Always on
This project successfully funded on 30th October 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
BAMBOLA
Corsham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Aim
To create an exceptional award winning Feature Film.
SUMMARY
When reluctant journalist Andy is tasked with interviewing a local eccentric woman who lives her life as a living doll, he expects an afternoon of teacups, cake, and boredom. However, something in Maggie's old house is off, something behind her makeup is troubling, and the growing darkness in her eyes is terrifying. Can he unravel the mystery before he, too, becomes a part of Maggie's collection?
WHY A CROWDFUNDER?
It was a natural progression to take the next step and make a Feature. My last two films “Censure” and “Confines” were shorts and have won over 70 awards Worldwide. They have screened at Espace Miramar Cannes, The Producers Club in New Your and The Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills. I don’t tend to divulge the budgets as I like them to compete with any film at any budget but let’s just say not a lot! There is for and against a micro budget. You are limited in funds with what you can do , but if you are smart you created a concept that will work with limited means and I have truly found that “Necessity is the Mother of Invention”.
In both films I was able to bring together a terrific, talented and motivated crew. A number of years ago I was lucky enough to discover screenwriter Neil Bason. A good screenwriter is hard to find, a great one like Neil is even harder. He had been able to take my very basic ideas and formulate them into a cohesive story. As an Ex-Disney animator I am very visual and I would say come from the Ridley Scott school of Directing and I too like to storyboard a lot of my films. In fact I learnt from a lot of the old Disney guys where boarding played a much bigger part in the story than in Live Action films. That and other translatable skills I brought to my Directing work in Live Action.
From experience I learned the key is to start small. For years I had many “Big” ideas, but it meant budgets of millions of pounds. One project I would still want to do one day is “The Chimeran” (https://www.facebook.com/thechimeran). It is a sort of cross between “Planet of the Apes” and “District 9” and it was developed along with Gary Kurtz (Producer of "Star Wars" and "Dark Crystal"). What I found was that those sort of projects go in circles and circles for many years, often not going anywhere. Michael Bay’s company almost bought it but then it would have become a different beast far from what I imagined and would surely be replaced as Director for a bigger name. Therefore I had to start small and build. Which is what I did with “Censure” and “Confines”. The next step to “Bambola" is a larger step but not that great and very manageable.
Now why a crowdfunder? There is a big reason. It is the best way to get the Director's vision on the screen. As soon as you get a big company involved there are script editors, Execs and more get involved, very often watering down the original vision of the Director. It was something David Lynch knew well. Even the likes of Tarantino will work outside the Hollywood system to save the film's integrity. For a bigger picture then the studio system is a necessary evil as you are not going to raise 100 million for an Indie film through a crowdfunder.
In “Bambola” we only have two main characters. As in my last two films we can film it all locally therefore we don't need large "company moves". We can complete filming within 10 days and have a tight knit team who are used to working with each other. Therefore we can keep costs low and complete a Feature length film for a little as £30K.
Please do join us on this very exciting adventure and Feature film "Bambola". From the makers of "Censure" and "Confines".
BACKSTORY
I know the great David Lynch never likes to explain his films as it ruins the mystique. Of course I too don't want to give away the story but I can give a picture and idea of what "Bambola" is.
Our character Maggie is complex to say the least. Due to a traumatic childhood she literally covers the emotional scars with make-up and costume. Her face is pure white like a doll and she takes on the persona of a doll "Bambola". To some degree we all wear a "mask" in public. We present to the World as best we can what we want the World to see. We all edit to some degree what we say as opposed to what we think. As Andy (The Reporter) interviews her the layers start to peel away until we find the real Maggie underneath. We discover what happened in her childhood to make what she is today.
The character she has created is to protect herself. But the question is now who will protect the others?!
PREVIOUS FILMS
Both of our last films can be seen at the following links on FAWESOME.TV
DIRECTORS TREATMENT
Our last two films "Censure" and "Confines" have won over 60 awards to date. Both deal with Mental Health issues but with a Male Protagonist. I felt it was time we did one with a female lead and what better than to have the fabulous Actress Vivien Taylor who was in these two previous films. Once again Neil Bason has crafted a magnificent script. It started as a short but with a first draft script coming in at over 30 pages it was clear that this was potentially a series. We had a longer gap since our last film and like a fine wine it has given us time to let the ideas sit for a bit, ferment and get better and better. I am now confident that we have a top notch film in the making!
