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What We're About:
We aim to be both the most creatively innovative and environmentally aware independent film making company in Scotland... .

Primarily concerned with short and feature film production, Oak Tree Productions also aims to "branch out" into environmentally conscious film services in the near future.

So, if you are an actor, writer, producer, director, crew member, film composer, editor and/or environmentalist, and want to find out more, then email us via our Contact section at the bottom of the page

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Past Productions:
The Last Days of Joe McDonald
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 30 min / 1999)

Successful young sales executive Joe McDonald gradually becomes obsessed with the prophecies of Nostradamus, until eventually believing that the Armageddon is truly within a few months of becoming a terrifying reality.

Starring: Paul Rickards, Ruth Tapp, Barry Campbell,
Andrew Dallmeyer, John McQuiston, Robert Gadsbey.

Looking Back…

The main driving force behind making the film was an attempt to tap into the whole “pre-Millennium angst” zeitgeist, in the form of a dramatic narrative.

Shooting on Super VHS, we began filming in September 1998, covering a
10-day shooting schedule over several different locations.

Off-line editing of the film was the responsibility of Brian Ross,
and lasted over a period of approximately six weeks.

Once the film was edited, all that remained was for the music to
be composed.

   

In an attempt to have the film entered in time for the Longshots Film Festival in January 1999, the task of creating an original, darkly atmospheric soundtrack within a short time frame was given to Chris Brown. Amazingly, the entire soundtrack was eventually composed in just ONE day!

Looking back, although the script was perhaps naturally more suited towards a feature in terms of depth and scope, the overall production went very smoothly for a first attempt.

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Call Back
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 17 ½ min / 2001)

This thriller, set in a small but dynamic city based telemarketing company, initially follows a typical 9-5 working day in the life of telesales adviser, Michael Anderson.

But, after making an innocent outbound phone call to a prospective customer, Michael is soon led into a sinister game of cat-and-mouse…

Starring: George Drennan, Jamie Conway, Bobby Finn, Nazreen Noor, Phillip Tonner, Coral Preston, Claire McAndrew, Gerard Darroch.

Looking Back…

The aim of this film was to update the whole 1984/Modern Times theme for a modern audience, where office workers are seen under constant surveillance in a dehumanising, computerised working environment.

   

Thanks to the nature of the script, only shooting in one interior location was necessary, which helped immensely in terms of planning and executing the shoot.

Shot on MINI DV, we began shooting in September 2000 over two weekends within the University of Glasgow's main switchboard.

On-line editing of the film lasted approximately six weeks again, which was this time taken on by Andy Morrison.

Chris Brown once again created the film score which effectively complemented the film's clinical themes and atmosphere.

In retrospect, this time the script was more suited to the short film format, resulting in a tighter, if slightly less ambitious film.

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Pulling Teeth
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK/Australia / 20 min / 2003)

Robert Livingstone is a twenty something dentist, frustrated with his unhappy existence in Scotland. So, when he reads a colourful advert enticing young professionals to Australia, Robert decides to take the plunge…

However, once he arrives in Oz, events do not exactly go to Robert's plan of "taking the Australian dental industry by storm!"

Starring: Eric Jackson, Paul Darroch, Anne-Marie Feeney,
Angela Auld, Roslyn Toal, Matt Dykes, Earl Francis, George Pantelopoulos, Katrina Kiely, Natalie Vella.

Looking Back...

This short film originated from a late night conversation between Darroch and his dentist flat mate, Angus Wong, whilst residing in Melbourne, Australia in 2001/2002.

Thinking this could be a potentially comical subject to explore and loosely basing it on both friends personal experiences, Darroch quickly set about writing a short script on the adventures of a Scottish dentist seeking his fortune and glory in Australia/the new land of opportunity.

   

Again shooting on MINI DV, once the Australian cast and crew were organised, shooting in Melbourne began in March 2002 over a 5-day period.

However, it took until September 2002 before acquiring a cast and crew experienced enough to start shooting the Scottish segments of the film (lasting approximately 3 days.)

Experienced editor and DOP Ronnie Goodwin of Studio Rondo was this time responsible for on-line editing duties.

