This amazing film comparison is how our latest project has been described. But imagine if Sylvester Stallone as Rocky was female, a teenager and living in Pilton, Edinburgh.
We’re delighted to be teaming up with Lothian Films to co produce this project.
In Her Corner - a short film
A teenage girl desperately fights to join her local boxing gym in order to escape a life of violent crime.
We are putting our twist on the urban working-class crime drama to tell a fast paced coming of age story about perseverance and self-belief.
We are aiming to create a film with energy and authenticity which will excite and inspire film audiences, boxing fans and anyone who has ever wanted to fight for a better life for themselves.
Our short film is an adaptation of the play 'In her Corner' by Mikey Burnett which played to rave reviews at Edinburgh Fringe 2019.
The story
We’re taking the central premise from Mikey’s play and follow a teenage girl desperate to escape the gangs threatening her future by joining her local boxing gym. By delving deep into the central character’s perspective, we will be able to create a high-drama, self-contained short film.
We aim to explore a female-centred world that is rarely shown on screen using vibrant, realistic dialogue in North Edinburgh dialect reminiscent of Irvine Welsh.
"Piltons gonnae be a mere fitnote when they talk aboot aw the hings you're gonnae achieve."
This story tells the truth about the anger and desperation of vulnerable women living in a society that won’t accept them, fighting against everything for a better life.
Meet the team
Mikey Burnett - Writer
Mikey is one of the BBC Scottish Voices of 2020 and BBC Drama Writers Room 2020. He will adapt his stage play to screen with support from both BBC Writersroom and advice from industry mentors.
Mikey is an Edinburgh playwright who writes predominately in the east coast dialect. His past work comprises both drama and comedy. Focusing mainly on working class stories and characters. In Her Corner enjoyed a highly successful run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 and was later shortlisted for The Papatango new writing prize.
Previously, he has won an attachment to The Traverse Theatre, as part of the prestigious ‘Traverse fifty’.
Emma Ramsay - Director
Emma is a director with a strong track record in scripted development. Emma knows how to craft a story and has a strong visual style. Emma is currently working in-house at Two Rivers Media as Development Trainee mentored by Marcus Wilson (Luther, Doctor Who) and Kathryn Shrubb (Three Girls, Luther, Silent Witness).
She is currently a finalist in the Short Com sitcom writing competition.
Laura McBride Producer (Lothian Films)
Laura is an Edinburgh based producer and founder of Lothian Films. Laura has produced award winning short films, including recently completed SCUZZ, written and directed by Alia Ghafar which was commissioned by BFI Network/Scottish Film Talent Network and was due to premiere at Edinburgh International Film Festival prior to its postponement.
Reece Cargan Producer (Bombito Productions)
Reece is a Glasgow based producer and founder of Bombito Productions.
Reece specialises in documentaries and shorts that discuss, provoke and reflect the current environment and societal issues. Reece is currently producing two commissioned shorts - a documentary 'Venus & Mars' for Scottish Documentary Institute and short film 'Who I am Now' via Creative Scotland.
Our thoughts on the short
Mikey and I are both passionate about boxing and are coincidentally from the same Edinburgh village (where some of the characters are drawn from) and we instantly found a creative connection. The addition of Reece and Laura who have connections in boxing and who champion working-class and LGBT stories via their own production companies, complete the team.
Emma Ramsay
Industry support
As well as support from film industry mentors, we have support from Scottish boxing legends.
Josh Taylor ‘The Tartan Tornado’
Edinburgh born Josh (ranked as the world's best active light-welterweight) is supporting our project.
Josh has kindly volunteered to donate a few items - which you can find more about in our rewards section and by following our social channels - where we'll regularly announce further auction items - including some truly unique signed boxing collectibles.
Craig McEwan
Craig loves Mikey's play and described the premise as "Trainspotting meets Rocky" with his support and belief in the project - we were able to film our crowdfunder video in Clovenstone Amateur Boxing Club.
This is where we also met the inspirational young boxers - Darcie and Sophia - who you can see in our images and video. They are prime examples of what our film wants to achieve - promoting boxing as an opportunity to girls and young women.
How you can help
Creative Scotland and Crowdfunder have teamed up to launch Crowdfund Creative Scotland which will award up to £5,000 to creative projects across the country via match funding. By supporting us with a donation of whatever you can, you allow us to unlock that match funding.
Your donation will allow us to put all the money raised onscreen in terms of cast, crew, locations, equipment and costume.
Follow our social channels for updates about the project. By donating or buying a reward, you can be part of our story.
Twitter: @In_her_corner
Facebook: @InHerCornerFilm
Instagram: @inhercorner_film
Thanks so much for reading, sharing and hopefully donating. Anything you can give us helps us get closer to making this film the best it can be. Please like, tag and share our posts so we can meet our fundraising goal.
All boxing images and video courtesy of Andrew Perry | www.andrewperry.co.uk
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