Film-maker Sam Mason did not have to search far when he was looking for the ideal location to shoot a new science fiction film.
The 19-year-old from Allithwaite was inspired by the sands of Morecambe Bay within sight of home as the perfect place to bring the mix of awe-inspiring beauty and risk of danger his latest project needed.
“As far as I know it’s never been used as a location for a science-fiction production yet when you think about the otherworldly feel of the Bay, it’s absolutely perfect – it’s a set that’s already built for us,” Sam told Business Crack.
The former Cartmel Priory School and Kendal College student is no stranger to film-making.
He’s won awards for his earlier work which has already been shown at the Morecambe Bay Film Festival as well as being showcased further afield. This summer will see his most ambitious project yet take shape.
“We’re trying to bring sci-fi to the north and we are using a mostly northern crew,” Sam said. “Our goal is to bring the film industry to the Lake District. While it has been used for locations in films it’s an area that has never been home to a studio and we’d like to change that.”
The film – which has a working title of Landing Nowhere – is based on a planet where human life is extinct. The debate over whether this should happen is a theme within the the film which fellow Cumbrian student Herbie Harrison is completing.
Actor David Kirkbride, whose recent credits include Enola Holmes, Ted Lasso and A Very Royal Scandal has already signed up to play a leading role and Barrow-based Signal Films along with other industry staff have pledged their support.
The creative process of setting out the story is only part of the project.
Making the science-based props and equipment needed is down to Ed Fraser, the production’s head of props and equipment, and another former Cartmel and Kendal College student.
“We’re creating a lot of the props ourselves and by using the specialist vehicles from Bay Search and Rescue this will add another dimension to the production,” Ed said.
The full-time York St John student is also creative director of his own 3D printing company which specialises in producing models for the games industry.
Designing and producing a landing suit, biological carry-cases and tubes which may offer humanity’s last hope for survival is no mean feat.
“We’ve been talking about this project for a while and it’s brilliant to see all our plans come together for what I hope will be the start of something inspiring,” Ed said.
The pair, and a team of around 18 others, have already spent hours refining a script and planning a shoot which they admit is very weather dependent.
Funding for the 15-minute film is almost in place, although final donations are welcome and a Gofundme page has been set up.
Sam and colleagues have enlisted the help of Bay Search and Rescue who will oversee the production and ensure crew and cast are safe with the charity benefitting from his film-making skills in having a new film made to publicise their vital voluntary work.
The shoot is pencilled in for July with the film itself due to be premiered at the Bay Film Festival in 2026. The festival are production partners.
“We’re hoping to get the ideal conditions to produce an original film which will really help when it comes to putting this area on the film-making map,” Sam said.
