Street Talk for January 17, 2020
Josef Bates

PRETTYBIRD UK has added emerging Gen-Y writer/filmmaker Josef Bates to its directorial roster. Bates has already developed a signature dark comedy style, which was first showcased in his inaugural short, Meat. The film made waves on the European film festival circuit and won him an award at the British Horror Film Festival in 2018, as well as shortlist recognition at Molins de Rei Horror Film Festival. Bates has kept up the momentum with his second short, TIC, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2019. TIC hit the big screen again during the London Short Film Festival on January 11 and is now scheduled for few special screenings at some of London’s top ad agencies. TIC was produced by the BAFTA-winning VAL TV and stars Emma Mackey (Sex Education) and Will Merrick (Skins, Dead Pixels, About Time) in a tense black comedy about a guy trying to hide his Tourette syndrome on a first date with a witty young woman. Bates applies his personal experience of Tourette’s to the script, combined with references to slasher movies, to create a refreshing twist on the stereotypical portrayal of people with Tourette’s in cinema. Laced with dark humor and uncomfortable moments, TIC is an unconventional and original portrayal of a first date, which singles out Bates as one to watch. TIC is currently being written as a TV series for Channel 4 with the same cast..... 

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