Brian Beacom

THERE aren’t too many writers who come up with a feature film idea based upon the discovery of a dead sister they never knew existed.

Dreaded Light is Mark MacNicol’s first foray into film production, his project set to go into development with casting underway.

However Glasgow-born Mark, a successful novelist and playwright, admits his source material came about in the strangest manner possible.

“When I made the decision to produce a feature film I remembered the story of what had happened to my mum,” he recalls.

“This was a story I’d told to a few people over the years and it produced hairs on the back of their neck.”

When Mark was 15, his mum worked in a Thornliebank chippy.

“One day she was approached by a new delivery driver, and he introduced himself to her as a psychic medium.

“He then asked if it was okay to pass on a message to her.

“My mum thought it really odd but she agreed and this man then said he had a message for her from her eldest child.”

Mark’s mum was confused. Mark was her eldest child. And he was very much still around.

“My mum immediately said ‘No, that’s not possible. The medium cut in and said, ‘No, I’m talking about the child who was born a year before Mark.’

“What struck my mother was that this man knew my name.”

Mark’s mum had in fact had a baby that died.

“In the final stages of pregnancy she was taken to Glasgow’s Rottenrow Hospital, bleeding, and had real difficulties with the birth.

“She went into a comma, as a result of the blood loss.

“And four days later when she came around she was told the baby was dead, having been buried by my father.”

In passing over the message from the dead baby, the delivery man/spirit medium had referred to the child spirit as ‘Angela.’

“My mother had planed to call her daughter Michelle, but after the death she thought of her as Angela, because of the connection with angels.

“The amazing thing for me was how this man could possibly have known any of this.”

Mark began working life in sales and marketing with an IT company and writing was always a hobby.

But after his first novel Coconut sold massively he gave up the day job to re-write the story as a stage play.

It went on to be performed at the Tron Theatre and Mark continued to write books and plays before moving into theatre production.

His play 3000 Trees, the story of legendary lawyer Willie MacRae, ran at the Edinburgh Festival to critical acclaim.

Meanwhile, the writer, who funded through a Masters degree in Film Studies at Caledonian University took off to Hollywood to sell project ideas and develop connections.

“It was an amazing experience,” he says.

“I didn’t manage to sell my TV pilot idea but came home with an option agreement for Coconut Badger.”

He adds; “It’s tough to get your work made into film or television. It’s like buying a lottery ticket. I don’t believe this notion that cream rises to the top.

“But I believe you can make things happen on your own.”

All of this suggests Mark MacNicol to have an incredible drive, and a commitment. to success.

This is highlight by his approach to writing Dreaded Light.

While he admits he isn’t a religious person he felt if he were going to write a film script that sought to capture the spirit world he should find out more.

“I’d never even had a reading done,” he says, smiling.

“But to develop the script I attended spiritualist services, churches, went to readings – under a false name - and I was blown away with the knowledge some people had.

“Not all of the mediums offered me something but the bullseyes certainly made me think ‘Oh my God!’”

One spirit medium told Mark of a message from his late brother, Jason, who had died from a heroin overdose.

Over he years, Mark had tried in vain to keep his brother on the straight and narrow.

“Jason came through to me, apologising for the grief he had caused me,” says Mark, his voice suggesting how profoundly affected he was by that experience.

Now, he has high hopes for Dreaded Light, which he reveals will be a horror film.

“I’ve never actually been a fan of horror movies,” he says, smiling. “I’m not keen on the slasher films.

“But when I looked at my mum’s story, it sort of lent itself to that genre so I’ve subverted the tale.

“And I’m really interested in the spirits and ghosts aspect of horror films.”

If enthusiasm and belief alone were enough to ensure success, Mark’s film would be a cert.

However, he has a finance strategy in place whereby investors are guaranteed a 70 per cent return on their money, thanks to the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, (SEIS) and HMRC’s Film Tax Credits.

“It means there really is minimal risk for investors,” he says.

The writer/producer is hoping to land a distribution deal that will take his film into cinemas.

“But that isn’t necessary these days. There are so many platforms out there that can be exploited, such as Netflix.

“What’s really exciting is making this film happen, and the possibilities are amazing.”

Mark, who has a major social media platform, will also direct the film. And he is talking to a couple of big name actors at the moment.

“It’s all about availability,” he says, with a hopeful smile. “I’m hoping for an A -lister.

“But I really belief in this film. And I will male it work whatever.

“I’ve learned from experience you can’t sit back and rely upon others to hire you in the film and television world.

“Sometimes, you have to do it for yourself.”

Perhaps some of his immeasurable self-confidence comes from knowing he has a private backer.

“The delivery man who spoke to my mum told me Angela is watching over me,” he says in calm voice.

“Before I learned of this I wasn’t convinced. But given everything I’ve now experienced I do believe the spirit carries on after death.

“It really is a comfort to know I have a guardian angel.”

http://markmacnicol.com/