Whistling Dixie

In 1936, Betty Murphy escapes her small town in Oklahoma and follows her dream of becoming a Hollywood movie star in Los Angeles. Here she meets a sleazy Frank Anderson - a film producer who begins to manipulate and change her into starlet Dixie Domay. We follow her journey into the unfiltered world of film, love and dreams, until reality becomes too good to be true.

  • Jacob Thomas McClean
    Director
  • Jacob Thomas McClean
    Writer
  • Jacob Thomas McClean
    Producer
  • Lily Mahoney Matthews
    Producer
  • Abbie May Wilson
    Key Cast
    "Betty Murphy / Dixie Domay"
  • Josh Vinten
    Key Cast
    "Frank Anderson"
  • Hannah Jarrett
    Key Cast
    "Helen"
  • Jack Payton
    Key Cast
    "James Wells"
  • Jacob Thomas McClean
    Cinematography
  • Lily Mahoney Matthews
    Production Designer
  • Kian Musticone
    Camera Operator
  • Ben Cazimi
    Camera Operator
  • Ben Cazimi
    Boom Operator
  • Sarah Hackney
    Gaffer
  • Jacob Thomas McClean
    Editor
  • Barry Samways
    Prop Maker
  • Christine Samways
    Props
  • Laura Samways
    Props
  • Jane Leanne McClean
    Props
  • Lorraine Poston
    Props
  • Sharon Powell
    Props
  • Lily Mahoney Matthews
    Miniature Stage Maker
  • Phoebe Mia Wilson
    Main Titles Art
  • Amelia Helen McClean
    Make - Up and Hair Artist
  • Abbie May Wilson
    Voice Over Recordings
  • Jack Payton
    Voice Over Recordings
  • Jacob Thomas McClean
    Sound Mixer
  • Jacob Thomas McClean
    Costumes
  • Abbie May Wilson
    Costumes
  • Blake Treacey
    1st AD
  • Ella Wilson
    2nd AD
  • Joe Meese
    Extras
  • Kian Musticone
    Extras
  • Jacob Thomas McClean
    Location Scout
  • Hannah Jarrett
    Dancers
  • Kya Sanders
    Dancers
  • Chloe Wakeling
    Dancers
  • Cassy Turner
    Dancers
  • Philippa Walton
    Dancers
  • Sofie Freeman
    Dancers
  • Hannah Jarrett
    Choreographer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Period Drama, Romance, Noir, Classic Hollywood
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 10, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    100 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9 to 4:3
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Birmingham City University
  • InspiredFest BCU 2024
    Birmingham, UK
    United Kingdom
    June 12, 2024
    Official WINNER Best Film sponsored by CVP
  • Lift-Off First Time Filmmaker Sessions
    London
    United Kingdom
    June 16, 2024
    Official Selection
  • East Coast Movie Awards 2024

    United States
    Best Short SELECTED Best Actress WINNER
  • Worcester Film Festival 2024
    Worcester
    United Kingdom
    September 27, 2024
    N/A
    WINNER Best Student Film
Director Biography - Jacob Thomas McClean

Jacob is a young filmmaker graduating from Birmingham City University this year. He is a keen director, writer and jack of all trades. He has been described as ”a raw and unique talent - as well as being a very, very nice guy.” - (David Payne, Producer and Writer, BBC). He looks forward to creating more films in the future that feel real for his audience as they feel for himself.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I believe films are a visual way of learning and educating audiences in an entertaining way. I am influenced by the viewpoints of those around me and their history. I make films on things I am interested in, if I am - someone else in world probably is too.