Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Micro-Budget UK Sci-Fi 20 Years In The Making Lands Distribution Deal Against The Odds

As UK studios and cinemas fill up with mega-budget U.S. superhero movies, here’s a rare David and Goliath story from the other end of the spectrum. Micro-budget UK sci-fi film Invasion Planet Earth, a passion project 20 years in the making, has secured UK distribution.

… Cast is largely made up of unknown actors but the pic includes an end title song by UK singer and actress Toyah Willcox (Quadrophenia) who also stars in the film. Matt Allsopp, whose credits include Godzilla: King Of The Monsters and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, provided original concept art.

• Continue reading at Deadline. Browse all of our previous Kaleidoscope Man news.

In Case You Missed The News…

If you haven’t already heard, I have some great news. After 7 years in production and nearly 10 years before that in development, our super ambitious sci-fi thriller, Kaleidoscope Man, is at last completed.

The last 3 months have been a true roller-coaster for me. It started back on the 18th Aug 2018, when we finally locked the picture. This had been after a good 6 months of working on the fine cut.

Next we got to work on the sound track. I did the foley recording (footsteps), Keith Tinman track laid the sound effects, Benjamin Symons fine-tuned the music score and Alan Snelling recorded the ADR, mixed the music and then did the full 5.1 surround sound mix.

On the picture side, the edit went to Narduzzo Too at Pinewood Studios, where it was fully colour graded by Harry Conquest and Vince Narduzzo, then it went to Out-Post Post production where the film was on-lined by Nigel Gorley and converted into various formats ready for delivery for cinema, TV, DVD and online.

We were very VERY lucky in that one of our stars, the lovely Toyah Willcox recorded an amazing song for the end titles. It’s a powerful and inspiration song called, Step into the New World, and it really captures the heart and soul of what the film is about. It was written by Alan Snelling and myself and we hope to officially release it soon.

• Continue reading at the Kaleidoscope Man website. Browse Dreamscape’s Kaleidoscope Man news archive. (Photos/Images © kaleidoscopeman.com)

With just a few weeks of post production left, Kaleidoscope Man director, Simon Cox, talks us through where he is with the movie and his future plans and of course, how you can see it. Click below to watch the video at You Tube.

• Browse all of Dreamscape’s Kaleidoscope Man news.  (Photo © kaleidoscopeman.com)

• Kaleidoscope Man: Toyah was in the dubbing studio for K-Man last week – See her tweet…

• Kaleidoscope Man: Browse our K-Man news archive here…

• The Comet: Cameras roll in Stevenage restaurant for feature-length film: Voodoo Productions, based in Luton, have been filming feature-length psychological thriller Heckle at Misya in Stevenage High Street. The film, about a stand-up comedian who gets heckled during a performance and goes mad, stars Hollywood legend Clark Gable’s grandson, also named Clark Gable, Danny Dyer’s daughter – called Dani Dyer – Nicholas Vince of Hellraiser, and singer and actress Toyah Willcox – Continue reading at The Comet…

• Heckle: Toyah has a role in another new film, Heckle – See her tweet…

How I’m Making an Epic Sci-Fi Movie That Will Change the World. And Why You Should Follow Your Dream Too!

In 2006, UK filmmaker Simon Cox announced to a group of friends that his new movie, Kaleidoscope Man, would be the biggest British indie sci-fi movie of all time – A sweeping statement? Or was it?

After years of trying to get his second movie funded through traditional film industry routes, it was at this moment that Simon made the decision to stop chasing carrots and do whatever needed to be done to achieve his dream; making an epic sci-fi movie that would move and inspire people in the same way the original Star Wars inspired him. But, he was in his 40’s with a young family, broke, feeling washed up and beginning to realise that perhaps Hollywood wasn’t about to come knocking.

Now in 2016, Simon has nearly finished the hugely ambitious Kaleidoscope Man. And its good. In fact, it’s very good. But the road to getting it made has certainly been rocky and full of challenges and the finance to do it has not fallen into his lap.

Come to our fascinating one day seminar and discover from Simon himself just how he and a team of friends have managed to pull off this incredible feat.

• How they convinced 700+ people to run from attacking alien ships in Central Birmingham.

• Built the international space station in a warehouse in Nuneaton (with materials from Wikes DIY store).

• How they convinced 80’s pop icon Toyah Willcox to star in the movie.

• Sent fleets of attacking alien ships flying over Central London.

• Turned Birmingham into a deserted battlefield.

