ISSUE TWO
In issue two Katie asked Joe, Archie and Max about their time working on Redwood, the challenges they faced and what it was like making a film during a pandemic.
Director / Writer / Executive Producer on Redwood
Max Roach
Now studying at the University of York in TV & Film Production Max started out by making YouTube videos with family and friends. Since going to Havering sixth form he has made multiple films and hopes to take his career further into the industry.
Director / Writer / Executive Producer on Redwood
Joe Schofield
Joe attended Havering Sixth Form College studying A-level Film studies and a B-tec in TV and Film production. He was worked on film sets as well as make his own film such as RED (2019). Joe is partaking in Camp America this year and is pursuing a job in the industry.
Executive Producer on Redwood
Archie Flower
Archie also attended Havering Sixth Form College studying Film and TV & Film production where he met Max and Joe. Archie has been a regular star in multiple Take 22 Films such as Lemon Bar as Benny Ballwitz and Short Of Perfection. Archie is also pursuing jobs in the industry.
“What do you have for breakfast ?”
Max
“I have potato waffles with garden eggs, whats just a fancy name for fried eggs with sh*t tons of spices on them. Oh and then I add sweet chilli sauce”
Joe
“For breakfast I had a lovely banana smoothie with some oats and this new protein and tastes like peanut butter. Safe to say it was delicious.”
Archie
“Nothing.”
“Other than the script you chose in the end which was your favourite and why?”
Max
“So Redwood ended up going through around four to five different scripts, we had to keep changing it due to restrictions with regulations and time. But probably the story where we focused on two brothers experience with the manor. I liked this angle as I think that sibling relationships are really fun to write.
Joe
“I really liked the script that focused on the original two brothers more. I love films from the 80s and I feel like in the draft of Redwood the brothers had great chemistry. Similar to and drawing influence from the chemistry of the characters in The Goonies and Stand by Me but with a bit of a modern spin on it. So yeah, I feel like that was my favourite due to the characters and I feel like they really helped to drive the story.”
Archie
“I really liked the original, of course a lot happened since that version was written so it had to change, but I liked the simplicity of it and the fact it was written for a college project”
“Other than issues surrounding COVID-19 what do you think was the biggest issue throughout production?”
Max
“For me one of the problems was time as we were working with limited time with a house that was due to be knocked down. I feel grateful that we managed to film in there and getting that opportunity as it was really spooky.”
Joe
“I feel like script changes really kept us on our feet. Things not going to plan, people not being able to make it meant that Max and I would often have to go back to the drawing board. On top of that going back to the drawing board every time really made us lose momentum. It was quite disheartening to keep taking steps back but it all worked out in the end.”
Archie
“I think the use of the location was very unreliable as some days we couldn’t access it, this made it very difficult to schedule filming and was a big issue throughout.”
“If you could go back and do one thing different what would you change?”
Max
“If I could go back I would definitely film it all in one day, when we started we didn't know we were using limited time. I know it would've been a long and hard day but I feel it would give the project momentum. I would also love to take it further making the film so much bigger than it is. As we said earlier I wish we could've incorporated the brothers.”
Joe
“If I could maybe mash up two scripts I would love to take some of the final script and chop it up and stick it back together with the script that I spoke about before with the two brothers. By the end the script was pretty bulletproof and I really enjoyed how we fleshed out Kyle’s character of Ray a bit more. I feel like with the added interlocking storylines it would have just been on a different level
Archie
“I would say one thing we could have done differently was getting all of the filming done when we originally planned, this would have brought the realease date for the film forward almost a year, and would have been a totally different story all together”
“What was your favourite moment of making Redwood?”
Max
“I would definitely say my favourite parts were the production days. Being able to direct a large cast a crew in an amazing location was such a brilliant opportunity. Working alongside a talented team of creatives was such a pleasure and coming together for one project, it’s just what I love about making films.”
Joe
“Definitely the first shoot. It just turned out so well and the atmosphere on set was great. On the first day everyone was in good spirits and excited to get going. Everyone brought their A game and that is evident in the end result. As well we weren’t scared to try things like having the lights flashing and when we knocked all of the shelves over it looked really cinematic and looked great on camera".”
Archie
“My favourite part was filming the fight scene between me and Kyle as it was choreographed on the day and was very fun to plan and create.”
Redwood premiers on YouTube on April 22.
The film will be available on the Take 22 YouTube channel from the 23rd of April after its initial release.
Thank you to Katie Dawkins to supplying the team with the fantastic questions and look out for more of Inside 22 with each new production.
