Last weekend the Langworthy Cornerstone doubled as the headquarters for a new feature film, Making of an Addict. The surrounding area was being used for top local director Chris Green's new project. After the success of last year's excellent Strangeways Here We Come, starring Michelle Keegan, he's back with another interesting premise.
This time, Chris has teamed up with James Shinny Davenport for his autobiographical film that looks at the demons of addiction. Shinny has been a well known local character for numerous reasons over the years. He has been a professional boxer, a rugby player (with Salford and Leeds) and a successful musician. However, these days he is more interested in shining a light on the issues that surround addiction.
I went along to take a closer look, and Chris informed me how it all started: "I first met Shinny after agreeing to direct the video to accompany his Christmas Number One single as a share of the proceeds would be going to Macmillan, which I thought was a great idea" he explained "We got on well and became friends after that, so when he was developing the idea for a film about addiction I was one of the first people he called. I thought it was a great idea and so we started developing the idea into a script. The purpose of us now shooting a teaser is to use it to help sell the concept to other interested parties."
First up is a scene featuring a teenage Shinny, played by Shameless star Robbie Conway, stealing a car at gun-point. A back street is littered and prepared for some aggressive, wheel-spinning action. It's good stuff with Chris and Shinny on hand to ensure the full intensity of the clash is captured.
Later on, Lucia Nield features in an exchange with a nine year Shinny played by Jensen Clarke as he drinks from a puddle! It sets the tone perfectly for what promises to be an honest and gritty drama.
Shinny is very open about his own experiences with substance abuse. He even uses his popular online SHINNy Show Live to have an honest and open dialogue on matters including drink, drugs, anxiety and depression.
Chris explained that the film won't be pulling any punches either: "It is where its real strengths lie" he said "Addiction can destroy lives, and working with Shinny and hearing first-hand about his experiences has opened my eyes to how powerful addiction can be. And the thing that I think is going to really hammer home the message is how open and honest Shinny is prepared to be about his own battles in order to help others who are suffering from the same disease.
"But the story is not just about the horrors" he added "There's a real positive and hope filled side to it as we see how hard he has worked to keep his addict subdued and how he uses his addiction as a positive force."
The Making of an Addict will show Shinny at his most vulnerable as he shares deeply personal aspects of his life. The film will hone in on the realities of addiction to recreate moments of desperation and paranoia.
As Chris stated, "Making of an Addict is a stark, sometimes brutal story which will shock viewers. It's a no-holds-barred story of despair, abuse, self loathing and missed opportunities about a man who has come back from the brink and who wants to use his experiences as a platform to save lives."
Making of an Addict promises to be an interesting and important film. Certainly one to look forward to...
Words by Ian Leslie
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