The Glue series is a new drama series set in North and East London, written, directed and produced by Ibi Vaughan. The series explores the lives and bonds between ten
strangers from completely different worlds who are brought together in ways that they could
never have imagined. Throughout April 2010 we filmed nine introduction stories that will establish the nine individuals who will become members of The Glue. Each character's background story will be released online.
"You realise that without The Glue, everything...everything falls apart"
Synopsis
Nine strangers, each at a turning point in their lives, come across an advert for ‘The Glue’ group. They have no prior knowledge, as to what the group is about, but feel intrigued enough to find out. Seth, a community centre manager and founder of ‘The Glue’ is a particularly elusive individual in terms of what he reveals about his past. Despite his bizarre exterior he is a highly respected member of the local community. He has become particularly close with the family of teenager and former Glue member, Nathan Wilson, murdered three months ago.
As the group meet for the first time, their weariness of Seth, and of each other is short-lived as their attentions are drawn towards the group’s ‘meeting room’. Enchanted by their surroundings and mesmerized by the extraordinary scenario that they have found themselves in, the group are about to come back down to earth with a bump. Defenses will come up, secrets will come out, beliefs will be shattered and lives will be fractured. Can the group put aside their differences, and let go of their prejudices in order to help each other, or have they already sealed their own fate?
We will be featuring the music of a wide range of talented bands, solo artists and poets based in the UK and worldwide. We are truly honoured to have been given the opportunity to feature the material of these wonderfully gifted artists. As each intro story is released we will update the site with news, links, videos, music, pictures and bio of all the musicians and artists who were featured in that particular episode.
At the end of each episode we will also feature a band or artist performing in a setting that relates to the last scene of that
particular episode. The final performance
will be a performance that relates in some way to the episode and the message/storyline of that episode.
Location
Filming took place throughout April in London (Hackney, Haringay and
Islington).
Cast And Crew
We filmed each character's intro story for this episode, but future episodes with the main characters as part of 'The Glue' will
focus on ten main characters and will rotate each week so that it goes in and out of one members developing story each week. We worked with a cast of 55 actors, and a
talented film crew that included camera operators, lighting
and sound technicians, composers, photographers, editors.
Character Breakdowns of The Main Characters
* We will be introducing each member of The Glue through individual 'Introduction Stories'
Leah Adesina
23 years old, Media Graduate. Lives in Clapton, Hackney
Leah has an obsession with her eyebrows. She thinks they make her look ugly, and deformed. Because of this she uses all her energy, trying to get them to look right. She constantly applies eyebrow pencil, washes it off, wipes them dry and starts over again until her skins is bruised, swollen and bleeding. The situation has spiralled out of control. Because of this she has stopped socialising, she has ended the relationship with her boyfriend. She is not able to work, and she doesn't turn up for interviews, although she is swamped with offers. She is not eating properly or sleeping because she thinks about nothing but her eybrows. She believes that until she can get her eyebrows right, she can't move on. She has become introverted and parnoid and she can't look anyone in the eye anymore.
David Mortimer
31 years old born in Hertfordshire. Lives in Stoke Newington, Hackney
David left family business to move to London to become a writer. He lives with his girlfriend Mia in Church St. She has no idea that things have not been working out with his writing, as he has given her the impression that his novel is about to be published. He loves her deeply, but does not want her to think he is a failure. He has not spoken to his father in five years, as he feels that his father is too controlling and more than anything he wants to prove to him that he can be successful. He is in serious financial trouble. He has loans and overdrafts, his rent is in arrears and unbeknown to his girlfriend, who is working full-time, they are being threatened with eviction. Up until six months ago his brother had been sending him money to help clear his debts. When he refused to send any more money and suggested that David make amends with his father, David cut him off. He owes £4,000 pounds to a debt collector called Denzel, who is am extremely disturbed individual, and for the first time David realises that he is in deep trouble, and he needs help. But it could be too late.
Shaney Hutchinson
22 years old. Training to be an actress. Works part time at cinema in Wood Green
Lives with her mother, father and two sisters in Hornsey.
Shaney's Teenage brother Rhian killed a year ago in a knife attack. Shaney has been emersing herself in work, training and auditioning for the past year, as a way of blocking out the pain of losing her brother. One afternoon whilst on a lunch break with her friends she see Nadia, who is the sister of the boy who killed her brother. From this point on, she is forced to finally confront her pain. Nadia becomes the target of her anger and hate, and Nadia allows this because she is riddled with guilt. They form an unusual relationship, which is in many ways unhealthy, however, as emotions run out of control they both start to become confused about what they are to each other and what the relationships is. Are they falling in love?
Eva Green
47 years old. Lives in Newington Green with her three teenage children.
Estranged from her husband Martin. Wants to start her own catering business
Eva's husband left the family home 6 months ago to live with his 24 year old personal assistant, and has not been in contact with any of his family since that time. Up until this point Eva had been comfortable and content being a homemaker, wife and mother. His departure has completely turned her world upside down. She is on anti-depressants, she suffers from insomnia and panic attacks. Her children blame her for him leaving and her daughter in particular, has become introverted and detached. The last six months events has made Eva re-evaluate her life, her identity and purpose.
Mo Callis
19 years old. Born in Derby, lives in Hackney.
