Code Switch Short Film

Hi, we’re Mikhail Sen and Isobel Wood; Actors, writers, film makers and founders of Code Switch Productions.

Having worked in the industry for years, we are increasingly aware of the lack of stories that represent our multi-cultural, multi-faceted world. Our short film Code/Switch aims to explore the complex identities that make us human. While the subject matter might sound serious, we hope that through the lens of humour, Code/Switch will both resonate and entertain audiences the world over.

We’re currently looking to raise £6000 towards finishing the post production and supporting the film festival run of Code/Switch.

Production was funded out of our own pocket and we were fortunate to receive a grant of £2000 from The Friends of Drama Centre, to put towards filming costs.

Your support will ensure the fantastic work produced by our team will see completion and ultimately be enjoyed by audiences across the world.

STORY SUMMARY

“Ashir Pradhan is late to the interview of a lifetime. Racing against the clock, he loses his suit along the way. An unfortunate mishap, forcing him to arrive in ‘trackies’. But Ashir is no stranger to adapting. In fact he specialises in it. A chameleon by nature, he's spent a lifetime code-switching in order to fit in and today is no exception. Calling on his alter egos, Posh, Indian and Inner-City, together they navigate the whitewashed world of McManus and Co. But when he realises the company has an ulterior motive for offering him the job, he leaves conflicted. Was he just a tickbox? And if Ashir takes the job will he risk losing himself for the sake of fitting in?”

WHY THIS STORY?

Code/Switch is an extremely important story of and for today, reflecting our society and our social ways of life.

By definition, code-switching involves deploying different linguistic codes (accent or language) in order to fit into different social situations. It is the art of adapting our behaviour to appropriately blend in – a universal aspiration.

All of us wear different masks to suit different occasions - at work or at home. However, the impact of code-switching varies substantially and depends on a range of socio-economic and cultural factors. Our research as well as personal experience strongly suggests that marginalised communities are more vulnerable to being adversely affected by code-switching.

For example, in the workplace, contextual identities and authentic identities are often at odds with one another and compel minorities to remain silent; blending into the background rather than speaking up.

Our aim is to highlight these issues through the medium of comedy; after all laughter is the best form of therapy.

PROJECT TIMELINE

FUTURE OF THE PROJECT

Whilst one of our goals is for Code/Switch to have a successful run on the film festival circuit, it’s also a proof of concept for a wider TV series.

Code/Switch gained interest as a radio play, reaching the final round of both the BBC radio 4 comedy and drama commissions. However, it was originally envisaged as a 6x30 recurring TV series. This is the BIG PICTURE dream. Once the film is completed we will use it to pitch the series to production companies.

Your support can help make this dream a reality. Post-production on any film is key, it can make or break it. We already have an incredible line up of creatives who want to work on the film. We just need the finances in place to get started.

Fifty Fifty a major post production house, who have worked on Juice (BBC) and other award winning British comedies will be doing our grade and online post production.

BAFTA award winning Amer Iqbal whose credits include Jack Whitehall's Travels With My Father (Netflix) and The Rap Game UK (BBC) is our editor.

Joshan Chana, who works across projects for both the Guardian and BBC Studios will be doing our sound mix.

And last but not least, Jonathan Escoto-Brown; award winning film composer and member of successful ska band Kioko, will be composing our film score.

WHERE WILL DONATIONS BE SPENT?

1. Post production.

2.Film Festival fees.

MEET THE CAST

Mikhail Sen is a writer and a producer on Code/Switch who also plays Ashir Pradhan. He is best known as an actor for, A Suitable Boy (BBC/Netflix), House Of The Dragon (HBO) and Good Karma Hospital (ITV).

Isobel Wood is a writer and producer on Code/Switch who also plays Ellen. She is best known as an actor for Hollywood movie Chief Of Station (Apple TV/Amazon) and Silent Witness (BBC).

Liam Williams plays Mark. He’s a Comedian/ Writer/ Actor and two-time Edinburgh Comedy nominee. His previous actor/writer credits include Ladhood (BBC) and Pls Like (BBC).

Tibu Fortes plays Posh Ashir. He is best know as an actor for Shetland (BBC) and People Just Do Nothing (BBC)

Harki Bhambra plays Inner-City Ashir. He is best known as an actor for Our Girl (BBC) and Good Karma Hospital (ITV).

Omar Khan plays Indian Ashir. He is best known as an actor for Bollywood smash hit Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and wrote and stared in award winning short Plunge.

Liam Lou Fernandez plays Li. He is best known as an actor for the Olivier nominated stage production of Playlist For A Revolution (Bush Theatre) and Schools Out Forever (Sky TV).

Ralph Prosser plays Glasscock. He is best known as an actor for Alex Rider (Amazon).

Andrew Buzzeo plays Northy. He is best known as an actor for Alex Rider (Amazon).

Daniel Lipton plays Horbs. He is an actor best known for Testament (Angel Studio) and Michael Mcintyre’s Big Show (Season 7) .

MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES

Laki Pattapola is a producer on Code/Switch. His credits include Wheel Of Time (Amazon) , Bond: No Time to Die (MGM) and Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker (Lucasfilm). He has worked in production and editorial positions on Oscar nominated and BAFTA winning films and broadcast productions.

Shaun Rhodes is a producer on Code/Switch. A multiple Iris Award nominee, his credits include Dreaming Whilst Black (BBC) and is the founder of After Everything Productions.

Alexander Moffat is the director on Code/Switch. He has several other shorts including his first feature in development. He started his professional career as an actor and has worked on projects for Amazon, Apple TV and BBC.

Paul McKay is the cinematographer on Code/Switch. He is also the DOP on BAFTA award winning short film Home and feature film We Three Kings; winner of Best British Film at Raindance.