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Ben Pickering

@thebenpickering

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London/Cornwall-based, Welsh-bred film director/producer/author living a mildly nomadic existence…

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Today marks 35 years to the day since that fateful night at White Hart Lane, September 21st, 1991, when Chris Eubank Snr fought Michael Watson in a night that changed both their lives and the regulations of ringside boxing forever.

Although boxing remains a brutal sport, it is undoubtedly safer today because of what happened to Michael that night. His suffering led to changes that have helped protect countless fighters since.

10 years ago, I was approached by our wonderful writer, Matthew Bazell, and then by Michael himself, to bring his incredible, inspirational story to the big screen.

I raised the money, but then Covid came along and stopped me in my tracks. I had no choice but to return all the investment.

Fast forward 10 years, and thanks to our amazing investors, the legend that is Barry Hearn, and an incredible team of people who never gave up, we finally got it made.

We had hoped to release the film today, on the 35th anniversary of that tragic night, but I never fully realised the scale of the job I had taken on, especially recreating three of the biggest middleweight fights in boxing history.

From rebuilding the world of 1990s boxing to recreating those iconic fights, it has been an enormous undertaking. But thanks to an incredible cast, a dedicated crew and hundreds of supporting artists, we are nearly there.

To everyone who has supported us throughout this long, challenging and sometimes incredibly difficult journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And to Matthew and Michael, thank you for believing in me and trusting me to tell this story.

God bless you all. ❤️

THE FORCE: THE MICHAEL WATSON STORY

Some fights happen in the ring. The greatest ones happen in life.

The most important boxing movie of this century... COMING VERY SOON. 🥊🎬

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The incomparable Kris Saddler performing in som of the most tense scenes in the film… final edit is approaching and it won’t be long until we drop an official trailer… stay tuned.

📸 @lenemarin
💄 @jessbassmakeup @makeupbychloe_s
👔 @kellytoodefilm

#film #ukfilm #movie #actor #ukmovie

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THE FORCE is edging closer to its Red Carpet premiere. Hard to believe it was nearly a year ago already we were all standing on set. Good times. @seancroninactorofficial @magnificenttalent @blazenbamber @michaelgukas @vctorhuggo @matthewbazell @thebenpickering 📸 credits @jordan_smith_photos || Frazer Brown || unknown

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Final shoot day. When your nightclub scenes provide the perfect venue for the wrap party #film #gemmaarterton #ewenbremner

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The last hurrahhh for me as a film medic 🎬⛑️🎥
This one was special but It was hard work.
We had heat waves with temps exceeding satan’s locker, we had numerous city location changes, daily location changes, accommodation changes all with full kit, big kit, and more.
I wasn’t even 100% well during a lot of it and also mega illl at one point, but the crew still made the magic happen.

Thank you to everyone old faces and new for a great shoot.
I couldn’t resist the slow mo of our 1st Ad Stringbean Jo Stringer (haaaaapy biiiirthday toooo youuuu) in this video montage. Pure Legend.

#killabee #film

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So, here we are, it’s wrappity wrap on @killa_bee_film .
As the curtain draws on production, the bell at the wrap party rings for last drink order and the last trailer packs up and drives into the sunset, I can’t help thinking what an adventure it has been! Surely we worked hard to make sure @kenton.oxley vision, @ruthsewell.director script and, most importantly , @bryony.killabee life story had the best sound.
It wasn’t without some minor challenges and we managed to pull through with commitment and some laughter along the way.
Thank you @thebenpickering for having us, thank you, @woodieswisdom, @marek.lichtenberg and definitely @bethmaisanders for dealing with us!
Thank you to the outstanding AD team! @joestringer.mov, @emilyjanesheppard, Ben and @giselle.ophelia , total diamonds!
Thank you @sashi_kissoon for your patience and kindness and all your camera team, Rana and Louie!
Thank you everyone else of course!

