Case Study: The making of 'The Carter Sanction' by Eric Garson

Rudolph Benade_indieactivity — Rudolph Benade in The Carter Sanction by Eric Garson

Date: 25 January 2019
Case Study: The Making of The Cater Sanction
Filmmaker: Eric Garson

Q: What is your film about?

Eric Garson: The Carter Sanction is my debut short action movie. The film tells the story of bodyguard Daniel Carter (played by newcomer Rudolph Benade) who falls for the heir to the throne of Wallonia, Princess Talia (played by Silvia Calatayud Gil). Set up for her kidnapping. Carter is arrested but escapes to pursue justice and his redemption.

The origins of the story began in mid-September 2017. Out of curiosity weekends, Rick Hanley (co-cinematographer) and I would practise filming action scenes, including a gunfight, a foot chase and a fistfight.Realising how relatively doable these scenes were, I wanted to connect them together into a coherent narrative.

Since childhood, I’d always been a huge fan of the restaurant explosion scene in Mission: Impossible 1 (1995). To jog your memory Ethan Hunt’s IMF team are all eliminated in the opening moments of the film. Hunt fearing, for his life, seeks refuge with his spymaster, Kittridge. To the disbelief and shock of Hunt, Kitteridge accuses him of being the mole responsible for the atrocity.

I’d always liked how Hunt thinks he knows the world but doesn’t, and how his world is turned upside down. Further, it’s rare to see the hook and twist scenes happen simultaneously in a film. I’m a fan of David Koepp and Robert Towne. The latter wrote Chinatown (1974) which also exemplifies the character’s ignorance.

The other main inspiration was Sleeping Beauty (1959) – in particular the transformation of the witch into a dragon breathing fire on the wood of thorns while the knight battles to save the Princess. This really struck me when I was a child. Thus, bringing these elements together, came the idea of instead of a prince, a bodyguard, who falls in love with a princess, but is framed for her kidnapping and has to go on a journey of to seek redemption and love.

Other inspirations included Touch of Evil (1958), Roman Holiday (1953), Aliens (1986), Goldeneye (1995), Thunderball (1965), Quantum of Solace (2008), Spectre (2015), The Wild Bunch (1969), Return of The Jedi (1983), The Bourne Identity (2002), Point Break (1991), Battle of Algiers (1966), Vertigo (1958), North By Northwest (1959), The Rock (1996), Blade Runner (1982), Thief (1981), Miami Vice (1984-90), Collateral (2004), Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (1991) and Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).

Q: Tell us about the festival run & marketing?

Eric Garson: I’ve submitted the film to a number of film festivals focusing on the action/thriller genre and festivals near to where the cast and crew live, so we can attend. We are awaiting their responses. As regards promotion, we have a Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and website pages.

Q: Do fill in the Dramatic Feature Below?

Director: Eric Garson
Producer: Eric Garson & Gabi Bilin
Budget: £1500
Financing: Self, a some from Gabi & £300 crowdfunded.
Production: FYWHYEM Productions
Shooting Format: Colour in English
Screening Format: 2.35.1 Aspect Ratio
World Premiere: Available
Website: www.thecartersanction.com

Q: Give the full synopsis for your film?

Eric Garson: “The Carter Sanction” follows the journey of Daniel Carter, a working-class bodyguard framed for kidnapping Princess Talia, heir to the throne of Wallonia. Arrested, Carter escapes to pursue justice and, ultimately the girl he loves.

Logline: Framed for kidnapping the princess he swore to protect. Now he wants justice.

Q: Production?

Eric Garson: The script was written in two weeks in October 2017. I posted a casting call on StarNow to attract actors. The first to be cast was Laura Wilson as she had a kickass showreel and great northern accent. This added something extra to the film. Followed by Sajid Shah who had a great physicality and really fitted the role of Yanek.

English actor Laurence Ford, who has subsequently become a talent agent, was really dedicated and passionate about the project.Colombian actress Laura Arbeláez, who plays Vasquez, brought a cool Latin vibe to her role and the overall film. I’ve subsequently shot another film with her, called “Diva” which is in post-production now.

Steve Overton I hunted out. He had the look of a cool bodyguard and, upon meeting him, I saw he had the professionalism to match. I’ve subsequently been involved in three films with him since shooting Carter. Spanish actress Silvia Calatayud Gil I had worked with on three previous short films. At first, I was nervous about offering the female lead, as she’s more a strong, tomboy type character in real life. Nevertheless, she loved the script and rose to the challenge. She proved me wrong as she was awesome in the performance. She has since starred in a German film, Fahrer.

Thespian and stage actor Tony Richardson, who plays the villain of the film, had a wonderful Professor Moriarty reptilian type voice, physically imposing and sharp eyes. I might add, he’s an absolute gentleman in real life.

Eilis Cahill, an American actress, screenwriter and producer. We’d wanted to work together on a film for ages, finally we had the chance. We’ve subsequently made a second film together called “Deep Under” which she co-wrote and is almost ready for release.

