Cold North Productions - media 

Cold North is a working name for Sarah Woodcock's film production projects based in Inverness, Highlands, Scotland. 

Press Pack

Press Release March 2018

Cold North Productions launch with debut film “Becoming” set in the Scottish Highlands.  

Becoming is the debut short film written and directed by Sarah Woodcock and produced by Cold North Productions, a new film production company based in the Highlands with ambitions of giving the area the modern screen presence that its unique scenery and culture deserve. 

Made on a shoe string budget and shot entirely on location in the Scottish Highlands becoming presents a major achievement of imagination, talent and tenacity as first time filmmaker.

Sarah Woodcock graduated from never having held a camera to writing, shooting, directing and editing this project within three short years. 

The film is an eery and beautifully captured story of a woman’s self-discovery. Main character Cordy (stunningly portrayed by debutant Alisa Hughes) has blocked out all memory of her tragic childhood. She lives a stultified life, friendless and focussed on her work as a research therapist. But Cordy’s security is threatened by ill health and a series of disturbing dreams that force her to face the unknown truth from her childhood that has come to define her life.

Becoming is atmospherically soundtracked with original compositions from multi-award winning sound designer and musician Keith Duncan.

Sarah comments : 

"The journey to make the film was stretched over a long period of time - three years, this was due to lack of time and resources in general. We all have day jobs so we had to be really focused to make it happen. However we learnt so much along the way and had so many wonderful moments where things would come together with the amazing people involved, or the Highland weather would suddenly clear in the middle of a storm, giving us just enough time to shoot. 

I have loved the whole process and feel lucky to have worked with the people I have; a heady mix of writers, artists and actors all throwing themselves into the new experience of making a film. 

The three key contributors were writer GR Macdonald who’s sense of dialogue and the creeping underlying gothic helped breathe life into the story, Alisa Hughes an artist living in Ullapool who's beautiful screen-presence and ability to convey subtle disquiet creates the character of Cordy, and lastly Keith Duncan a sound engineer and talented musician who created the film’s haunting and wonderful score. It was also a pleasure to work with family; my mother Lilian Woodcock played The Seer, she had great fun rediscovering her enjoyment of acting, having acted in plays when she was younger. My sister Fiona Mackenzie, another artist, braved the cold waters as Cordy's mother in the opening scene. The whole film really shows what creative people can do when they work together"

Keith Duncans bio: https://www.filmedinburgh.org/Production-Guide/Keith-Duncan  

Sarah Woodcock Director, G.R.MacDonald co writer. Cast Lillian Woodcock, Jack McCruden & Alisa Hughes as Cordy. Sarah films the Seer. GR MacDonald building a slide for camera. Rachael Anderson helps Ellie Fraser prepare for shoot. Hugely talented Keith Duncan, musician, vocalist & sound engineer.

To view trailer click on: