Hopeman actress and director Isobella Hubbard receives international acclaim for new short film
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A MORAY actress, writer and director has been put in the spotlight by the film industry for her latest project.
Laura Hubbard, from Hopeman, who is known by her stage name Isobella Hubbard, has received recognition for her recent short film, Just A Walk, which has been short-listed for various film festivals around the world and an award at the British Short Film Awards.
The film, focused on women's safety and the fears associated with walking alone, explores the experiences of two women walking during the day and night.
Laura said: "I started writing the film one day after going for a walk in the woods on my own, which I would never normally do. I was really proud of myself and then I started thinking about how strange it is to be proud of just going on a walk.
"I think for every woman, there are so many subconscious things we do just to be safe. It is always in the back of our heads, especially when we're out alone and it's always in the news – sadly I don't know how that will ever change, but it is something I feel very passionate about."
Laura wrote, directed, and shot the film at the end of last year, using a mix of old-school film and digital footage. The point of view of the two female characters was captured on film to reflect the uncertainty of their journeys, while the predator's perspective was shot on a digital camera, symbolising the planned out nature of their actions.
The film, featuring two voice-overs expressing the inner monologues of the women, was shot entirely in Glasgow with an all-female cast and crew, to ensure a female perspective remained throughout the production process.
Laura said: "My last film was very character led and the dialogue was between characters but this was all done over two different voice overs. I couldn't really capture a character, this is about all women and it could be any woman or girl at any time. I wanted to mirror what a lot of women do when they're walking home, you keep telling yourself you are safe and will be home soon.
"I wanted to use that essence so the film has two women's monologues about getting home, one woman is at night getting off the train and the other is jogging through the park during the day, because again that fear never leaves us whether its during the day or at night."
Despite facing challenges related to filming on old-school film, such as limited development locations in the UK and the risk of damage during transportation, Laura's film was officially completed in summer. Just A Walk has already received recognition for it's important themes, with a write up in the LA News and selection for festivals such as the London Lift-Off Festival and the New York International Women's Film Festival.
Laura, who has worked as an actress for around a decade and has appeared in the popular TV shows Coronation Street and Outlander, is now looking forward to directing her next film, which explores the impact of the housing crisis.
Just a Walk will be available on an online platform, following the end of its festival run.
