Experiencing Interruptions?

Fool's Gold

A string of disappearances in the same area over the last 2 centuries, and an ageless map-seller, could there be any connection? Sybil Sangster has been selling the same treasure map since the early 1800's, with the promise of a gold sovereign as a reward, should the lucky purchaser find the casket. We pick the action up in 2020, could Derek and Damian be her latest 'customers'?

  • Simon Brandon
    Director
    A Throne of Shadows
  • Simon Brandon
    Writer
    A Throne of Shadows
  • Simon Brandon
    Producer
    A Throne of Shadows, Face Value
  • Simon Gibbons
    Producer
  • Keith Balderson
    Producer
    A Throne of Shadows
  • Rosemary Macvie
    Key Cast
    "Sybil Sangster"
    The Unexpected Quaintness of Aliens, Off Their Rockers, Z-Cars, Dr Finlay's Casebook
  • Simon Gibbons
    Key Cast
    "Derek"
    #Ghosting, Family Matters
  • Simon Brandon
    Key Cast
    "Damien"
    Ibiza Undead, A Throne of Shadows, Dubplate Drama
  • Clive Ward
    Key Cast
    "Rufus Rillington"
    The Conductor, Ozone
  • Nadia Ostacchini
    Key Cast
    "Newscaster"
    Chasing Borders, Margery Booth:The Spy In The Eagle's Nest
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Thriller, horror
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 5 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 25, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    200 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    1080p HD - iPhone XS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Fool's Gold Online Screener

    United Kingdom
    October 31, 2019
Director Biography - Simon Brandon

Simon completed his undergraduate degree in Film and Television Studies at Roehampton University before pursuing a career as an actor. After many years of acting (Simon continues to do so), he decided to go into partnership with his father-in-law to create a sci-fi webseries: A Throne of Shadows, based on Shakespeare. This is Simon's first short film as a director- filmed entirely on an iPhone, inspiring fellow actors to not be afraid of creating their own films and to go out there and create stories that bring their voice's to a wider audience. Simon and Keith will be creating more short films throughout 2020 with another instalment of a Throne of Shadows being written this year for future production.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Fool's Gold came about when myself and fellow actor Simon Gibbons decided to take up the challenge of creating a short film, shot entirely on a mobile phone- to hopefully inspire fellow actors to go out there and get creating. Simon and I met to create the basic premise of the story: an object discovered in a location by two men, how did it get there? Why there? and what happens as a result of it's discovery? I then went about writing the script.

I love the works of Roald Dahl, especially the Tales of The Unexpected TV series, whereby anything can happen if you allow your imagination to ask the question: ''What If?!''.

I wanted to keep the story simple, quirky and engaging, with minimal locations and sets. Simon and I were fortunate enough to work with Rosemary MacVie who brought forth in the character of Sybil just the right amount of menace under an innocuous grandmotherly exterior. Rosemary was a delight to work with and has appeared in many familiar tv programmes over the years including: Off Their Rockers, Chucklevision, Dr Finlay's Casebook and Z-Cars.

Our intent in creating Fool's Gold and future mobile shorts is to inspire fellow actors to use their mobile phones to create their own work and to not be afraid of the medium. The philosophy that ''it doesn't have to be perfect'' just get out there and make a start is very important. For some however, limiting beliefs get in the way of even beginning- thinking that as filmmakers they need thousands of pounds worth of equipment. Simon and I wanted to prove this not to be the case.

The mobile phone is really a gateway to learning as a filmmaker, one that Keith, Simon and myself are using quite frequently in the creation of content. This is my first short film as director, an experience that I have greatly enjoyed.