Hosts Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sat down with filmmakers George Jaque and Ken Petrie to discuss their feature film, Black Dog. They discussed the film’s origins, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and the journey that brought this project to life.
How It All Started
George’s filmmaking journey began at a remarkably young age. “I started my company when I was 16,” he shared, recounting how he started in theatre.
George created a show about the teenage drug culture in his community. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” George admitted. Yet, despite his lack of experience, he produced, directed, and even acted in the show, pulling together actors from across London. The show sold out and caught industry professionals’ attention; including Sky’s CEO, who reached out after her daughter attended one of the performances.
One of the actors cast in the original production was Jamie Flatters. “Jamie called me and said, ‘George, I’ve just landed the lead in Avatar 2,’” George recalled, jokingly expressing his initial concern at losing a key collaborator. But when Jamie returned from LA, the duo reconnected and transitioned from theatre to the world of filmmaking.
The Concept of Black Dog
Black Dog took root during those early years of collaboration between George and Jamie. “We wanted to make a film about South London, about two young men—different, but they connect and end up on the road together,” George explained. The concept of a road trip, with its unexpected twists and turns, mirrored the unpredictable nature of life in South London, where “every street can be different, every road can be different.”
The script took about a year and a half to develop and resonated deeply with George and Jamie. As they began to explore the idea of turning it into a feature film, George met Ken Petrie, through “a composer called Blair, who worked on my first short film. She set us up for a dinner date,” George joked, recounting how their partnership began.
A Filmmaking Partnership
Ken and George bonded over their shared passion for storytelling.
“We came up with a plan of making three short films in a week to flex some directorial muscles,” Ken explained. This ambitious undertaking was a way to prepare for the larger goal of making Black Dog. “If you boil down the jump from short film to feature film, it’s just more days,” Ken observed.
As the project gained momentum, Ken was impressed by the script’s magnetic quality. “Everybody that read it fell in love with it and was like, ‘How can I help? How can I add value? How can I be a part of this?’” The enthusiasm was palpable, but financing the film remained a significant challenge.
Raising the Money: Being Resourceful
Raising money for an independent film is hard, but George and Ken were determined to make Black Dog. “Everybody that seems to come into our orbit gets it, but there’s always something that stops someone from writing a check,” Ken noted. Despite the hurdles, they decided to employ an entrepreneurial approach that involved reaching out to potential sponsors and collaborators. “Ink is free is a phrase we use a lot,” George said, highlighting their strategy of offering logo placements in exchange for equipment and services.
Ken and George’s resourcefulness extended beyond traditional fundraising tactics. “We designed a finance plan that didn’t rely on pre-sales,” Ken explained. This approach allowed them to avoid the pitfalls of relying solely on external financing.
From Script to Screen: The Production Process
The film was shot on a modest budget of £500,000—an impressive feat considering the scope of the project. “I genuinely believe we made a two or three-million-pound movie for 500 grand,” Ken said, crediting their cast and crew for making it possible.
One of the film’s most demanding aspects was shooting the car scenes, which make up about half of the movie. “I had four weeks to direct and one week to shoot all the car scenes,” George revealed. The logistical challenges were immense, but through meticulous planning and rehearsals, they were able to pull it off.
The Importance of Collaboration and Trust
Throughout the episode, both George and Ken emphasise the importance of collaboration and trust in the filmmaking process. For George, this meant creating a supportive environment for his actors. “I know how to make an actor feel part of the team,” he said. His approach fostered a sense of camaraderie that translated into powerful performances.
Ken, meanwhile, spoke about the necessity of finding the right partners, both creatively and financially. “It’s really difficult with sales agents because you always have the friendly conversations upfront,” Ken observed, adding that the challenge lies in ensuring those partnerships remain beneficial throughout the production and distribution process.
Lessons Learned and Future Projects
They reflected on the journey of making Black Dog and the lessons they’ve learned. “We’re in the business of making films, not talking about making films,” George said, a sentiment that encapsulates the determination and drive that has defined their success.
Looking to the future, the duo plans to continue their focus on showcasing young, underrepresented talent. “One of the big things Ken and I talk about is how much young talent is overlooked,” George noted.
To find out more about the behind-the-scenes story of Black Dog, listen to the full episode here.