Synopsis

Did your mother ever tell you not to talk to strangers? John’s mother did. It’s just that over the years, as he became an adult, he forgot....
John walks into his garage and gets into his car. His ordinary life, however, is about to get extraordinary and...end. One of Lucifer’s minions, the Collector, is waiting for him in the car. The Collector shows him scenes from his life. John sees himself rape and murder his daughter and then kill his wife. He then sees the fateful meeting with Lucifer, before finally being ‘collected’. But maybe ‘Old Nick’ has one last trick to play!

Director's Notes

Jackpot was written by Robin Shone, who was at the time a new OTT member. Having had the project green-lit by the group, Robin was persuaded to direct the film.

Like many first time directors he was anxious at the start of the project, but once the more experienced OTT members signed up for the cast and crew, the filming went like a well oiled machine.

The story revolves around John, played by John Bateman. He is a normal man, living a normal life which suddenly takes an extraordinary turn. John is visited by The Collector, played by Mike Gerard, who shows him scenes of John killing his family. John finds himself covered in blood, holding the murder weapon, a cut throat razor, and with nothing to live for. John takes his own life earning himself an assured one way trip to hell. Before John breathes his last, The Collector shows him the chance meeting with Lucifer, played by Randy Nundlall, which started the whole sorry chain of events.

The film was shot over three days during the summer. Lutfi Hady was the DOP and his expertise, combined with that of cameraman Peter Wallington, rose to the challenge set by the writer, to film the main scenes inside a car, inside a garage! A multi-camera shoot combined with ‘greenscreen’ translated the vision into film. A private house and OTT’s meeting pub were the other locations.

Hugh Macdonald worked his digital FX magic over the footage, icing up the car windscreen and healing a vicious razor slash to The Collector's face. Location sound was recorded by Paul Skelton, with additional atmosphere and music added later. 

The director would like to thank 1st AD Charlie Pite, and producer KC Thiruchelvam, for their invaluable help and hand-holding. Numerous other OTT members took part in the filming, with special thanks going to Kevin Magee (lighting kit and pub extra), Leilani Holmes (John’s dead wife), Georgie Calixte (John’s daughter) and Anna Sternik (make up, gory cut throat and pub extra)

Robin says that he thoroughly enjoyed his foray into filmmaking and he is currently seeking local council funding for the next one.

Jackpot will premiere at the January '07 OTT screening.