Director's Statement

Tim and I were two mates living almost next door, often both working from home, catching up for a cup of tea most afternoons. Tim would moan about the music he wished he was playing and I would moan about the films I wished I was making.

Tim was desperately trying to break into the music scene and it frustrated me that I couldn’t help him get noticed.  We would come up with elaborate plans to entice journalists and agents to come to his shows, and gather mates to fill up his tiny theatre.  Sitting amongst a handful of people watching Tim perform at the Butterfly Club we all knew the guy was brilliant, but how would he EVER get noticed?

Running alongside this was the pressure on both of us, from our partners, to get on and start a family and our shared resistance to the idea.  We used each other as back-up to justify our firmly dug in heals.

But I could sense change brewing in Tim’s life and so I asked if I could film him.  “Who the hell would be interested?” Tim asked.  “Probably no-one, just humour me”, I told him.  And since there is no Tim without his wife, Sarah, I asked her too.  She generously agreed.

I had a strong sense that a story was up for the taking but I knew enough to know that asking broadcasters and investors to give me money to make a film about an out-of-work musician would be over before you can say COME BACK WHEN YOU HAVE A SCRIPT. So I set out to fund it alone. 

Watching a friend’s life transform is exciting and for it to happen in front of the camera lense was exhilarating. Two years later I was still looking for an ending.

At this stage I asked the creative and experienced producer Lizzette Atkins to come on board to help me turn it into a film.  Lizzette guided me through all the post-production producing and financing, and patiently and artfully steered the narrative throughout the edit. 

Today Tim and Sarah live in London. Tim now stuns audiences on the stages of New York, LA and Vegas, he’s writing a pilot for BBC Comedy, a radio show for BBC Radio, is frequently seen on British TV and his fan-base around the world is furiously growing.

It’s been a fast and fun ride. Long may it continue.