Synopsis: 

He’s a man who has had enough.

After 30 years of too many downs and not enough ups on life’s rollercoaster, Billy Costello embarks on a final lost weekend in the funfair of a town that is Blackpool.

The place he loved as a kid seemed as good as anywhere to end it all. Well, at least try to. Unfortunately, like so many other things in his chaotic world, it doesn’t quite go the way he had hoped.

In a hilarious, drink and drug-fueled romp, Billy staggers from one failed attempt to another, but then suddenly finds a reason to live in all the madness. His redemption arrives in the shape of a grown man dressed as a parrot.

Forgetting his own problems for a second, Billy instinctively saves the suicidal parrot from taking one last flight off the end of Blackpool Pier and in doing so, Billy finds a reason to live.

Meet The Team: 

Director: Stephen Gallacher

Stephen has more than a decade of experience in directing, both as a lead director, most recently on MCDONALD AND DODDS for Mammoth Screen/ITV as well as directing second unit on notable series including LONDON KILLS (BBC/Acorn TV) and FIFTEEN-LOVE (World Productions/Amazon UK).

Over the past few years, he has been mentored by Peter Hoar, originally as part of the Directors UK Inspire Mentor Scheme, and has worked with numerous household names such as Aidan Turner, Olivia Colman and Jason Watkins. He also directed the wonderful Dermot Crowley, in his most recent short HAROLD AND MARY, a moving and personal story of a man struggling with dementia, which had a very successful run at various BIFA and BAFTA qualifying festivals earlier this year.

Stephen’s focus in both his original ideas as well as his directing work is socio-political dramas and intriguing thrillers. With a deep-rooted commitment to honest and meaningful filmmaking, he is always striving to bring authentic visuals to the screen, serving the narrative and the characters at its core.

Writer: Phil Pearson

Award-winning playwright, screenwriter and journalist Phil Pearson lives and works in south Manchester.

Originally from Barrow-in-Furness, Phil has written two full length plays and 13 short plays - all of which have been performed professionally in England or Ireland.

His play Blackpool, What A Shit Place to Die, which is based on events in the life of Oldham actor Mark Newsome, toured the UK in 2019, receiving critical acclaim and coverage from both the BBC and ITV.

Phil has also written screenplays for six short films, which were selected and collected awards from festivals all over the globe, including the prestigious Liverpool International Film Festival.

As a journalist, Phil has worked for the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent and the Manchester Evening News.

ODD FILMS: 

We know it, but so do our clients.

This is what happens when two established television actors cross paths with an international battle rapper.

We think differently, we aim big and we achieve results. 

ODD was created by the award-winning original video team from global publishing giant UNILAD.

​We live film, we breathe social, we smash sport and Andy loves colourful T-shirts.

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Producers: Jamie Shelton & Louis Briggs 

​Jamie Shelton: 

Jamie is a co-founder and Director of Odd Films (ODD Drawer Digital), a production company that focuses on documentary, short and feature films. His background is in video production and documentary filmmaking and over the past 10 years he has helped to craft working class stories that represent people overcoming adverstities, whether that be physical or psychological. Jamie's other passion for acting means that he's always putting himself into the shoes of others, something which has led to him creating documentaries that hit hard with their audience. 

One of the most important projects that Jamie has produced was within the education system. He spent a year with academics, teachers, students and survivors to try to grasp the rising suicides rates within universities in the UK.

Louis Briggs:

Having come from a background in the music industry, Louis Briggs isn’t what you’d call a traditional producer.  After graduating from the University of Salford with a BSC Hons in TV & Broadcasting, Louis decided to focus on his career as a rapper, which led him to perform on major stages all across the world. However, it was his ability to manage other artists and events which piqued the interest of one Don’t Flop Entertainment to approach him to head up their Northern Events.  Louis found it a natural transition into producing content for the brand.  Soon UNILAD approached him to come on board as a producer, where he worked on hard-hitting documentaries. In June 2023, Louis decided to focus his full attention on Odd Drawer Digital with Andrew Ellis and Jamie Shelton.

MEET THE CAST: 

Andrew Ellis - Billy

Andrew Ellis was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester. He first found a passion for acting in high school, Where he was spotted by casting director Michelle Smith. Michelle auditioned Andrew for several projects, one of which was Shane Meadows 2006 BAFTA-winning film 'This is England'. Andrew has since gone on to star in a number of film and television productions, reprising his role as the lovable 'Gadget' in 'This is England' television series.

As well as success in front of the camera, Andrew is a keen writer and director. He was one of the founding members of the award-winning UNILAD original video team, where he was head of fictional video until 2018. After leaving Andrew has since set up his own production company 'Odd Drawer Digital'.

Daisy Dorris May - SUMMER

Since graduating Arts Ed, Daisy has worked in Theatre, TV, Cabaret and Film for over 10 years, most recently featuring in ‘Sex Education’ Series 3 for Netflix and ITV Drama ‘Professor T’. She is about to film for the new ‘Downton Abby’.

 Daisy is an award winning Drag King and the creator of the HÄUS OF DONS which has resident shows at The Box and Soho Theatre. She was the winner of Europe's biggest Drag King Competition Man Up as her drag  personna ‘Häns Off’. 

Another of Daisy’s alter egos, ‘self-taught feminist and iPod DJ Steve Porters’, will star in  mockumentary to be made with SISTER and SOUTH OF THE RIVER

Her character Steve Porters is returning to Edinburgh Festival with his TED XXX Talk on ‘How To Mate’.

Jenni Suitiala - Director of Photography

Jenni Suitiala is a Finnish director of photography based in the UK shooting narrative film as well as documentary. After studying cinematography in her home country she relocated to the UK in 2010 and worked her way up in the lighting department in TV dramas and features (Judy, Peaky Blinders, Dad's Army, Utopia). Her work has screened on Oscar and Bafta qualifying festivals (London Film Festival, Aesthetica, Iris Prize) as well as Channel 4 and Sky. She's a member of illuminatrix rising and Bafta Connect.

Casting by Beverley Keogh Casting 

Casting director Sheraz Ahmed