Private Project

VT The Red Dress

In 1940, A mobster, (Tony) is escaping the clutches of Thomas E Dewey, New York’s chief prosecutor and making his way to Chicago. To avoid law enforcement, Tony takes the back roads.

In an open field in Ohio, he comes across a girl in a red dress (Dolly), who herself is escaping the clutches of her abusive Father.

  • Rob Marni
    Director
    VELVET THOMPSON, DIE WITH ME
  • Rob Marni
    Writer
    VELVET THOMPSON, DIE WITH ME, THE HAROLD LLOYD STORY
  • ROB MARNI
    Producer
    VELVET THOMPSON, DIE WITH ME.
  • Kay Smith
    Producer
  • ROB MARNI
    Key Cast
    "TONY"
    ITV KAVANAGH QC III, BBC SPOOKS, THE TRIBE (Feature Film)
  • LIZA CALLINICOS
    Key Cast
    "DOLLY"
  • ANDREW LAWDEN
    Key Cast
    "HANK"
  • Joel Tucker
    Cinematographer
  • Guy K Ward
    Editor
  • Ensieh Maleki
    Sound Designer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 2, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED Komodo 6K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Rob Marni

My first film 'Velvet Thompson' (VT) was submitted in 2017 to a few select International film festivals, an official selection at the 'LA shorts International Film Festival', semi-finalist at the ‘San Mauro Torinese International Film Festival’ and finalist in the Lift Off first time film makers Festival. Velvet Thompson was also an invited entry to AFC Global Fest, Oniros film awards, Krajina Film Festival, Mumbai International, Shanghai Queer Film Festival and Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica.

As an actor I trained at ‘The Bristol Old Vic Theatre school’ and have worked in professional film, theatre and TV including most notably Yitzac Shapiro in Kavanagh QC III, Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘The Tribe’, Jesus in two time BAFTA winner Andrew Chater’s documentary film ‘Pilate: The man who killed Christ’ and recently in programs like Spooks and Greg Hall’s film ‘Communion’.

Film has always been an integral part of my life ever since I was a kid. I got my first VHS camcorder in the late 80's and made many a movie with my family as the stars.

As a professional actor for a number of years, I took the leap into writing and directing by chance even though the plan was to move to directing at some point in my life. The Director I had chosen for 'Velvet Thompson' dropped out leaving me to manage the whole production, act and direct. I remember I was so exhausted after the second days shoot, I fell asleep on the tube with a replica Tommy gun on my lap at the terminal. I did make it home eventually! - exhausted but also exhilarated.

Since then my second film as Director 'DIe with Me', a wonderfully poignant film about love, life and tragedy, its my little gem. incorporating animation and live action, it took nearly two years to complete because of financing and 2D Animation and of course Covid!

My intention is to move into directing features, there are constraints to acting and directing, it’s manageable on a short, but on a feature I intend to fully focus on realising my vision. Recently I completed the final draft on a biographical feature based on the life of a famous Hollywood star of the silent era, the budget is large, I have had an offer on it...but they wouldn't let me direct so I'm currently working on my first (Reasonable budget) film 'A Mermaids Tale', the story of a dysfunctional family, father and daughter, both musicians in Ireland who's relationship is dissected and analyzed through imagination and music.

Rob Marni
HoleInTheRoad

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

VT The Red Dress is part of a trilogy of films, this being the second of three. Tony and Dolly meeting was a back story from the original short film 'Velvet Thompson' (VT).

I wanted to make a charming short film that would keep an audience engaged and invested in the characters. Both Tony and Dolly are escaping something in their lives, Dolly's being the most obvious, but Tony coming from a very masculine world has his own secrets that he hides from the world.

The obvious narrative was a mobster saves a damsel in distress in the middle of nowhere, but there are hidden depths to this film, and Dolly is no push over. We shift from the old cliche as the story unfolds.

Rob Marni
HoleInTheRoad