Souled Out The Film

[Guest SouledOutFilm]

Hi

I work for Ipso Facto Films on the production team for Souled Out. There's been such a lot of debate on this forum about the film, we want you to know your voices aren't going unheard. I want to hear your thoughts and help answer some questions about cast, music, locations, costume, release dates etc. Our official Souled Out blog website will be launched very soon, with some sneak preview videos of the pre production. Everyone is very excited at our end, and raring to go. Talk to us.

In Soul x

[Guest Richard Bergman]

Hi mate ,

Can I throw a few at you.

The northern soul revival is in full swing with many clubs around the country, weekenders, tv adverts etc etc...

1) - Did you get inspiration for this project from watching The Function at the Junction short film in 2001 and the accompanying Soul Function documentary fearturing footage and comments from Wigan Casino and seeing the response from the public.?

2) - Is there room for more than one film about Northern soul as i have read about there are other films coming to the big screen ?

3) - Could two films about northern soul help or hinder one another ?

4) - How long as this film been in the making ?

Many thanks.

Richard

Edited August 12, 2008 by Richard Bergman

[Guest SouledOutFilm]

Hi Richard

Jeff Williams talks about his inspiration for writing the film in a sneak preview clip, likely to go online in the next few days, so I'll let him do the talking.

Souled Out has been in development for 7 years, and has only now reached the stage of production. This has had a lot to do with the resurgence on interest in Northern Soul. Obviously the scene has been going for years, but more recent musical artists who flirt with the genre have now made the film viable in the more populist market. There are a couple of other NS films in development at the moment, but as far as we know, Souled Out is the only one so far to have reached the stage of principle photography. We begin shooting next week!

Souled Out

[Paul-s]

Is it true Mark Ronson has committed to doing some music or tracks for you?

[Guest Bogue]

Come on folks, they have offered to listen to our concerns & answer questions & everybody seems to have gone deaf & dumb !

I'll have a go then

I think the biggest bug bear with most on here is what the sound track is going to consist of ?

Whilst i'm sure the majority could put up with the odd purpose made track, as we accept you may need to use a present icon to sell the film to todays audience, is the sound track going to be mainly made up of the tunes we love by the original artists ? And will they be duly credited as they deserve ?

At the end of the day the music seems to be the catalyst for the film & there seems little point in it if it is altered beyond recognition.

[Jumpinjoan]

Here's an easy one for you as it only requires a one word 'YES' or 'NO' answer.

WILL YOU BE USING THE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS?

[Guest Byrney]

Here's an easy one for you as it only requires a one word 'YES' or 'NO' answer.

WILL YOU BE USING THE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS?

Beat me to it Joan. This is the key question, looking forward to a response.

Ta

Byrney

[Guest Paul]

Here's an easy one for you as it only requires a one word 'YES' or 'NO' answer.

WILL YOU BE USING THE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS?

Hello,

I can only speak of the songs which we are licensing to Souled Out (subject to contracts) but the answer is "yes" as far as those particular songs are concerned.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

Millbrand Copyright Management Ltd

Edited August 15, 2008 by Paul

[Guest SouledOutFilm]

WILL YOU BE USING THE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS?

Easy with the caps lock, YES we will be using music recorded by the original artists. As you can imagine, we are really happy to have current big name artists attached to the project, as we can't just make this film for the 1000 people who post on this forum , but there will be original tracks too.

The music is still very much under negotiation with all the artists and labels we've spoken to. The soundtrack wont be confirmed until after the film has been shot, and we hope to have some new covers by big names like Ronson, Duffy and Paul Weller. The director has absolute plans to use original recordings (and big ones at that) for the specific dance sequences. However, at this stage NOTHING is confirmed.

The film is a grass-roots love story - it translates into many settings, eras, and indeed musical scenes. But what will make this film stand out are the incredible dance sequences and musical numbers, which aim to as accurately portray the experience of Wigan Casino in 1974 as much as possible. We have many consultants working directly with us: from Liam Quinn who's been teaching all of us some nice footwork, to costume designer Elvis Davis who lived and breathed the scene back in the day. Keb Darge is involved too. Our art dept are the cream of the crop, and the whole film will be shot on 16mm to give it that gritty feel.

I understand that the NS scene is a small but loud one, and we don't want to aggravate you guys or make you feel that some people who 'weren't there' are trying to recreate what now appears a sacred experience. The story we're making might not be a single person's experience, but it's a collective one. We're really trying to please as many people as possible without compromising on the reality of life in the early seventies. And we want to make a great film too, which will hopefully encourage new interest in Northern Soul.

[Simsy]

I think the biggest bug bear with most on here is what the sound track is going to consist of ?

The film is a grass-roots love story -

Think again Bogue how many people do you know that went to Wigan cite love and romance as a key factor?

[Davetay]

Hello,

I can only speak of the songs which we are licensing to Souled Out (subject to contracts) but the answer is "yes" as far as the following are concerned...

You Didn't Say A Word

Grooving At the Go-Go

Double Cooking

Blowing My Mind To Pieces

I'm Coming Home In The Morning

Seven Day Lover

So Is The Sun

Stick By Me Baby

Don't forget that some selections may change, as they often do in films. The producers have a "wish list" which will no doubt change again and again.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

Millbrand Copyright Management Ltd

Way Bob Relf & Four Larks these were big records long before Wigan opened it,s doors?

[Pete S]

which aim to as accurately portray the experience of Wigan Casino in 1974 as much as possible. We have many consultants working directly with us: from Liam Quinn who's been teaching all of us some nice footwork

Can we possibly hope that it just doesn't concentrate on the over-emphasised acrobatics and more on 'proper' dancing!

[Guest Bogue]

Think again Bogue how many people do you know that went to Wigan cite love and romance as a key factor?

It's a bloody feature film Ian ! not a documentery, it's got to have a plot.

And anyhow, there was some romance still at times. Yes it wasn't the reason for going but there were still quite a few boyfriends & girlfriends about the place.

Anyhow, stop side tracking again & ask a fookin question !

[Guest Paul]

Way Bob Relf & Four Larks these were big records long before Wigan opened it,s doors?

Hello Davey,

It's a feature film with a northern soul sub-text, it isn't a historic documentary about the scene or any particular aspect of the scene.

But, as it happens, those particular tracks were played at The Casino anyway.

I think you'll find the soundtrack will feature a lot of authentic northern soul tracks, from various eras, as well as some new music. The film needs to appeal to a wide audience.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

[Guest JEFF W]

Slightly pre-empting my touted appearance online, and dealing with the earlier question about my original inspiration - I was commissioned by New Writing North back in 1996/7 to write an original stage play for a youth theatre group, Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans. Having just read Russ Winstanley's "Soul Survivors", and also tinkering around with the notion of setting something in the early 70's - specifically 1974, one of those special years that sometimes come around packed with events that culturally, economically, politically, all seem to have a resonance that lasts long after the year's done. It just seemed natural that all combined to become the first version of "Souled Out". That piece, although generally held to be successful in terms of what it set out to do, was tailored for specific performers and a particular audience and left me with the nagging feeling that there was much, much more could be done with the source material. I was also just plain astounded that so little mainstream attention had been paid to the potential of what was not only a clearly important stage in the development of youth culture in the UK but also of a scene that arguably remained as vibrant today as it had ever been. I finished the first draft of the filmscript in 1998.

As the scriptwriter of Souled Out, then, if I can briefly put to rest some of the fears I've read on the original thread I started, (and what a thread it's turned into; a case of light the blue touch paper and stand well back) -

Souled Out isn't a history of The Wigan Casino, but a fictional story set in 1974, which partly takes place in that famous old dancehall on Station Road.

We are all committed to original source music by original artists, but this part of the project is a highly-complicated process of licensing negotiations that thankfully I play no part in whatsoever. The production does have to find the widest audience it can if it's to be a commercial as well as artistic success - mainstream films are hugely expensive to make. It's a hard fact of life.

Maintaining the overall goodwill and respect of the soul community is very important to us, and despite a few voices raising objections already we're heartened by the interest and support this project's generally been getting.

Function At The Junction I watched recently, for the first time. Once Upon A Time In Wigan I deliberately avoided, not wanting any of the events or tone of that piece to seep into my own. I hear nothing but good about it.

I've never been to an Islington dinner party in my life.

[Simsy]

It's a bloody feature film Ian ! not a documentery, it's got to have a plot.

And anyhow, there was some romance still at times. Yes it wasn't the reason for going but there were still quite a few boyfriends & girlfriends about the place.

Anyhow, stop side tracking again & ask a fookin question !

Plot schmot - all these points have been raised and questions asked in the other thread, why we need two, I don't know..

Yes there has to be a plot but does romance have to be the central theme? I'm not saying boyfriends and girlfriends didn't go, what I'm saying is romance should be way down the list and definitely not the central theme for a film about the northern soul scene of the seventies.

As stated questions have been asked, but here's another - can you scrap this one and start again?

[Jumpinjoan]

Easy with the caps lock

Easy with the sarcasm.

But what will make this film stand out are the incredible dance sequences and musical numbers, which aim to as accurately portray the experience of Wigan Casino in 1974 as much as possible.

But to do this would mean using the original recordings by the original artists would it not?

To the best of my knowledge people weren't dancing to Paul Weller and Duffy records at Wigan Casino in 1974.

And they certainly aren't dancing to them on the soul scene today.

[Guest]

Plot schmot - all these points have been raised and questions asked in the other thread, why we need two, I don't know..

Yes there has to be a plot but does romance have to be the central theme? I'm not saying boyfriends and girlfriends didn't go, what I'm saying is romance should be way down the list and definitely not the central theme for a film about the northern soul scene of the seventies.

As stated questions have been asked, but here's another - can you scrap this one and start again?

Quad was a romance,a fukced up one.

[Guest SouledOutFilm]

Thanks for clearing that up Jeff, you said it much better than me!

I keep wondering where my Islington invite is too...

Information about being an extra in the film:

We really need as many people as possible to register themselves at

www dot ipsofactofilms dot com slash souledout

We need 1000 extras to make the Kings Hall in Stoke really feel like a Northern Soul night in 74. For all those who have registered already, you WILL be contacted, please be patient. But please spread the word, it should be a fun day out - and obviously you'll get to be in the film too. And if you have any children who fancy themselves on screen (and you need an excuse to demonstrate a few moves to them), ask your nearest and dearest to register too!

[Guest Paul]

...Yes there has to be a plot but does romance have to be the central theme? I'm not saying boyfriends and girlfriends didn't go, what I'm saying is romance should be way down the list and definitely not the central theme for a film about the northern soul scene of the seventies...

What have you got against romance???

The film isn't about the northern soul scene. That would be far too sleazy.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

[Guest SouledOutFilm]

QUOTE (SouledOutFilm @ Aug 12 08, 04:16 PM) QUOTE But what will make this film stand out are the incredible dance sequences and musical numbers, which aim to as accurately portray the experience of Wigan Casino in 1974 as much as possible.

But to do this would mean using the original recordings by the original artists would it not?

To the best of my knowledge people weren't dancing to Paul Weller and Duffy records at Wigan Casino in 1974.

And they certainly aren't dancing to them on the soul scene today. Simsy

Shimmy Marcus has full intent on using original recordings for all the major dance sequences.

[Guest kerby]

Can we possibly hope that it just doesn't concentrate on the over-emphasised acrobatics and more on 'proper' dancing!

well said pete . there are many styles of dance on the scene . everybody to there own .

mart

[Guest Bogue]

Easy with the sarcasm.

But to do this would mean using the original recordings by the original artists would it not?

To the best of my knowledge people weren't dancing to Paul Weller and Duffy records at Wigan Casino in 1974.

And they certainly aren't dancing to them on the soul scene today.

To be honest i thought your question did rather just 'go for the throat' & have an aggressive overtone with the caps Joan, so the sarcasm back shouldn't be too unexpected.

Still can't see why everyone is getting so upset to be honest, it's a film with a period Northern soul backdrop (pardon the pun), yes it would be nice if it's spot on in every aspect, but as they & others keep pointing out it's not a documentary saying this 'is' how it was !!

I for one am looking forward to it to be honest, & with my eyes open to the fact that there has to be some present day commercialism to enable the project to get of the ground.

If it is 99% right i will rejoice & enjoy......... if it's 99% wrong i will have great enjoyment in telling everyone else watching it with me so !

[Tabs]

QUOTE (SouledOutFilm @ Aug 12 08, 04:16 PM) QUOTE But what will make this film stand out are the incredible dance sequences and musical numbers, which aim to as accurately portray the experience of Wigan Casino in 1974 as much as possible.

Shimmy Marcus has full intent on using original recordings for all the major dance sequences.

Intent is a good word.

I intend to win the lottery this week, but will it actually happen?

[Jumpinjoan]

To be honest i thought your question did rather just 'go for the throat' & have an aggressive overtone with the caps Joan, so the sarcasm back shouldn't be too unexpected.

You think?

I was just asking the question I have asked God knows how many times (and got no answer to) simply and clearly.

Shame it wasn't answered the same clear and simple way.

[Guest Bogue]

You speak for yourself

Oi f**k off & enter your FF team you chicken

Thanks for clearing that up Jeff, you said it much better than me!

I keep wondering where my Islington invite is too...

Information about being an extra in the film:

We really need as many people as possible to register themselves at

www dot ipsofactofilms dot com slash souledout

We need 1000 extras to make the Kings Hall in Stoke really feel like a Northern Soul night in 74. For all those who have registered already, you WILL be contacted, please be patient. But please spread the word, it should be a fun day out - and obviously you'll get to be in the film too. And if you have any children who fancy themselves on screen (and you need an excuse to demonstrate a few moves to them), ask your nearest and dearest to register too!

A good point here i think would be the emphsis on 'our children' please don't make the mistake of the extras being our age ! That would kill it stone dead imho !

[Guest Bogue]

You think?

I was just asking the question I have asked God knows how many times (and got no answer to) simply and clearly.

Shame it wasn't answered the same clear and simple way.

Yep, fair play, I guess you have actually Joan

[Ted Massey]

Its fairly obvious quiet a few people on here will not be satisfied why dont you just let them get on with it and then slagg it of after you have watched it if you have to

[Guest Paul]

...To the best of my knowledge people weren't dancing to Paul Weller and Duffy records at Wigan Casino in 1974...

But some people were dancing to The Joe 90 Theme ...and I wouldn't suggest they feature that in the soundtrack.

Paul Mooney

[Jumpinjoan]

But some people were dancing to The Joe 90 Theme ...and I wouldn't suggest they feature that in the soundtrack.

Paul Mooney

You don't have the rights to that one then

[Pete S]

The thing is - if they are going to use well know artists such as Weller and Winehouse, there's no way they are going to be used in the dance sequences, they'd be used as the title theme or for some integral part of the movie. I don't know what else the film chappy and the music licensee can tell you apart from the fact that they are using original Northern tracks by the original artists.

As for there being no love stories at Wigan - I met a girlfriend there who I went out with for nearly 2 years and am still in touch with now after 30 years.

[Guest kerby]

the soul scene as we know it is slowly dying . so a good injection of young people will keep it alive . this film or any other production shown in the right light must be good . it may even entice some of the old soulies back onto the scene .

mart

[Shsdave]

You think?

I was just asking the question I have asked God knows how many times (and got no answer to) simply and clearly.

Shame it wasn't answered the same clear and simple way.

Joan I think that they may have answered your question but with a bit of spin (oops no pun intended there ) & if this has been pointed out apologies as I didn't have time nor inclination to wade through it all.

"YES we will be using music recorded by the original artists" which reading between the lines to a suspicious mind like mine could well mean re recordings by the original artists ?

............did somebody mention levine

[Guest SouledOutFilm]

Joan I think that they may have answered your question but with a bit of spin (oops no pun intended there ) & if this has been pointed out apologies as I didn't have time nor inclination to wade through it all.

"YES we will be using music recorded by the original artists" which reading between the lines to a suspicious mind like mine could well mean re recordings by the original artists ?

............did somebody mention levine

Absolutely no spin intended, as far as any of us know in production, we will be using original recordings, not re-recordings. If we use re-recordings, these will be with contemporary artists, and probably not used for any of the dance sequences in the film. But just to reiterate - nothing can be confirmed yet.

[Mike]

whole hatfull of off topic posts removed

try and keep it to the thread subject please

[Guest Paul]

The thing is - if they are going to use well know artists such as Weller and Winehouse, there's no way they are going to be used in the dance sequences, they'd be used as the title theme or for some integral part of the movie. I don't know what else the film chappy and the music licensee can tell you apart from the fact that they are using original Northern tracks by the original artists.

As for there being no love stories at Wigan - I met a girlfriend there who I went out with for nearly 2 years and am still in touch with now after 30 years.

Hello,

I didn't know you were a "lover", Pete. Maybe you could get a small part in the film???

Paul Mooney

[vaultofsouler]

Yes there has to be a plot but does romance have to be the central theme? I'm not saying boyfriends and girlfriends didn't go, what I'm saying is romance should be way down the list and definately not the central theme for a film about the northern soul scene of the seventies.

I just read all this as a film about "love/romance in 74" set against the "backdrop" (excuse the pun ) of the Northern Soul scene and it's music which was of that time.... it's not a Northern Soul film per se but just a film with Northern Soul in it IMO....

The use of the "Souled Out" title used to reflect the "choice" of the musical genre used within it is probably a clever marketing ploy to give it "appeal" to the NS fraternity.... hence all this debate and questioning on here....

Irrespective of all that I do agree that if using NS as a "musical background" to the story then it should use original material throughout it to justify it's marketing....

Just my thoughts ....

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Nice to read that "Groovin' at the go go" may be featured. I can appreciate why new recordings need to be considered, even though I would rather have all originals from back in the day! But.....like any recording music or film, it is a business and has to be paid for. This movie could stimulate new fans to be curious about the genre, whilst giving royalties to original record owners and writers from the past and indeed encouragment to new song writing teams today. If a music deal means advances to the film makers to help them out, I would encourage it. I would also in the first instance recommend any new recordings to be commissioned Stateside. Spyder Turners voice should grace something like this! He is a fantastic talent, still around and performing all over the place. Need I say more:

https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UKuRfjNmY-E&fmt=18

This is new stuff, so there is no reason why something like this could not feature etc. There was a passion to this music back then, and there still is. The new recordings have to capture that behind the scenes to at least give it some creedance and win over the more mature fans.

Edited August 13, 2008 by Carl Dixon

[Mike]

whole hatfull of off topic posts removed

try and keep it to the thread subject please

more posts removed after being reported

20 -30 ? lost count

its a thread about a film - lets keep it to that please

there's other forums on here if want a bit of banter etc etc

[Jules]

Ive got a question; can you tone down any references to drug taking during any scenes at the casino as at the time I told me mam "that sort of thing never happens at the casino", I would hate for to see the film and give me a slap round the earhole for fibbin

[Guest Byrney]

Absolutely no spin intended, as far as any of us know in production, we will be using original recordings, not re-recordings. If we use re-recordings, these will be with contemporary artists, and probably not used for any of the dance sequences in the film. But just to reiterate - nothing can be confirmed yet.

Ta for that, so just for clarity - do you intend to use contemporary artists for diegetic (in the real world portrayed in the film - not just dance scenes) or non diegetic (the score, that outside the scenes that drives the narrative) or both?

Edited August 12, 2008 by Byrney

[Mike]

whole hatfull of off topic posts removed

try and keep it to the thread subject please

more posts removed after being reported

20 -30 ? lost count

its a thread about a film - lets keep it to that please

there's other forums on here if want a bit of banter etc etc

yet more removed

members calling other members is not needed or wanted

ask for third and final time keep to the actual thread topic

thanks

mike

[Ted Massey]

I tell you what i bet the people behind this are probably starting to regret getting involved after reading all the negativity

[Pete S]

I tell you what i bet the people behind this are probably starting to regret getting involved after reading all the negativity

I was thinking that myself. They didn't have to come on here and explain themselves either, it's actually f*ck all to do with us on soul source or any other forum for that matter, I thought it was very good manners on the part of the production team.

[Diddy Morgan]

lets hope the actors can portray the excitement and euphoria of going to the casino for th first time it will live with me forever only those who went undestand

[Guest Roddy]

I've got a question

I didnt go there until '77 but i was amazed by the diversity of people attending from all over the country accents from John O'Groats to Lands End, for me it made me realise that it was a big old world out there and there was a lot more to see of a weekend than saturday night under the plastic palm trees at your local Tiffanys.

so...

Will the diversity of geographical accents/different fashions that sometimes were ahead of the mqainstream and sometimes behind be realised on film ?

[Guest nubes]

I was thinking that myself. They didn't have to come on here and explain themselves either, it's actually f*ck all to do with us on soul source or any other forum for that matter, I thought it was very good manners on the part of the production team.

Pete...I'm sorry mate ..but i really am surprised at you...in the past ..you have been very vocal in defending the Casino..and before you start ..yes this film isn't all about the Casino..it isn't a documentry about the Northern scene...it is a film which happens to use Northern soul as a backdrop...but from what i can interpretate...it sounds to me that we should be oh soo grateful that the media has finally acknowledged us???...correct me if i am wrong...but didnt you choose not to go to se Once Upon A Time In Wigan because you didnt think the stage produc...and you know i will apologise to you if i am wrong....wouldnt capture the spirit of the Casino???...i would have no qualms about this ..if Paul Sadot was involved because i know it would be credible..and fron chats with him a couple of years back at the Queens Hall...Stoke..when i raised the question of OUATIW..being made into a film he gave me his reasons why...which i fully respect......Delxxxx

[Jumpinjoan]

I tell you what i bet the people behind this are probably starting to regret getting involved after reading all the negativity

I don't think its negativity Ted.

People are passionate that's all. Some more so than others it would seem, but surely that doesn't surprise you?

As for the people behind the film regretting getting involved with this site?

Behave!

They couldn't give a flying fig what people on here think!

And they sure as hell ain't going to listen to a word any of us have to say.

All publicity is good publicity to them - and as far as they are concerned - it's a job well done with this site!

[Jumpinjoan]

lets hope the actors can portray the excitement and euphoria of going to the casino for th first time it will live with me forever only those who went undestand

Here's a question - what about the DJ's?

Will they have actors playing the original Wigan DJ's I wonder?

Hope so - who do you think will play Dickie Searling?

[Guest nubes]

I don't think its negativity Ted.

People are passionate that's all. Some more so than others it would seem, but surely that doesn't surprise you?

As for the people behind the film regretting getting involved with this site?

Behave!

They couldn't give a flying fig what people on here think!

And they sure as hell ain't going to listen to a word any of us have to say.

All publicity is good publicity to them - and as far as they are concerned - it's a job well done with this site!

Absolutely Joan...all that matters is the is the ££££s...end of ...and the only reason that the storyline if being fitted around the Northern scene ..is because it is the flavour of the month...end off...Delxxxx