We're adapting Mikey Burnett's female centred stage play for screen. Described as 'Trainspotting meets Rocky'. Support us: Get in our corner
by Lothian Films & Bombito in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
With this extra money we will be able to afford to workshop the story with actors, have more rehearsals and put all of the money 'on screen' meaning that everything we raise will be seen - such as costumes, extras, lights, lenses and locations.
A teenage girl desperately fights to join her local boxing gym in order to escape a life of violent crime.
We’re putting our twist on the urban working-class crime drama to tell a fast paced coming of age story about perseverance and self-belief. We are aiming to create a film with energy and authenticity which will excite and inspire film audiences, boxing fans and anyone who has ever wanted to fight for a better life for themselves.
Our short film is an adaptation of the play 'In her Corner' by Mikey Burnett which played to rave reviews at Edinburgh Fringe 2019.
We’re taking the central premise from Mikey’s play and follow a teenage girl desperate to escape the gangs threatening her future by joining her local boxing gym. By delving deep into the central character’s perspective, we will be able to create a high-drama, self-contained short film.
We aim to explore a female-centred world that is rarely shown on screen using vibrant, realistic dialogue in North Edinburgh dialect reminiscent of Irvine Welsh.
"Piltons gonnae be a mere fitnote when they talk aboot aw the hings you're gonnae achieve."
This story tells the truth about the anger and desperation of vulnerable women living in a society that won’t accept them, fighting against everything for a better life.
Mikey is one of the BBC Scottish Voices of 2020 and BBC Drama Writers Room 2020. He will adapt his stage play to screen with support from both BBC Writersroom and advice from industry mentors.
Mikey is an Edinburgh playwright who writes predominately in the east coast dialect. His past work comprises both drama and comedy. Focusing mainly on working class stories and characters. In Her Corner enjoyed a highly successful run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 and was later shortlisted for The Papatango new writing prize.
Previously, he has won an attachment to The Traverse Theatre, as part of the prestigious ‘Traverse fifty’.
Emma is a director with a strong track record in scripted development. Emma knows how to craft a story and has a strong visual style.
Emma is currently working in-house at Two Rivers Media as Development Trainee mentored by Marcus Wilson (Luther, Doctor Who) and Kathryn Shrubb (Three Girls, Luther, Silent Witness).
She is currently a finalist in the Short Com sitcom writing competition.
Laura is an Edinburgh based producer and founder of Lothian Films. Laura has produced award winning short films, including recently completed SCUZZ, written and directed by Alia Ghafar which was commissioned by BFI Network/Scottish Film Talent Network and was due to premiere at Edinburgh International Film Festival prior to its postponement.
Laura champions women writers and directors. She has over 7 years’ experience working within the Scottish Film and TV sector across development, production, exhibition and education. Laura has worked in-house at Synchronicity Films as team assistant to Claire Mundell and has production department credits on The Cry (BBC One), Only You (The Bureau) and Boyz in the Wood (Sigma).
Reece is a Glasgow based producer and founder of Bombito Productions.
Reece specialises in documentaries and shorts that discuss, provoke and reflect the current environment and societal issues. Reece works in high end film and TV with recent production department credits in Elizabeth is Missing (BBC/STV Productions) , Our Ladies (Sigma/Sony) and She Will (Popcorn Group).
Reece is currently producing two commissioned shorts - a documentary 'Venus & Mars' for Scottish Documentary Institute and short film 'Who I am Now' via Creative Scotland.
Mikey and I are both passionate about boxing and are coincidentally from the same Edinburgh village (where some of the characters are drawn from) and we instantly found a creative connection. The addition of Reece and Laura who have connections in boxing and who champion working-class and LGBT stories via their own production companies, complete the team.
I am excited to work with young Scottish actresses to look beyond the tough exterior of these characters and show their souls. We see Claire so close to going off the rails, then watch her triumph which I know will resonate with anyone who has ever wished for a better life.
I remember at school, there were groups of girls who weren’t just hard, but truly terrifying. Even the boys were scared of them. When reading Ketch, I understood her immediately and knew I hadn’t seen her on screen before. Particularly not from Edinburgh. I’m really excited to bring this fearsome, utterly unique antagonist to life.
Pilton is a character itself threatening to engulf Claire at any moment and trap her there forever before she finally commands the frame, owning her own narrative and believing in herself. The boxing gym is a beacon of hope and opportunity. It is the only location which mirrors the vibrancy of the girls.
This is an ambitious project with technical challenges like filming a boxing match, as well as the responsibility of handling weighty themes and a huge character journey.
Our team cannot wait to create a film which will not only emotionally affect an audience but entertain as well.
Our lead character is a bright and inquisitive teen who should have the world at her feet. She has got just as much potential as any other young person but no-one to give her any support, encouragement or guidance.
If she’d been born in a cosy house with loving parents she’d have been flying. Instead, every day she must go home to her sister, KETCH, a gang leader who thinks it’s high time Claire continued her legacy.
Claire knows she is at a crossroads. She either falls in line with her sister’s brutal reign or she goes it alone and fights for a better life by joining the local boxing gym.
But, her family reputation proceeds her, she has to prove she’s worth the chance and stand up for herself.
It’s hard to take a stand for yourself when there is no one in your corner…
The antagonist of our story - Ketch is charismatic, dangerous and dominates her friends - and anyone else, through acts of violence. Nothing is more important to her than loyalty and she sees her sister, her own flesh and blood, as the ultimate trustworthy and obedient soldier. It’s time for Claire to step up and join her, together they’ll be the most feared family in Edinburgh.
As well as support from film industry mentors, we have support from Scottish boxing legends:
Edinburgh born Josh (ranked as the world's best active light-welterweight) is supporting our project.
Josh has kindly volunteered to donate a few items - which you can find more about in our rewards section and by following our social channels - where we'll regularly announce further auction items - including some truly unique signed boxing collectibles.
Craig loves Mikey's play and described the premise as "Trainspotting meets Rocky" with his support and belief in the project - we were able to film our video in Clovenstone Amateur Boxing Club.
Creative Scotland and Crowdfunder have teamed up to launch Crowdfund Creative Scotland which will award up to £5,000 to creative projects across the country via match funding. By supporting us with a donation of whatever you can, you allow us to unlock that match funding.
Your donation will allow us to put all the money raised onscreen in terms of cast, crew, locations, equipment and costume.
Follow our social channels for updates about the project. By donating or buying a reward, you can be part of our story.
Twitter: @In_her_corner
Facebook: @InHerCornerFilm
Instagram: @inhercorner_film
Thanks so much for reading, sharing and hopefully donating. Anything you can give us helps us get closer to making this film the best it can be. Please like, tag and share our posts so we can meet our fundraising goal.
All boxing images and video courtesy of Andrew Perry | www.andrewperry.co.uk
This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.