On reflection, being shot in opposite ends of the Earth; having the director playing the main part; and tackling the often difficult genre of film comedy, all contributed to making this film both the most difficult and rewarding film to produce so far.

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Master Class Twits
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 5 min / 2005)

A “Teach Yourself Putting” video master class ends up in a battle of wits between two elderly twits…

This silent short comedy covers a putting match between two elderly men. One is a flamboyant extravert whom we initially see holding a master class towards the camera. The other is a miserable old grump. Mayhem ensues. …

Starring: Gerry Darroch, Eric Jackson

Looking Back…

The idea for this homage to the Silent Comedy era came to Darroch whilst actually playing a game of putting with his father, Gerry Darroch, in the summer of 2005.

Having been given a “play better golf” DVD as a Christmas present the previous year, the concept of creating a short comedy based around a character addressing the audience directly (albeit silently) on how to play better putting, arrived naturally.

Creating the “drama” within the narrative came in the form of drawing from past comedy geniuses Charles Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Laurel & Hardy. Eric Sykes’ 1967 mini feature The Plank was also a comedic influence.

   

Shooting for a third time on MINI DV, the turn around time from initial idea to the final cut lasted no more than a month.

Due to being shot in only one location, the film only took just under 3 hours to shoot (including the recording of wild tracks and individual putting noises!)

The music this time was scored by Paul Greenhill and recorded/edited by his brother Jonathan. Coincidentally enough, this process also only lasted just under 3 hours! No mean feat considering that not only did this originally composed jazz score have to tie in exactly with the running time and themes of the film’s narrative, but indeed also needed to synch perfectly with the various madcap actions and mannerisms of the two characters concerned.

Taking into account the speedy time frame that this comedy was written, shot and edited in, it has definitely been the smoothest (and most fun) film project to date!

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com

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Humbugged!
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 7½ min / 2005)

A present day variation on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, where Ebenezer Scrooge’s great, great grandson is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley…

Starring: Gerry Darroch, Eric Jackson

Looking Back…

Reuniting the acting duo that previously collaborated on Master Class Twits, the impetus for making this latest film in the Oak Tree Productions cannon was a desire to create a Christmas themed short film in time for, well, Christmas.

A huge admirer of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but being acutely aware of the countless screen adaptations that this classic short story had already spawned, Darroch aimed to take the narrative in a new and fresh direction whilst retaining the magical essence of the original story.

Playing with the premise that Ebenezer Scrooge actually married and sired children soon after learning the error of his ways, the plot is placed in a contemporary setting where Scrooge’s great’ great grandson (Ebenezer Scrooge V) is visited by the now somewhat jaded ghost of Jacob Marley.

From initial concept right through to shooting, the film took three months to organise. The actual shoot itself lasted approximately 7 hours over one evening in early December.

   

The hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack was again composed and performed by Paul Greenhill, who previously scored the music for Master Class Twits.

The film was eventually completed on the morning of Christmas Eve 2005, and had its film premiere that very night, quite apt considering this is precisely when the narrative takes place.

Of the 5 short films made to date, after Master Class Twits, this was the simplest to organise due to their being only two characters appearing in one interior location, with a very brief exterior shot at the beginning and end of the film.

However, the actual editing of Humbugged! was a little more difficult to complete due to the necessity of delicately balancing several sound elements (characters’ dialogue, musical score, howling winds, ghostly chanting, Marley’s chains etc) within the film’s plot.

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The Last Days of Joe McDonald - Director’s Cut
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 15 min / 2006)

Closer representation of the writer/director’s original conception of the apocalyptic thriller.

Starring: Paul Rickards, Ruth Tapp, Barry Campbell, Andrew Dallmeyer,
John McQuiston, Robert Gadsbey.

Looking Back…

The main impetus to making a “director’s cut” of this short film, was the simple fact that it needed cutting down in length. There appeared to be too many scenes which either ran unnecessarily too long, or indeed were not required at all in order to tell the story.

Secondly, due to advances in non linear editing technology, the opportunity now existed to "clean up" certain aspects of the film, such as enhanced picture and sound quality, music and titles.

   

Although the story is very much a product of it's time due to the emphasis on the year 1999, none-the-less its focus on premonitions and the possibility of foretelling the future; the constant threat of nuclear war; modern societies obsession with materialism; and an exploration into what 'really' matters in life, enables the story to be just as pertinent now as it was seven years ago.

