A filmmaker from Wallasey has recently released a short film inspired by classical music that features a performance from renowned actor Paul McGann.
Swallow Your Dreams, written, produced and directed by Dan Sloan, 37, centres around a man attempting, much to the concern of his wife, to extract a symphony he composed in his dreams after taking lucid pills . The short film stars Paul McGann [Withnail & I, Alien 3] and Amy Bailey [Vikings].
Speaking to the ECHO about his latest filmmaking venture, Dan Sloan said: "I’d had this idea floating around in my head for a long time, about a dream that’s always out of reach. I’ve always enjoyed films about people pushing themselves.
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"The whole thing for me felt like a big step forward as a filmmaker. For this one, I was really out of my comfort zone so I wanted to push myself in many ways. Working with great, established actors like Paul McGann, who I was a big fan of, and Amy Bailey who I’m also a big fan of. That was a whole new world to me."
Dan was given the opportunity to bring his idea to life at the start of the first lockdown and chose to take the chance on head first, despite the possible challenges. He said: "What was tricky about this film was that it was all shot in lockdown, so there were so many challenges surrounding that. Building up to it it was so hard to secure a location. It was tricky with COVID everything was shut and there were provisions that had to be made.
"On a day to day basis during the shoot we all had to do COVID tests, and if any came back positive we had to shut down.
"There were so many variables that we had to overcome, so it took a while for it to finally get made."
The film, which was shot entirely in Liverpool and the Wirral, showcases the city's beautiful locations such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and Parr Street Studios.
Dan added: "I’m from Prenton, so I work in Liverpool and Liverpool is my city as well. With the location of the Philharmonic and Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, it’s just such a beautiful city to film in."
The film features an original score by composer Benjamin Woodgates, who worked alongside Dan to create the perfect track for the film. Speaking of his collaboration with Woodgates, Dan said: " One of the best things about the film is the piece of music that it’s centred around. I got to work with an amazing composer called Benjamin Woodgates. He’s such a great talent and made an amazon piece of music for the film."
The piano concerto in the film is performed by Tom Poster, the 2018 BBC Young Musician of the Year.
Concluding with advice for any prospective filmmakers, Dan's advice would be to " always make the films you want to see."
You can view Swallow Your Dreams here.
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