Newark: Independent film-maker from Balderton needs help telling story of a soldier returning from Afghanistan

An independent film-maker needs help in telling the story of a soldier returning from Afghanistan.

The poignant picture will tell the story of Lewis, a young soldier’s first day back on civvie street having been discharged from the Army, amid concerns for his mental health following the death of his best friend in a fire-fight.

It will largely shot in Newark, with some scenes filmed in Nottingham, and the crew and cast will be recruited locally.

Film-maker Scott Driver, from Balderton, has been making short movies in and around Newark for the past five years.

“I felt the time was right to move up a level, to produce something with real meaning that would appeal to a wider audience,” said Scott.

“In the part I’ve focused on films that I would like or that my audience would like.

“I had in my mind to write about a soldier returning from the Army after serving abroad with post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). It wasn’t to be a war story as such, but the aftermath; coming back from Afghanistan to normality."

Scott had been aware of Johno Lee, a former soldier who had lost a leg in Afghanistan.

Scott contacted Johno who shared his experiences in a two-hour telephone call in which they also discussed the plot of Scott’s film and the script.

“I had expected feedback or improvements to the script but Johno really opened up,” said Scott.

“I was inspired and had new-found inspiration. I wanted to make this film as soon as possible.”

Johno became an executive producer of the film and will have a role as an extra.

“For my lead character, Luke Boydon-Jones a Nottingham actor has been cast and the film will feature him re-connecting with family and friends and the various shocks to the system that come with the realisation that, like many soldiers, he may not be equipped well for a life outside of the Army.

“Many soldiers when they join up are young, from tough backgrounds, and, when they leave don’t have the qualifications to start second careers. Many will also find themselves dealing with the affects of trauma and having to deal with that.”

Scott reached out to the charity PTSD Resolution in Surrey for further guidance who were happy to attach themselves to the film.

One scene will involve a one-to-one counselling session and a PTSD Resolution therapist will conduct the session to camera.

“This is the most ambitious film I will have done yet,” said Scott, who studied media at Newark College and for a degree in film-making at Lincoln University.

“It will be 15 to 20 minutes in length, but could be made into a feature film in the future.

“We’ve costed it out to be around £5,000 because of a flashback seen that although we obviously can’t film in Afghanistan, we want to recreate it as best as possible and the need for special effects.”

It is hoped shooting will start in August/September with the aim of screening it at film festivals before it is released on a platform such as vimeo or youtube.

A fundraising page aiming to raise £5,000 in 40 days has been set up.

To support it, go to igg.me/at/hamstershortfilm

A call-out has also gone out for crew and cast members.