Medieval film dream is made real

The reel thing - filmmaker Michael Fairbridge also stars in his own film

A first time filmmaker remortagaged his house to raise the funds for a medieval comedy film set in a Gwynedd village.

Featuring the members of the Harlech Medieval Society, the filming of The Baron, was a dream come true for history re-enactor Michael Fairbridge.

All the action takes place in and around Talsarnau using a crew from the Barcud studios in Caernarfon.

"A project of this kind is unusual, but I hope that it's very successful," said Owain Orwig from Barcud.

If you believe in something you have to go for it Filmmaker Michael Fairbridge

Mr Fairbridge had the idea for the short film six years ago but it was not until he split up with his partner that he decided the time was right to turn an idea into reality.

"I believe that life's an oyster and if you don't open it you don't know what it might hold," he said.

"I re-mortgaged the house as it's only bricks and mortar. If you believe in something you have to go for it."

In just 14 days the would-be Spielberg had set everything including a film crew. Then after persuading "every one I know" to help, the comedy was filmed over seven days in January 2005.

To keep overheads as low as possible Mr Fairbridge was a jack-of-all-trades even casting himself as the baron because of "manpower problems."

Filming took place in January

"During the filming 15 people stayed in my house, the only room without someone sleeping in it was the toilet.

"I got up at 7am every morning and went to bed at 2am the following morning after filming, cooking a meal for everyone, clearing up and making the sandwiches for next day," he said.

Filming was followed by months of editing and getting various permissions to use clips of music and finally the official rating.

"It was very scary waiting for the rating. I wanted children to be able to watch it so an U or PG was essential, I was happy that it got a PG rating." he said.

Now Mr Fairbridge feels all the hard work has paid off as the 24-minute film has a DVD release.

He has also sent off a copy to major studios across the world.

"The talent is here, and the views are spectacular. The film industry should really come over to North Wales," he said.