At present there are opportunities for producers, cinematographers, post production and crew with credible track records.

Caroline Spence

In 2012, we have a number of feature film projects getting underway and I shall be involved in a writing capacity on these.  In addition, I have two books being published during the Spring and I will post details of these including related publicity, reviews, and interviews.

Our music documentary MONEY NOW,GLORY LATER! continues to get good distribution throughout the world, though predictably slow in the UK!

As if that workload is not enough, I am also working on book and film reviews and I´ll be providing links to these soon.

Have a great Christmas break and thank you for your interest in Raya Films

James Smith

The documentary follows singer/songwriter James Ryan as he battles to record his new album, tracks from which are now lined up for airplay in Spain, Japan, USA, Caribbean and UK.  A related music video, for the song ‘Going Crazy’ is also to be broadcast across the USA and Caribbean throughout 2012.

Filmed on location in London, Paris, Andalucía and England’s New Forest, this fascinating documentary film combines fly-on-the-wall footage with atmospheric camerawork.  MONEY NOW, GLORY LATER! showcases an original musical fusion of blues, jazz and Latin and treats the viewer to a raw and sometimes anguished glimpse into the world of songwriting.

With music and lyrics inspired by rum shacks, beach life and tropical rain, as well as being professionally mastered by ThatzDatHeat Productions of Trinidad and Tobago, this inspiring documentary should find a welcome home amongst the 20 plus island nations of the Caribbean.  And with a gritty, bluesy Americana style reflected in tracks such as City Girl, Long Lonely Night or Selfish Man, US audiences will relate to the rootsy nature of the work.

More Distribution

Having secured the Caribbean and USA, Caroline is looking for more territories, so please contact Raya Films for details.

Further information:

Raya Films Website

James Ryan Project Website

We’re also under way with the development of a new screenplay for an Anglo-Spanish feature film production.  Set in Andalucía, the thriller is intense, light-hearted, and aimed at an international audience of film goers.  The snappy dialogue dances between English and Andalucía’s flavour of machine gun accented Spanish – so in terms of scripting, this one is pushing us to the limit.

Writing seems to drive everything for Raya Films at the moment and is unsurprisingly at the core of many of our projects.  With screenplays, articles, blogs, and book publications on the horizon, there is little time to get on set and do some real filming.  But every idea has to start with a blank sheet of paper and the formation of original written ideas.  Eventually though, we shall be turning those ideas into film.

Thanks for keeping in touch and more updates will follow.

MONEY NOW, GLORY LATER!

Sales and contact: caroline@rayafilms.com

Phone: +44 (0)787 963 1670

October 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Exclusive Music Documentary Film at the In-Edit Beefeater Festival, Barcelona

“…that is amazing! Your playing is never boring, it is a great accompaniment to your singing, you are not a licks-player, you really mean what you play…”

So says Carlos Juan of Carlos Amplification, Stuttgart, regarding the MONEY NOW, GLORY LATER! and music of James Ryan.

Carlos should know – a talented jazz guitarist himself and supplier of equipment to Eric Clapton, David Knopfler, the late Gary Moore and many more guitar legends, he is one of many who have previewed James’ fascinating film and the unprecedented album that accompanies it.

Now, Raya Films, producers of MONEY NOW, GLORY LATER! are proud to announce that their documentary film, has been selected for inclusion in the 2nd edition of the In-Edit Beefeater International Music Documentary Film Festival and Market.

This unique documentary will be included in the official Market, which will take place from 3^rd – 6^th November 2011.  THE MARKET is a fully digitalised library, filled with music-related documentaries, including all documentaries in the official IN-EDIT programme as well as those specially selected from this year’s best documentary submissions.

The aim of the market is to match documentaries with buyers, programmers, distributors and commissioning editors from all over the world.

The festival includes a selection of diverse music documentaries featuring artists ranging from David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, to Dave Brubek and Bob Dylan.

Filmed on location in London, Paris, Andalucía and England’s New Forest, MONEY NOW, GLORY LATER! treats the viewer to a raw and sometimes anguished glimpse into the world of song writing by following singer/song-writer James Ryan as he revisits his musical ambitions 14 years after he attempted to break into the music industry with his first album ‘Ghost of the Wind’.

In recession-torn Britain, James throws everything into his love of film and music.  With virtually zero budget and a small group of enthusiasts, he launches a project to bring his own music to the fore by way of a documentary feature.

In an unexpected twist and a bold and determined move, James leaves the shores of Britain to base himself on a 33ft sailing yacht moored on the Spanish coast.  Here he seeks to “find inspiration” and record an acoustic album using compact recording equipment and a 40 year old Kay acoustic guitar loaned to him by his brother-in-law, recently fitted with high-end Carlos Juan pickups.  And he films himself every step of the way…

Features include all original compositions, a focus on the music of legendary guitarist, Django Reinhardt, and a valuable insight into the complexities of songwriting.

Filming locations:

§     London (The City, Westminster, Covent Garden, Tower Hamlets)

§     Essex (Canvey Island and Leigh-on-Sea)

§     Hampshire (Ringwood and The New Forest)

§     Andalucía (Almería, El Ejido)

§     France (Paris)

“Anyone who’s ever dreamed of achieving guitar notoriety should watch this film.  Indeed, anyone who aspires to do anything with their talents should tune in.  He’s not rich, he’s not famous, that’s what makes the film so refreshing… so different.”  Caroline Spence, Producer

The album ‘Cocktail of Blues’ and soundtrack to MONEY NOW, GLORY LATER! is available online now and is a collection of thirteen songs echoing a gritty, bluesy Americana style with a hint of the Caribbean.  Echoing projects such as ‘Veneer’ by José González, the album is purely acoustic with guitar and vocals recorded in one take, multi-tracked with solos over, and professionally mastered  by ThatzDatHeat Productions of Trinidad and Tobago.

Fans are encouraged to visit the Official James Ryan Project website which provides samples of the music and clips from the film.  You can also sign up for the mailing list to receive news and information about upcoming gigs and new releases.

Fans can also check out the social networking sites on Facebook, YouTube MySpace, and even follow James on Twitter.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

§   Clips from MONEY NOW, GLORY LATER! can be seen on www.jamesryan.com

§   Sample tracks from ‘Cocktail of Blues’ can be heard on www.jamesryan.com

§   Pictures are available to support this story

For further information contact:

§   For film sales and music management contact caroline@rayafilms.com or phone: +44 (0)787 963 1670

§   Visit the Raya Films website at www.rayafilms.com

§   The James Ryan Project at music@jamesryan.com

§   Visit the Official James Ryan Project website at www.jamesryan.com

§   Follow James on Twitter twitter.com/jrpmusic

§   Imdb Link:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2035569/

Usually, I’m filming other people, so it’s been fun putting together this rather self indulgent film about my passion – music and guitars!  Thanks for all the comments we’re receiving and for supporting new music and film.

James

For more details, please contact us.

More news soon.