of it just prior to the LFF screening of THIS IS ENGLAND; it has the potential to be excellent. The only thing I do have a reservation about is that with a project that encompasses such a short period of time (just nine years) that it will seem eclectic as a whole, as there are four different directors - who potentially could have completely different ideas about each film’s aesthetics.

It really is a tough call but I would most definitely like to see Mr Meadows do this one.

[Morell™]

I'm on the fence with this one. I say I'd love to see the result if Mr Meadows had a crack at a film as dark as this. I understand the role that Paddy will be looking to play would be an amazing role for him to play (Like a Manc Serpico).

On the other hand I feel that Shane has had a great run with the team he has built around him and it is working. You can't buy that kind of loyalty. I'd like to see sweet Maria (or what ever else Shane has in mind) become real first.Also I understand that the Ripper project would be a TV only film, and I want to see Shane on the Silver screen as often as possible.

[anonlytwin]

Shane if you said you were making a dog food advert with mr considine I'd get excited... also it sounds like a high profile gig and anything that raises your profile can only be good for future films/ dog food adverts ... if it is based on a novel then make sure and remember that a film is not a book and you should never lose that individual/personal approach that makes us love you

[bodhi]

my personal view is to go for it, but thats just me really really really wanting to see what would potentially be a fantastic venture.

totally up to you Shane, i'm sure whatever you take on would be great

[jtrodreigez]

whooooo yeah! you can doooo eeeettttt!

[shanemeadows]

Cheers for the feedback, I am gonna have a good chat with Padster over the weekend and make a decision soonio!

If I decide not do it then I will do summut nutty (like a Tank Bullock series) in the spring whilst Mark get's the finance together for then next movie. So either way we'll have something cracking off soon.

Muchos Grazie.

[flashpointharry]

A Tank Bullock mini-series?! That'd be dynamite, like the anti-Nathan Barley, only slightly more tasteful and that much ruder Well whatever it is that next ging-gang-goolies out of the Youth camp I'm sure it'll be a cracker. I reckon it should definitely include the music of indie three-piece Kelman though - they've got Meadows written all over them (that's not a plug, by the way - I reviewed their album earlier this year and it's got a real Shaney shine to it) ;D