Married to the movies

Shingle rocks n' rolls with tough U.K. biz

By ALI JAAFAR

LONDON -- The ongoing economic slowdown isn't keeping husband and wife producers Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen from charging full steam ahead at their shingle Number 9 Films.

The duo are ramping up a slate that includes everything from a vampire tale with a twist in Moira Buffini-adaptation "Byzantium," a biopic of iconic British soul singer Dusty Springfield as well as an adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel "Great Expectations."

Those projects are just a few out of a slate the two hope will consolidate Number 9 Films as one of the U.K.'s foremost production houses. Also in development are "Strangers," an adaptation of Taichi Yamada's ghost story that Oscar-winner director James Marsh is onboard to direct; "The End of Sleep," an adaptation of Rowan Somerville's debut novel about 48 hours in the life of an Irish journalist in Cairo and "Send for Sutton and Hobbs," a Guy Hibbert-scripted dramedy set against the backdrop of 1960's revolutionary Cuba.

For a company that still relies heavily on the old model of presales to finance its projects, seeking to expand one's operations during a period when the indie biz in the U.S. and abroad has experienced a sustained downturn might appear risky.

"The consensus is that it is very tough out there, but we have been fortunate to still be getting our films made," says the 53-year old Woolley.

In the last two years, the company has made Cillian Murphy-starrer "Perrier's Bounty," Simon Pegg-starrer "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" as well as "We Want Sex," starring Sally Hawkins and Bob Hoskins.

Woolley first entered the film world during his teen years working at the Screen on the Green cinema in London, where he did everything from project films, sell ice cream and usher people to their seats. He launched home entertainment distrib Palace Video in 1982 along with Nik Powell, followed by its theatrical arm Palace Pictures the following year before embarking on a career producing iconic Brit pics like "Absolute Beginners" and "The Crying Game."

His relationship with Karlsen -- professionally and personally -- dates back to Palace Pictures, where she joined the company as head of production. Since then, the two have worked together consistently before launching Number 9 in 2004, with the backing of public sector org the U.K. Film Council's development funding scheme.

"Part of the problem with the market now is that people are nervous because they don't know how the business is going to change," Karlsen says. "We have to preempt the changes that are going to take place."

A large part of Woolley and Karlsen's strategy has been to work with the same creative partners. "Byzantium" and "The End of Sleep," for example, are co-productions with Irish producer Alan Moloney's Parallel Prods. The two companies previously worked together on Colin Farrell-starrer "Intermission" as well as "Perrier's Bounty."

"We're similar companies in that we're both trying to make really well-written projects," Moloney says. "The fact that distributors are being cautious is actually an opportunity for us to develop, because come next spring, the market is going to need those projects. That's when we'll be able to really push on."