MOVIE WATCH

November 2nd 2009

Procrastination
Tom Copland; from Brit Grit Horror to
Social Realist Comedy
Released -December 20th worry for the quality of his new Michael, Tom Shaw, whilst taking a
Certificate -PG film. Previously, being part of breather from shooting, he told
Director -Tom Copland ‘Monkey Funk Productions’, and Movie Watch that “Tom’s [Co-
Cast -Tom Shaw, Sam now making his solo debut as writer, pland] authority over the cast really
director and editor for his brand shows, we know where we stand and
Thomas.
new film. I hope my worry wont be we are all confident of the script and
Screenwriter -Tom justified, doing the vast majority of its quality.”. Despite the endorse-
Copland this by himself, could allow cracks to ment of the cast I was not con-
Running time -5mins show, the unknown cast may flop vinced. At the Movie Watch offices
Plot -Leeds, 2009: as the and the time limit may inhibit the we cover a vast range of upcoming
end of Leeds bin strike quality. movies, video games and music, and
makes front-page news, “We know where we we’ve seen our fair share from
not everyones bin has flumping debut films to stand out
been emptied. Poor stand and we are all con- debuts such as Danny Boyle with
Michael Johnson is left fident of the script and its Trainspotting. Having meticulously
observed Copland and with the
with the difficult task of quality.” amount of preparation that has
trying to get rid of it. been done I am starting to warm
Roughly a month ago, on a towards his truly unique creation.
Sat waiting for the screening cold October day, I went to see how Having been able to grab a few
of Tom Copland’s brand new film Copland was getting on, on the set words with Copland backstage at
‘Procrastination’, I feel a sense of of ‘Procrastination’. I managed to the BAFTAs prior to the filming, he
get a word with the actor playing

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 hinted that union striking could
make him a fortune. Now I know
Interesting facts about
why, the 13 week long bin strike in the film...
the heart of Leeds was the catalyst
for this creation. There are clear
references throughout to that of the
1993 Joel Schumacher film; ‘Falling • Michael Johnson (the
Down’, to Vince Vaughn and even main protagonist) is
an unlikely reference to Hilda Og-
den (Jean Anderson) who appeared named after Michael
in the soap, Coronation Street, from
1964 to 1987. With all the strong Douglas.
characters involved they have all
gelled together unusually well. From
• The Leeds bin strike
the characters to the plot-line this ended the day shoot-
film oozes uniqueness. The film has
something to offer everyone, from ing commenced.
the short tempered, every guy, Mi-
chael (Tom Shaw), to the irritating,
• Shooting had to be
yet endearing tramp, Jerry (Sam postponed three times
Thomas). Copland has created a
solid platform for his debut and the due to the weather.
bar has been raised considerably. I
think that there is definitely more to
come from Copland whether it be in
the form of a his vastly growing
reputation, or the reunion of Mon-
key Funk Productions, you need to
watch this space.

Below; Tom Shaw playing Mi-

chael and Tom Copland, writer,
producer and director, reading
through the script.

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