• Got primetime TV coverage on BBC London Tonight.

• Discovered a young illustrator who went from creating images for Kaleidoscope Man to Godzilla, Star Wars the Force Awakes and now Star Wars Rouge One.

• Pulled together over 500+ people to help get the movie made.

You’ll hear amusing anecdotes, see fascinating behind the scenes videos and some exclusive clips from the movie – before anyone else sees them.

Alpha Star Productions
Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (BST)
Birmingham, United Kingdom

• Continue reading at Event Tribe. Chek out the Kaleidoscope Man website for updates and recent behind-the-scenes photos from the film shoots.

Toyah and Sophie Anderson in a scene from forthcoming film Kaleidoscope Man. Artist Angie Cox recently tweeted the photo, saying: “My painting will be in Kaleidoscope Man. Toyah Willcox and Sophie Anderson talking about my painting in this scene“.

Director/creator of Kaleidoscope Man, Simon Cox, also updated the blog on the film’s official website at the end of last month.

A new Kaleidoscope Man poster, painted by Matt Allsopp who recently did the concept art for Godzilla and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Kaleidoscope Man is a fantastic new sci-fi movie – currently being made in phases. For phases 1 to 7 they successfully crowd-funded over £40,000 and shot various scenes that fit around the main story and characters.

They now have some private investors on board and have just completed shooting for phase 7. This means that 93% of the movie has been completed. With another mix of private investment and some additional crowd funding the plan is to get the movie completely shot over the next few months.

If all goes to schedule Kaleidoscope Man should be released in the summer of 2016.

Toyah has a role in this forthcoming film, playing Clare Dove. Visit the Kaleidoscope Man website. Browse Dreamscape’s KMan news archive here.

What a few months we’ve had! June began with an investment from two investors with an amount that would enable us to get a good two weeks’ worth of shooting in the can. So in mid-June, we assembled our cast and crew and got to work…

Firstly, we filmed in an old medieval priory called The CharterHouse in Coventry. This doubled up as a care centre in which our hero Tom works. It is here that we meet Floyd, Harriet and Samantha, some of the characters Tom take with him during the alien invasion and who will eventually help in saving the Earth. These were played by Simon Haycock (Tom), Danny Steele (Floyd), Julie Hoult (Harriet) and Sophie Anderson (Samantha). We also had the wonderful Toyah Willcox with us who plays the Senior Nurse, Claire Dove.

• Continue reading at kaleidoscopeman.com. (Photo © kaleidoscopeman.com)

Toyah tweeted yesterday that she is filming the new movie project Kaleidoscope Man this week.

View a photo of Toyah with some of the cast and crew at Instagram.

• Browse all of Dreamscape’s Kaleidoscope Man news.

Help Kaleidoscope Man save the Earth…

Kaleidoscope Man is a fantastic new sci-fi movie we’re making – And we’re making it in phases. For phase 1,2 & 3 we sucessfully crowd-funded over £19,000 and have shot various scenes that fit around the main story and characters.

We are delighted to let you know that phase 4 is now live:

• Visit the Kaleidoscope Man website.

Indie Film Focus: Director Simon Cox Shoots “Kaleidoscope Man” Star Lucy Drive’s First Scene

Kaleidoscope Man is an indie science fiction thriller — which involves an alien invasion of Earth — currently in production by its writer-director-producer, Simon Cox, via his UK-based Alphastar Productions company. This is a film that Simon has been working on for quite some time. He is currently in Phase 4 of shooting, having gotten about 35% in the can so far. The production is practically 100% crowdfunded — the current Indiegogo campaign aims to fund the remainder of production, including (if possible) scenes on an alien planet (to be shot on location in the Canary Islands).

• Continue reading at Frisco Kid At The Movies.

This looks incredible. Kaleidoscope Man by Director Simon Cox. Take a look and maybe lend your support. Find full details on this exciting new film project at Indiegogo.

Help us complete the most AMBITIOUS, most EXCITING, most ENJOYABLE UK Indie sci-fi movie Ever… Meet some of our cast: Lucy Drive as Mandy Dunn, Toyah Willcox as Clare Dove, Raine McCormack as Freddie Dunn, Ben Shockley as Billy McCoy.