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140
(Dir: Bruce Downie / UK / 15 ½ min / 2006)

An exploration into sexual infidelity and how far people are willing to hold onto the comforting notion of “love”, regardless of the truth and the inevitable consequences incurred.

Starring: Leanne Foxwell, Colin Healy, Karen Bartke, Derek McDonald,  Carlyn Young, Murray MacLennan 

Looking Back…

Having previously directed a successful stage version of 140 (based on Shakespeare’s Sonnet 140), experienced theatre director Bruce Downie wished to then adapt this story of betrayal and seduction to the screen.

Knowing each other for several years, Downie and Darroch agreed to co-produce the film together, with Downie taking on the role of screenwriter and director, and Darroch being responsible for cinematography and editing.

Accumulating a long list of talented stage actors over the years, Downie handpicked a cast whom he believed would have both the range and depth to effectively portray the psychologically complex characters within the narrative.

   

Shooting took place over one afternoon in the Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow in Autumn 2005.

Due to the generally static use of the camera, fixed lighting position and well rehearsed actors, the actual shoot fell well within the planned shooting schedule.

Likewise, the turnaround time for the film’s post production was very quick, with editing being completed in only two 4 hour sessions.

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Love in an Elevator
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 5 min / 2006)

An encounter in an office elevator between a female executive and a male senior partner leads to an unexpected conclusion.

Starring: Sharon Young, Neil Anderson, Paul Kozinski, Aria Danesh, Fiona McPherson, Rachel Gunn, Martin Sadler

Looking Back…

Originally written way back in 1999, then shelved for almost seven years, the main drive to brush up the script a little and bring this black comedy of corporate infidelities to the screen, was Darroch’s continued interest in exploring the comedic genre following on the successes of Master Class Twits and Humbugged!

Without giving the story away, casting the right actors was particularly essential to the film’s success due to the narrative’s themes and eventual revelation.

Therefore, well publicised screen tests were held to find precisely such a cast.

   

In turn, acquiring a suitably atmospheric elevator to shoot the film in was equally as important. As fate would have it, the Ramshorn Theatre in Glasgow (where 140 was shot previously) possessed such a location.

Principal shooting took place in the first weekend of April over just one day, with post-production completed within the month.

Film composer, Paul Greenhill was on board again to both arrange and perform the musical score to delightful comedic effect.

Editing the film was a surprisingly straight forward affair, considering the challenge to both keep the story flowing at a consistently interesting pace within such an enclosed space, whilst at the same time incorporating a greater than usual variety of close ups, camera angles, lens sizes and audio-visual effects.

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com

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Engaged
(Dir: Stewart Gardiner / UK / 6 min / 2006)

Two women discuss the shortcomings of boyfriends as a mystery man lies bound and gagged in a bath.

Starring: Rachel Gunn, Louise Devlin, Paul Kozinski

Looking Back…

Having discussed with Darroch the possibility of collaborating on a short film for well over a year, English Literature graduate and fellow life long film buff Stewart Gardiner eventually came up with the script for Engaged.

   

Similar to 140, Gardiner took on the role of screenwriter and director, whereas Darroch was responsible producing, cinematography and editing.

Filming took place over just one day in 3 separate locations in June 2006.

The music this time was composed and performed by Gardiner’s wife, Caroline Gardiner, an experienced musician who created a hauntingly atmospheric cello piece to complement the film’s dark undertones.

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com

 

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The Librarian
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 8 min / 2006)

In every library in every city, there’s a nobody who dreams of becoming a somebody…

Starring: Nazreen Noor, Paul Kozinski, Jon Dixon, Aria Danesh, Anne Marie Feeney, Agnieszka Bresler, Flora Munro, Tom Brogan, Ruth Tapp, Geraldine Smith.

Shooting with a relatively large cast of 10 actors and 5 crew members over one day in October 2006, filming took place in Mearns Library and (once again) the Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow.

The filmmaker’s biggest challenge was to acquire two main locations which would both convey the everyday feel of a local library whilst at the same time also effectively conveying the sinister settings of a dark and dingy basement.