I was so invested in this one that I never forgot to press record once! Imagine that! Lol
Till the next adventure!
@matteodicugno @emagabbi and @malvestiti.sound

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Mr @thebenpickering and Mr @marek.lichtenberg hard at work or hardly working? Reality is Both of these guys worked tirelessly, putting in countless hours far beyond the schedule. It wasn’t unusual to find ourselves having work conversations at 4 a.m.

Marek was constantly multitasking, somehow balancing several different aspects of the production all at once. Ben was right at the top of the pyramid, making difficult decisions every single day to keep the whole machine moving.

This is an incredibly misleading photo, and that’s exactly why it’s funny. The juxtaposition is what makes it work. The reality is that these were two of the hardest-working people on SET.

I always try to photograph everyone on set throughout a production. With such a huge crew and so little time, I couldn’t capture everybody, but I did manage to snap a few gems like this one. @killa_bee_film was lucky to have them both.

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Last week was a special one 3 years in the waiting. ANGEL OF THE NORTH premiered @raindancefilmfestival

It was an awesome experience to walk the red carpet with the team and experience the iconic film festival as an actor appearing in one of their officially selected films. They have thousands and thousands of submissions every year and we made it! WE DID IT! 💪🏻

A BIG shoutout to @cy_biggs for having a dream and chasing it! He made it happen!

A BIG shoutout to @seancroninactorofficial for directing this monster of a film.

And a BIG shoutout to the man himself who I had the honour of playing @gypsyboymccrory It was a pleasure to meet you good sir and I hope we did you proud! Big love!

And of course to the wonderful cast and crew who I got to work with in bringing this story to life @amberdoigthorne @summerjoules_official @john.duddy @ebanie_bridges @tequila_trufx @abbie.artist @emcathbro @danrobinsofficial @daniel_patrick_vaughan @thebenpickering and many others! 🙏

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We told ourselves we’d take a break.. But here we are. 6 weeks out from rolling on ‘MACDONALD’. Written and directed by @daniel_patrick_vaughan and shooting here in the North East of England. Big shout to the team that has got us this far. Let’s get this baby over the line x

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Happy birthday to the one and only Ben Pickering. A true emotional rock, co-producer in arms, friend and confidant. I honestly don’t think I would’ve got through the last couple of years without him. Wishing you the best year ahead, my friend. ❤️ @thebenpickering

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The absolute gem of a film “Angel of the North” premiere screening at Raindance Film Festival! Wow this one was emotional, watching the stunning final edit and remembering the great times we had on set filming this spectacular biopic of the inspirational @gypsyboymccrory James “Gypsy Boy” McCrory and catching up with everyone.
Huge congratulations Sean Cronin and Cy Biggs for creating this masterpiece 🎬!
Starring The Derry Destroyer himself John Duddy as James McCrory and Thomas Dennis smashing it as younger James .
Amber Doig-Thorne and Summer-Joules Saunders and guest starring “The Celtic Warrior” Steve Collins as Dave Radford and Harry Mathews as younger Dave . And the beautiful “Blonde Bomber” Ebanie Bridges
Written by Cy Biggs .
Directed by Sean Cronin and Cy Biggs
Produced by Sean Cronin Ben Pickering and Magnificent Films
HMU and SFX design by myself
Exec producer Raymond Hollywood
DOP Daniel Patrick Vaughn
AD Katie Henwood
2nd AD Emmy Brown
Fantastic production designer Abbie Cornwell
Costume Design Nick Sen .
Was so amazing catching up with everyone gutted our awesome lead couldn’t make it from the states but thanks John for your shout out on your video .
This film is a huge one to look out for and I just know it will get the recognition it deserves . Blood sweat and tears literally made this epic film so look out for it when it’s officially released 🎬🎬🥊🇮🇪💜 #raindancefilmfestival #filmpremiere🎬 #sfxmua #bareknuckleboxinghalloffame #filmlife🎬

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