SYNOPSIS
The story of Orpheus takes the Greek myth and focuses on the sense of loss and guilt. Only in this story rather than being a musician Orpheus is an artist, an artist trapped in his studio with a fading memory of his lost love – but nightly he is pestered and bullied by The Critic, a living embodiment of his own troubled mind.
On this particular night Orpheus, exhausted from his mental torture, is forced to confront his guilt and fight for his sanity. The Critic taunts and bullies Orpheus, reminding him that he is the author of his own plight.
Can Orpheus ever face his own truth or will he remain trapped with The Critic forever?
VIDEO
Trailer 1
GALLERY
ABOUT
Director's Statement
For too long, puppets - and marionettes in particular - have been viewed as a children’s medium. I believe they have the capacity to enthrall and move an adult audience.
This is my mission with ‘Orpheus’. I hope by taking the traditional marionette and creating a mature adult narrative that I can elevate the puppet towards a more dramatic presence in the world of film.
I take my inspiration from a variety of places including film, books, art and ballet. Big influences have been Fritz Lang, Murnau, Gerry Anderson, Ronnie Burkett, Quay Brothers, and Walerian Borowczyk.
This is a film that will rely on traditional film technique, a story brought to life through the art of puppetry, not stop-motion and not CGI, but ‘in camera’ live action puppetry.
CAST
ORPHEUS
Tom Taplin
Tom recently completed filming on The Three Musketeers, starring alongside James Cosmo (Game of Thrones, Braveheart). His latest feature, Wolves of War, is due to be released by Signature in the coming months. Other films include: It Came from Below (Uncork'd Entertainment); Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot (Signature); We Go in at Dawn (101 Films Int'l). Voice work includes: The Division 2 (Ubisoft).
THE CRITIC
Christopher Sherwood
Christopher’s latest feature In From The Side is an Official Selection for BFI Flare Festival 2022. Other films include Hornbeam (Official selection, 2022, Brighton Rocks, winner Best LGBTQ+ award) All Is Vanity (Official selection, 2021 BFI London Film Festival), The Lost (AppleTV), Electric Angel (Winner - Best Ensemble Cast - Maverick Movie Awards), Our Little Haven (Winner - Best British Film - London Film Awards, Winner - Grand Jury Prize - Barcelona IFF, Nominated - Best Ensemble Cast - MMAs), The Chain (Official selection, Toronto IFF).
PUPPETEERS
PUPPETEER
Ronnie Le Drew
Ronnie started his professional career at The Little Angel Theatre in the 1960s.
In the 1970s, Ronnie began his long association with Thames Television's 'Rainbow', performing Zippy for 20 years. He was also performing in 'The Sooty Show' with the Corbett Family and latterly Richard Cadell. The 1980s was the start of working with the Henson company on many films including 'Labyrinth', 'Muppet Christmas Carol', 'Muppet Treasure Island', and 'A Little Shop of Horrors'. Ronnie has continued his association with the Henson company and was an additional puppeteer on 'The Dark Crystal Age of Resistance' for Netflix.
PUPPETEER
Stan Middleton
Stan runs the Puppet Theatre Barge (a 50 seat marionette theatre on a converted barge) where he performs, directs, and produces shows throughout the year.
Stan is a regular tutor at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and The Curious School of Puppetry.
Other theatre performance credits include 'The Oddissy' Paper Cinema/Battersea Arts Centre, 'Venus and Adonis' RSC and Little Angel Theatre, 'Jabberwocky' Little Angel Theatre, and 'Angelo' Little Angel Theatre.
PUPPETEER
Emily Morus-Jones
Emily is a puppeteer, puppet maker and creature FX co-ordinator for film, TV, and live events.
She trained as a TV puppeteer with the Sesame Workshop and has performed with puppets for high profile clients in the music industry that include Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris, Rag'n’Bone Man, and Jam Baxter.
Emily has also worked on TV shows for CBBC and ITV as well as many commercials shown across various media platforms. Additionally, she has built puppets for The Handspring Puppet Company, KneeHigh Theatre, Nick Barnes Puppets, and the band Iron Maiden.
CREW
DIRECTOR
Guy K. Ward
Guy is the creative energy driving this production.
As a skilled film editor, he has worked in all areas of the UK film and television industry, as well as directing short films.
Guy was the film editor for the RSC's film 'I, Cinna (the poet)'. More recently, he edited the feature film ‘Written With Ashes’ and another short film ‘Hornbeam’ (Official selection, 2022, Brighton Rocks, winner Best LGBTQ+ award)
He is currently editing ‘Read To Me’ for Dan Horrigan.
DIRECTOR OF
PHOTOGRAPHY
Claire Buxton
Claire is very talented DoP and fully understands the particular requirements for shooting models and marionettes.
Claire's work on the short film 'Abuelas' was screened at the British Society of Cinematographers 'New Cinematographers Night'.
The film was nominated for a short animation BAFTA in 2012.
Claire also won the Best Cinematography Award at the Lindsey Film Festival
COMPOSER
Donna McKevitt
Donna is an immensely creative and talented composer. She has composed music for film and contemporary dance as well as for choral and chamber ensemble.
Donna has composed music for a number of feature films by acclaimed directors including John Jencks, Derek Jarman, and Ken McMullen.
Donna's work continues to be in demand and is performed by ensembles around the world has been performed at The Tate, The Royal Opera House, and Sadler’s Wells.
COLOURIST
Sara Buxton
Sara graduated from the National Film and Television School with an MA Digital Effects in February 2014.
After leaving film school, Sara colour graded her first feature film called 'The Pass' for Duncan Kenworthy OBE ('Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'Notting Hill'& 'Love Actually'). After the UK release, it was nominated for a BAFTA in 2017.
Sara is working as an Assistant Colourist at Goldcrest Post, working for Adam Glasman and Rob Pizzey. Some of the titles she worked on included 'Murder on the Orient Express', 'Kingsman - Golden Circle', 'Killing of the Sacred Deer', and 'Dumbo'.
PUPPETRY
ASSISTANT
Donna Gunn
Donna graduated Drama School in 2000 and has worked as an actor in both theatre and film.
Donna has collaborated with Guy on many projects over the years as actor, writer and all aspects of production.
After working on Orpheus she has acquired a new interest and passion for puppetry especially marionettes.
SOUND DESIGN
Callum Donaldson
As the lead Dubbing Mixer and Sound Designer at Viacom International Studios, Callum has worked across a wide range of programmes including 'Trevor McDonald’s Great Indian Train Journey', 'WWI In Colour', and BAFTA winning 'Cruising With Jane McDonald'.
As well as television work, Callum is busy with feature film and short film projects, bringing his sound edit and mixing talents to feature documentary 'King Cnut' and he has just completed sound design and mix for the feature ‘Shepherd’.