Film Maker Profile: Simon Cox – Kaleidoscope Man

Simon Cox has worked in the UK TV and Film industry for over 20 years for the BBC, Channel four and five as well as directing a feature film of his own and is now attempting to make Independent film history by writing and directing a full-on sci-fi thriller – Kaleidoscope Man:

When psychiatrist and father-to-be Thomas Dunn’s patients begin to share terrifying visions of the destruction of planet Earth a chain reaction is begun which could threaten everything that he holds dear. He and a group of his patients must battle their own demons as well as invading aliens in Earth’s last stand.

• Continue reading at Graham Inman.com. Read another new interview with Simon Cox, at The Cutting Room Floor.

Christmas 2019, Invasion Planet Earth – in which Toyah had/has a starring lead role and also performs the end credits title song, Step Into The New World, released as a digital single simultaneously as the film premiered – was screening in numerous cinemas around the UK.

With the tagline: They’re coming, and reviews boasting “British sci-fi at its best” and “A British classic… War Of The World meets Independence Day“, the film was being compared to enduring sci fi movie blockbusters, and is now considered a cult film.

Invasion Planet Earth – originally titled Kaleidoscope Man – had been an enduring, mammoth, film project and a labour of love for its creator, Simon Cox, for many years.

• See much more info on Invasion Planet Earth, here and here. The film is available on DVD and in digital format. NB. A few months after the original release of Step Into The New World, the song was also released on the Planetary Invasion Mix.

A selection from the numerous Invasion Planet Earth press clips, interviews and reviews published over the last few days. Stay updated by following Simon Cox at Twitter.

• Flatpack Festival: Interview – Simon Cox: Two decades ago, Nuneaton based filmmaker Simon Cox had an idea for a science fiction film called Kaleidoscope Man. Filmed on a shoestring budget with limited resources at locations across the Midlands, what ultimately became Invasion Planet Earth finally screens to audiences this month. We talked to Simon about an epic twenty year journey to pay homage to the sci-fi films he loved as a child – Continue reading…

• Britflicks Reviews: BritFlicks Reviews Simon Cox’s Imaginative Sci-Fi Invasion Planet Earth: A true one off from a very wide imagination… Coming from the mind of writer/director, Simon Cox, Invasion Planet Earth, is one of those films that is a true original. It was also made over 17 years, which by anyone’s standards is a long production line! However, the film is set very much in the here and now, but of course, the question does arise, ‘how much’ of it dates from 17 years ago – Continue reading…

• Midlands Movies: Invasion Planet Earth: A number of children in the 1980s recreating their favourite TV show ‘Kaleidoscope Man’ (this film’s previous title in fact) opens new sci-fi feature Invasion Planet Earth from Midlands director Simon Cox. This clever parody is a fun way to start a feature that contains more than its fair share of disaster and peril – Continue reading…

• Nevermore: Invasion Planet Earth – Review: Reading the history of this film made me more apprehensive than it did excited – Continue reading…

• Film Stories: Invasion Planet Earth review: Invasion Planet Earth review is a sci-fi movie made in the UK over the course of a decade – and it’s worth seeking out too – Continue reading…

• Dark Eyes Of London: Invasion Planet Earth (UK 2019: Dir Simon Cox): Imagine. You’re a filmmaker, maybe not in the first flush of youth. You’ve had one not very well publicised feature made years ago, but you have a project within you so ambitious in scope that it becomes an all consuming passion. But you have little resources, financially or technically, at your disposal, to realise the vision. So what do you do – Continue reading…

• Filmuforia: Invasion Planet Earth (2019): Director Simon Cox (Driven) has spent seventeen bringing this labour of love to the big screen, and his perseverance has paid off – Continue reading…

A soundtrack album will be released for the British indie sci-fi adventure Invasion Planet Earth. The album features the film’s original music composed by Benjamin Symons. The soundtrack will be released digitally this Friday, November 22 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon, where you can also check out audio clips.

Invasion Planet Earth is co-written and directed by Simon Cox and stars Simon Haycock, Lucy Drive, Julie Hoult, Danny Steele, Toyah Willcox and Michael Bott. The movie follows a couple’s struggle to survive as the UK comes under attack from an alien mothership.

The film will be released in the UK in early December. No word on a domestic distribution deal.

1. This Is Kaleidoscope Man (3:03), 2. Our New Hope (1:31), 3. Vision of the Apocalypse (2:04), 4. Is This God? (1:24), 5. It Wasn’t a Dream (2:18), 6. Russian (2:47), 7. The Crash (1:43), 8. Washed Up (0:43), 9. It’s Beautiful Isn’t It (2:48), 10. I’ve Hated Every Man (1:59), 11. A Heroic Leap (3:20), 12. Point and Shoot (1:11), 13. I Am Kaleidoscope Man (3:14), 14. 20 Minutes (1:12), 15. The ISS (0:57), 16. They Are Attacking (4:03), 17. The Battle of Birmingham (5:32), 18. Nuclear Strike (1:27), 19. The End of the World (1:17), 20. Sending a Message (2:24), 21. I’ll Never Be Alone (8:14)

• Continue reading at Film Music Reporter.

The film formerly known as Kaleidoscope Man is now titled Invasion Planet Earth. There will be a digital single release of the theme song Step Into The New World from the British sci-fli film. Toyah provides vocals for this song in addition to acting in the film. Click below to visit Invasion Planet Earth‘s official website.

The 40th anniversary year of Toyah’s recording career has got off to a great start with news of new recordings!

Toyah has recorded a new song for the end credits of Kaleidoscope Man. In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is also currently being remixed by Toyah and Simon Darlow. (Photos © Toyah Willcox)

• The Northern Echo: Acoustic, Up Close: The once rebellious, wild woman of the British mainstream pop scene with her dangerously pink hair and fire in her eyes, Toyah Willcox still oozes charisma. I wonder if she and David Bowie had the same hairdresser? – Continue reading…

• Live 2016: There are still a number of gigs and appearances taking place through the remainder of October – See Toyah’s Official Gig page…

• Kaleidoscope Man: Tanks vs Aliens – Let Battle Commence!: Finally, after 4 years of dreaming and planning, I am delighted to tell you that we’ve finally completed the one part of the movie I was truly terrified about doing. The tanks vs aliens battle scenes – Continue reading…

• Sounds Of The 80s: Toyah chose Voodoo Doll as her 80s b-side on BBC Radio 2. There’s still time to listen to the show at BBC iPlayer…

• Great Yarmouth Film Festival: Toyah guested at this event at the end of September, introducing Quadrophenia.

• Crime and Punishment: The final performance of Crime and Punishment took place at The Scoop Theatre on 24th September…

Exclusive interview with Simon Cox, director of Kaleidoscope Man

You’ve just returned from the cinema and what an experience: the music, the action, the story, the special effects and those edge-of-your-seat moments! If you’re an independent filmmaker or film fan you might dream one day of making such a film. So you’ve decided to make to make a feature film, not only that, but fund it independently, gather a wonderful team and five hundred supporters from around the world. Simon Cox, director of sci-fi feature film Kaleidoscope Man, has done just that. I was intrigued to find out more , so I caught up with him.

JT: What was the moment you decided to embark on making a sci-fi feature film ?

SC: I’ve wanted to make an epic sci-fi movie since I first saw the original Star Wars when I was 13. I came up with the initial idea for Kaleidoscope Man back in 1999 after I’d finished my first feature Written in Blood (1998). I had no idea it would take me nearly 20 years to make!

JT: How did you go about getting the team together to make K – Man?

SC: Having worked in TV and film over the years, a lot of the people I’ve brought in were people I’d met along the way. I also found a few local people who have since joined the team. Our cameraman, Gordon Hickie, shot my first feature film (Written in Blood) and he now shoots Holby City, Casualty and The Inspector Lyndley Mysteries.

I found the cast via acting agencies apart from Toyah Willcox who I met at a film meeting a few years ago.

• Continue reading the interview at D&C Film. Browse Dreamscape’s Kaleidoscope Man news archive. (Photo © kaleidoscopeman.com)

The official promotional images/posters for three forthcoming films Toyah has roles in have recently been made available: #SwipeRight, Extremis, Lies We Tell. As well as these Toyah will also feature in Kaleidoscope Man, Hound and To Be Someone.

• #SwipeRight is a psychological thriller film based on a internet dating app. Do you really know who you let into your life when you swipe right? Toyah will have a cameo in this new British horror film directed by Jane Sanger and produced by Lumino Films.

• Toyah acts in a cameo in the British thriller Extremis, written and directed by Steve Stone. The film poster for this was released for this recently whilst a release date is to be confirmed. Toyah also performs the new, original song Our Hearts Still Beat (Willcox / Darlow) for the film’s end titles.

• Toyah appears as the wife of Harvey Keitel in the forthcoming 2016 film release Lies We Tell, directed by Mitu Misra. The film poster has just also been released for the Bradford Film Associates International production which stars Gabriel Byrne and Emily Atack.

News/Info Source: Official Toyah / Breaking Through – Official Newsletter.