Yorkshire Dales beauty spot Hawes was prime location for independent filmmakers' debut feature Charlotte

Independent filmmakers have described how the dramatic Yorkshire Dales was the ideal location for their debut movie.
By John Blow
Published 15th Jan 2021, 06:00 BST

Actress Georgia Conlan and photographer Martin Hardwick picked Hawes to film their dark thriller Charlotte in autumn last year - another project to bolster the region's screen sector growth.

Having crowd sourced funding for the story, about a girl who is taken in by a questionable older man after running away from home, the writers hope to put it on the film festival circuit and find a buyer.

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Miss Conlan, 24, studied theatre but moved into screen work, and last year had a roles in 4 O'Clock Club and Doctors, while Mr Hardwick, 40, had developed his professional photography portfolio with cinematic wedding videos.

Georgia Conlan stars as Charlotte in the film of the same name. Image: Martin Hardwick.Georgia Conlan stars as Charlotte in the film of the same name. Image: Martin Hardwick.
Georgia Conlan stars as Charlotte in the film of the same name. Image: Martin Hardwick.

They met and began writing together after Mr Hardwick, originally from Chesterfield but who has worked in South Yorkshire, put out a casting call for Charlotte and found Manchester-based Miss Conlan for the main role.

The film was shot in Hawes because the pair wanted a dramatic location which was "beautiful" but also, because of its remoteness, could be made scary on screen.

"We wanted some beautiful landscapes where we could capture the essence of Britain at its finest," said Miss Conlan.

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Mr Hardwick added: "Somewhere quite beautiful but also quite scary because it's in the middle of nowhere."

Martin Hardwick.Martin Hardwick.
Martin Hardwick.

The pair joked that because of its beauty, the Dales did the filming work for them.

The film stars acting talent such as Dean Kilbey, Ian Laing and Jennifer K Preston.

Filming is around 80 per cent finished, with final touches set to be shot when pandemic distancing guidance allows.

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As first-time filmmakers, the pair looked to crowd sourcing to fund the project online and received between £8,000 and £10,000, but say a couple of backers have come on board too.

Georgia Conlan as Charlotte with Dean Kilbey, who plays Roy. Picture: Martin Hardwick.Georgia Conlan as Charlotte with Dean Kilbey, who plays Roy. Picture: Martin Hardwick.
Georgia Conlan as Charlotte with Dean Kilbey, who plays Roy. Picture: Martin Hardwick.

Miss Conlan said they were "so grateful" for the support and it shows that people believe in them.

They are still considering how to release the film and are appealing for anyone on the film festival circuit, or from cinemas interested in organising screenings, to get in touch.

To make enquiries, contact them at [email protected] or on social media.

Related topics:Yorkshire DalesDoctorsSouth YorkshireManchester