WATCH EXCLUSIVELY NOW ON SPOTIFY
Ted and Max outlined the central plot of “Thieves in the Night,” which follows a group of thieves who seek refuge in a house after a heist gone wrong. The tension escalates when the homeowners refuse to be passive victims, leading to a series of gripping confrontations. The directors emphasized the unique blend of suspense and dark comedy that defines the film.
On the podcast, Ted and Max explored the film’s themes of unintended consequences and human behavior under stress. They discussed how “Thieves in the Night” juxtaposes moments of dark humor with the suspense of a home invasion, creating a narrative that keeps viewers on edge.
Ted and Max revealed that casting for “Thieves in the Night” was both swift and meticulous. Using platforms like StarNow, they sifted through hundreds of applications for each role. The initial character descriptions helped narrow down the candidates, who then submitted self-taped auditions.
Wayne: Initially envisioned as a character akin to David Duchovny or Clive Owen, the directors were surprised by an actor whose voice and performance perfectly fit the role.
Tim Cullingworth: Finding the right actor for Tim’s role was particularly challenging. After multiple auditions, Tim impressed the directors with his unique interpretation, despite not fitting the initial physical image of the character.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of their Conversation :
Improvisation played a significant role during filming, Ted and Max revealed. They encouraged actors to bring their own interpretations to the script, leading to more natural and compelling performances. The directors adopted a collaborative approach, allowing actors to reword lines and explore different reactions, which enriched the film.
Grandma Story Monologue: A pivotal scene involving a monologue by Tim’s character about his grandmother was transformed from an uncomfortable silence to a chilling yet humorous twist through improvisation.
Unplanned Reactions: To capture authentic reactions, certain plot points were kept hidden from some actors. This technique ensured genuine responses, adding to the film’s realism.
The directors discussed securing the perfect house on the Isle of Wight, a critical location for the film. While Airbnb was considered, personal connections ultimately provided a better deal, offering an ideal setting while managing costs.
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic caused a production delay. However, this period allowed the team to refine the script, resulting in a more polished and cohesive narrative when filming resumed.
The film was shot over three weeks with 13-hour days. Despite the grueling schedule, the directors ensured that the cast and crew were well-fed and given adequate breaks, maintaining high morale and energy levels.
Extensive preparation and rehearsals preceded the shoot. These sessions allowed the team to discover and refine improvisational elements that significantly contributed to the film’s depth and authenticity.
To generate interest and secure funding, an initial trailer was shot with the final cast. This trailer served as a test for the actors and gauged the feasibility of the project’s scope.
Ted and Max highlighted the supportive role of the local community on the Isle of Wight. The excitement of having a film shot in their area added a positive dynamic, with house owners and local residents showing enthusiasm and offering assistance.
Character Focus: Tim Cullingworth
Casting Tim
The directors shared that casting Tim was a lengthy process involving multiple auditions. His portrayal brought a unique spin to the character, blending menace with peculiar charm, making him both unsettling and captivating.
Tim’s Improvisational Role
Tim’s improvisational skills added significant value to his role. His monologue about his grandmother, initially a scripted uncomfortable silence, became a standout moment through his spontaneous additions.
Technical Aspects
Filming Techniques
Improvisation: Allowed characters to naturally evolve, leading to organic performances.
Unplanned Reactions: Ensured genuine responses by keeping certain plot elements hidden from some actors.
Editing and Post-Production
Post-production focused on maintaining the film’s tense yet humorous tone. Editors balanced the improvisational elements with scripted scenes, ensuring a cohesive final product.
About TED & MAX :
Max and Ted: The Visionary Duo Behind “Thieves In The Night”
Max and Ted are the dynamic, award-winning writer/directors behind a series of acclaimed short films and the recently released feature film “Thieves In The Night” (2023), which has just premiered on Amazon Prime.
Ted’s journey into filmmaking began with a background in Computer Animation and Special Effects. After spending over a decade as a teacher, he joined Brighton Film School in 2017, where he crossed paths with Max.
Max’s path was notably different. He attended business school and spent nine years working in a bank. Driven by his passion for filmmaking, he made a bold move from Austria to England to follow his dreams.
By early 2018, alongside a fellow film school colleague, Max and Ted co-founded The Red Carnage Company. Their collaboration quickly bore fruit with the creation of two compelling short films: “The Photographer” (2017) and “Dead End” (2018). They continued their streak with “Domino” (2018) later that year.
Their creative partnership reached new heights with the production of their first feature film, “Thieves In The Night” (2023). This project was the result of a four-year journey, showcasing their dedication and talent, and now available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
About the Show :
Creative Audios.in podcast is a diverse and engaging platform that offers a wide range of audio content suitable for teens, kids, and adults. Created and produced by Ajay Tambe, the podcast features a variety of genres including audio dramas, feel-good stories, spiritual narratives, bedtime stories, original audio series, and interviews with global actors, producers, artists, and authors
The podcast stands out for its commitment to storytelling that speaks to the audience, offering content in both English and Hindi. It covers a broad spectrum of themes such as feel-good romance, crime, mysteries, adventure, fantasy fiction, Christmas stories, history, mythology, and interviews with global artists.
Some of the specific series mentioned include “Sherlock Holmes,” “Christmas stories,” “Arabian Nights,” “Adventures of Sinbad,” “Freedom Fighters,” and “Interviews with Global Artists,” showcasing the podcast’s wide-ranging appeal
Listeners can enjoy the Creative Audios.in podcast on various platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow its updates on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram handle @podcastaudios
Founder Ajay Tambe’s background in acting and stage theatre contributes significantly to the podcast’s success, enabling him to craft compelling stories and bring them to life through the power of sound.
The podcast has been featured in the Top 100 Podcasts in over 15 countries, a testament to its popularity and the quality of its content
Available on Spotify | Apple podcast | Gaana | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio and 30+ Platforms