A Completely Unique Investment Of A Lifetime That Will Never Come Around Again.
We are looking for investors For The Full-Length Feature Film
The Little Angel and The Last Christmas
‘Will Thomas Be Able To Save Christmas?’
Estimated Budget £4 Million
All the locations used
All the actors you see
All extras on screen
The writer, director and crew
Everything you see in this film will be filmed in Altrincham
This is a film ‘inspired’ by the classic film, It’s A Wonderful Life
A Film By
Writer & Director Alan Forrest Smith
Master and Man Films
Hale, Cheshire, WA159AB
Tele: 07793069486
“Investors - Box office takings in the UK and the Republic of Ireland totalled £945 million across 834 films in 2022”
This Video Is A Summary Of This Page.
I am Alan Forrest Smith.
I am a local writer and film director. Like everyone involved in this film, I am based in Hale, Altrincham where I live with my wife and two youngest kids. I am also the man behind other local films - The Curator and The Mexican.
I have set the bar extremely high for this film because I know we can do this. The Inspiration behind this film is the classic film- It’s a Wonderful Life.
It’s a Wonderful Life, an American dramatic film, released in 1946, that is widely considered one of the most inspirational and beloved movies in American cinema. The film, has become synonymous with Christmas, when it is frequently televised.
The Little Angel and The Last Christmas is a truly beautiful, inspirational, incredibly emotional and very human Christmas story in the style of classic Christmas films.
I know you’ll love it. It’s a story I wrote over 10 years ago. Now it’ll be a film. I believe it’ll be a Christmas film that will live forever, be watched forever and be loved forever.
But first, I want to encourage you to read the synopsis of the film. Once you’ve read that I know you will understand the beautiful story and, of course, the need for you to be part of that story.
The Little Angel and The Last Christmas
A Synopsis & Treatment
Logline: ‘Can Thomas Save Christmas?’
Concept
The Little Angel and The Last Christmas is a story inspired by and in the style of the classic film, 'It’s a Wonderful Life.’ Its main character Thomas is there to uncover the better side of humanity. The dialogue, characters, scenes and moments are all designed, in a way to involve, pull in and invoke emotional response, a thought and even a tear from every single person sitting in the theatre.
The bigger purpose of this film is to create one of the greatest Christmas films ever made.
Theme
Thomas is all about believing in the good and the best of humankind. He understands the risk to prove this. He also believes the risk is worth it. He wants the best for mankind. Thomas believes that Christmas brings out, uncovers and reveals the best in all mankind. He is willing to take the challenge of losing his wings, and his eternal life and risk everything to prove mankind is good and deserves Christmas.
Main Characters
Thomas - is a regular angel, but is known for his smaller stature. His honest yet naive approach is seen as weak by other angels. He is much loved by all in heaven but is seen as a boy-like figure. His true being is as a giant within a small angelic body. He is willing to put what he is on the line to reveal the truth about mankind.
Little girl - a typical 6-year-old innocent child who still believes in Santa. Excited about Christmas, asks plenty of questions, loves her daddy and is excited about Christmas day.
Father - A modern man under pressure due to his workload and financial commitments. Wants the best for his kids and family. He loves Christmas time.
God - he plays himself. The ruler of the universe and creator of all things. Soft, silent and firm. In this film, he reveals his softer side for Thomas.
The Fallen - An angel locked within the vicinity of Earth and unable to return to Heaven. He is bitter and loves the idea of Thomas being proved wrong, corrupted and locked on Earth. Has also the ability to materialise a human body for himself at will.
The Treatment (expanded Synopsis)
It’s a familiar and exciting Christmas scene. A six-year-old child is being put to bed very late on Christmas Eve. She is very excited about Christmas. The child asks her father if Santa will be visiting her home and bringing gifts.
Yes, the father replies as he plays, reads and finally puts his darling daughter to sleep beneath her deep duvet and pillows. Once the father leaves the bedroom the child lies alone looking out of her skylight window. She sees something like a shooting star racing towards Earth and tells herself Santa is on his way. Is it Santa on his way?
Meanwhile, up in heaven, God has called a huge assembly of all the heavenly ones. The angels, cherubs and arc angels all arrive at the assembly facing the throne of Almighty God. God appears in his gold and precious stone encrusted throne surrounded by bright white light set in blackness. He is about to make an unexpected announcement.
Knowing God is about to speak, the heavenly assembly falls silent. God then speaks and announces the most unexpected of announcements.
“From midnight today (human time) due to the endless greedy, selfish, and over-consuming spirit of mankind this will be mankind’s - very last Christmas. All happy family memories with mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers and children of all ages from all previous Christmases will be downloaded and deleted from all human memory.
Despite today being Christmas Eve, when humans wake up tomorrow there will be no Christmas. It will be as if Christmas never existed.
The whole assembly is shocked. Why would this announcement be made? No one expected this. God then says if there are any among you with objections - speak now? All of the great assembly remain silent.
Suddenly amongst the billions of white upright wings, a movement and swaying back and forth of feathers show someone is making their way through to the front all the way from the back.
Eventually, a smaller-than-average angel squeezes out and stands in front of God. It is the small, undersized angel everyone knows as Thomas. Most angels are serious and look serious. Thomas is serious but has a happy more innocent way about him. Everyone loves Thomas. Thomas stands before his father - God. God also has a soft side for Thomas.
God asks, ‘Thomas, do you have something to say?’ Most angels wouldn’t be able to do this. Not Thomas, he is not like most angels. Showing only nerves of steel Thomas expresses to God that he disagrees with the idea of ending Christmas.
Large gasps are heard among the angels. You could hear a feather drop. How can anyone dare to disagree with God? Thomas explains and reasons his case for the goodness of mankind. He believes ending Christmas will remove one of the last truly happy family and friend events from humankind. Thomas also explains he believes mankind is fundamentally good. He then tells God to his face that he is making a mistake cancelling Christmas.
God replies and tells Thomas that humans do not deserve Christmas. They no longer show the true spirit of Christmas. Thomas replies he thinks his heavenly father is being hasty at this time and asks for a righteous opportunity to prove that point.
A tense moment of silence then takes place in heaven. The heavenly energy has just changed. All the angels watching are nervous and waiting for their father’s response. Thomas is confident God will see the best of all things. God also has a soft spot for Thomas and has enjoyed hearing his opinion.
God then offers Thomas, a challenge. “Thomas, will you be happy to go to Earth and find amongst men just five acts in the true spirit of Christmas?” If Thomas agrees and finds them God promises Christmas and its happy memories will continue forever.
Thomas smiles. He doesn’t even have to think about his reply. He then says, “All humanity you made in your image and that is good. I will go and show that to you.” God then tells Thomas that he will be sent to Earth to prove this decision wrong and try to save Christmas.
If Thomas fails in his quest he is also told he will lose his wings and must spend the rest of his days as a human. “Thomas, you will also live just three score years and ten and more if you are fortunate.” Thomas is also told he will not be allowed the power of human speech whilst on Earth. And any close contact with humans he must use invisibility cloaking at all times to prevent persuasion or emotional movement of any kind.
A confident smile appears across Thomas’s face. The whole assembly is silenced with total disbelief. First, Thomas has questioned God. Second, Thomas is risking his eternal life to prove mankind is good.
All in heaven feel certain they will never see Thomas walk through the gates of heaven again. The challenge is agreed upon. God truly loves Thomas. Thomas loves his heavenly father. They both love humankind. God finishes by saying one thing. “Thomas, you must watch out for the fallen ones they will find you and try to dissuade you.”
God raises his hand. The heavens fill with a light so bright not even an angel can look at it. At that moment Thomas is sent racing through the heavens into Earth’s atmosphere and heading towards the ground. From a child’s bedroom window, this could easily look like a shooting star. This was no shooting star. This is the moment when Christmas will be won or lost.
Arrival Time 7:04 pm
Thomas opened his eyes. He realises he is now on Earth. He is now standing on the cold streets. He isn't dressed for winter and is freezing cold. Thomas has just 5 hours to save Christmas. Everything is unfamiliar. This is Thomas’s first time away from heaven. This is also his first visit to planet Earth.
It isn't what he expected. It looks so different from heaven. It is so busy with humans, cars and noise. The noise is almost too much for Thomas.
The whole assembly is watching carefully from heaven. They want their brother Thomas to succeed. God himself wants Thomas to prove him wrong and prove the good of man. All daily work and action in heaven have been cancelled as they are given permission to stay in assembly to watch Thomas below on Earth.
Time: 7:18 pm
Once Thomas gathers himself and his thoughts together. His time is very short. He must find five random acts of human kindness that reflect the true spirit of Christmas and the good of man. He is freezing cold to the point his shivering is uncontrollable. The public passing and pushing past him can see he is freezing cold and shivering. They all brush him to one side and treat him like a lower form of life. Thomas is already fearing he has made the wrong choice.
A man who also lives on the streets sees what is going on. He walks up to Thomas and begins speaking to him. Thomas hasn’t been given the power of speech so cannot reply. He looks frustrated with a smile on his face. The man is confused and wondering why the freezing man is not answering him. He then walks away.
Then just moments later in the true spirit of Christmas, the man living and sleeping on the streets with nothing himself offers Thomas the only coat he has to get himself warm. As he passes it to him the man wishes Thomas a happy Christmas and tells him to keep the coat as he will find another.
The angels in heaven are all watching. God is also watching from heaven. When the man passes Thomas his coat a huge and excited cheer goes up in heaven. Thomas unable to speak can only offer a smile as a thank you.
As Thomas puts on the coat another man approaches him and says, Thomas, you will not be able to do this. You are amongst the sons of corruption. Darkness and greed are everywhere. We’re the rulers of all men. We guide and direct them. Our bad is good here. Give up, do not waste your time. Thomas realises this is one of the fallen in a materialised body that God had warned him about.
The fallen are angels banished to Earth forever. They don't live the life of men but can influence and manipulate every kind of bad act for selfish entertainment and - to prove God wrong. Thomas turns away from him and sticks to his challenge. Time is short and four more acts need to be found quickly.
A noise can be heard coming from across the street. Thomas turns away from the fallen one and makes his way over. A dramatic scene is unfolding involving a loud, arrogant, bloated rich man. He has been and is still Christmas shopping with his tormented assistant James.
After buying gifts of all sizes with his assistant James and then paying his bill the man is unexpectedly run over by a truck whilst loading his rolls Royce - true. The man has gone from screaming at others about their poor pathetic lives to now begging that someone will save his own life. He is offering everything to anything that can save him. Something miraculous happens.
The public stand around pointing their phones at what will become an online viral moment. James his assistant is looking at the truck and has a ‘what if’ moment.
He has seen and read about superpowers in these moments. He focuses for a moment then lifts the front of the truck off his employer. The act is mysterious for many reasons. The rich man survives.
Whilst in hospital the man offers the most incredible gift of thank you to James. Millions have seen what took place almost instantly on YouTube. The angels in heaven are watching everything. Thomas has been in the room all the time and is waiting or the act of kindness to reveal itself.
The man who is rude, arrogant and disrespectful then asks James to come close to him. James leans over. The man hands over a gift to James and says, ‘James, I am sorry how I have treated you and others. Take all of the gifts we bought and give them to those who need them, please. Never forget you are the better man. Thank you. Happy Christmas.
Thomas has a tear running down his face. A great cheer takes place in heaven. Thomas was there from start to finish All he could do was watch yet he understood the superpowers of men. All men have them yet all men have no idea how to release them.
At the end of all things Thomas once again had found the true spirit of Christmas. The atmosphere in heaven is becoming electrified. Everyone in heaven is routing for Thomas and wants him back home before midnight.
Thomas leaves the hospital and waits outside. He is approached once again by the fallen. He reminds Thomas that he is a fool to think men are good. He tells him if he gives up he can grant eternal life for Thomas on Earth. He won’t die as a human. This is a lie he says. I can give you life as one of the fallen. Thomas feels disgusted yet he is wondering if this fallen one can offer and give eternal life on Earth.
Time 8.24 pm
The fallen one again says to him what are you doing this. Everything made by God is a problem. Nothing works properly. Mankind loves problems, they are greedy and don't care. This is a challenge you cannot and will not win. Stay here and live amongst the fallen we will look after you. Thomas can speak to him because he is another angel. Thomas simply replies by saying, you are wrong and I will prove it.
All angels can manage energy. They can also tune into frequency. Thomas was tuning in to try and find the next act of kindness. He can feel something is about to take place not too far away. Thomas follows the invisible transmission until he arrives at a block of flats. The next thing he knows he is inside a flat watching a woman.
Time 8:47 pm
Next is a truly sad scene. A divorcee alone in her empty home is seen writing out a series of suicide notes to her children. Each child has their own note in a small plain white envelope. She is also preparing drugs to take. The notes are complete. Thomas is there. He is invisible. He can only stand and watch. He is wondering what on earth can be good about any of this. He is now fighting his newfound human emotions.
The woman is about to kill herself. Thomas has only seen death from afar. Each envelope is laid out before her. A cup full of tablets is also on the table. A rope has been placed over the door connecting the kitchen. At the end of the row is a circle just big enough for her head to go through. Under the circle is a small stool.
All she has to do is stand on the stool and kick it away. She picks up the cup. Thomas wants to be seen, he wants to shout stop yet his mission is simply to observe and not be seen. She is crying as she puts the tablets to her mouth.
There is a knock-knock on her door. Her office friends realise she is missing from the Christmas party. One person at the office reveals a story to the others. This makes all of them worry and decide to take the party to her house - and to really check she is fine.
They all go to check on her. They know she is alone and desperate. Her children are with their father. She is alone. They take a Christmas tree, gifts and more. Now she is about to put the tablets into her mouth and the rope around her neck. The door knocks again. Should she jump from the chair or should she open the door? The scene is set, she wants to jump.
Thomas is feeling every bit of a helpless human. If he intervenes the challenge is cancelled and so is Christmas. Life stops still for that moment of decision. The knocking continues. She decides to hide everything away and to open the door. The door opens. It is everyone from work. Happy Christmas they all shout at once.
They have brought Christmas to her including gifts for her children who will be home early tomorrow morning. She falls to the floor in tears. For the first time ever Thomas feels what it is like for a human to cry as tears pour down his cheeks. As she falls to the floor the angels in one movement jump and cheer with pure delight. Mankind is good, Thomas was right - so far. God is happy yet doesn’t show the same emotions as the angels. His stillness is his strength.
Thomas leaves the home in an animated state of human happiness. The fallen one has once again appeared. Thomas, what are you doing? Do you think this is the whole story of man? God made us all bad, he made us all to suffer and die. Why are you playing this little hero role? You are just like us. We feel you will fall. You will learn mankind is greedy. You will be trapped here forever like us. Thomas turns away. God like any father is proud of his son. The angels are gripped by this challenge of Thomas.
Time 10:07 pm
The deadline is racing towards its agreed conclusion. Thomas is out and searching for those last two acts of kindness. All he needs to see is the unusual in a world that has become filled with the same.
Thomas notices a suspicious young man following a frail old man walking through the cold streets. The old man is leaning heavily on his walking stick. Thomas’s intuitive angelic powers tell him to watch closely. He crosses the road and walks just 4 paces behind the young man.
The old man arrives and enters his ground-floor flat. He fails to realise he has been followed and is about to be robbed. Thomas is observing everything very closely. He stands next to the young man - invisible of course. The young man peers through the filthy windows. The old man is seen shuffling around inside. The young man heads around to the front door. He is about to place his hand on the handle. Just at that moment, the door opened and the young man is confronted by the old man.
Frozen with the unexpected the young man speaks the first thing that comes to his mind. He tells the old man he is sorry to bother him. He then says he is calling to share the good news of the Bible with neighbours. The old man smiles.
Unexpectedly, he invites the young man inside. The young man enters and Thomas walks right behind him. What then takes place changes the young man's life forever. Thomas is watching every action and every word exchange. The old man engages right away and shares stories of his long life with the young man. After a long conversation, the young man tearfully reveals his true intentions. The old man has seen a lot of life. The young man is full of pain and regret.
Thomas can barely believe the love being shown by these two humans. No robbery takes place just tears and a long hug. Something incredible is revealed during the conversations. Are both men related? The young man wishes the old man a happy Christmas. The old man repeats the same back to the young man. Finally, the young man leaves as a changed person. The angels watching in heaven can barely believe what Thomas is doing, has done and is uncovering.
The fallen one isn't happy and he tells Thomas what a miserable failure this challenge will be. God is happy. Yet if one more act isn't revealed this will be the very last recorded Christmas. It is now 11:34 pm. Time is running extremely short. It seems and feels like the first four acts were the only four acts.
Time 11:37 pm
Thomas is starting to realise finding the final fifth act of the true spirit of Christmas isn't going to end easily. Time is running out fast. Thomas is feeling lost and freezing. He feels every inch the human. He sees one or two moments that feel like they could be the moment but they are not. He feels his power as an angel is dwindling. His use of energy as a messenger is weakening.
Will Thomas lose his wings? Is there really no true Christmas spirit? Was God right? Should Christmas be removed forever?
The time is racing towards midnight. Thomas is sitting on the freezing cold street trying to stay warm. He is having an internal conversation with God, with his friends in heaven and with himself. Has he made a huge mistake? The time is almost up. Thomas will become human - or will he? Has Christmas come to an end? The fallen one sits close by. He is laughing. He is saying nothing just laughing at Thomas.
Thomas is staring at the clock above the old theatre. It’s now 11:56 pm. It’s cold. It’s lonely. No one is to be seen on the streets. Thomas has become filled with very human doubt and even despair. It’s an emotion he has never felt before. Has he failed? Was God right? Are humans just selfish?
Thomas sits and stares at the clock. At midnight Christmas will be no more. At midnight Thomas will lose his wings and live and die as a human. The tension in heaven as the angels watch was like nothing no being in heaven had ever experienced before.
The fallen one is here to witness the fall and welcome the new member of the fallen. He is endlessly reminding Thomas of why he has failed, why God has failed and why mankind is rotten to the core. Thomas is feeling broken. Not a soul is on the street.
Suddenly below the clock the doors to the theatre open. People pour out. A father with his young daughter walks towards Thomas. The father warns his child to stay clear of Thomas. He brands Thomas as a filthy street parasite and beggar. She is innocent of judging and only sees a man in need.
Her father tells her not to come into contact with ‘it’. In her hand is a small goodie bag with cake and other small gifts from the show. The child and her father walk past Thomas whilst keeping a good distance. The little girl keeps staring at Thomas. Thomas takes a quick look back at her. They exchange a smile.
Time 11:59 pm
It’s all over and Thomas knows it. Once at the car the father lets go of his child’s small hand to open the car door. The child turns to look at Thomas. There are just 30 seconds until midnight. The heavens fall silent. The fallen one feels happy and satisfied that another angel is joining the ranks of the fallen. Not a single feather on a single angel is moving in heaven. Even God is frozen as he watches what is taking place on Earth.
Then the child suddenly runs back to Thomas. The child hands Thomas the small paper bag filled with gifts and says, “Happy Christmas Mr.” She smiles and then runs back to her father. Thomas is in tears. Then the bell of the tower clock rings at midnight.
Midnight
An explosion of noise can be heard in heaven. The angels rejoice. God smiles. The fallen one fades away back into darkness. Christmas has been saved. Thomas was right. God knew he was right. The myriads of angels cheer and applaud.
Out of all the angels in heaven, it took one little angel to speak up and teach all of the others this very human lesson.
The time is 7:28 am Christmas Day
Thomas is still on Earth. He finds himself in the home of a child. It is the same child that saw the shooting star. The child wakes up. She then runs through and wakes up her father, mother and siblings to tell them Christmas is here. Thomas is in the room. He is invisible. For the final time as a human one last tear runs down his cheek. He stands in the corner watching the family enjoy Christmas in the true Christmas spirit. Thomas then looks up to heaven. In a blink, he returned home to heaven to his life as an angel.
The child says, did you see that angel mummy? The mother replies where? The child says he was in the corner and now he’s gone. The mother smiled at her little girl and said Happy Christmas my darling. Children can see things adults can’t see. The child opens a small gift. The gift is a small angel in a box. The child looks at her father and says I am going to name him - Thomas.
Christmas has been saved.
End of The Treatment & Synopsis from
The Little Angel and The Last Christmas.
Writer and Director Alan Forrest Smith.
Telephone U.K. +44 07793069486
‘Can Thomas Save Christmas?’
Can Christmas be saved? The film follows stories, characters and moments that will have you on the edge of your seat, smiling with a loved one and even in tears. The ending is a triumph of the good nature of humankind. I know you and the audience will love it.
I am expecting a film really does put Christmas back into Christmas. I am expecting a film that becomes an annual staple for families. I am expecting a film that will live forever. I am expecting this film to put Altrincham on the film tourism map globally like no one has ever even thought about before.
I believe this film will be a defining moment for Altrincham and all businesses and people here.
The Whole Film Is 100% Altrincham
EVERYTHING you see in The Little Angel, every person you see, every character, actor, business, the sets, even dogs being walked and even the streets are 100% ALL based in Altrincham.
I want to offer you a unique opportunity to invest in the film. Below you will soon see why it is so unique and why you should invest.
Most films will create a fake town. I want to leave our town exactly as it is. The scene and sets are just perfect.
As I said, everything will be filmed in Altrincham, Cheshire. Every location and business or street seen will be the real thing - no brand cover-ups. Every character, part player and actor will be from the town part from the name actors we will bring in. All the extras will be from Altrincham.
This in itself will create and tap into film location tourism trips (which are huge). You can read more about the financial impact of film tourism at this link. Read about James Bond, Game of Thrones and others. What is film tourism? My neighbour recently went to Belfast purely to visit the sets of The Derry Girls. More on Derry Girls Film Tourism here.
People travel the globe simply to visit film location shoots. I believe this will be one of those films where people want to see our proud town and all it has to offer.
Your Brand, Your Face, Your Family on The Big Screen
Just imagine your business, your brand, your shop front, your child, your family or even your best business partners or even customers being seen on the big screen in cinemas up and down the country and then into online streaming - forever? That is what we are creating. This is a Christmas film that will live forever, be loved forever and be watched as a family favourite forever.
Our main character is incredible. The story is moving. Prepare for something truly magical.
We have also begun planning the distribution already. We have initial interest from big distributors and other online streaming channels (more on that as funding is in place). Our marketing partners are in the mid-planning of a unique launch program to start running in late summer 2024 and then will have a bigger launch starting October 2024 ready for the main release at Christmas 2024. This is a tight schedule.
We have a strategy being built to create a viral conversation around this event. We even have our top list of cinemas ready to hire and get our film shown.
And of course, we’d love you to come to one of our initial premiers with your family, friends or business partners. I want to assure you this will be nothing like what you’ve invested in before. I also want to assure you that having your name associated with this film will give you something extremely special to your brand forever.
A ‘treatment’ or synopsis of the film is available - please ask.
The script is almost done.
The crew is in place.
The cast is growing.
Marketing is in planning.
Distribution is planned.
This film will have strong guerilla marketing-styled distribution.
Here’s your opportunity to get involved.
Fund Management
The budget gives us enough cash to make the film, pay everyone and distribute the film.
A low budget film in this industry is £10 million.
I am able to create a low-low budget film with everything taken into account. Our budget will give us what we need.
For example:
An A-list actor - they can ask any amounts they want to ask
Large crew - open ended
CGI and effects
Marketing and promoting
And production, actors, equipment rental, CGI effects and so forth. After a month of filming and months of post and editing the costs are huge. And of course, our A-list actors also want to be paid. Making a film isn’t cheap despite the returns ‘can’ be incredible.
We have an amazingly talented fund manager who will be counting every single penny to keep us on budget.
This budget will give us what we need to make the most amazing film.
Can We Deliver This? Yes, With Over 100 Years of Combined Filmmaking Experience
We don’t have any BAFTAS or Oscars to share with you but they are coming. Between myself and my crew, we have literally well over 100 years of experience. My background is as a writer and author. I also have my own marketing agency since 1998. I am also a maker, writer and director of 6 complete films, a handful of TV pilot scripts and more bits and pieces over the past years.
My crew have worked on the best TV, films and other creative projects right across the film board. Delivery will not be a problem.
Your Investor & Brand Opportunity
You as an investor can take this as far as you want to take it. You can make us an exclusive YOU-only offer or you can even design your own terms and come to us for consideration.
Here are a few ideas. We are totally flexible. The following is just food for thought to help you see the bigger picture.
Your Name - Your Brand: Just imagine your brand being in the opening slides of a successful film. Let’s say you are a property firm called ABC. You could have an opening slide saying … ABC FILM FUNDING - with your logo. Prestige and big screen recognition: Investing in high-profile films can bring even more prestige and recognition to investors like yourself. If our film receives critical acclaim, wins awards, or achieves commercial success, you as an investor that is associated with the film project can gain massive visibility and build your reputation as a backer within the film industry.
Logo And Name: Hopefully millions will see your name or company name on the big screen in the credits or as a stand-alone slide on the film. Your own brand and logo at the opening and closing of the film. We can even distribute your brand in the film itself. Time and screen placement to be agreed.
Brand placement in the film. You can buy screen minutes for your brand. Placement will be part of the script.
Character Part: Have a part written into the script just for you. This will depend on talent ability. If it has a negative effect on the film we will not be able to use it. This will mean creating a different part for you so you are still seen in the film.
Character Part for family: Be an extra or buy a place for your best customers to be an extra in a film. Buy a slot for your family in the film. Add your family for longer screen time into the film.
Shop Front: Add your shop front into a main scene. Unlike traditional films we will be leaving the shop front and name as it is so your business is seen in full.
Lead Extra: Buy a lead extra part - 20-30 seconds. This is with our without speech. It will depend on ability. You will still get your time on screen.
5 Seconds Screen Moment: Buy a small part - 5 seconds. No talking just a walk on and off part
Gift a Screen Moment: Buy a part for someone.
Percentage: Take a percentage of the film’s takings. If this film takes £100 million - that’s a strong investment. The possibility to take a percentage of future takings. Let’s talk.
Private Screenings: Let your best customers watch the film before the general public. You will be able to have your people watch the film before anyone in a private showing.
Memorabilia: Collect and share cool things from the set with your people or family. The public love this - just check out what sells on eBay.
Get Your Business In The Shoot: Have your offices or place of business actually in the film. This would include the logo or brand name.
Photo Opportunity For You And Your Clients: Get places for your customers, clients or the family in the film and have their photo taken with star members of the cast.
Vip Events: Arrange your VIP event around the film with your own special guest.
Incredible Tax Incentives: Governments in certain countries provide amazing tax incentives to attract film productions, encouraging local and foreign investors to fund projects. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, or exemptions, which can enhance the financial attractiveness of investing in films.
Massive Profit Potential: Successful films have the potential to generate significant returns on investment. If a film performs well at the box office or through other revenue streams like streaming platforms, investors can earn substantial profits. Blockbuster movies can generate billions of pounds in revenue worldwide, providing an extremely lucrative opportunity for investors like yourself.
Diversification Portfolio: Investing in films can offer attractive and interesting diversification within an investment portfolio. Films belong to the entertainment industry, which is separate from traditional sectors like stocks or real estate. By diversifying into films, you as an investor can potentially reduce risk and enhance your overall portfolio performance.
Passion and Personal Interest: You might be the kind of investor that are just passionate about the film industry and want to be part of the creative process. Investing in films allows you to support artistic endeavours, work with talented filmmakers, and contribute to the development of memorable stories.
Long-Term Revenue Streams: Films can generate revenue not only through theatrical releases, but also through various distribution channels like DVD sales, television licensing, streaming platforms, international distribution, merchandising, and more. Successful films can continue to generate revenue over an extended period, providing potential long-term returns on investment.
It's Important To Note: investing in films - like ALL investments - carries risks. The film industry is highly unpredictable, and not all projects succeed financially.
BUT …
We do have a unique guerrilla marketing approach to this film and are highly optimistic about its success.
I am looking for investors at all levels. Even the lowest amount will help us get this film made.
All I Need At This stage Is a Commitment - ‘Yes Alan We Are In - We Are Committed To £xyz amount’
This is a hugely serious project for me. When I made a film called THE CURATOR the owner of Altrincham Market, Nick said to me, “If I don't like the film what will we do?”
I replied to him, “If I don't like the film you will never see the film.”
I loved the film. He loved the film. Everyone seeing that film loved it.
The Little Angel and The Last Christmas - FILMED IN ALTRINCHAM - Will Be a Classic Christmas Film
Film Location Tourism
This will put Altrincham on the global map for film tourism. And for all brands and people involved - let’s be honest - it’s an incredible and completely unique community project. This will create location tourism in Altrincham. Your business, family or friends. This will create a huge legacy piece for the town. It’s unique, it’s different and yet it’s a tested route.
Not only do people travel the globe to see film sets like Lord of The Rings or even our local Coronation Street they spend money on their visit.
Links worth reading about location tourism.
https://www.filminginengland.co.uk/screen-tourism
https://www.visitscotland.org/research-insights/about-our-visitors/interests-activities/film-tv
https://www.derrygirlstours.com/visit-derry
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261517712000404
I believe the tourist impact of this film on Altrincham will be significant. With this budget and investment, we can create something very special that will live forever and give you an incredible return on your investment.
Of course, it isn’t always about the money. This can just be a fun thing to get involved with and to see yourself on the big screen.
No amount of commitment is too small and of course, none is too big. You can trust us to deliver something you will be proud to be part of.
I hope you want to be part of this completely local and unique opportunity that will run and run forever.
I will bend over backwards to give you exactly what you need from your investment. Whether it be a small amount or a huge amount - let’s talk and make sure we are all happy.
We are looking for investors at every level.
The Shoot Begins
I want to start the shoot this winter. I want to get all around the town at peak Christmas time. but it depends on the funding and when we can access those funds. I am aiming for late 2023 - early 2024.
Film Release Date?
I am aiming for Christmas 2024. This is very doable for us.
What’s Next?
Contact me to arrange a meeting where I can take you through the whole story of the film, the script and your investment.
I know you will have questions.
Yours
Director and writer, Alan Forrest Smith
Contact me here: 07793069486
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The statistics also show that UK cinemas are building back audiences, with 74 million admissions and £602 million box office after months of closure in 2021.
Official 2022 statistics reveal a record £6.27 billion film and high-end television production spend in the UK
Top Gun: Maverick was the highest-grossing film in the UK in 2022, with Belfast the leading independent release.
https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/official-2022-statistics
The latest official figures published today by the BFI’s Research and Statistics Unit show significant growth in UK film and high-end TV (HETV) production with record levels of spending contributing to the UK economy and the recovery of the sector. The combined spending by film and high-end television production (HETV) during 2022 reached £6.27 billion, the highest ever reported and £1.83 billion higher than for the pre-pandemic year 2019.
The lion’s share of the total £6.27 billion spend was contributed by HETV production with £4.30 billion, or 69%; with feature film production contributing £1.97 billion, or 31% of the total spend.
Inward investment films and HETV shows delivered £5.37 billion, or 92% of the combined production spend underlining the UK’s global reputation as the world-leading centre for film and TV production.
Spend on independent UK filmmaking, however, showed a downturn with £174 million, a 31% decrease on 2021. Co-productions which are generally made by independent producers saw a 3% increase in spend with £59 million, representing continued growth over the past five years.
Of the total £4.29 billion HETV production spend:
inward investment shows contributed £3.62 billion (84% of total HETV spend and a 3% decrease on 2021)
domestic UK shows accounted for £632.7 million (15% of total HETV spend and a 4% decrease on 2021)
co-production spend was £36.5 million (less than 1% of total spend but a threefold increase on 2021).
Of the total £1.97 billion spent on film production:
inward investment films contributed £1.74 billion (88% of total film spend and a 31% increase on 2021)
domestic UK films accounted for £173.6 million (8% of total film spend and a 31% decrease on 2021)
co-productions accounted for £59.1 million (3% of total film spend and a 3.5% increase on 2021)
The production statistics also reveal an increasing investment made by streamer platforms in single long-form productions (ie not episodic or series). In 2022, there were 22 single domestic UK and inward investment productions which contributed £938.8 million to the HETV spend of £4.3 billion. This spend represents a 23% increase on 2021’s £765 million spend on single productions. These productions include Blitz (dir. Steve McQueen), Napoleon (dir. Ridley Scott) and Saltburn (Emerald Fennell).
Total admissions for 2022 reached 117.3 million admissions, an increase of 59% on 2021, underlining a growing recovery after the impact of restrictions during the pandemic but also showing that business is lagging behind the pre-pandemic year of 2019 by 23% (176 million admissions).
Box office takings in the UK and the Republic of Ireland totalled £945 million across 834 films, 57% more than for 2021’s £602 million earned by 438 releases, but 26% behind 2019’s total box office.
The highest grossing release of 2022 was Top Gun: Maverick with £83.7 million, representing 9% of the year’s total box office, followed by Avatar: The Way of Water, with £70.9 million (currently still on release). The top 20 film releases of the year in the UK and Republic of Ireland also feature six UK/USA feature films made in the UK: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Batman, Jurassic World: Dominion, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and Downton Abbey: A New Era.
Of the top 20 UK qualifying film releases which grossed £515.8 million – more than double 2021’s chart – 13 films are UK collaborations with other countries. The top grossing UK independent film was Belfast followed by The Banshees of Inisherin, Operation Mincemeat and The Duke. The total box office for the 2022 top 20 UK independent films was £69.2 million, representing 92% of the total box office for UK independent film over the year.
“Our world class film and TV industries have gone from strength to strength in recent years and this record breaking production spend of over £6 billion is a huge vote of confidence in these sectors. Through tax incentives, support for skills development and new studio space we have cemented the UK's status as a global hotspot for film and TV production, which is driving economic growth and creating fantastic job opportunities right across the country.”
Michelle Donelan, culture secretary
“Today’s record-breaking figures for film and TV production in the UK are great news for our industry and the UK economy and underlines the success of our industry at a global level. Our world-class talent, craft and production services, and vital film and TV tax reliefs, have enabled the UK to be a major player in a highly competitive global industry. Further investment in expanding studio space UK-wide to meet production demand will continue to build on this economic success and create further jobs. To see audiences coming back to cinemas after the pandemic for Top Gun: Maverick, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and independent films such as Belfast shows that film and the big screen experience is very important to people. But while independent UK films such as Aftersun and The Banshees Of Inisherin are enjoying awards and audience success worldwide and are clearly essential to the creativity of our industry and for UK culture, the continuing downturn in production spend on UK indie film means we need to stand behind the recommendations of the Economic Review of UK Independent Film to ensure it survives and thrives.”
Ben Roberts, BFI chief executive
“As today’s figures demonstrate, the UK inward investment film and TV industry continues to experience remarkable growth in production, generating billions of pounds for the UK economy and thousands of new jobs in production hubs throughout the UK’s nations and regions. It’s a real testament to the strength of our regional as well as metropolitan offer that so many major film and high-end TV productions choose to base themselves through the length and breadth of the UK. With the right levels of ongoing investment in skills, support and infrastructure, the UK is well-positioned to attract major international film and TV productions for many years to come.”
Adrian Wootton OBE, chief executive of the British Film Commission
Film Production In Detail
The total number of films going into production in the UK in 2022 was 220, which is 11 more than reported for 2021, since updated to 290. The total spend on film production in the UK in 2022 was £1.97 billion, 27% higher than the £1.55 billion for 2021 (subsequently updated to £1.64 billion).
Of the 220 films starting production, 100 are domestic UK features contributing £173.6 million in spend, a 31% decrease on the £253 million spend in 2020. Films which went into production included The Great Escaper (dir. Ol Parker), The Critic (dir. Anand Tucker), Firebrand (dir. Karim Ainouz), Borderland (dir. Charles Guard), the Welsh language Y Swn (dir. Lee Haven Jones), Starve Acre (dir. Daniel Kokotajlo), Blue Jean (dir. Georgia Oakley), Accused (dir. Philip Barantini), Unicorns (dir. Sally El Hosaini), Time Stalker (dir, Alice Lowe), Layla (dir. Amrou Al-Kadhi) and Twiggy (Sadie Frost).
A further 30 UK-international co-productions generated a UK spend of £59 million, representing a 2% increase on 2021’s figures but also more significantly continuing to run ahead of pre-pandemic spend levels. As a result, 2022’s co-production spend is now the highest since 2013. Co-productions included The Old Oak (dir. Ken Loach), Club Zero (dir. Jessica Hausner) The Outrun (dir. Nora Fingscheidt), The Tutor (dir. Alice Troughton), Galliano (dir. Kevin Macdonald), The Pod Generation (dir. Sophie Barthes), American Star (dir. Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego) and Greatest Days (dir. Coky Giedroyc).
The majority of spend was contributed by inward investment films with £1.74 billion, accounting for 88% of the total UK spend and a 31% increase on 2021’s now updated spend of £1.32 billion. The level of inward investment production being made in the UK continues to demonstrate the UK’s reputation globally as a world-class production hub. US studio-backed films contributed £1.36 billion spend on production, a 31% increase on 2021 spend. Inward investment films included the provisionally titled Mickey7 (dir. Bong Joon Ho), Wicked Part 1 (dir. John M Chu), Fast X (dir. Louis Leterrier), Barbie ((dir. Greta Gerwig), The Beekeeper (dir. David Ayer), Empire of Light (dir. Sam Mendes), Ccivil War (dir. Alex Garland), Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two (dir. Christopher McQuarry), Magic Mike’s Last Dance (dir. Steven Soderbergh), A Haunting In Venice (dir. Kenneth Branagh), My Mother’s Wedding (dir. Kristin Scott Thomas), Strangers (dir. Andrew Haigh), Love Lies Bleeing (dir. Rose Glass), Meg 2: The Trench (dir. Ben Wheatley), The Interpreter (dir. Guy Ritchie), The Boys In The Boat (dir. Georges Clooney) and Kraven the Hunter (JC Chandor)
Non-US studio inward investment films generated a spend of £382.2 million, a 34% increase on £283.2 million in 2021.
While single films shown on VoD platforms such as Netflix are made in the same way as films for cinema release, their production spend is included within the total spend for HETV, reflecting that they qualify for HETV tax relief. The 22 long-form single episode HETV projects had a combined UK spend of £939 million; an alternative analysis would show that this spend would increase the film spend by 48% to £2.91 billion, the highest film figure on record. Productions contributing to this spend include Blitz (dir. Steve McQueen), Napoleon (dir. Ridley Scott), Heart of Stone (dir. Tom Harper), The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar And More (Wes Anderson), Saltburn (Emerald Fennell), Locked In (dir. Nour Wazzi), Our Man From Jersey (dir. Julian Farino) and Good Grief (dir. Daniel Levy).
High-End Television Production In Detail
HETV production in the UK has boomed since the introduction of the UK’s HETV tax relief in 2013. In 2022, UK spend was £4.30 billion, the second highest year. It is 3% lower than the record-breaking 2021 spend of £4.43 billion (updated since published figures in February 2021) which represented an acceleration in production activity following disruption during the pandemic. However, the 2022 spend represents an 88% increase on 2019’s pre-pandemic spend £2.29 billion.
Of the 195 HETV productions that started principal photography in 2022, 55% were inward investment, 41% were domestic UK projects and 4% were co-productions. The 80 domestic UK productions represents the second highest number of productions since the introduction of the tax relief and only overtaken by 2021’s record level of activity.
Inward investment accounted for 84% of the total HETV production spend in 2022. This £3.63 billion spend is the second highest recorded UK spend, a 3% decrease on the record high of 2021 but more than double 2019’s pre-pandemic high of £1.80 billion.
Inward investment HETV productions made last year include The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 (dir. Sanaa Hamri), Happy Valley (series 3, dir. Patrick Harkins), The Gold (dir. Aneil Karia), Apartment 7A (dir. Natalie Erika James), Good Grief (dir. Daniel Levy), Great Expectations (dir Lucy Forbes), Slow Horses 2 (dir. Saul Metzstein), Troubled Blood — Strike (dir. Sue Tully), Disclaimer (dir. Alfonso Cuaron), Treason (dir. Louise Hooper), Bridgerton (series 3), the Crown (season 6), The Gentlemen (dir. Guy Richie), The Buccaneers (dir. Susanna White), One Day (dir. Molly Manners), Never Let Me Go (dir. Marc Munden), The Woman In The Wall (dir. Harry Wootliff), Top Boy (series 5) and Flatshare (dir. Peter Cattaneo).
Domestic HETV productions – 41% of all HETV shows – generated a spend of £633 million across 80 shows, representing 15% of the total spend. It is the second highest annual spend on record and a and 30% ahead of the £484.5 million spend in pre-pandemic 2019. Domestic HETV productions included Stonehouse (dir. Jon S Baird), Nolly (dir. Peter Hoar), Maryland (dir. Susan Tully), Granite Harbour (dir. Gary Williams), Malpractice (dir. Philip Barantini), Dreamland (dir. Ellie Heydon) Archie (dir. Paul Andrew Williams), Detectorists Special (dir. Mackenzie Crook), Cobra: Rebellion (series3, dir Charles Sturridge), Doctor Who (series 14, dir. Rachel Talaay), Waterloo Road (series 7), I hate Suzie Too (series 2), The Lazarus Project (series 11), Silent Witness (series 26), The Pact II, Mayflies, Ghosts (series 4), Bad Education (series 4), Inside No. 9, The Tower (series2),
The UK spend associated with co-production in 2022 was £36.5 million, accounting for 1% of the total spend. This is the highest UK spend seen for HETV co-productions and 78% higher than the £20.5 million spend in 2018. Productions included Wolf (dir. Kris Nyholm), Domina (series 2, dir. David Evans), Devil’s Peak (dir. Jozua Malherbe), Professsor T (dir. Dries Vos), Christmas In London (dir Jonathan Wright) and Death in Paradise (series 2, dir Ruth Carney).
Film and high-end television production generate local business activity and jobs across the UK.
Productions Made Across The UK Last Year Included:
London
Film – Magic Mike’s Last Dance, Tales of Babylon, Layla, One Life, The Beekeeper, Lionesses: How Football Came Home, Dear D, Kraven The Hunter plus many at the studios; HETV - Red, White And Royal Blue, The Diplomat, The Kitchen, Blitz, The Crown (series 6), Ted Lasso (season 3), Top Boy (series 5), The Gold, The Gentlemen, The Chelsea Detective (series 2)
East of England
Film – Boudica, Barbie, Meg 2; The Trench, Fast X, Wicked Parts 1 & 2, Mickey 7, Unicorns, Aaro Ek Prithibi; HETV – The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (season 2), Fifteen-Love, Avoidance, Grantchester (series 8), The Shepherd, Detectorists Special, Profession T (series 2), Silent Witness (series 26)
East Midlands
Film – Firebrand, As Strange As Angels; HETV – Napoleon, The Crown (series 6), Queen Charlotte, Black Mirror (season 6), The Full Monty, Stonehouse
West Midlands
Film – Can You Hear Me?, Valaitm Shubh Saanjh, Binny And Baba, Western Gawaya; HETV –Stonehouse, Champion, This Town, Three Little Birds
North-east
Film – Breaking Point The Old Oak, Blue Jean, Chakda ‘Xpress, Brown Boys, Upgraded; HETV – The Hunt For Raoul Moat, Vera (series 12)
North-west
Film: Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Greatest Days, In Camera, How to Date Billy Walsh, Breaking Point, 5lbs of Pressure; HETV –Nolly, Cobra: Rebellion (series 3), The Full Monty, Archie, Ralph And Katie, The Bay (series 4), Sexy Beast, The Tower (series 2), Cobra: Rebellion, Inside No 9 (series 8)
South-east
Film – Snow White, The Boys in the Board, My Mother’s Wedding, An Action hero, Empire of Light, The Beekeeper, The End We Start With, The Buckingham Murders; HETV – The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (season 2), The Witcher (season 3), Bridgerton (series 3), Loki (season2), Saltburn, The Gold, Never Let Me Go, Palomino, Heartstopper (series 2), Dreamland, Kate 7 Koji (series2), After Ever After; Red Riding Hood
South-west
Film – The Wasp, Knockers, Accused, Russian Roulette, Christmas At The Holly Day Inn, @Lucky; HETV – Alex Rider (series 3), Rain Dogs, Queen Charlotte, The Winter King, the Gentleman, Sex Education (series 4), Flatshare, Doc Martin (series 10), Beyond Paradise, The Change, My Lady Jane, Truelove, Black Cake
Yorkshire and the Humber
Film: Bonus Track, Starve Acre, Mr Mummy, Brown Boys, Capsule Gill, How To Date Billy Walsh, Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose; HETV – Happy Valley (series 3), All Creatures Great and Small (series 3), Better, Platform 7, The Crown (series 6), The Gallows Pole, Malpractice, The Full Monty, The Long Shadow, Boat Story, Bodies, Brassic (series 6), The Hunt for Raoul Moat
Northern Ireland
Film – The Quarry, HETV – Lift, Dalgleish (season 2), The Woman In The Wall, Blue Lights, Bloodlands (series 2), The Lovers, Stuck, World On Fire (series 2)
Scotland
Film – Kill, Falling into Place, The Outrun, Tehran, Borderland, HETV – Buccaneers, Outlander (season 7), Chemistry of Death, Black Mirror (season 6), Screw (series 2), Annika (series 2), Guilt (series 2), Mayflies, Granite Harbour, The Elect, Crime (series 2), Payback
Wales
Film – A Million Days, Chuck Chuck Baby, Seize Them!, Timestalker, Y Swn; HETV – Doctor Who 9 (series 14 and anniversary special), Black Cake, Sex Education (series 4), The Change, Galwad, Wolf, The Lazarus Project (season 2), The Winter King, The Pact II
Box office in 2022
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
While audiences are returning to cinemas, box office earnings still trail behind 2019’s pre-pandemic box office of £1.25 billion (UK only) by 28%. The average ticket price in 2022 was £7.70, an increase of 5% on £7.32 in 2021, and 8% higher than £7.12 in 2019.
The highest-grossing release of 2022 was Top Gun: Maverick* with £83.7 million, representing 9% of the year’s total box office. The top 20 films of the year collectively grossed £644.6 million representing 67% of the total box office in 2022 and 46% more than the 2021 top 20 which was led by No Time to Die (£98 million). Sequels or films that are part of pre-existing franchises feature account for 12 of the top 20 box office placings. The biggest non-franchise release was Elvis ranked tenth with £27.7 million to date. Top Gun: Maverick is now the eighth highest earning film release ever in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and is joined by three other post-pandemic releases in all-time top 10 film releases in the UK Avatar: The Way Of Water (£70.9 million), Spider-Man: No Way Home (£97.2 million) and No Time To Die (£98 million).
The films that drove ticket sales in the first quarter of the year were The Batman and Sing 2. Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast was the top UK independent film released in this period. The second quarter contributed the highest three-month box office takings led by Sonic: The Hedgehog and Fantastic Beasts: The Secret Of Dumbledore, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness, Downtown Abbey: A New Era, Top Gun: Maverick and Jurassic World: Dominion. In the third quarter the box office leaders were Minions: The Rise Of Gru, DC League Of Superpets, Thor: Love And Thunder and Elvis. The period was also notable for the public with a record-breaking heatwave and the death of HM the Queen. The final quarter of the year included the release of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and in mid-December Avatar: The Way Of Water. This period also heralded World Cup football fever.
The total box office for the top 20 independent UK films was £69.2 million, accounting for 92% of the total box office for all independent UK films released. The top grossing UK independent film was Belfast with £15.6 million followed by The Banshees Of Inisherin (£9.3 million) and Operation Mincemeat and The Duke (£5.3 million each). Three of the top 20 UK independent films were supported by public funding: The Phantom of the Open (BBC Film, BFI Film Fund), Triangle of Sadness (BFI, BBC Film) and Aftersun (BFI BBC Film).
UK-qualifying films, which accounted for a 29.6% share of the box office compared to 41.1% in 2021 (which then included No Time To Die); 21.7% was accounted for by US-studio backed films with the balancing market share for independent UK films at 7.9%, slightly up on 2021’s corresponding 5.0% share.
Thank you and all credit to BFI for the above detail on the film industry.
See some of my earlier work below. None related to this project, but it shows you that I know what I am doing.