Charlotte Pitson, Peter Taverner, Ashleigh Drew and Samantha Fields came aboard last minute for two separate scenes. I am indebted to them for helping me out at the last moment. Charlotte had a wonderful contrast of a punky rock hairstyle and an English graceful voice. Meanwhile, Peter is a trained actor and stage director, while Samantha has subsequently shot a separate film with our crew called “Pocket Watch” directed by Daniel J Brant.

The voice-over radio announcement was provided by Andy Jones, a real-life BBC radio broadcaster. He made me aware of Received Pronunciation. His voice-over gave the film energy in the opening sequences.

Finally Rudolph Benade. By this time, I had the majority of the cast secured, but I didn’t have a lead. I posted further casting calls on StarNow & FaceBook groups. I did an audition in, of all places, a sushi bar in London. Alas, the actor didn’t have a driving license as I’d needed that for the lead character. On my way back, dejected, from Bayswater Tube station, I saw Rudolph, a total stranger. He was sitting opposite me. And on the spur of the moment, I asked him if he’d be interested in playing the lead. He was a great sport and said yes. Luckily by chance, he was living in Reading at the time. Admittedly, he had no acting experience, especially as a lead. But he had the height, the look, driving license, voice, availability and ultimately the desire to do it.

I could not have made the film without Rudolph. He allowed a group of aspiring filmmakers to make a film.

I am part of a film club in Reading, called Reading Film and Video Makers. A keen group of us had been regularly filming together for about a year. So I was lucky to have a group of crew members on my doorstep who were interested in taking part.

They included Rick Hanley (professional photographer and co-cinematographer), whom I’ve shot numerous micro shorts with.

Gabi Bilin (co-producer), whom I’ve subsequently shot numerous other short films with, including the upcoming “Deep Under” and “Diva”, both in post-production.

David Gregory (co-cinematographer, VFX artist, editor), I’d previously shot a few short films and events with him. I’ve subsequently made another short film with him. He was indispensable in getting Carter made.

Sophie Marchant and Krzysztof Rodzik sound operated on the film. Both are professional sound operators. Sophie also sound mixed the film, she has over 15 years experience sound mixing. They have sound operated on all my short films since Carter.

Leon Silavant camera-assisted and took stills which were vital for promoting the film. He is a video producer making corporate videos. He has subsequently shot a dark humoured short film called “Crime Confessions”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arg-MXlCcGE

Ivor McGurk composed the soundtrack. He plays guitar, piano and numerous other instruments. He’s subsequently scored all my short films since Carter. Both Ivor and myself have a soft spot for James Bond. Ivor’s music brought the film to life.

Dave New and Thomas Biddle both acted as extras in the film, alongside gathering vital BTS footage of production. They were also the spark which encouraged me to make the film in the first place. I’m indebted to them for that. While Michael Benjamin camera operated on two of the scenes in the film.

I had previously worked with Becky Taylor on a past shoot called Scarlett and she did a day’s make-up work for us on Carter.

Rashpal Gurm designed the poster for the film. He is a professional photo retoucher. He has started up his own business in this sector. We met regularly during the post-production phase and he gradually sculpted the poster you see. He has designed the posters for my other short films since Carter.

Katie Linard is a film student at London SouthBank University. She colour graded the film. She has edited, AD’d and colour graded many short films which have reached film festivals. She’s also directed her own short film.

Davor Pahljina edited the trailer. He currently works with and for Disney. I’m immensely grateful for him creating the trailer because it’s the second most important item alongside the film. And is vital to attracting people to the film in the first place.

Whilst finding the cast and crew, I was storyboarding, rewriting the script & making call sheets. Meanwhile Gabi, Rick and I initiated the crowdfunding campaign and began location scouting.

Principal photography began on 11th November 2017. We shot the interrogation scene first, filming in Aldermaston and Reading, UK. The fistfight and foot-chase scenes were shot the following day. Thankfully we had dry, albeit chilly weather.

The following weekend we shot the second fight scene, again in Aldermaston.

A week later we filmed the long take outside a school boarding house. We had four hours on set, it was freezing conditions. It was high stakes as long takes are tricky to pull off.

Alas, production then came to a standstill as Rudolph, unfortunately, broke his ankle playing rugby. Thankfully his injury healed and we got back to filming in February 2018, doing the plane, gunfight, driving, telephone and control room scenes in Reading and Wargrave, UK.

Filming wrapped Sunday 11th February 2018. Overall we shot interior, exterior, night, day, a long take, on a plane, a gunfight, two fistfights, a foot chase, in moving vehicles, on location and created our own sets. For a short film, we did a lot.

We had a rough cut by August 2018. The soundtrack was completed in November 2018 alongside colour grade, sound design and VFX. The trailer was completed in January 2019.

Q: Release & Festival Preparation?

Eric Garson: I did a 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 day(s) to trailer release campaign using the poster stills we had taken from the sets. This was primarily facilitated through our Facebook and Instagram pages. The trailer was released on 18th January 2019. Thankfully we have a treasure chest of stills, BTS stills, BTS footage, iconography, interviews, GIFs and the soundtrack to promote the film for festivals. Fingers crossed, it will pay off.