The Trickshot Story: Part 3 – Silver Cyborg Helmets, Tied Up With String…

It was the late 90s. Doctor Who was but a dim, distant and laughable memory in the public consciousness. But, for two film-enthused lads, keen to make their mark, it still burned brightly in their hearts. Of course, this being 2008 and what with Doctor Who being the Nation’s Most Beloved Programme™, we can talk freely and without fear about such things. Those were dark days for the Doctor Who-inclined, however. So, with Hi8 camcorder in hand (oh yes, you forget how quickly the digital world has overtaken us in the last 10 years – it was all very analogue back then), we set out with family, friends and family friends to make something that not only paid tribute to our beloved Who but also to another source of inspiration to us – the B movie.

We’d always loved a B movie – from your 50s style B movie such as This Island Earth or Earth Vs The Flying Saucers up to modern B movies like Army Of Darkness (bigger budget, maybe, but a B movie nonetheless) – and so was the first fully fledged Trickshot short, My Best Friend’s Brother Is A Cyberman, born. It also features an early example of our love for the music-based comedy montage alongside a bit of slapstick. It’s carried through by a healthy dose of affection and enthusiasm and helped by Rich’s home-made Cyberman helmet (lovingly made from cornflakes boxes, loo rolls and silver spray paint – look at him there over to the side).

We’d made a film with a beginning, middle and end so it was time to step things up a bit. My leanings are more towards the comedy side of things and Rich’s are more towards the action side so it was time to attempt some action.* Originally (mostly because we couldn’t think of a name for it), it was known as Run, Lloyd, Run (yes, I know, it’s a rubbish title) but we saw sense and eventually came to name it No Choice. More on that next time...


* This isn’t to say that I don’t love action films ‘cause I certainly do. I just feel that particular love is slightly dearer to Rich’s heart….