PRODUCER'S DIARY: It's been a busy month with auditions for "Fatal-Exception" being held at VUE Cinemas at the o2 in Greenwich. We had a good response and I got to meet a lot of talented actors. It's now decision time for me and Paul as to who will be picked for the roles.

My project is in full swing with "Retribution of the Soul" finally coming together with the script in its final few drafts. Of course I am being helped with this by Mr Dolmen who has been a inspiration to me. 

I am having my first read through of the script this weekend with the three principle actors in the short. Paul Dennison who will be playing Dr Adam Powell, Hannah Coten who is playing Jessica Kyle and Duncan MacInnes as Warren Kyle. The short is due to be filmed either in July or August of this year.

This will be my first foray into the world of the screenwriter and director and am looking forward to the challenge. We will  be shooting in various locations around London.

DIRECTOR'S DIARY: These are indeed exciting times. It seems our ambitious and somewhat crazy ideas for shooting a feature film are being embraced by people around us. The first step in this madness is to film a 7-10 minute teaser in July, of which we have been carrying out auditions for roles.

Writing/producing the feature is going to take the best part of this year with filming expected to begin in perhaps in early 2010. So, that sorts out the diary for a while. That, coupled with other projects we are beginning to undertake, is making life quite a ride.

All this reminds me of something I mentioned to a writer friend... that producing a film is like creating a monster. From script, to production, to filming, it grows and grows until it takes on a life of its own, and ends up scaring you half to death. You struggle to keep control of it, but ultimately it will take you in the direction it chooses and you can't stop it.

But then afterwards you're the proudest monster parent ever. Perhaps I'm being a little too surreal, but sometimes it just helps you to focus and get things done and that is probably the best advice I have yet recieved - to go out there and just do it.

To hell with sanity. Who needs it. :)

Nebula Gate Films is featured in the March 2009 edition of the online magazine Ignite Birmingham.

It's a high quality publication, launched in November 2008 and based in Birmingham, and which advertises the work of artists and artistic events in and around the city.

Nebula Gate's latest short film The Last Human gets a massive triple-page spread in the latest edition, as director Paul Dolmen reveals the story behind the film.

Take a look: Visit www.ignitebirmingham.co.uk or click on: http://issuu.com/ignitebirmingham/docs/ignitemarch

DIRECTOR'S DIARY: I was proud last night. In a quiet corner of Birmingham the latest short film The Last Human played to a small, informal audience - and ended to applause and cheers. I was incredibly humbled.

After the struggles, the problems with production, and having to cancel the first planned shoot, the film was finally played to an appreciative audience of 'strangers'. And the positive feedback I recieved was overwhelming.

The event was called the Local Shorts Film Club (www.creativepathway.org.uk), which takes place quarterly at Birmingham Library Theatre. It's usually a collection of like-minded people, some working in different fields in the industry. It's usually a collection of people who are highly-passionate about their work. And their appreciation makes it all worth it.

I would say thank you to the organisers for choosing to show the film and to those who have spoken to me afterwards to say how much they enjoyed it. And while I openly welcome criticism of any kind, people had nothing but kind words to say

Today I am - almost - speechless. :)