BCG Pro Success Stories: Sherice Griffiths
Published: Wednesday 14th February 2024
During lockdown I came up with a simple premise for a TV show called Killing For A Living: a mockumentary that follows four hopeless assassins as they navigate a house share.
Investing weeks in crafting the perfect ensemble of assassins, I introduced characters like the trigger-happy Tristan, the lovable and naive intern Brandon, the eco-conscious vegan warrior Kolzak, and the no-nonsense Ruth who dives straight into business. The chemistry among these characters was really the heart of the story.
After lockdown I submitted the script to numerous competitions, commissioners and schemes but kept getting the same response: 'We don't want mockumentary'.
Instead of being deterred, I adapted the script into a short film that could be achieved within the parameters of a low budget shoot. To do this I contained the story in one location, kept all of the big set pieces to a minimum and enlisted friends and family to help out on the day.
I also pulled in lots of favours, including getting a free location and equipment for the shoot. This was only possible because I spent years working as an AD in the film industry so had accumulated a few contacts over time.
I was able to pay the actors a token fee for their time and made sure everyone involved in the shoot was looked after.
One thing I can't stress enough is the importance of looking after the people who help you. Especially if they're giving you their time for free, make sure you remember the two F's - Feed them well and make it Fun!
After a long but incredibly fun shoot day, we got everything filmed and once edited down the film came to just under ten minutes in length.
Having turned the rejection into success, the short film went on to win British Comedy Guide's Production Awards which was an incredible honour.
The film also played at The New York Comedy Film Festival, Toronto Sketch festival, London Directors Awards and Shorts on Tap.
My advice to writers facing similar rejection is to think outside the box and make your idea happen in some way. I loved the idea for Killing For A Living so much that I knew I just had to try and make it myself. I wanted an opportunity to see the characters on the screen one way or another and I reimagined the pilot to fit something that I could achieve.
Being resourceful and thrifty can go a long way when making short films.
The other thing worth noting is comedy is a very forgiving genre, it doesn't have to be the most polished film with the most expensive kit - you can shoot on your iphone and still get thousands of views so don't take no for an answer.
Watch Killing For A Living.
This article is provided for free as part of BCG Pro.
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