Brooklands - The Movie
Investors back the big new Brit film
You may already have heard the word but Brooklands, the worlds first purpose motor racing circuit is going to be hitting the big screen in 2007 in a feature film of the same name. The release of the film coincides with the Brooklands race track centenary.
Although the storyline will be fiction, all the legendary figures from the era make a welcomed return to the limelight. Including John Cobb, Malcolm Campbell, Henry Segrave and Whitney Straight Even Dunlop Mac, Dunlop Tyres' on-site sales and tyre fitter will get to wield his hammer one more time.
As well as the personalities the cinema audience will also be able catch a glimpse of the array of classic cars that once thundered across the massive and perilous banking. Lead by the extraordinary Napier-Railton other racing hardware to appear will include Bentley, Aston Martin, Bugatti, ERA and the Barnato-Hassan. There is even talk that a replica of Malcolm Campbells 1933 Bluebird will appear during filming.
This is the first time a feature film entirely based at Brooklands has been produced, which has caused more than a few headaches for its producer.
"Brooklands is without question the spiritual home of modern motor sport and is where the first pages of the land speed records were written", s tates Andrew Smith the producer. "The only comparison we have to compare it to today would be somewhere like Cape Canaveral, what happened at Brooklands literally changed our world" .
"Unfortunately there isn't much left of the circuit today so filming on the original track is impossible. What hasn't been chewed up by housing and the Pru's new car park is now hidden by industrial units or been cut through as an access road to Tescos. It's quite upsetting to see a place that once inspired a nation to be so commercially abused. Had it not been for the Brooklands society and the museum, this jewel of British enterprise would have been lost forever" .
The racing scenes are going to be a combination of live racing in replicas on a purpose built set and the original models still running today. Filming will take place at somewhere like Montlhery which still has banked track, and computer generated graphics for the long shots. Original cars have been secured already for the close ups.
With a budget of £20m, Brooklands is, in British film industry terms, of epic proportions. A huge chunk of money has already been found, but around £10m is still required.
There's a unique investment scheme available for anyone who wishes to play a part in bringing the dream to reality. As a special offer, Andrew Smith (also an artist of classic cars) is giving away five of his limited edition prints of the Napier-Railton (rrp £55) to the first five members of PistonHeads who sign up.
More details at www.brooklandsthemovie.co.uk
www.foundationoborn.org/foundation/index.html
They might need to hurry up.
They could always use the Monza banking.
I can't imagine all these old classics (both motorised and human - and both
) being particularly appealing to the Maxxed-up cinema-going yoof of today. Still, I hope the project succeeds, if only to encourage further investment in the British film industry.
Don't care if it doesn't make a penny - I want to see it.
Then follow it up with something involving Junior Johnson, muscle cars and heavy metal.
v8thunder said:
I really really really want to see this made. Always have done - the racing action and the personalities involved in the era will show The Farce and The Spurious up as the trash it was. What could be more exciting than Bentley VdP's, Mercesed-Benz SSKLs and Bugatti Type 55's thundering up the banking, their spinner-lock wheels sparking against each other and the looks of horror on the unhelmeted drivers' faces as one of their racing opponants disappears over the banking and crashes into a barn.
Don't care if it doesn't make a penny - I want to see it.
Then follow it up with something involving Junior Johnson, muscle cars and heavy metal.
I think you've been watching "Days of Thunder" too much.
FourWheelDrift said:
I really really really want to see this made. Always have done - the racing action and the personalities involved in the era will show The Farce and The Spurious up as the trash it was. What could be more exciting than Bentley VdP's, Mercesed-Benz SSKLs and Bugatti Type 55's thundering up the banking, their spinner-lock wheels sparking against each other and the looks of horror on the unhelmeted drivers' faces as one of their racing opponants disappears over the banking and crashes into a barn.
Don't care if it doesn't make a penny - I want to see it.
Then follow it up with something involving Junior Johnson, muscle cars and heavy metal.
I think you've been watching "Days of Thunder" too much.
Never actually seen Days Of Thunder!
Great to see people getting behind the film already. A great thanks to PistonHeads for supporting the production.
