Statement from Director

I intend looking into a mystery surrounding the 1950’s Eagle comic & it’s publisher, when the Hulton press was taken over by the Mirror group of papers in 1959, Frank Hampson the creator of Dan Dare was fired from the paper and never again, accept in redrawing some panels for a reprint, allowed to draw his own creation for publication purposes. But in essence this is the story of an artist who revolutionised the medium of comics elevating them into an art form. And of the enduring influence of his work and key creation Dan Dare on the imaginations of those who read his adventures in the Eagle boys comic.

I was infected with the Dan Dare bug when still at school, and science fiction has always had a strong grip on my imagination. I was suitably blown away by my first encounter with Frank’s work, a yellowing copy of a facsimile of his original Venus story in an old book shop. Later enthralled by the colour work of Dan Dare in The Best of Eagle book printed in 1978. Which I then used as the basis of my English oral exam that same year. Roger Dean, along time fan reassembled the original team behind the classic ‘Man From Nowhere’ trilogy for his own company Dragon’s Dream in 1978 – Frank & collaborator Don Harley redrew the header panels so the story could be seamlessly presented. Seventh heaven science-fiction wise. The reprints further confirmed my obsession with this distant and you could say nostalgic world. Our film would present Franks story and attempt to uncover mysteries surrounding the plight of the ownership of Dan Dare..but then again it might best be left as an enigma, so who knows.

We have obtained an exclusive contribution from the artist Roger Dean, in the form of interviews as well as some of Frank’s artwork from the redrawing of ‘The Man from Nowhere’ trilogy for Dragons Dream. A very exciting prospect. I’m hoping this validation of our project will garner interest from other luminaries from the world of comics, art & literature who were influenced by Frank, whether directly or otherwise.

 

Practical elements

A portion of our material will be in the form of interviews, some animated or comic book style graphic material & the film could start at the Frank Hampson retrospective exhibition at the Atkinson Gallery in Southport. We intend using where appropriate green screen behind certain interviewees, shot at peoples homes, and lighting by our cinematographer Jon Ratigan. We have a core of film making equipment including a 2.5k camera, lenses, lights of various description, green screen, camera rig and sound. Music – I am in conversation with several musicians to work on a score/incidental music for the film. This will give us copyright freedom on any music used. The alternative is copyright free music – where appropriate classical atmospheric score will be used. Since putting together this proposal I have come across much material I had no idea existed. The influence of Frank’s greatest creation is still echoing through time! Model makers building exact replicas of the ship’s he drew all those years ago, who I intend contacting to include in the film. As well as a television series commissioned by an American company and licensed by the company Dan Dare Corporation that owns the rights to DD. Where possible other artists & writers who express an interest and perhaps who have been influenced by Frank’s work. Peter Hampson Frank’s son has expressed an interest in being involved in different levels of the film and I’m hoping he’ll contribute creative material as well as personal ephemera such as letters, other art works and family photographs to give us a more complete picture of the man, and his creation, Dan Dare.

 

Tybulus Tyburn – Writer/Director 

I Trained on the Masters degree in Film Making at the University of Wales, Newport. In 2015-16 I researched & wrote the story for a short about the amazing Norman Romanesque church at Kilpeck in Herefordshire. I then shot this with Jon Ratigan cinematographer, who I work with & who I met on the Masters degree. This was then put on the website we built for the church along with the guided tour app of the church. All materials at: www.kilpeckchurch.org.uk

We are currently seeking funding for a feature length documentary about the Herefordshire School of Stone Masons, the artisans responsible for the elaborate decoration on Kilpeck and many other churches in the region. I have also been engaged in researching a biographical picture feature for the past few years.

I worked as a specialist Film, art & ceramics teacher at secondary school level from 2000 – 2012.

Currently working on a voice acting website, another of my talents. I did the wizard narrator voice for the Food Standards Agency, food hygiene game, Cookin’ Castle: http://cookincastle.com/

And have been working on and off as a Supporting Artist in such productions as Doctor Who:

Jon Ratigan – Cinematographer 

Is currently working as an artist in residence on the Caretrefu scheme run by Age Cymru which places artists in elderly care home settings: In parallel to working as an artist and art educator, he trained in the camera department of a number of BBC drama productions and has worked as videographer on many projects for large organisations such as Diversions Dance Company & Multistream Media. In 2010 he completed an MA in Film at Screen Academy Wales, Newport where he developed his interest in cinematography and was chosen to attend the prestigious Budapest Cinematography Masterclass led by the late master cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond ASC. He also worked on a number of short screenplays at Screen Academy Wales, one of which was work shopped by the late Ken Russell. Competency in wide variety of video & film cameras including the Arri Alexa & Red Cam.

Jon’s website is at: http://www.jonratigan.co.uk/

 

Ben Edwards – Editor

Has been a film maker for over 15 years specialising in editing. He recently completed editing a documentary feature, The King & Dai which won best Welsh Film at the Welsh International Film Festival. The trailer can be viewed here:

He also recently completed editing work for The Princes Trust (Young Innovators Programme). Other editing work includes: Nine short films for Bristol Loves Tides highlighting Bristol’s connection to water (2016). Two shorts for The Watershed React Hub – ‘The Secret Life of Books’ & ‘Littly J’ (2015) He gain a distinction in his Masters in Media Practice and Culture. He has done grading as well as editing. His main interest is in documentary editing. Ben’s website can be found at: www.funkytwig.com 

 

BFI Diversity Standards

We are seeking a producer from an under represented group, a possibility is Ugandan producer Jimmy Amone, who was on The Masters at Newport with Jon & myself. as both the director & DOP have worked in schools, there is the possibility we could get the film shown at various media centres, community centres and colleges and possibly offer workshops, or talks on our aspirations as film makers.