"Bambola" is quirky and dark at the same time. Influences I would definitely say are films like "Poor Things", "The Favourite", maybe a touch of David Lynch and of course Hitchcock! The main character Maggie/Bambola will be challenging but having worked with Vivien on the last two films I knew she would be perfect for the part. In addition, having Neil Bason again write the script made things very easy as we have had such a strong rapport on previous films. He can take my somewhat simple ideas and formulate them and embellish much to my delight. I then tend to add a lot of visual interpretations. In this case my Disney background certainly comes into play. Like Ridley Scott I am very much a visual Director. The underwater Lake Dance where Bambola dances with her dead Brother will evoke beauty in the way Guillermo del Toro finds beauty in darkness. Visual influences will be very much Art Nouveau, such as Erte, Eyvind Earle (Disney Art Director) and Aubrey Beardsley.
The underwater sequence will be shot on Green screen. We are fortunate enough that our leading actress was also a professional dancer who will choreograph her own scene. It will be a visually stunning piece.
To create the stunning visuals we will once again have Master Cinematographer John E Fry who won numerous awards for his photography in both "Censure" and "Confines".
Who better to play the supporting role as the Reporter than Connor Wulfric the lead actor in Censure. This time he will be the perfect foil to Vivien’s character who is flamboyant and over the top, his character literally grey in a drab suit and glasses and mild mannerisms.
Production design and costume due to the nature of the story will be far more significant than in our last two films. Make-up as well. Therefore we have brought in a great all round designer Jazz Jones who has experience in fashion as well as shoemaking.
Once again Music will be key and integral to my filmmaking. Adrian Chivers will be the Composer/Music Producer. It is no coincidence that he won 12 awards for the score on "Censure".
With this team there are no uknowns. We have done it before and will do it again, this time on a slightly bigger project. I am delighted to bring to you the Feature Film "Bambola" here on Crowdfunder UK.
MEET THE TEAM
Left to right. Adam Loterz, Anthony Gibson, Charlotte Eaton, Vivien Taylor, Richard Bazley (seated) Connor Wulfric. Tracey Curnock, John E Fry, Les Colyer.
DIRECTOR
Richard Bazley (EMMY NOMINATED)
I am an Ex-Disney Animator and now a Live Action Director. Director of "Censure" and "Confines" and now prowdly presenting to you "Bambola". Film bio in the imdb link below.
I am a lucky man to have found the dream team you see below!
CAST
Vivien Taylor (Maggie/Bambola)
Vivien featured in both "Censure" and "Confines" but this time she plays the central character. Having already built a great working relationship it was easy to see how Vivien was perfect for the part Maggie in "Bambola".
Connor Wulfric (Andy)
I first saw Connor's work in an audition tape for a Horror film I was to Direct in Ireland. That film never happeend but the best thing to have come out of it was discovering his talent. It was a no-brainer casting him in "Censure" as the leading ator and equally as easy chosing him to play opposite Vivien in my dream project "Bambola".
CREW
SCREENWRITER
Neil Bason
As Hitchcock once said "To make agreat film you need three things: the script, the script, and the script." It is the foundation and without screenwriter Neil Bason and his superb writing talents there would be no "Censure" or "Confines" or "Bambola" for that matter!
CINEMATOGRAPHER
John E Fry
John was instrumental in the making of both "Censure" and "Confines" brings masterful cinematography to both in very different ways.
COMPOSER
Adrian Chivers
Music for me is so integral to a film. Imagine "Jaws" without it's theme or "Rocky"!
In "Censure" and "Confines" the music was almost like another character and once again we have Adrian's amazing talents on our film "Bambola".
AUDIO PRODUCTION
Les Colyer
Founder of the Razor Television in 1997, building on a background in post-production and VT operations. Les has over thirty years experience ranging from studio and OB operations through to location work. Les is a multi-skilled operator specialising in ingest, camera and location sound for broadcast TV and corporate sectors.
PRODUCTION (Man of many hats)
Adam Loretz
Although Adam wasn't on our previous films he has been there assiting in so many ways, including support videos and social media. This time Adam will be playing a more important role in the filmmaking process and we couldn't have a steadier "hand on deck"!
MAKEUP
Tracey Curnock
With over 20 year’s experience, Tracey is highly regarded in the Makeup Artist industry.
Charlotte Eaton
A fully insured Makeup Artist, studying Media Makeup
ROLE TBA
Angela Hughes
Angela made huge contribution in many ways on both "Censure" and "Confines" from helping production go smoothly, offscreen reading, and even loaning her kitchen as a Green Screen space on "Confines"!
PRE-PROUCTION
I have storyboarded on many films and TV Series. For animated projects the storyboarding has to be extensive as in TV Series the animation is done overseas with no interaction with the animators so detailed notes are necessary. In Live Action if it is a complex VFX film again the boards have to be quite extensive. Now each Director has their own approach. Both Hitchcock and Ridley Scott like to have storyboards doing many themselves. Clint Eastwood doesn't work with storyboards at all, just a shot list and Tarantino has even turned up on set with no boards or shot list. Now in his case it is fine as he has a crew that he knows well and he can communicate verbally and they know how to execute his plan. As long as you can communicate what you want with your team, then how you do it doesn't matter according to Tarantino
On my last two films I liked to employ a hybrid of some thumbnail boards (which are quick and rough) and a shot list. We will be doing the same on "Bambola" maybe with some "Beat boards" which are a less in number but key scenes worked up a bit more than a normal storyboard.
