Production Notes for "Hoodlum & Son"

Thirties-style movie gangsterism, reminiscent of the films of Hollywood Golden Oldies, Howard Hawks and Billy Wilder, hit the Gauteng area at the end of 2001 with the filming of "Hoodlum & Son."

This, the latest feature from Peakviewing Transatlantic, the UK company which has entrenched itself in South Africa over the last five years, also marked the directorial debut of Welsh-born Ashley Way.

Well-known to crews of the many Peakviewing films shot in South Africa, Way made the transition from first AD and second-unit director to full-blown director with a script that he himself penned.

The 29 year-old describes the film as "a dramedy with human drama elements coupled with quirky, off-beat humour". Set in America during the depression, "Hoodlum & Son" follows the adventures of streetwise, 10-year old Archie and his inattentive father, Charlie, a reluctant gangster indebted to a mob boss.

Says Way: "Peakviewing has always known that I had directorial aspirations. In fact, two years ago, they let me direct 10 episodes of David Lister's puppet series, "Filligoggin."

"There is a strong family feeling at Peakviewing (which is owned and run by the Matthews family) and their support during my directorial debut has been phenomenal. All Peakviewing films have a strong producer influence, so they've kept me focused, even though I always had a strong vision in my mind. I was lucky enough to work with the same crew (mostly South Africans) that I've been with for four years."

Some years back, Way and Peakviewing's former Head of Development, Amy Moore, came up with the basic storyline for "Hoodlum & Son" which, at that, stage was a western. As Peakviewing wasn't keen to do another western, Way adapted the script to a gangster setting.

The script went through Peakviewing's Paul Matthews, Thandi Brewer and also Laura Wegner of the Los Angeles office. Way was fortunate enough to go to the US to cast the two main parts.

"I auditioned between 50 and 60 kids. Myles Jeffrey was the third child I saw and I knew then and there that he was 'Archie'. We cast Ted King as 'Charlie' and Ron Perlman (from TV-classic' 'Beauty and the Beast') was always my first choice for the villain. I had worked with Mia Sara ('Ferris Bueller's Day Off') on a previous film, so had her in mind as the schoolteacher. It was an added bonus to be able to include veteran actor Robert Vaughn in the cast."

"We also had what I call the cream of the crop of South African talent working on the film with the likes of Ian Roberts, Anthony Fidjohn, Michael Richard, Emily Macarther and Russell Savadier," says Way.

Colour and light

The filmic style in "Hoodlum & Son" was mostly influenced by the 1973 Peter Bogdanovich classic, 'Paper Moon' (starring Ryan O'Neal and his, then, 11 year-old daughter, Tatum). Way is also a great fan of the Coen Brothers and their latest offering, "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" is a clear influence in the film.

Regarding the use of colour, Way had discussions very early on with production designer, Burie van Zyl and costume designer, Pierre Vienings. They decided on artists Edward Hopper and Norman Rockwell as influences.

Way and DOP Buster Reynolds watched a few movies together and came up with a "dark and moody-lit-from above" look for the city scenes and a softer feel for the country scenes.

The film was shot with the new Kodak 500 stock. "This proved very flexible, something we needed as we were lumbered with rainy, overcast weather throughout the shoot. I've been in South Africa for four years and have never seen anything like the beginning of this summer, which was virtually non-stop rain. It was like being back in England.

"A large part of the film takes place in a 'dustbowl' town, and because of all the rain, our location, Nash's Farm became annoyingly green and lush," comments Way.

Holding the reins

Most first-time directors are very storyboard-driven, but Way says he was very open to suggestion. The storyboard he had compiled prior to the shoot went "flying out the window" after the first week of shooting.

Actor, Ted King, actually remarked to Way that he was quite surprised to find a first-time director so flexible.

Way adds: "I've never directed actors in a sustained performance before and was a bit nervous with Ron Perlman because he is a big name, but he was very accommodating. Robert Vaughn was a real gentleman and the local cast were phenomenal.

Photos & production notes kindly provided by Peakviewing Transatlantic PLC.