   

Another challenge was the film’s relatively bold approach to crossing between genres, due to the somewhat unorthodox nature of the script.

Lighting was also an important factor in building the required atmospheres within each location, where film noir techniques were a particular influence on the storyline.

The score was once again composed and performed by Paul Greenhill; this time synthesising an innovative mixture of various musical elements to reflect the film’s genre crossing nature and macabre, chaotic themes.

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com

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Call Back – Special Edition
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 10 min / 2006)

Trimmed down 5th Year Anniversary version of the telemarketing thriller from 2001.

Starring: George Drennan, Jamie Conway, Bobby Finn, Nazreen Noor, Phillip Tonner, Coral Preston, Claire McAndrew, Gerard Darroch.

Although one of his personal favourite pieces of work date, leading up to the fifth anniversary of its completion, Darroch felt this was an ideal opportunity to review the pace and presentation of the film.

With an original running time of just over 17 minutes, Darroch eventually brought this down to a tidy 10 minutes, by essentially cutting 7 minutes of material which weren’t absolutely essential to the telling of the story.

   

Furthermore, more than ever the issues and concerns of technological monitoring of individuals within our surveillance obsessed society was an important subtext to address and explore once again.

The overall result is both a faster paced and punchier version of the film, with the added bonus of being presented in widescreen format with enhanced picture and sound quality.

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com

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Don’t Look Yet!
(Dir: Paul Darroch / Italy / 1 ½ min / 2007)

Pastiche of the classic British horror film from 1973, Don’t Look Now.

Starring: Paul Darroch, Geraldine Smith

Looking Back…

Taken aback by the unique beauty of Venice whilst holidaying in Italy last summer, Darroch decided off the cuff to shoot a pastiche of Nicolas Roeg’s terrifying horror, set within the same water bound city. Facilitating the labyrinth of narrow streets and dark alleyways to the full, the entire shoot took only a couple of hours to complete (which was just as well, due to the searing Italian heat!).

   

Once back in the UK, editing took little less than a week to finish.

Taking a leaf out of legendary horror director John Carpenter’s book, Darroch also composed and performed the music.

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com as part of BBC Mini Movies.

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There Might Be Giants
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 4 min / 2007)

An examination of the pros & cons of wind farm technology, as an answer to combating climate change.

Looking Back…

Having been keenly interested in environmental issues for several years, as well as noticing the growing debate surrounding the best and most effective ways to save the planet from global warming, Darroch decided the time was right to branch out into environmentally conscious filmmaking.

Capturing several stunning shots of gigantic wind turbines shot over half a day, Darroch then set about creating a “story” as a means of discussing the positive and negative aspects of wind farm technology.

   

In order to simultaneously entertain and get the film’s message across, a voice- over narration in the style of Orson Welles was delivered, subtly referring to both Don Quixote and War of the Worlds in the process.

The dialogue itself was written by screenwriter and director, Stewart Gardiner.

The music was again created by Darroch, where post-production took just over a fortnight to finish.

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com

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Third Lanark: A New Hope
(UK / 9 ½ min / 2007)

Filmed highlights from the 40th Anniversary Football Match between Glasgow Junior League football teams, Third Lanark A.C. and Queen’s Park F.C.

Looking back…

Years after Third Lanark A.C.’s sudden demise from Premiership football in 1967 (at the hands of its unscrupulous chairman), football enthusiast Matthew Curry’s dream was to see the team which his great great grandfather played for, one day return to main-steam football.

Although not a fan of football in general, Darroch seen the cinematic potential of producing a short film chronicling the underdog team’s miraculous comeback.

   

Therefore, once the football match between the recently re-formed Third Lanark A.C. and Queen’s Park F.C was set in place, filming of the event (consisting of a 3 digital camera set up) was quickly organised.

The event was filmed by Darroch himself, as well as past film collaborators Paul Kozinski and Jonathan Darroch.

Utilising his film editing skills to the full, Darroch incorporated tongue-in-cheek references to Star Wars: A New Hope, as a means of highlighting the determined nature of all concerned, in their quest to successfully resurrect Third Lanark A.C. to its former glory.

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com

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The Report
(Dir: Stewart Gardiner / UK / 5 ½ min / 2007)

Surveillance is brought home as a young woman desperately examines her life.

