Calling the Tune - wartime romance film

Aim

Shooting and editing of Calling the Tune are complete. We need help with colour grading and sound mix to bring this to a big screen near you

The Company

Two Hats is a not-for-profit organisation set up by a collective of professional actors, writers, musicians and directors in 1997, initially to produce high quality theatre and film for the local communities in Warwickshire - and it has many critically acclaimed productions to its name. Initially, Calling the Tune was a studio play, produced at the Loft Theatre in Leamington Spa. It has been adapted for film and self-funded so far.

It is Two Hats' first venture into feature length film and is a collaboration with Wartime Productions. We feel we have delivered, with high quality locations, performances and period detail and an experienced crew - details here:

Project Team

The funds raised from this appeal will allow us to:

• colour grade (we used at least six types of camera on this shoot, including drones, and their output needs conforming)
• sound mix. This is a complicated job and needs a skilled operator to ensure sound is clear and level throughout the film
• publicise the film

How we work

We feel film making can be a little London-centric. As a Midlands based company, we cast local actors where possible. Some of the lead roles were covered by young actors fresh out of drama school, so this project could give them a big break.

Locations used in filming include:

Coombe Abbey

Severn Valley Railway

the Drapers Hall in Coventry

an old aircraft near Stratford-upon-Avon

old farm buildings near Stratford-upon-Avon

and the Wartime Productions venue near Hitchen.                

We are enormously grateful to everyone who helped us to achieve this - private venues for locations who let us film for free, providers of vehicles, professional actors who volunteered and experienced professional crew who volunteered their services. People have been so generous.

Attention to Detail

Shooting a period film is difficult. We have gone to great efforts to secure exact replica uniforms, weapons, clothing, vehicles, telephones, spectacles etc. We hope we have conjured up a true representation of the 1940s. We have been helped in this enormously by our partners, Wartime Productions.

Finance

So far, finance has been provided solely by the executive producer - from his pension pot ! Costumes, props, fuel expenses, food and hire fees have all been covered. We just need a little boost to get this film out there. We know there is considerable interest, helped by extensive press and radio coverage locally.

The Story

1980 in the Loire Valley, mid-western France. Elizabeth visits her estranged, housebound mother Gisele. But is she really housebound ? Why has she not ventured out for 30 years ? Why does she keep the shutters closed ? Slowly Elizabeth teases out Gisele’s past –  though she would much rather not reveal the real reason for her fear. 

But music lies at the heart of the mystery .....

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 28th September 2026 at 1:21pm