ABOUT

Last Lights Out is a short film written, directed and produced by members of University College London’s Film & TV Society, to be shot on the renowned Arriflex 16BL film camera, notably used by Christopher Nolan for his first feature ‘Following’.

This will be the second film in two years to use the Arriflex, with a voluntary crew of 20+ students all coming from the self-taught society. The society’s last film shot on this camera, titled ‘Pigeon-Livered’, was an extremely successful short film combining surrealist elements and stop-motion animation. The film premiered at the Sarah Kravitz Gallery in April 2024.

The UCL Film and TV society is a student-run society which produces over three films each year. The students who create these films are full-time and part-time students who study a range of subjects from physics to literature, all while dedicating their spare time to the passion of making films.

THE FILM

Logline: A BTS photographer uncovers something sinister while photographing the dress rehearsal before opening night.

Last Lights Out explores the effects of ambition within the arts on relationships and the self. The film follows a BTS photographer who becomes enthralled by the relationship between two leading actresses in a ‘whodunit’ stage play. This thriller, with dark comedic elements, delves into the claustrophobic, yet relatable, experience of being a victim to your own passion for art.

THE ARRI 16BL

Used with great success in our previous 16mm short film, we are dusting off the ArriFlex 16BL once more for our second film in consecutive years. Honouring the legacy of the 1965 Arri 16BL, which was used by Christopher Nolan, alumnus of UCL FilmSoc in 1988, to shoot his first feature film ‘Following’. UCL Film Society is the only society in the UK to own a camera like this and, after Arri and members of FilmSoc repaired it in 2020, we intend to make the most of its unique qualities and not let such an amazing piece of equipment go to waste!

THE IMPACT

The UCL Film and TV Society is a collective of self-taught filmmakers, all pushing their creative capabilities and learning from each other out of a mutual love for film. This unique opportunity allows its members to create a 16mm short film, fostering an environment to build invaluable experience to take into the film industry.

Your financial contribution enables this team of filmmakers to create a short film which speaks to the relatable feeling of becoming overwhelmed by the constant drive to improve our art. As the first 16mm film by the UCL Film and TV Society to be directed by a woman, this project aims to highlight a perspective that has often been underrepresented, reflecting the broader shift within the industry.

WHAT WE NEED

Unfortunately having the Arri 16BL film camera itself does not completely remove the costs of using it; we need the film to go through it and film is expensive! The money that you donate will go towards purchasing, scanning and processing 16mm rolls from Kodak. Your donation will also go towards equipment hire, hiring our beautiful venue - the Bloomsbury Theatre , set design, costumes, as well as transportation and food for actors and crew. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us a step closer to seeing the project come to life.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Spread the word! Sharing goes a long way, so if donating is not a possibility let people know about Last Lights Out on social media, friends and family.

@uclfilm_productions on Instagram.

THE CREW

Executive Producer - Charlie McDonald (she/her)

Producers - Qiulin Wang (she/her), Jai Britto (she/her), Amelia Grota (she/her), Sam Prescott (he/him)

Writer - Maya Nakajima, Chiara Venetucci

Director - Sammy Rowkins (she/her)

DoP - Henry Bell (he/him)

1st Assistant Director - Lola English (she/her)

2nd Assistant Director - Eve Dyson (she/her)

1st Assistant Camera - Hope Bhargava (she/they)

2nd Assistant Camera - Lara Weeks (she/her)

Gaffer - Sophie Kulkarni (she/her)

Spark - Ella Ayres (she/her)

Grip - Vivienne Jiang (she/her)

Sound Recordist - Abbie Keys

Boom Operator - Ash Gangalam

Production designer - Megan Teo (she/her)

Set dresser - Mulan Fan (she/her)

Costume Designer - Shaza Hafez (she/her)

Fundraising Manager - Francesca Rattray (she/her)

Marketing and Promotion - Sophiya Sian, Madina Makaeva

Runners - Sara Abbod (she/her), Tom Denton