Aberfeldy gets a big starring role in film
A film made by a former Breadalbane Academy pupil has been screened at a top Glasgow cinema.
Film school graduate Daniel Maslen (20) got to see his first-ever film project, ‘Dredem’, premiered at the brand new Renfrew Street Cineworld.
The film was a collaboration between Breadalbane old boy Daniel and students and staff from the Aberfeldy school.
Sequences were shot in Aberfeldy, such as at the school campus, the community hospital, the town square and local newsagent Wades.
“We brought a parkour group into the school drama studio to be shot in front of a green-screen,” explained Daniel. “Subsequent green-screening and pickup shots took place at the Glasgow Acting Academy after principal photography was complete.”
The powerful, 40-minute film tells the story of Kester Spence, a wannabe TV presenter who has hit rock bottom.
Suffering from loneliness, a lack of motivation and anxiety-driven migraines, Kester has let his past demons get the better of him and he experiences parts of his character as real beings he has to fight.
Daniel first got started on the idea at the age of 15, while he was still studying at Breadalbane.
After refining the concept and writing the script over the next couple of years, he produced and directed Dredem after assembling a cast and crew numbering some 40 people – age just 17 years at the time.
“Besides myself directing and producing, students from Breadalbane Academy were involved in all areas of production,” explained Daniel.
“For the most part, the supporting cast of Dredem consisted of Breadalbane students, who acted alongside the more experienced cast we brought on board as freelancers.
“This was an awesome mix, a really nice setup, as the shooting environment was a learning one.
“The main production team, such as the first, second and third assistant directors were also Breadalbane students, who worked alongside me.
“Students had the opportunity to bounce creative ideas off of people with experience, that really helped create a vibrant atmosphere.”
Daniel remained dedicated to the project and spent the next three years working on post-production while at the same time, studying for an HND in film and television at Clyde College, Glasgow.
The screening two weeks ago in Glasgow’s newest moviehouse was a proud moment for the young director: “The reaction to the film was an incredibly positive one.
“For those involved, I believe they enjoyed seeing all of their first efforts in film coming together to form a final piece.
“Above all, I was flattered to see that the film was being treated on the basis of a professional piece of cinema, which is a credit to those who were involved and the sheer effort they put into the production.”
Taking his career forward, Daniel is currently working on a new drama production, ‘The Appetite’, scheduled for shooting later this year.
“I graduated from Glasgow Clyde with an ‘A’. What’s been incredible to see is how well myself and other people involved with Dredem have Daniel Maslen done since the project concluded.
“Some of the Breadalbane students have gone on to train as actors and become successful filmmakers for both corporate and dramatic projects.
“I myself have gone on to direct many more short films, such as ‘Telephonic’, which was nominated for Best Drama and Best Student Film at the BBC FilmG Awards 2015. as well as
“I got to join the Guild of Television Cameramen and set up my own production label, Magnox Productions, which caters to both short film projects and corporate clients,” concluded Daniel.