A local actor is bringing together Merseyside creatives for his independent film, which will be filmed in Liverpool and Runcorn over the next year.
Terry Caddick, from Runcorn, has written and will star in the feature length film ‘No Gentle Goodnight’ when it starts filming later this year.
The story is loosely inspired by some of Terry’s own life experiences, and follows the life of character David Reynolds, an ex-special forces agent suffering from PTSD, who plans to jump off the Runcorn Bridge.
Produced by Sunny Runny productions and Going Nowhere productions, the film explores the ‘consequences of life’, particularly for men, and the struggles they can face surrounding talking about their emotions.
The production is currently crowdfunding to raise the £7000 needed to purchase an industry-approved camera, which would make the film of strong enough quality to be considered for international film festivals.
Mr Caddick said: “With the quality of the story, and the cast and crew, we think it’s got the potential to go really far.”
The film will include individuals from across the North West, both in front and behind the camera, including Director Mark Holland from the Wirral, and a makeup artist from Liverpool.
Acting has not always been a part of Mr Caddick’s life plan, instead being something that he found when recovering from a severe health crisis.
“I had a heart attack and found out I had a rare cancer in 2021. As I was recovering from having the cancer removed, I saw a class for the Merseyside Academy of Drama.”
He added: “My outlook on life had changed completely after going through that illness, in that I had really become quite content, and I thought I’m never going to get the chance to do this again.”
Following a 10-week course at the Merseyside-based drama school, Terry found both passion and a talent for performing.
He said: “People said because I’d had the life that I had and I’d had to pretend and fit in a lot of the time, I’d learnt how to act as a way of making it through life without even knowing.
“So, I had all of these emotions and feelings ready to give to the characters that I was portraying.”
Following a role in the Liverpool-based BBC drama ‘This City is Ours’ and being part of the advertising campaign for the homeless charity ‘Crisis’, Terry is now turning his attention to his community project and helping to bring a greater focus to arts in his hometown of Runcorn.
Terry says that bringing the community together has helped with his own mental health.
He said: “I’ve got people who have been housebound and suffering from mental health issues, or men my age who reached out and are now doing acting lessons at the Merseyside Academy of Drama”.
“It’s lifted me to see what I’m doing is helping other people and inspiring them, so I want to keep doing that”.
To contribute to the ‘No Gentle Goodnight’ Crowdfunder, see https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/nogentlegoodnight
