Experiencing Interruptions?

Red Cape

Tensions are high in ten year old Sandy’s house as his parents' relationship falls apart. Sandy uses his red cape and intense imagination to find solace in the chaos as his Father struggles under the weight of the betrayal. Together they must find a way to get through it.

  • Gary Beatson
    Director
  • Gary Beatson
    Writer
  • Kieran Howe
    Producer
  • Noah Wilde Connell
    Key Cast
  • Christopher Sherwood
    Key Cast
  • Nina Johnstone
    Key Cast
  • George Harwood
    Director of Photography
  • Awkward Family Portraits
    Original Music By
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 16, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    3,850 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Gary Beatson

Gary Beatson is a filmmaker from Glasgow, Scotland. Initially studying audio he began gravitating towards film during his studies. For the last few years he has been working on music videos, short films and commercials. He has worked with Glasgow artists such as Russell Stewart, Zoe Graham, Tom McGuire & The Brassholes and Kitti. ‘Red Cape’ is his debut short film as writer & director.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

‘Red Cape’ is taken from the life of a close friend of mine. It is the story of 10-year old Sandy, taking place on the day his Mother and Father separate. His only way of coping with the frustration of a situation he does not understand is to disappear into his imagination. As he watches his Father, John, struggle to deal with the separation and the burden of caring for his young son, Sandy shows him that to get through the hardship they must rely on each other, finding relief through imagination, play and their bond with one another.

I wanted to tell this story from the point-of-view of the child. With the viewer being kept in the dark about why his Mother is leaving. Watching him work through frustration and anger, eventually finding some solace in his imagination.

However, I also wanted to explore the story from my current perspective. As an adult I am no longer able to escape the harsh realities of life in the way I once did. The character of John is almost consumed by his emotions. The pain of the separation. The stress of having to then take care and be strong for his Son, to guide him through it when he himself does not know the way. Anxieties about the future and traumas from the past deny me, for the most part, that precious ability that all children possess, living in the present.

The symbol of the red cape represents that pure, unadulterated link with your own imagination. However, it is the passing of the cape from Son to Father, from child to adult that is at the very heart of the film. They need each other and I want the viewer to feel that connection between them at the end. To get through hardship we must rely on each other.

Stylistically I wanted to ground the film in reality. The characters are going through a very intense and tumultuous period. With this in mind, I worked closely with the Director of Photography George Harwood to create the naturalistic feel of the mise-en-scene.

Utilising handheld camerawork, often filming from inside the conversation, to give the viewer the feeling of being in the room experiencing these private moments.

The experience of making this film was so fulfilling for me. Creating this story and bringing it to life with the help of a wonderful, hard-working crew and talented actors has been truly wonderful and I am excited to share the fruits of our labour with an audience.