Rachel Tillotson met Bruce at Brest Film Festival and Clermont Ferrand Film Festival and it was clear that the they were coming from different angles. With Rachel, the 'artistic' director and Whatever Pictures, the 'commercial' producers, came the opportunity to put art and commercialism together to create The Great Indoors. Rachel chose Whatever Pictures to complete the package of Claire Palmier and herself with the secured finance from United TV and First Take Films and the Eastern Arts board.

Shot on 35mm in Suffolk, Rachel's family home was put to a major test, as were her family when 25 cast and crew turned up on a very hot July afternoon. With good local locations and a small cast, the film seemed simple enough to shoot. However, with very tight spaces and searing heat the film was hard work to get through. The budget demanded low stock levels so the film was a tight shoot.

Expert acting from Sandra Voe and Alan David provide a most moving tale, taking in issues of old age, isolation, euthanasia and fear of death.

There was a keen decision to take a camera to the Alps in order to film some shots of the mountains needed for the film. After much umming and arring by the executives and a terrifying and potentially disastrous trip to Mont. Blanc, the whole film was put in the can.

Editing and tracklaying were complete in a month and delivery took place in September 1999. With Rachel's' success in France and her collaboration with Lazennec (La Haine) the film was aEuropean success. It also took Whatever Pictures into the realm of serious cinema drama and across from the broader comedies of previous years.

THE GREAT INDOORS

12mins - 35mm

Writer: Claire Palmier
Director: Rachel Tillotson
DOP: Pete Rowe
Sound: Alistair Widgery
Editor: Satira
Starring: Sandra Voe, Alan David
Composer: Richard Lannoy

Watch Film

Terms & Conditions

Whatever Pictures Ltd, 13A Iliffe Yard, London SE17 3QA e.what@whateverpictures.com m.+44(0) 7763 185 088