Many television programmes have made the leap to cinema over the years, but this is surely the first time that a Welsh internet series has branched out onto the big screen.
Svengali sees YouTube stars Dixie (Jonny Owen) and Shell (Vicky McClure) relocate to London so that the former can realise his dream of managing a great rock band. With an old friend already making a name for himself in the industry, and coincidence leaving him with Alan McGee’s phone number, Dixie is convinced that his time has come, and that it’s now or never.
Writer, producer and star, Jonny Owen has done an undeniably admiral job adapting the series for cinema audiences, even managing to breathe some life into what is a relatively tired narrative convention. Dixie is a likeable lead, forever running through the streets of London with his trusty Tesco carrier bags and a near-endless...
Svengali sees YouTube stars Dixie (Jonny Owen) and Shell (Vicky McClure) relocate to London so that the former can realise his dream of managing a great rock band. With an old friend already making a name for himself in the industry, and coincidence leaving him with Alan McGee’s phone number, Dixie is convinced that his time has come, and that it’s now or never.
Writer, producer and star, Jonny Owen has done an undeniably admiral job adapting the series for cinema audiences, even managing to breathe some life into what is a relatively tired narrative convention. Dixie is a likeable lead, forever running through the streets of London with his trusty Tesco carrier bags and a near-endless...
- 6/24/2013
- by Steven Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
There probably isn’t much concern about The Hobbit‘s financial viability, nor is there a lot of contemplation on how it should affect Martin Freeman‘s career. If anything, the British thespian is showing signs of a normal trajectory — a big film here, some TV there (the excellent Sherlock, for one), and little films while he’s still at it. So, in a deviation from the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, Variety reports that the actor will be taking a small turn Svengali, a feature based on the YouTube series that follows “the story of a smalltown guy from Wales who travels to London to fulfill his dream of becoming the manager of the best band in the world.” Freeman‘s role is said to only be a cameo — shot during a break between the two Hobbit films — but his work is always welcome, anytime and anywhere.
The show’s co-creator,...
The show’s co-creator,...
- 2/23/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
British star Martin Freeman is the latest addition to the comedy feature adaptation of YouTube UK cult hit web series Svengali. Production begins in London next week, Variety reports. Svengali features real life rock stars and music biz personalities who play themselves. British stars Vicky McClure and Michael Smiley join Freeman, known for his roles as Tim Canterbury from the BBC's The Office and Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's upcoming adaptation of The Hobbit. "A friend of mine told me about Svengali after about the third episode," Freeman said. "When he’d described it I was actually annoyed that I hadn’t been asked to do it. I went home, watched the lot, and knew I was right to be annoyed. It was charming, sussed, and very funny." Other cast notables include Roger Evans, Alan Mcgee, Sally Phillips, Ciaran Griffith, Michelle Gomez, Sean Harris, Colin Tiernan, Jodie Whittaker, Boy George,...
- 2/23/2012
- by Drew Baldwin
- Tubefilter.com
Martin Freeman ("The Hobbit," "Sherlock"), Vicky McClure ("This Is England") and Michael Smiley ("Kill List") have all scored roles in a feature comedy adaptation of the hit Youtube series "Svengali" for Root Films says Screen Daily.
The story follows a Welshman (Jonny Owen) who travels to London to fulfill his dream of becoming the manager of the world's coolest band.
Owen and co-writer Dean Cavanagh produced nine 'webisodes' in the series which used real-life rock stars and music business personalities along with some familiar British actors like Jodie Whittaker ("Attack the Block"), Sean Harris ("The Borgias") and Matt Berry ("The It Crowd").
Freeman previously appeared in the online shorts and will reprise his role in a cameo which he'll shoot between his "Hobbit" filming commitments in New Zealand.
John Hardwick makes his directorial debut on the project which begins a six-week shoot in London next week.
The story follows a Welshman (Jonny Owen) who travels to London to fulfill his dream of becoming the manager of the world's coolest band.
Owen and co-writer Dean Cavanagh produced nine 'webisodes' in the series which used real-life rock stars and music business personalities along with some familiar British actors like Jodie Whittaker ("Attack the Block"), Sean Harris ("The Borgias") and Matt Berry ("The It Crowd").
Freeman previously appeared in the online shorts and will reprise his role in a cameo which he'll shoot between his "Hobbit" filming commitments in New Zealand.
John Hardwick makes his directorial debut on the project which begins a six-week shoot in London next week.
- 2/22/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Svengali YouTube series turns into a feature film and casts Martin Freeman of The Hobbit. Comedy is being privately financed and starts filming for a six week period in London next week, reports Variety. First time director John Hardwick helms the story which tells of a guy from a small town who makes his way to London with dreams of becoming a manager of the top brand in the world. Writer Jonny Owen, who created the Svengali character with co-writer Dean Cavanagh, stars as the title character in the YouTube-aired 2011 webisodes which made use of real rock stars and music personalities, all playing themselves.
- 2/22/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Svengali YouTube series turns into a feature film and casts Martin Freeman of The Hobbit. Comedy is being privately financed and starts filming for a six week period in London next week, reports Variety. First time director John Hardwick helms the story which tells of a guy from a small town who makes his way to London with dreams of becoming a manager of the top brand in the world. Writer Jonny Owen, who created the Svengali character with co-writer Dean Cavanagh, stars as the title character in the YouTube-aired 2011 webisodes which made use of real rock stars and music personalities, all playing themselves.
- 2/22/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Svengali YouTube series turns into a feature film and casts Martin Freeman of The Hobbit. Comedy is being privately financed and starts filming for a six week period in London next week, reports Variety. First time director John Hardwick helms the story which tells of a guy from a small town who makes his way to London with dreams of becoming a manager of the top brand in the world. Writer Jonny Owen, who created the Svengali character with co-writer Dean Cavanagh, stars as the title character in the YouTube-aired 2011 webisodes which made use of real rock stars and music personalities, all playing themselves.
- 2/22/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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