A Case Study
Narrative | Dramatic Features
Film Name: The Birth of Valerie Venus
Genre: Comedy Drama
Date: July 2020
Director: sarahclift.com/thebirthofvalerievenus
Producer: Serena Armitage & Pietro Greppi
Writer: Sarah Clift
Cinematographer: Jonas Mortenson
Production Designer: Sofia Stocco
Composer: Kevin Sargent
Production Company: Lunapark Pictures & Red Breast Productions
Budget: The final budget was 40K GBP
Financing: BFI NETWORK, Madrefoca (a Mexican production company supporting my work), and private investment
Shooting Format: Sony Venice camera
Screening Format: 2:39:1
World Premiere: N/A
Awards: Women in Film Award ( Hollyshorts); Best International Live Action Short Film (Academy-qualifying Interfilm Festival, Berlin); Best Director (UCLA Ext. Festival), Gold and Silver Young Director’s Award for Best Humour and Best Short Film respectively.
Website: sarahclift.com/thebirthofvalerievenus
indieactivity: What is your film about?
Sarah Clift (SC): The Birth of Valerie Venus is a short film about a selfless vicar’s wife who finds herself possessed by a strange force that unlocks a mischievous (and pleasurable) side she never knew she had. I first originated this story because I wanted to put an older woman on center stage as a beautiful and sensuous being as she goes upon a journey of self-discovery. Something not often seen on screen.
This is my second short film and the first joined production by producers Serena Armitage and Pietro Greppi. The short was developed and produced with the assistance of BFI NETWORK and with additional funding and support from the Mexican production company Madrefoca.
Tell us about the festival run, marketing, and sales?
Sarah Clift (SC): The film has just started its online festival run at Academy and BAFTA qualifying festivals and has already won a number of accolades, including the Women in Film Award at Hollyshorts, Best International Live Action Short Film at the Academy-qualifying Interfilm Festival, Berlin, Best Director at UCLA Ext. Festival and a Gold and Silver Young Director’s Award for Best Humour and Best Short Film respectively. PR includes a featured interview with SHOTS magazine in November 2020, and local radio interviews with both BBC Radio Leeds and York to launch the film at its UK premiere in Leeds. The film is currently being discussed with a number of sales agents.
Give the full Official Synopsis for your film?
Sarah Clift (SC): Trapped in a world of domesticity and servitude, long-suffering vicar’s wife Valerie (55), has spent a lifetime serving others. At her wits’ ends, she makes a quiet plea to the Virgin Mary, who answers her prayers in the form of a strange force. Convinced she is possessed, Valerie fights her path to enlightenment every step of the way, until she realizes there actually might be some benefits to being kind to hersel
Development and financing?
Sarah Clift (SC): The film is an original screenplay written by me. After winning the BFI Postroom Pick and being BIFA longlisted for my first short film LA MADRE BUENA (The Good Mother) I was approached by the BFI NETWORK and offered development assistance. (My first short screened at over 100 festivals and received over 50 awards and nominations.) I wrote and developed the script during 2018 with BFI development assistance and commenced pre-production in early 2019. In terms of financing, I had initial support from BFI NETWORK and from Madrefoca (a Mexican production company that has been supporting my work from the start), then when I teamed up with my producers, Serena Armitage and Pietro Greppi, they helped secure additional funding from BFI NETWORK as well as private investment.
Production?
SC: Shooting commenced in May 2019 for five days in two London locations. Assembly began during the summer with Marshall St Editors, London, and the cut was finished by the Autumn. Colour correction commenced at Framestore London. ADR, music supervision, and original music were carried out through the end of 2019 and all sound was mastered at Wave studios London in 2020. Further, post-production was then required through lockdown, leading to final completion of the film in August 2020.
festival preparation and strategy?
Sarah Clift (SC): Serena, Pietro, and I have previous festival experience and so we tried to make the most of what we learned on those projects to work out a festival strategy for Valerie Venus. The decision for the film to have its UK premiere at Leeds International Film Festival was an important one, as both Serena and I originate from Yorkshire and our team of three are currently developing a feature film set in Yorkshire through the BFI. Generally, we have tried to focus on festivals that have a connection with certain aspects of the film and team, or that would help generate interest with specific audiences and award bodies. For instance, we have been looking at festivals with comedy sections or a specific interest in the woman’s journey.
The release?
SC: The film had its UK premiere online at Leeds International Film Festival.
Advice from the Filmmaker?
SC: I have had two very different journeys with my two short films, both in development/production and through the festivals, and I’ve learned a great deal from them. I would say it’s always important to think about what the film is doing to accelerate your skills as a filmmaker and your individual voice, and also to consider the various ways in which a festival can bring benefits and support to your film. With The Birth of Valerie Venus, I focused on the progression in time length and its directing technicality which has given me great skills and confidence as I embark upon my debut feature.
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