One of the most extraordinary achievements in film-making in recent years has been the production of a new British independent film called LUCID, which focuses on the essence of dreams and reality colliding.

With co-star big names like Billy Zane and Sadie Frost, the film is the creation of legally blind film-maker Adam Morse, who is becoming a pioneer for visually-impaired creatives and other people with similar disabilities.

Film and TV Now interviewed the director about his film and the evolution and production of the work.

Adam Morse; Lucid Arrivals; 23 June 2018; Photograph:Pako Mera © EIFF, Edinburgh International Film Festival All Rights Reserved

FILM AND TV NOW: You are a multi-talented individual, working as an actor, director and musician. What has been the most satisfying thing so far in your career?

ADAM MORSE: Has to be delivering my first feature film, as this was a project that I spent five years working on from conception to delivery. Making Lucid was a real labour of love and a very personal story that I felt destined to tell, so to see it now being enjoyed by audiences is by far the most rewarding experience I’ve had yet

FTVN: Your condition has led you to champion the cause of people in both a similar and varied condition to you. What action has been taken so far, which organisations are lending support and how can people get in touch to help out and donate their own time and efforts?

AM: For me personally, I’ve had the most support from a charity local to me called KAB (Kingston Association for the Blind). They have been there for me from the moment I was diagnosed until now, and have provided me with monetary grants over the years that have allowed me to afford specialist technology and software that has enabled me regain my independence.

FTVN: LUCID taps into that is-it-real-or-isn’t-it vibe we have seen in films like TOTAL RECALL, but is a more intimate and grounded story without the need for major VFX. What was the start off point for the film?

AM: The start off point for the style of the film was sharing references with my team of other movies that had a similar vibe or atmosphere. Films that were more psychological then spectacle like: David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, or Denis Villeneuve’s Enemy. I didn’t feel the need to use VFX or contrive major set pieces for the tone and message for this movie to translate.

Lucid - Adam Morse

FTVN: You have some big names in the film, notably Billy Zane and Sadie Frost. When did they come on board?

AM: Billy was the first actor to be cast. Sadie came on board quite late into prep about a week before filming began.

FTVN: Tell us about your production team.

AM: I’ve had incredible collaborators on this project and feel very lucky to have been blessed with such a brilliant team on my first feature film. Notably, my producing partners Adam Rose and Julia Varvara were instrumental in helping me on my journey to make and promote this film. My cinematographer Michel Dierickx was integral to creating the unique look I wanted for this film and I knew we had a winning chemistry after shooting my first short film The Window together.

FTVN: How did you raise finance for the film?

AM: Our executive producer Ben White who believed in the project from the very beginning raised the finance through private equity

FTVN: Where did you shoot the film and for how long?

AM: The film was shot on location in London over 20 days.

FTVN: What has been the reaction by industry executives and production companies to your efforts?

AM: The reaction to the film by the industry has been very positive, with film lovers appreciating its art-house nature and for it daring to be different

Lucid - Adam Morse

FTVN: You are attached to direct HYPNOSIS, which is being executive produced by Ted Field, a name familiar to a lot of people who saw many a Touchstone film in the 1980s. What has your working relationship been like with him?

AM: Working with Ted Field has been an absolute privilege and a real education into the business mechanics of movie making. Ted has great commercial instincts for when it comes to picking his scripts and developing them, but he is also very talented, creatively himself, which is a joy to find in any exec because you feel you are working with a true passionate fan of cinema.

FTVN: Tell us a bit more about your album and music. Who are your influences?

AM: My first single “When Do We End” (feat. Isaac) is being released on September 3rd and is and RnB/Alternative track that mixes 00’s vocal style with contemporary trap drums. My debut album is due to drop in December and has an eclectic style of genres that are influences from my favourite artists and bands such as Joy Division, Travis Scott, Radio Head and The Weekend.

FTVN: How has COVID-19 affected your development as a film-maker?

AM: I suppose COVID-19 has affected me as a person where I’m now taking more of an introspect into who I am and what I find important in my life, so that’s probably going to develop me as a story teller by osmosis

FTVN: Finally, what are you most proud of about LUCID as a film?

AM: I’m proud of every department and really happy with how the film has turned out as a whole, but the performances by the cast are what fill me with the most pride.

LUCID will be released September 7th and will be available on the following platforms: Virgin / iTUNES / Amazon / Xbox / PlayStation / Microsoft

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Film and TV Journalist Follow: @Higgins99John Follow: @filmandtvnow