Yes Brooklands is a big budget movie by British standards but we certainly beleive that the audience is out there to give it a shout at becoming a great success. Just think what the film will do for the Brooklands museum visitation figures. We've actually agreed with Brooklands that some of the sets we're going to be using are going to be donated to the museum to replace features ripped away by developers as well as a few of the replica cars. Should be a great place to visit in 2007.
If anyone has concerns about the team producing this production, don't. I've been very careful to get the best representation available and although some don't have the track experience, they certainly make up for it in terms of drive and determination. The others are industry hardened pros who know the business inside out.
Keep the feedback coming, it's been many years since Britain produced something like this and its only going to work with the support of the cinema audience.
A quick note to z_chromozone.
Hey we couldn't have a movie called Brooklands without allowing the audience to see the whole track in all it's splendour. Even in the first scene there is going to be a great wide angle shot from the perspective of the non paying punters on the Byfleet banking, with Cobb, Segrave and Cambell jostling for track position.
I'm out for a meeting for a couple of hours but will be back at 6pm if anyone wants to ask any questions. But while I'm gone have a think about the cast and offer your suggestions.
Your absolutely right Los Angeles, you seem to know your stuff. Whilst it would be wonderful to have £10m sitting in the bank ready for the production as you probably know, film finance never becomes available until the first day of shooting. I have stated that we have intent from a leading US bank to underwrite 50% of the production budget the rest we have to raise ourselves through private equity, section funding and so forth.
I really look forward to enjoying this film.Balmoral Green said:
How about a remake of Le Mans...1929.
A sort of hig budget blockbuster movie version of the BBC's 'Full Throttle', but this time NOT Mr Bean as Tim Birkin.
Come to think of it, the lives of both Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna would make great films. The superstition and fatalism coupled with the spectacular performances of Senna would make for great drama, let alone a sports film.
crb1 said:
Andrew,
From the tax perspective will investment in the film qualify for relief under the new changes to the tax rules on film investment. ie Section 42/48. Who are the main backers so far.
Good luck.
Chris.
Thanks for you message of good luck Chris. Our financial director is still reviewing the number of various tax / capital gains intiatives to develop the best investment strategy. Section 48 is only available for British qualifying films under £15m. If you'd like to be kept updated, send us an email through the films website.
Can't disclose the backer thus far as negotiations are still ongoing.
Contrary to your suggestion of me taking a piecemeal approach to fund raising, the announcement to inform PH members of the production and provide a grass roots entry level investment initiative in the development fund was done so with the best intentions in mind. Within the motor community in particular, the news that Brooklands is coming to the big screen is I am sure, exciting for all who recognise the historic significance of the Brooklands circuit and those whose exploits created the legend. The response and messages of support we have received via the website from the general public has been extremely uplifting. Inspired by this response and the numerous investment enquiries, I made the unorthodox decision to allocate a proportion of the development fund to those who would not normally have the opportunity or net worth to get involved with the British film industry and our production. While we continue with the more arduous campaign of raising the bulk of our budget from private equity in the form of film partnerships, EIS and other tax/capital gains based initiatives, I would agree unashamedly that the invitation to invest in a films development fund for as little as £50 is as intended, a light hearted approach to a serious business. I hope the PH community appreciates it as such.
I would suggest to anyone interested parties that although there are some tidy benefits to be gained, only invest what you are prepared to lose. Not a very confidence building piece of advice I know, but honest. Like any investment not geared to take advantage of tax loss positions and capital gains deferrals there is always the possibility that things can go pear shaped and investors could lose out. I can assure you however that in every step taken towards principle photography we have gained positive feedback from various industry pros, other writers and the public that in ‘Brooklands’, we have a story line and production that can go the distance.
Although I am now working with a co-writer the original screenplay was written myself. No funds have yet to be allocated to purchase the rights as all funding is being directed to propel the production forward. I’m in this for the long haul, not short term gains.
We are still compiling our documentation to make a formal applications to the Film Council, ACE Lottery Film Department and a host of other organisations supporting British film.
It has been fortunate that the news item in pistonheads has attracted an industry professional like yourself LA. Hopefully our public Q&A session has been useful to the members.
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