ARIELLA

A seemingly innocent waitress is instructed to keep an eye out on two criminals hiding out in her cafe, but her personal motives start to get in the way of her professionalism.

Written and Directed by Michael and Jack Jobling
Produced by Ryan J Harvey

It all began when Jack Jobling, transformed one of his early short stories into a script. Recognizing the potential, he reached out to his brother, Michael Jobling, known for his directorial prowess showcased in the mesmerizing short film, Anoesis. Having crossed paths with Michael during our university days, I was enthralled by his artistic flair and willingly offered to produce his next project—Ariella.

From the moment I delved into the script, the intricate interweaving of stories within the dark criminal underworld crafted by Jack and Michael left me spellbound. I knew Ariella was a project I wanted to sink my teeth into, to bring this vision to life.

Our collaborative journey began as we assembled a stellar cast, including Hannaj Bang Benz, Johann Myers, and James Graeme. The Felix Mater Society lent its support, but to fully materialize our dreams, we decided to embark on a Kickstarter campaign. The outpouring of support was overwhelming, eventually raising £10,222—an affirmation of the collective belief in our talents.

With our funding secured, the next chapter unfolded in the making of the film. Casting the remaining roles and recruiting the rest of our team, including the talented cinematographer Will Price, we embarked on a week of intense shooting. The climax unfolded during a final night shoot, capturing years of hard work on film

The post-production phase, guided by director Michael Jobling, saw the film come to life. A soulful soundtrack featuring Adam Peter Smith and Puma Blue provided the perfect backdrop, while the musical score, masterfully composed by Guiseppe Alfano, wove the narrative together.

Months later, with anticipation and excitement, we gathered the cast, crew, family, friends, and our Kickstarter backers for the grand premiere at the Nottingham Contemporary Arts Museum. The audience response was nothing short of fantastic. From there, Ariella embarked on its festival journey, gracing screens in London, San Francisco, Birmingham, and beyond, culminating in its feature on Beyond the Short.

Ariella was an ambitious undertaking, a project that taught me invaluable lessons and remains a source of immense pride. The journey was not just about making a film; it was about crafting a story that resonated, bringing together a community of passionate individuals to breathe life into a vision we all believed in.