Gary Kurtz (Prod. "Star Wars" and "Dark Crystal") taught me years ago that development is key! After 2 years hard work in development with my team I am delighted to present to you the development art for our Feature Film "Bambola"!
PRODUCTION DESIGN
The look of a film is always important to me. As an Ex-Disney Animator I am very visual, in the same way Ridley Scott is because of his advertising background. Colour, lighting and style all come into play. "Bambola" will have soft palette pastel like colours reflecting the colours used in a Dolls House.
COSTUME DESIGN
A costume concept for the Lake scene.
Tadpole shoe concept
MAKE-UP
Make up for "Bambola" Doll conecpt. By Tracey Curnock and Charlotte Eaton
Make-up for the Lake Scene.
PROPS
The nature of the film "Bambola" means that quirky props are a must. The great thing about the props is that many curios can be found in charoty stores and antiques shops. We have have managed to get a small selection already.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
I love the camera work in Yorgos Lanthimos's films. In "The Favourite" he starts every scene with an extreme wide angle. What we will do in "Bambola" is have establishing shots set high in frame looking down as if someone is viewing form above into a dolls house.
Another idea I am playing with for "Bambola" is to begin scene with what looks like painting of a dolls house and flat colours then we cross dissolve to the real live action footage. The colours on set will be flat and pastel like a Doll's House.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We will be tackling every form of Social Media possible to advertise our campaign.
We already have a terrific website which you can find here
FESTIVALS
As in the case of our previous films a portion of the funds will be used to enter Film Festivals Worldwide. I am convinced "Bambola" will do every bit as well as our previous films and even better. With over 60 awards already for "Censure" and "Confines" the bar has been set high!
DISTRIBUTION
Theatrical release
Although our main focus for an Indie Film such as "Bambola" will be a digital release online whether Netflix, Amazon Prime or similar we will be looking at a potential limited Theatrical release only if even to give the "Oscars" a shot! I have previously screened a film at Laemmle's Theatre on Sunset Blvd Los Angeles to qualify it for their entry qualifications. And you never know. We took a shot at the Emmys once and received two Emmy Nominations!
Online Distribution
The main focus nowadays is online distribution. Despite most distributors not being interested in short films we did get "Censure" and "Confines" up online on FAWESOME.TV . In theory it should be much easier for "Bambola" as it is a Feature Film and therefore has potential to make money. We will certainly be approaching all the big names.
DVD's
In todays digital age you have to go with the flow, however for traditional hard core film fans like myself, we will eventually make DVD's of "Bambola" available if there is the demand. I could never throw away my old DVD collection!
PRESS
Getting press hasn't been hard. I always believe that if you have a great product and believe in it then what you have created will be noticed. Of course someone has to spend time and energy putting it out there but having trod that path we can go back to all the same publictions that are eager to see our follow up to "Censure" and "Confines".
We have also already done some pre-publicity with Vivien Taylor in Cannes promoting "Bambola". Below a published article in "Love Hollywood USA".
NEWS AND UPDATES
SCEENINGS AND Q&As
One of the highlights of making a film is "taking it on the road" and sitting in a Theatre with an audience with the cast and crew then engaging with the audience afterwards in a Q&A.
We did this with "Censure" and "Confines" in a Double-Bill screening at The Parade Cinema in Marlborough as well as The Pound Arts in Corsham. We were lucky enough to get the BBC to come along to The Parade to interview me. Both Q&A sessions can be found on my channel on YouTube.
We will without doubt do the same with "Bambola", and in many ways is easier as it is a Feature film not a short.
PODCASTS
I have done a few podcasts now and it will be easy to go back to the same presenters/influencers with a new film. I mention "Bambola" as well as Vivien and the team here:
BTS (BEHIND THE SCENES)
Film fans are hungry for BTS footage and in todays market place it is very important to document the making of your film. We already have a great team that can film and edit together behind the scenes footage to deliver to socal media.
FILMS TAKE TEAMWORK
Films really do take teamwork! Finding is a great team isn't easy and it has taken me years. Now let's go make a film!
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all those that visit this crowdfunder and donate. If you liked "Censure" and "Confines" you are going to LOVE "Bambola"!
SPONSORS
A big shout out to ours sponsors whom I shall be adding below during the Crowdfunder campaign. These companies will also have an end of film credit along with their logo. If you or your company would like to sponsor our film do reach out to us!
Announcing our first sponsor Nettle Digiprint, a high end printers that will be handling all Giclee prints in the Crowdfunding campain.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made