The Polycees
After a run-in with his slimy deputy, the Prime Minister's young daughter is shocked to find a magical creature living in Parliament under her Dad’s desk!
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Celia Jaspers
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I just love making stories and was on the search for something fun to make. I remembered I had written this show many years ago with my co-creator Scott Hindman, so pulled it out of the development drawer and thought that's still got some legs, let's do it! I then wrote the short film as a standalone and have since written a full feature screenplay which I hope to make next.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film is very much for kids, it's fantastical and mysterious and kids will love the secret element, and the naughty biscuit stealing character, whilst the marvel of what this creature is and what it's doing under her dad's desk will intrigue.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The theme is ultimately about needing a friend or combating loneliness. This young girl is essentially abandoned by the ever-demanding needs of her dad's new job and what should be an exciting day, moving into Parliament, is suddenly combative as she takes on the evil Deputy Prime Minister trying to steal her dad's job! She is independent and stands up to bullies and I love how she makes a friend with a strange character without really knowing what he is..yet.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The concept was well developed many years ago as a tv series but never got green-lit, so it then sat in my development drawer for a long time. When I decided to start again, I wrote a short film and then actually wrote the whole feature, which happened really fast as I knew the world so well. But the short was the challenge first up, and it's a little unusual because it's obviously teasing a much bigger world, that we don't get to see yet. The script of this film had several passes and notes from trusted friends and also had to be written to the restrictions of budget and locations that I could muster. The actors tweaked a few things on the day but largely stayed true to the script.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Kids have absolutely loved it and adults are intrigued to know more and what's next too! It had great feedback recognizing the quality production values and its strong voice and tone. The young audience all understand who the baddie is and what our lead character is doing and I love how it lightly touches on what a Prime Minister is and how a dastardly Deputy Prime Minister might be after his job.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not particularly, I'm very humbled that my intended audience loves it and understands it though.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'm grateful for the opportunity to increase my profile and presence as an independent female filmmaker, and my hopes for this project are to put the feature film into production and attract producers and production companies to make that happen.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I can't sell this film, so it will be released for free online after festivals and I may it give to schools to use as a teaching tool to start conversations about civics, politics and democracy with children in a fun way. For the project at large, I'd love to attract distributor interest in the feature film and a producer for the development of the feature. For the short, I'd love any opportunity for the press to speak of this film's intent and of my collaborators who helped make it.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It's just for fun! I want people to enjoy it for what it is and be intrigued by the world I've made. I love that it has a real-life puppet in it and not a CG animated character. I want kids to want to come up to Spoo and hug him!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
This film has lots of subtext depending on your point of view. The kids just love the fun and naughty-ness, and the playful nature of our leads. But for adults, there are several clues to politics and the relationship with the media in particular. The string-pulling that may go on in politics, the subtext of who really is in control. Who are these mysterious creatures of the underworld that actually control what's going on? Without getting too deep, there is some fun to be had with the idea, that all is not what it seems.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Celia as lead producer, is in the development of another NZ feature film, a family film based on a farm. Currently, financing is in preparation to start production later this year.
DP Bevan Crothers, has just been the main unit DP on Apple TV's upcoming series Time Bandits with Taika Waititi and is now shooting the Australian version of The Office with director Jackie Van Beek.
Interview: July 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
The Polycees
After a run-in with his slimy deputy, the Prime Minister's young daughter is shocked to find a magical creature living in Parliament under her Dad’s desk!
Length: 9:00
Director: Celia Jaspers
Producer: Celia Jaspers
Writer: Celia Jaspers, Scott Hindman (co-creator)
About the writer, director and producer:
Prolific film and TV director CELIA JASPERS is passionate about film and after a long career making factual TV and documentaries is moving into scripted narrative work. She adapted this story of The Polycees from a much larger developed work that she created with Scott Hindman. A long-term passion project, the short film version is the latest incarnation of this crazy world. Celia is a self-made producer and director and embarked on this ambitious journey as a dual Producer and Director.
Key cast: Jed Brophy (Deputy Prime Minister Pogg), James Jennings (Prime Minister Joe King), Mischa Blake (Lee King), Jessica Mutch-McKay (Em Bellishing)
Looking for: distributors, producers, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: The Polycees
Instagram: @celiajaspers
Hashtags used: #thepolycees #polycees
Website: polycees.com, scorpio.co.nz/polycees
Other: IMDb
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Nenagh Children's Film Festival, Tipparary, Ireland - June 9th
Dances with Films, TCL Chinese Theatres, Los Angeles - June 25th,