Amelia is "outstanding" in feature film 'Wasters' says DSD magazine.

"They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and if that applies, writer/director Luke Rufo is sure trying to flatter Kevin Smith (Clerks).

On paper that sentence reads far more negative than I’d like to imply, expanding on the statement or rather putting it another way would be to say that Clerks is worn proudly on ’Wasters’ English sleeve, the premise is familiar but it’s sensibilities are truly rooted in the Midlands which give a fresh approach, not to mention this is a good 15 years after Clerks, fresh for a whole new batch of “wasters” and enough to feel like a hearty salute (as opposed to a carbon copy) to the original “clerk”.

At it’s bare essentials ’Wasters’ delivers a heart felt lover story intertwined with a buddy comedy, the character list is short but strongly developed, you know these characters, you’re likely to be one of these characters, or at worst know somebody who resembles their traits. Sometimes they can be slightly stereotypical and caricatured but it’s more a flaw attached to the side characters.

Sticking to pretty much one location is a brave move, you need the script to deliver, fortunately ’Wasters’ delivers albeit in an over the top brash and blatantly disgusting manner, you get what it said on the tin and trust me, I’m reflecting this as a positive. I wouldn’t be surprised if Luke Rufo had experienced many of these conversations in real life because they felt extremely natural for a mid twenties midlander and considering I fit that demographic, I have a right to validate it.

The films not perfect by any means, maybe a tad long for it’s style and some of the ADR needs fine tuning but considering the likely minimal budget (this is an independent film after all) they achieved great success, an extra note must be made to the four main characters who were beautifully cast and had extremely legitimate chemistry. Amelia Tyler was particular outstanding and at times, truly hate-able.

Recycled premise, limited budget and lacking a big studio polish but you know what? Wasters shines through that with all the heart and genuine passion that any big Hollywood blockbuster could provide.

9/10"

Originally written by Dale Driver for DSD Magazine.

'Wasters' bags Best British Film at international film festival!

Last week saw the much-anticipated premier of 'Wasters', one of the five feature films I appeared in last year, and... well, saying it was a hit would be a massive understatement.

Sex, lies, laughs and betrayal are the order of the day in this drama/comedy following the lives and loves of four twenty-somethings working in a Birmingham bar. Kyle dreams of escaping his dead-end job and winning the love of pretty co-worker Cam, despite his dimwit best mate B.J.'s insistance that they're already living the dream, while Kyle's saucy sister Sarah (that's-a me!) contents herself with making trouble while planning to run away to Ibiza with her slimy boyfriend. But what's Cam hiding from Sarah, why does B.J. go mental whenever anyone mentions porn and exactly what IS a platypus? As secrets are spilled and strings pulled the four friends come to realise they don't know each other quite as well as they thought they did...

Playing bitchy villainess Sarah was a huge amount of fun, as was working with amazing up-and-coming writer/director Luke Rufo, and after such an intense shoot it was fantastic to see everyone again at the premier nearly a year later. The production team had kept very hush hush about the whole thing - none of the cast had even seen the dailies - so I was understandably a little nervous before the screening but the rapturous applause and lashings of praise afterwards more than made up for the wait.

The premier was part of the six day Heart of England International Film Festival and 'Wasters' itself got the largest audience the festival had ever seen (despite other films on show this year starring the likes of Kate Winslett and John Schneider!). Even with several rows of seats added last minute it was still standing room only so a huge thanks to everyone who came to see it, and to the many audience members who grabbed me after the screening to offer their congratulations and blush-worthy compliments. I was gutted I couldn't attend the awards ceremony at the end of the week, partly because actor Jeremy Bulloch (who played Boba Fett) was there, but mainly because 'Wasters' received the coveted award for Best British Film - DEEPLY awesome news! Massive congratulations to all the cast and crew.

Since then the film's also been accepted into several other prestigious international film festivals, including Los Angeles, Italy and Ireland, so the festival fun looks set to continue for many months to come. Hurrah! I'll attend as many as I can and keep yl up to date with details of where you can next see the film. It's definitely worth a watch - the story kicks ass, it looks gorgeous, the soundtrack rocks like a drunken one-legged sailor in a storm, there are men in leiderhosen and... well, let's just say my costume is a little on the 'low-cut' side. Ahem. What more could you want?!

I can also now proudly announce that this month you can see 'Wasters' on the big screen as there's going to be a special cinema screening at the Tamworth Odeon on Monday the 29th of June at 7pm. Tickets are free but obviously there are only as many as there are cinema seats so book now for the chance to see the film in all its glory, plus meet some of the cast. Email me at info@ameliatyler.com with 'Wasters tickets' as the subject title and I'll do my best to sort you out.

See you there, squidlings!

Milly x