Yorkshire’s latest film is going to be in hot demand

Yorkshire’s newest film is set to be in hot demand, with an award-winning cast and crew.

Filming is well underway at coastal locations for the production of ‘Hot Flash’.

Writer Jan Birley says the story of an everyday woman overcoming personal and worklife adversity has worldwide appeal.

“It’s a comedy but it is also a feelgood story, with a strong message for older women who are determined to succeed,” said Jan at the media launch of the film in Bridlington.

Hot Flash revolves around the business dreams of failed hairdresser Geri who has to summon up deep courage to create a new venture while battling brutal menopause and 40-plus single motherhood.

Funding has been secured for the filming which is taking place also the coast, including in Sewerby, Flamborough, Bridlington and Scarborough, with release planned for later this year. Scenes will include Flamborough Village Hall, Bondville Model Village in Sewerby and the concert hall at Scarborough Library.

Leading stars include Gaynor Faye and Samuel Anderson, of BBC's Amandaland, ex-Hollyoaks actor James Atherton and Matt Jameson, who appeared in Married at First Sight UK.

Geri is played by actor and writer Gaynor of Coronation Street, Fat Friends, Emmerdale, The Syndicate, and The Inheritance fame. It is her first feature-length film since her role in Fanny and Elvis in 1999.

“After reading Jan’s script, getting involved in Hot Flash was a no-brainer. It’s humorous, touching, and tackles menopause head-on, which is something few feature-length films do,” said Gaynor, who is a Yorkshire Businesswoman magazine ambassador.

The director is Kathryn Carmichael who led the theatre production of Kinky Boots. She is associate producer of her TV series The Orchard – A Seed of Hope, starring BAFTA-winning actors and was associate producer of a multi-million production of Dracula Crimson Reign.

Music is a core part of the production, with Grammy award-winning songwriter and recording artist Eliot Kennedy, who has a track record in film, TV and musical theatre. The Sheffield-based producer has worked with Boyzone, Celine Dion and Bryan Adams, as well as on films such as Bend it Like Beckham.

“Jan wanted music from the onset to be part of the creative process,” said Eliot. “Music is in the soul, it’s about an emotional experience and projects the film narrative and unstated relationships between people.”

He co-wrote the music and lyrics for the musical adaptation of Calendar Girls – about which he drew parallels with Hot Flash as a Yorkshire-inspired story. He also co-wrote and produced the Boyzone song Picture of You in 1997, the theme for Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie, starring Rowan Atkinson - and won an Ivor Novello Award.

Appearing in a cameo role will be Christine Talbot, award-winning television presenter and host in the Yorkshire region for nearly three decades. Christine is also a Yorkshire Businesswoman ambassador – and the magazine has supplied a front page as a film prop.

Jan is also the writer and producer of novels and screenplays, with two short films in production, both award-winning at script or film stage. She is discussing film distribution with sales agents in Berlin but “also engaging with the biggest players in the market.”

Jan grew up in Scarborough and her father-in-law was the late John Birley who made significant contributions to the sporting community.

Asked if she felt a little apprehensive about the scale of the project and after having worked on the script three years ago, Jan said: “I’m not, and I think I’ll do it again!”

Prior to a media tour of the filmset and production areas, Jan, of Odd Sock Productions and BoxTree Media, said: “This project is timely and important – as someone with lived experience of the challenges of menopause, I’m excited to direct a film which explores themes of feeling unseen and losing yourself.

“It’s a feel-good, entertaining story but if we can start more conversations and help more women feel visible, valued and less alone, it will be massively worthwhile.”

“I can’t think of anyone better than Gaynor to play Geri,” she added.

Gaynor was in the make-up and costume departments on the launch day, when short film clips of some scenes were shown. Prior to filming, she said: “I'm so excited to be working in my home county … celebrating women, celebrating Yorkshire … and having a laugh."

There are likely to be premieres in Yorkshire and London.