What is it? 

Inspired by Shakespeare's Winter's Tale. What would you say, if you only ever got to play the bear?

Part of an original sonnet trilogy discussing the nature of animal characters within Shakespeare’s plays, their flaws, and how a feminine Gaze alters their narrative. Actors playing the parts of A Midsummer Night Dream’s ‘Lion’, Two Gentlemen of Verona’s ‘Dog’ and Winters Tale’s ‘Bear’,  take their seats in a confessional where they share their experiences with Willamina; a feminine reimagining of Shakespeare who sits the other side of the gauze adorned with nipple tassles and elaborate ruff. 

Shown in three chapters, each chapter includes talking heads style investigations of the characters, the presentation of their personal sonnet, and flash back sequences In anachronistic low brow locations. 

Director/Writers's Statement: This is a timely consideration of the continued marginalisation of women within the arts, which still remains a traditionally patriarchal world. In subverting and questioning the placement of gender within classical works in a surreal and humorous way, we're able to discuss how the feminine gaze alters the narrative. Female parts played by male actors in the time of Shakespeare set the culture for how women were viewed in the theatre. We aim to cast a satirical eye over that marginalisation as it still exists in todays society. At a performance level women still struggle in finding strong empowered roles written from a non-male centric perspective. Our gender swap of ‘Shakespeare’ to a female/non binary character identifies a theatrical legacy women are still struggling to overturn/redress.

Shot References 

Who's involved?

Creative & Crew: 

Writers - Adam Willis, Chloe Doherty and Shaun Fricker

Director - Chloe Doherty (Fulwell 73's Comedy 50/50 Winner, Cardiff International Film Festival, https://www.chloedoherty.co.uk)

Producer - Joanna Vymeris (Previous films have premiered on www.girlsinfilm.net as well as screening at multiple festivals worldwide, https://www.joannavymeris.co.uk)

Colour Grade - Gareth Harding Thomas (Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch, Mrs Harris Goes To Paris)

Cinematographer - We are currently in talks with the talented Em Turner, who we'd love to collaborate with. This will be dependant on funding and availability. You can see their work here (https://www.emturnercinematography.com)

Hair and Wig Design - Faridagh Wedar (Netflix's Bridgerton S2/3)


Make-up Design - Craig Hamilton (BBC 3's Glow Up)

Costume Design - Lauren Bridle (People Pile Dance Collective, Secret Cinema, Royal Opera House)

Graphic Design - Ryan Wooding (Senior Designer at Spring Studios)

Clowning Co-ordinator: Shea Wojtus (Gaulier, Spy Monkey)

We're still on the look out for talented creatives who would love to get involved in the edit, as well as the sound design. If this is you - please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Cast (dependant on availability, of course!): 

Dog - Andrea Smith Valls (BBC 3's Cheaters, Comedy Central)

Bear - Leon Wander (BBC 3's Coconut, Ru Pauls Drag Race Comedy Sketches)

Lion - It's important to us that this performer is a woman of colour, but yet to be cast.

Williamina - Evie Fehilly (Winner of the world's largest drag king competition, Man Up, 2019) 

Characters (see below!)

What will it look like?

Location Ideas

How can you help? 

Although this is a low-budget short it is incredibly important to us that the cast and crew are paid for the work they do. As the film is so aesthetically driven we want to ensure that the creative vision is strongly conveyed on screen and truly represents the designers and writers visions - and that is where you come in!

We are aiming to raise £7,000 to successfully produce this film.

Here's a breakdown of where the costs will be going:

29 % Cast and Crew Wages

29% Hair and Makeup Design and Creation

21% Location/Studio Hire

14% Costumes

7% on additional equipment needed

We're aiming to film early 2023 (January), if not before!