Welcome to Orkney Islands Films

Aims

To produce movies set in the Orkney Islands, or based on Orkney stories and folklore wherever possible, and to distribute the movies, initially in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland regions.

To help promote the Orkney Islands by making micro/low budget digital movies on the islands and distributing them.

To be totally independent and raise funds to make movies, through voluntary donations, sponsorships and fundraising events.

To provide a learning environment for people with no or very little experience of digital film making, who have a strong desire to get involved, but their lack of experience is preventing them doing so. This will be done by using mentors. We hope to give opportunities to individuals either as crew members or as cast members.

Orkney Islands Films was set up by Lloyd and Louise James

Lloyd James

With training in video production, since 2004 film maker Lloyd has been involved in numerous productions such as documentaries, short films, instructional videos and dramas. He has experience in many of the roles involved in the film making process.

Lloyd has a strong belief that individuals who have no, or little experience in film making, should be given an opportunity to gain some experience, regardless of their age or acedamic background. This is evident in his first feature, Psycho Ranger, which had around 80% of cast and crew having very little experience in film making, but still produced a movie that had excellent production values. Lloyd wishes to carry this idea on with Orkney Islands Films.

Prior to filming the feature, Lloyd filmed a pilot for Psycho Ranger. Whilst filming he was shadowed by a documentary crew from the BBC 'Inside Out' programme. The programme was about low budget film makers and the importance of the Internet. The episode of 'Inside Out' featuring Lloyd was aired in February 2007.

In the Summer of 2007 Lloyd was approached by a group of enthusiastic, would-be film makers who had written a script and wanted to make a movie. Lloyd started them off, giving them advice, guidance and access to his production equipment which enabled them to start filming their movie. The movie was shot every weekend for 6 months. For the first few months Lloyd was present at all the shoots and was main cameraman, he then had to leave them to their own devices as he had already planned the shooting of Psycho Ranger. In July 2008 the movie, 'Second Chances?' was premiered at the Odeon Cinema, Derby. The Director and Writer, Steven Dunhill and the Producer and Writer, Adam Vallis said that Lloyd's input was invaluable, and on the promotional leaflet at the premier it was quoted that Lloyd James was their movie making Guru.

Louise James

Louise James has a background in administration, Offshore Investments, Book-keeping and secretarial work. She attended a Broadcast Media and Media Writing course at University, and was the Producer for the pilot for Psycho Ranger as well as being the Producer for the feature length version of Psycho Ranger. During the time Lloyd was involved in the making of 'Second Chances?', the producing skills of Louise were called upon at short notice, when she secured a last minute location.

Lloyd and Louise have personal objectives for Orkney Islands Films, which is to establish the organisation as a leading micro budget digital movie producer in the region, giving the opportunity to individuals to gain experience in film making whilst remaining loyal to it's roots in Orkney.