IN OFFICIAL SELECTION ‘GUITARS, BEANS AND BACON’ WRITTEN BY ANGELA & DAVID J PARADISE - SHORTLISTED FOR THE AFA

BIO:

David J. Paradise

David J.Paradise is a writer/director with a heartfelt passion for cinematography and editing. As a teenager David made super 8 cine films and then joined a filmmaking workshop, funded by the English Arts Council, where he explored the creative processes of shooting on celluloid film and exhibiting the work to audiences at a local cinema. Whilst studying creative writing and world drama at University he co-directed the art film 45-RPM and shot a sequence in 16mm. As an apprentice at Thread Cross Films, U.K, he gained experience from the ground up on independent feature films, television dramas and documentaries, working under the guidance of producer/cinematographer David Lascelles, director Christopher Monger and others. At one point he was the youngest assistant film editor in the UK and worked on a string of documentaries and dramas for independent television. With a passion for analogue filmmaking, David filmed and edited several of his own 16mm films utilizing traditional Arriflex and Steenbeck film equipment. Most recently he has moved up to 35mm by shooting with a modified Arri 35BL4 and editing his own footage in 2-perf Techniscope. He is currently developing ideas and writing scripts for independent production. His most recent screenplay; Guitars, Beans and Bacon, was co-written with his partner Angela.

Angela Paradise

Angela Paradise is a writer/producer who loves to see a project from inception through to completion. As a child Angela enjoyed acting, playing in a variety of local theatres in such roles as Jane Eyre. At the school of Art and Design, Bath Spa University, Angela wrote, developed and produced the art film; Sesshin - a symbolic mix of the traditional and modern, the past and the present, dealing with themes of separation and connection. She has gone on to write and produce, alongside her filmmaking partner David. She was instrumental in getting several short films made such as; Road to Ruin, LifeTime and My Kind of Girl. Aside from producing, Angela enjoys sketching and painting. Most recently, she co-wrote the feature screenplay; Guitars, Beans and Bacon and is now focused on moving the project into production.

“GUITARS, BEANS and BACON”
WRITTEN BY ANGELA & DAVID J PARADISE

Log Line:

OZ is a long-haired rock guitarist, somewhat lacking in looks, below average height and the wrong side of thirty. Orphaned and raised by a stuffy Aunt and belittled constantly by his cousin DAPHNE, he finds it increasingly difficult to realize his dream of becoming a successful musician. However, strange encounters and odd events make for a positive change in his life.

Synopsis:

OZ is a long-haired rock guitarist, somewhat lacking in looks, below average height and the wrong side of thirty. Orphaned and raised by a stuffy Aunt and belittled constantly by his cousin DAPHNE, he finds it increasingly difficult to realize his dream of becoming a successful musician. However, strange encounters and odd events make for a positive change in his life.

After many setbacks, including demands for money that he doesn't owe by pretty boy loan shark ANTHONY, intimidation from fellow band member ROSS and harassment and arrest by the authorities, Oz feels his life is cursed and sets out to break it. He takes a spell bag to a special location at midnight but is disappointed when it turns out to be a Laundromat. There's further torment when his girlfriend dumps him, and Daphne and his Aunt railroad him into taking a factory job. Oz has a sudden wake-up call at the factory and breaks free by heading for the hills. While hitch-hiking, he's picked up by New Agers and they travel to the Sacred Stones. On arrival, he meets a musician and is encouraged to partake in a healing ritual with a Celtic Shaman. After taking a hallucinogenic drink, Oz experiences a psychedelic episode.

Feeling renewed, Oz throws away his alcohol and takes part in a Gilbert & Sullivan open mic competition. Among the people in costume is Daphne, disapproving as ever. He performs a unique version of a classic Gilbert & Sullivan number, gaining approval from the audience with his own lyrics and heavy guitar riffs. An opportunity arises when a musician named COLIN, invites him to join his band. A scuffle ensues when Anthony appears, with his heavy, and Oz's guitar is taken. However, Anthony gets his comeuppance when a strong-woman takes umbrage after he tries chatting up her girlfriend. Anthony, sat on a chair, is picked up by the strong-woman and thrown through a glass window. Moments later, the compère announces Oz the winner and awards him a cash prize. Oz and Colin then make a sharp exit when Ross arrives. There's a bizarre twist that evening when Oz is abducted by a pair of transvestite wig-makers and held captive in the back of their van. Colin saves him from losing his hair but the wigmakers find Ross and take him instead.

The next day, Oz buys a guitar off VINCE, Colin's uncle and band manager. Once acquainted, Oz and the band practice like mad before setting off for their first gig but they suffer a setback when Oz dislocates his shoulder. Now running late, they arrive at the gig to find Vince in black leathers warming up the crowd with a glam rock song. The crowd roar with approval as the band takes the stage. At the climax of a song Ross emerges, from backstage with hacked-off hair, and challenges Oz to a guitar battle. There follows a fierce duel with Oz struggling against the pain in his shoulder. He recovers at the last moment with relief from an ice pack and outplays Ross with an awesome intensity. The audience chant for Oz and he is declared the winner. A sobbing Ross is about to leave when Oz offers him praise and invites him to play some tunes with the band. Taking centre stage, they perform a rocked up version of Hope and Glory. The others join in and they all play flawlessly to a rapturous audience.