Journey of discovery for 'Car Share' pair

ROISIN RAE

WHAT would happen if two strangers suddenly found themselves travelling alone together on the long drive from London to Edinburgh?

That's the question new improvised feature film Dan & Alice, which stars an Oldham-born actor, is hoping to answer when filming gets under way in September.

As part of the group Rule of Film, actor/writer Roisin Rae, who is originally from Uppermill, will take on the challenging role of Alice in the romantic comedy road movie.

Roisin (39), fellow actor/writer Brooks Livermore and director James Card are now crowdfunding to get the vital money they need to make the idea - and their film - a reality.

The story follows Dan and Alice, who have different lives and are in stagnant relationships as they travel from London to Edinburgh to a wedding.

Grows

Through no fault of their own, they find themselves taking the journey alone together rather than as a car-share foursome with their partners, and find they have a spark as their journey progresses.

Over a series of mishaps, detours and an unplanned overnight stop, an attraction grows between them, and Alice and Dan are forced to wonder whether they should stay on their existing safe road through life, or get off and risk everything.

Aside from an overarching plot and moments, the entire dialogue will be improvised by the actors, which is a challenge Roisin has enjoyed.

Roisin, who also teaches an improvisation class at the Drama Centre in London, said: "We wanted a scenario where the two main characters would be forced into a small space and learn more about each other.

"It's a character-driven film and although I've had experience with improvisation on stage before, it's never been on this scale.

"Both myself and Brooks, who plays Dan, have had to create a character and research them in such detail that we can react to events and say things as they would on the spot during filming.

"We've each come up with some surprises for the other about our characters so we will have to react to them.

"We have to learn our characters inside out and it is a challenge I have really enjoyed.

"It also means we don't have to learn lines!"

Although the group has already filmed a test shoot and begun preparing the characters, £11,000 needs to be raised to make the film a reality.

Roisin, a former member of Oldham Theatre Workshop and Saddleworth School pupil, said: "We are trying to spread the word about the project and gain the funding we need before the July 3 deadline.

"We are working on a tight budget of £11,000, which will go towards hiring the equipment, insurance travel and expenses for the film."

"The idea has been compared with Peter Kay's Car Share."

There are also unique rewards available, including the chance to be an extra in the film, receive postcards from the team on their travels or be named in the end credits.

To find out more about the film visit www.dan-and-alice.com.

To donate visit www.kickstarter.com/projects.