Starring: Karen Bartke, Agnieszka Bresler

Looking Back…

After the successful debut of Engaged, Stewart Gardiner was keen to write and direct a second film under the Oak Tree Productions banner.

Collaborating once again with Darroch (functioning again as Producer, DOP & Editor), The Report was the end result.

   

Exploring the universal theme of daily repetition in a world of unfulfilled dreams, similar to Engaged, the film was filmed over one day in three main locations in and around Glasgow.

The music was again composed and performed by Gardiner’s wife, Caroline Gardiner. More experimental than her previous score for Engaged, the music once again perfectly complements the film’s explorative nature.

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Bagged
(Dir: Paul Darroch / UK / 10 min / 2007)

A nosey neighbour begins to suspect sinister goings on are afoot, soon after an elderly couple move into a quiet sheltered housing commune.

Starring: Martin Sadler, Gerry Darroch, Moira Darroch, Ken Rice, James Keenan, Louise Devlin, Laura Wallace, Kirsty Frances.

Looking Back…

The inspiration for the film’s story came from Darroch observing various degrees of eccentric behaviour from residents residing within his parents’ sheltered accommodation.

Seeing comic potential in this, Darroch quickly got down to writing a dark comedy centring on an elderly nosey neighbour’s suspicions towards the new couple who have moved in next door.

   

Having already cast seasoned actor Martin Sadler in a small part in Love in an Elevator, Darroch hand picked the experienced thespian to play the lead role, due to his brilliant comic timing and hilarious facial gestures.

Similarly, the remainder of the cast were also chosen for their proven background in comedic acting.

Drawing both from Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite and Eastern European Folk music, Paul Greenhill composed and performed yet another excellent piece of scoring, resulting in his 5th collaboration with Darroch to date.

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Climate Change March in Glasgow
(UK / 3 min 30 sec / 2007)

An assessment of how the Climate Change March in Glasgow went, on Saturday 8th December 2007.

Looking back…

Having just completed There Might Be Giants, Darroch was keen to follow the film up with another environmentally aware subject matter.

Saturday 8th December 2007 was a day of peaceful International Demonstrations on Climate Change, coinciding with the UN Climate Talks in Bali, Indonesia.

   

On that day, people in more than 80 countries world wide called on their politicians to act NOW to prevent catastrophic climate change.

Filming immediately after the Climate Change March in Glasgow, environmentalist Eva Schonveld explained directly to the camera why the march was such a resounding success.

The film may be currently seen on www.youtube.com

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Something That Had Been A Man
(Dir: Stewart Gardiner / UK / 8 ½ min / 2008)

Too far gone in a world of film, our hero does like Don Quixote did before him.

Starring: Paul Ross, Eleanor McNamee, Paul Kozinski, Julia Jack, Karli Evans, Thomas Hart, Paul Darroch, Derek McDonald, Rachel Loughran,
Roz Davies

Looking Back…

The third collaboration between Gardiner (as Writer/Director) and Darroch (as Producer/DOP/Editor), Something That Had Been A Man is the first “musical” under the Oak Tree Productions cannon of films.

   

Gardiner made the wise choice of casting Paul Ross in the title role, due to the actor’s background in burlesque, cabaret and music (he is also the lead singer in Glasgow based band, Scunner).

The remainder of the cast were chosen either due to a successful screen test, or their proven experience in acting.

The score was this time was composed and performed by composer Iain Mutch, with Keith Gerrard as music editor.

Additional work continues on Page 2>>

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History:
Oak Tree Productions was established in 2000 by Paul Darroch, shortly before graduating with an Honours Degree in Film, Television & Theatre Studies at the University of Glasgow.

As a response to the growing trend of films made in Scotland consisting of either depressing social realist dramas or violent urban thrillers, Oak Tree Productions main aim was, and is, to produce short and feature length films which are both innovative and varied in terms of theme, style and content.

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Future Productions:
Short Films

The Land Before Time: Re-Discovered (Post-Production)
Stop motion animation adventure given a make-over 15 years after its original completion.

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Contact:
If you are interested in finding out more about Oak Tree Productions’
future projects, then please email us at:

info@oaktreeproductions.co.uk