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CALL ME SON (2008)

A MY NEIGHBOUR FILMS PRODUCTION.

MUSIC

Juliet Turner

Juliet has had several CD's with a new one just out in 2008. She has been support act for Bob Dylan, Gabrielle, Natalie Merchant, Sting, U2 and Brian Adams and has toured with Joan Armatrading, Brian Kennedy, Ron Sexsmith and Roger McGuinn. In Feb 2005 she got the Irish Meteor Music Award for best Irish Female Performer.

Louis was at a charity concert when he first heard her sing "Pick a story" (on her most recent CD). At the end of the gig he briefly told her about his film and how much he thought the song would fit his new film. She asked him to send her details so he sent a DVD of the first film and some details on the script of Call Me Son. He met her again at another gig and she agreed to help with the music for Call Me Son free.

Louis says her song is a mother singing to her child and he asked Juliet if she would rerecord the song for the film. He also asked if she would change the lyrics a bit to fit in with the film even more closely. She agreed and also rerecorded the song with no accompaniment except herself on the guitar. You can judge for your self but it was a big hit with the audience and of course Louis thinks it is pure magic, wonderfully touching and emotional but not sentimental. Juliet sings direct from the Heart.

She has a raft of beautiful songs on her new CD all the details on it and upcoming gigs can be found at her website. Juliet Turner website.

Sugababes

Using a chart topping song is a real no no for low budget films. I ignored that. I started chasing the rights 3 months before I approached NI Screen with the script.

My feeling was that having an immediately recognisable song would be good for younger audiences who I would like the film to be screened to. I hope, of course, that it will also play well to adult audiences and prick their consciences vis a vis children in care.

I wrote to Dallas Austin (songwriter) and the Sugababes with a synopsis of the script and background information on why I wanted to make the film.

I then spoke to the chief licensing manager at UMUSIC (who hadn't a clue who I was or indeed how I had managed to get through to him). He was very helpful and supportive and after a while he passed me on to his staff saying " I will be very surprised if we don't get approval (from the Sugababes)".

Three months later I got the final confirmation from EMI getting approval from Dallas Austin (songwriter) and also from UMUSIC on behalf of the Sugababes. They even sent me a message wishing me good luck.

The wonderful thing was that they gave me the rights for just an administration fee and the rights were for ALL MEDIA, WORLDWIDE and IN PERPETUITY.

Lipsyncing

The lipsync scene is supposed to be light-hearted and shows Carl enjoying himself and is a big positive moment because seconds later when he is going to be the exact opposite and it is going to hurt to watch how his life has collapsed on him again. The words of "Ugly" relate to having low self esteem and I felt these were appropriate to a child in care.

I did a search for some lipsyncs on youtube and I found these. It maybe answers the question who would does lipsyncs!

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