We recently wrapped production on short film Who I Am Now. The film will be a mixture of live action and animation.
Starring accomplished trans actors Adam Kashmiry Ghostlight, Adam & Talisa Garcia Baptiste, The Girlfriend Experience.
Filming during COVID restrictions was tough but we had a strong and hard working crew and couldn't have asked for better actors and supporting artists. Thanks to everyone who helped our production get to where we are now.
Animation
Onto our post-production phase as animator Holly Summerson helps us shape each flashback scene as a bespoke animation designed specifically for the film in collaboration with director Jack Goessens.
The story
Two trans refugees share their stories in this short film about family - the families we’re born into, and the families we make out of our friends.
With Tariq’s older brother arriving from Egypt - the first time he’s seen him since he came to the UK - he’s forced to confront his complicated feelings about family. Denise, his friend and teammate, shares her own story. Who I Am Now is a short film about queerness and family - the families we’re born into, and the families we make out of our friends.
The background
Funded by Creative Scotland via the Create: Inclusion fund and LEAP sports.
The film uses flashback, dream and memory to tell a complex story, and comment and critique the way that queer people are asked to perform their trauma and recount negative experiences in order to be understood by mainstream audiences.
The location
The story's setting and main conversation takes place between Tariq and Denise as they get ready to play a game of football for LGBT football team 'Spectrum FC'. They share stories from their past and bond even further as friends and part of each other's chosen family.
We filmed on location in the impressive grounds of Dumbarton Football club. Overlooked by Dumbarton Castle which sits on volcanic rock known as 'The Rock'. The atmosphere and beauty of the location really added to our production.
The team
Starring Adam Kashmiry as Tariq & Talisa Garcia as Denise
Writer: Michael Lee Richardson
Producer: Reece Cargan
Director: Jack Goessens
DOP: David Lee
1st AD: Juan Melendez Herrera
Production Designer: Cara Roxburgh
Animator: Holly Summerson
1st AC: Sefa Ucbas
Grip: Gordon Eddie
2nd AC: Connor Wilson
Editor: Jack Goessens
Sound Recordist: Seamus Stewart-Skinner
Sound: Sean McGee
Makeup Artist: Francesca Hynd
Make up Assistant: Niamh Carden
Costume Assistant: Oksana Makowska
Production Assistant: Hannah McKelvie-Whyte
Runner: Sarah Manson
Catering: Clementine Catering
Insurance: WK Film Insurance
Dumbarton F.C: Antonia Love & Jacqui Sibbald
Spectrum FC: Michael Lee Richardson, Pip Wright, Rebecca White, Kol Mulligan & Callum Denovellis
Plus a cameo from some of the Saltire Thistle team - Scotland's inclusive football team.
What's next
Post-production will take a little while longer than usual due to the fact we are mixing live action and animation. Jack's previous film Everyman is currently only just starting it's festival journey and will be screening at Glasgow Short Film festival from 22-28 March. International premiere details to be announced soon.
Keep up to date with social media to check in on the status of both Who I am Now and Everyman: