THE latest film by a Wirral film-maker is to have its world premiere this weekend.
An original script by James Chalmers, The Other World of Meredith was filmed in and around Neston and Birkenhead by director Sue Bence.
It stars actors Richard Dodd of Neston and Anna Davies of Heswall, among a cast of 12.
Filming on Sundays and during the week when cast were available, the 72-minute feature took six months to complete.
“After the premiere it will be sent to film festivals in the USA and elsewhere,” said Mr Chalmers.
Birkenhead Priory plays a key role in this science fiction fantasy.
“It provided exactly what we wanted, a mysterious backdrop for the action,” he added.
The location fitted in with his plot about an American visitor, Brad Campbell, seeking valuable jewellery belonging to his aunt.
It is in fact out of his reach as it has been lost in a parallel world, and one way into this world is through the ruins of The Priory.
The film has been produced through Mr Chalmers’ own company Shoreline, which began life as a theatre-producing company.
A former BT manager who took redundancy in 1999, he set-up the firm to present his musical Dream-boat and dark comedy Love and Infidelity, he scripted both himself.
They were followed by The Magic Opera, also written for stage, but which he developed into a film with the help of Sue Bence whose daughter was in the stage show.
The pair worked on the film script together and bought a camera with a National Lottery grant.
And they were delighted when The Magic Opera, which screened last year at the John Hopkins Film Festival in Baltimore, later picked up a silver award in the UK.
The Other World of Meredith will be premiered at Wirral Museum, in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, on Saturday, March 29. Tickets are £5, and can be obtained from Shoreline at 0151 336 4253 or Linghams Bookshop in Heswall.