Just released 2 months ago after serving a year for street robbery and ABH
Mo has just been released from a young offenders institute. His father has a new family and a new life and his mother lives abroad with her current husband. His probation have helped him to find a one bedroom flat in Homerton, and he is about to start a college course so that he can set up his own painting and decorating business. He served one year for a crime that he did not commit. It was in fact committed by his 'friend' Darren. Mo took the blame because of the guilt he felt about being in love with Naomi, who is in fact Darren's girlfriend. Being in prison has given him the chance to think about the life he has been living and the choices he has been making. During his time in prison he had no visitors and received no letters. He is beginning to realise that the only person he can rely on is himself.
Taylor Watts
26 years old, Journalist. Works for a local newspaper in Hackney. Lives in Finsbury Park.
Taylor has been working as a journalist for a Hackney newspaper for 2 years. She has had a passion for journalism since she was a child and is fascinated with people, their lives, their stories, and most importantly, the truth. She is committed to her job and up until now it has been the one thing that she has faith in. For the first time Taylor is beginning question her ability and motivations as a journalist, and she is starting to doubt herself as a person. The biggest question for her at this point is 'If I can't be honest about my own life and deal with my own issues, does that mean I have been living a lie?'
Rachael Lee
33 years old. Lives in Stoke Newington.
Has a six month old daughter. Runs own graphic design company which she started with her late husband.
Rachel owns successful graphic designer based in Shoreditch. She started it with her husband Kyle three years ago. Kyle was killed in a 'road accident' a year ago and Rachael's world collapsed around her. Whilst the business is still thriving, Racheal has lost that passion she had for design. A self-assured, bolshy, witty personality for most of her life, Racheal has become less confident and her self-esteem has hit rock bottom. Although her family and friends have been a constant source of support, the only reason she has been able to go on is because of her daughter Lia. Rachael returns to work after taking maternity/compassionate leave, and immediately finds a bizarre chemistry with client Sean Brookes. She feels an instant connection with him, which slightly unnerves her, because she has been completely numb since her husband died. She is confused, but intrigued.
Michael Porter
27 years old. Youth worker and mentor. Married with two children. Lives in Homerton.
Michael has been working as a youth worker for six years. He is is passionate about his work and dedicated to being a positive role model to the young people. As a teenager he lost a lot of friends to drugs, violence and prison and. He wants to do whatever he can to create positive opportunities for the young people living in the area so that they do not go down the wrong paths. Michael is stunned to find out that one of the young people who attends the youth club, who he also mentors and treated like a younger brother, Nathan has been murdered. Nathan, an aspiring poet and a genuinely hard working, positive, talented young person has been murdered in a senseless attack causing Michael to face his inner demons, and deal with the anger that he had pushed down for many years. He is in turmoil, and has conflicting feelings that threaten to ruin the work and commitment he has put in over the last six years. He is about to be tested and he has no idea what the outcome is going to be.
Advocate of equal rights.
Stephen is a filmmaker, specialising in documentaries. He has a fascination with the concept of 'celebrity', and 'fame', and why people put other human beings on pedestals. He thinks people judge each other based on superficial things such as money, fame or 'power'. As a filmmaker mission is to get the message across that 'we are all equal' . He believes that people with money are treated with more respect, and that they act as if they are more superior than anyone else. Through his documentaries he wants to show the public how ridiculous it all is. In his bid to make people see how fickle and arrogant others are, he is unaware that he is making very big judgements of his own. Is he a hypocrite or a hero?
MONOLOGUES
Before meeting the actors, they each filmed a raw monologue, using their mobile phones. This would work as the initial introduction and these are the links
to the monologues on Blip TV, YouTube, etc.
The Glue Monologue: Monologue by Seth, founder and group leader which will be used as a narrative throughout episode one.
The Glue is a bond. It takes time to form, to settle, to strengthen and to remain. The Glue tests resilience, and will adapt even when constrained. There are no shortcuts and it can not be rushed or forced. The Glue can not be imitated as it has no shape. It lacks definition and there are no traits...or stereotypes. It cannot be categorised, and It cannot be labelled.
The Glue can connect and unite the most unlikeliest of components...and bring together the things that we do not expect. It accommodates and embraces the uncommon, the unusual, the unconventional and the extraordinary. It gives meaning beyond comprehension and seeks association where there is none. It is the missing link...the final cement...the last resort.
It finds purpose and resolution in every way, shape and form. It keeps things in place, and it remains firm. It provides stability where there is imbalance, solidarity and cohesiveness where there is separation, and security in uncertain times. It clings to hope. It assembles the strong, and it supports the weak. It repairs the cracks, caused by division, separation, and disharmony. It is the last hope...the one and only salvation that preserves the residual...the remnants, fractured by neglect, rejection, abandonment, and disregard.
The Glue is often misused or treated as a temporary coat or seal to hide, deceive or misrepresent. If you have faith, trust and determination, The Glue, can be permanent, everlasting and continual.
But you have to respect it, adhere to it, and defend it. You have to stay true to it, nurture it, and cherish it with every fibre of your being. Because if you don't...if you abuse it, or mishandle it...if you damage, exploit or corrupt it...you will divide... and...'you will destroy it'. The one thing that holds everything and everyone together will come crashing down around you and obliterate all that you have established and achieved.
You realise that without The Glue...everything...everything falls apart.
