REACHING FOUR

Aim

"The perfect number comes with consequences..." This is REACHING FOUR, a short drama film about OCD

Thank you for visiting our page! We are raising funds to make a short film called REACHING FOUR - all about one woman’s struggle with OCD. 

Inspired by real life experiences, REACHING FOUR follows young mum Clare, a chronic OCD sufferer who has become isolated from her family. She's at tipping point, trapped by her overpowering condition yet terrified of losing those she loves. We're going deep into the heart of Clare's world with a unique cinematic experience, collaborating closely with talented production and sound designers and a fantastic director of photography.

COVID 19 UPDATE

We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has supported us so far, and that even though we are in a tricky time of cancelled work and postponed projects, we are pressing on with fundraising. The money we raise here will help freelancers and individuals who have lost work overnight to continue making important creative projects. So please, if you can, share, donate and spread the love!

We have a wonderful cast lined up for REACHING FOUR, including Ben Lamb (Divergent, Now You See Me 2, The Christmas Prince),  Michael Maloney (The Crown, Babel, Notes On A Scandal, Truly, Madly, Deeply) and Katherine Press (Captain America, Foyle’s War, Dancing on the Edge). Since we filmed our Crowdfunder video, we have also confirmed the amazing Pippa Haywood (Bodyguard, Green Wing, Scott and Bailey, The Brittas Empire)! 

And we have a wonderful crew too! Director Stephanie Wessell has produced and directed factual programmes and documentaries for the BBC and ITV Carlton. Her producing credits include Who Do You Think You Are?, Back in Time For School and Charles I: Killing A King. She has directed 25 films for The One Show plus numerous documentaries and arts and factual entertainment programmes, as well as short independent drama and comedy films. 

Producer/Writer Katherine Press is a member of BAFTA Crew and has just completed BFI-funded film A Noble Truth. As a writer, she was shortlisted for BAFTA Rocliffe and works freelance at John Yorke Story. Co-Producer Ella Turner has recently completed a fully-funded Cornish language drama, and is shortlisted for the New Creatives scheme supported by BBC Arts and Arts Council England.

Our wonderful cinematographer Andrew Rodger recently completed filming on his fifth feature film Arthur and Merlin and on series five of ITV’s Plebs. The talented Graeme Willetts was the Sound Recordist for the 2018 Oscar-winning short film The Silent Child and has worked for production companies including the BBC, ITN, Creative England and the BFI. Projects he's worked on have been shown at the Royal Albert Hall, BFI London Film Festival and various BAFTA-qualifying festivals across the UK. For our Sound Design, we have the award-winning Owen Shirley, who recently won the Best Sound award at the Royal Television Society West of England Awards for the film Breakdown, and has worked on numerous feature films and TV dramas. Plus we have an amazing editor, Ronit Meranda, whose recent work includes her short fiction film Honeymoon, which has been screened at over twenty festivals around the world, as well as the feature-length documentary Come Rain or Shine. What a team! 

We’re also working in conjunction with leading charity OCD UK, and their patron, actor Ian Puleston-Davies (Tin Star, Vera, Coronation Street, Being Human), is our Executive Producer. 

OCD charities estimate there are around ¾ million OCD sufferers in the UK alone. OCD takes so many forms, yet it’s one of the least discussed mental health conditions and is rarely accurately illustrated onscreen or in popular culture. Mental health is a ‘topical’ issue right now, and the inability of the NHS to cope with increasing cases has been widely reported. Having experienced the effects of OCD close to home, we envision a film which strips away clichés of hand-washing and avoiding pavement cracks, and depicts the personal battle of one long-term sufferer. 

But this isn’t a 'message' film – it’s a story of a real person with real hopes, fears and dreams. OCD is often used as a character tic, or a comedic trope, which risks trivialising, even ridiculing, the condition. In contrast, REACHING FOUR embraces the theme as a realistic dramatic device. The daily battles of our lead character’s life become intensified – everything is viewed through the lens of the disorder. 

We relish the challenge of making high-quality work on minimal budgets. Our guiding principle is “What can we do with what we have?” – maximising the talent and resources at our disposal.  We need to raise money to help us cover the costs of shooting and post production. That’s cast, crew, locations, props, hire of editing studios, plus we also need to feed our hungry team! We’re convinced that quality’s achievable whatever the budget – moreover, such restrictions are a boon to creativity, allowing audiences to focus on the human emotional story.  

Please support us in any way you can - we would love you to make this film with us! 

ONLINE SCREENWRITING FOR DOCUMENTARY COURSE - 

Learn how to use narrative structure to make your documentaries better with a place on the John Yorke Story for Script Development online course. This seven-week online course (worth £900!) takes you from the basics of story structure for factual content all the way to pitching new doc ideas, giving you the skills you need to get on in this area of TV production. Based on the bestselling guide to screenwriting,  Into the Woods, by BAFTA-winning John Yorke (former Head of Channel 4 Drama, Controller of BBC Drama Production, MD of Company Pictures and founder of BBC Writers' Academy).  https://www.johnyorkestory.com/courses/story-for-factual-content/

STEPHANIE WESSELL FACTUAL PRODUCING MASTERCLASS -

Interested in how to film a documentary idea? Experienced factual television producer Stephanie Wessell (credits include Who Do You Think You Are?, Back in Time for School, The One Show) will provide insights and tips on factual television producing and directing. This will take the form of a 30 minute video emailed to you.

 KATHERINE PRESS VIDEO ON ACTING - 

Experienced professional actress Katherine Press will provide her top tips on acting and sustaining a professional career in the industry. Katherine's credits include Captain America, Foyle's War, Stephen Poliakoff's Dancing on the Edge and Ophelia in Sir Trevor Nunn's Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead (West End). This will take the form of a 30 minute video emailed to you.

STEPHANIE WESSELL SCRIPT REPORT -

Need help with your fiction writing? Stephanie Wessell is a Factual Content Tutor for John Yorke Story, and also writes reports on beginner fiction, offering valuable feedback. Submit your short story or extract (up to 2000 words) and Stephanie will write a 400-500 word report to help you with your next draft. 

KATHERINE PRESS VOICE OVER PACKAGE - 

Experienced professional voice artist Katherine Press will record and edit a short voiceover of your choice (up to 300 words), for your personal or professional use*, delivered in mp3 format. Katherine's voice credits include Margaret Atwood's Booker Prize-Winning The Testaments for BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime, Costa Children's Book Award-winning The Skylark's War, and work for clients including AXA Insurance and Westfield Shopping Centres.

PREMIERE -  

This will be held on completion of the film. Unfortunately we won't be able to change the date if you can’t make it, although we promise to try and accommodate guests’ availabilities as best we can. It is likely to be hosted in Bristol. (Please note that due to budgetary restrictions we are unable supply transport or accommodation to and from the premiere. We want every penny we raise to go towards making the film!)

BE AN EXTRA IN REACHING FOUR! - 

This would be a special treat for fans of our cast! Mingle with the cast and crew and see the result up on the big screen! (Please note that whilst we'll try our best to accommodate your availability, the availability of our cast, crew and locations will take precedence. Due to budgetary restrictions we are unable supply transport or accommodation to and from set. We want every penny we raise to go towards making the film!) 

GAIL REID ARTWORK - 

Gail's work is going to be a key feature of the film, and will also be brought to life via animation (Crowdfunder budget permitting)! This is an original that will be framed and sent to you. We also have 10 limited edition prints up for grabs. 

Disclaimers - 

All rewards are subject to change depending on the number purchased. We will keep in touch with the buyer should this happen.

Masterclass videos are not to be shared on social media or online, or shown publicly.

We regret we cannot reimburse travel expenses for location-critical rewards.

* Voice recordings will not be cleared for broadcast or commercial use - contact us for further details. Personal voice recordings - up to 250 words. Professional voice recording - up to 300 words. All delivered in mp3 format. Distribution restrictions may apply - contact us for further details. 

This project successfully funded on 14th April 2020