A HOSPITAL manager is directing his very own murder mystery film in Southend.

Jamie Evans, who works full time as manager of Diabetes, Endocrine and Neurology at Southend Hospital, has put his life savings into making his very own independent feature, Candy Hart and the Merchant’s Ghost.

Halstead Gazette:

Mystery - a shot from the independent feature film

When the butler of the supposedly haunted Eastoft Manor is found murdered, the guests are quick to blame the vengeful spirit rumoured to haunt the halls. However, the main character, Candy Hart, suspects something more sinister, and human, is behind the death.

Jamie, 28, from Southend, said: “It’s something that I’ve been thinking about since I was 12 and the goal has always been the same - a murder mystery which crosses between Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo, the books I used to religiously read all those years ago.

“The film will be shot in Southend, including in a house in Thorpe Bay, on Southend beach, outside of Southend Central station, and right next to the South Essex College campus.

“We’ve already shot some promotional bits for the story in Thorpe Bay and have tailored the script to fit. Our cast and crew are from the borough, as well as Basildon, Leigh, Canvey, Westcliff and London.”

Shooting is scheduled to begin in February.

It’s expected the film will be released later next year.

Jamie continued: “We’ve still got so far to go - the hardest part through it all is that we all have other jobs, so have had to book time off to get it done. Working at the hospital alone is already exhausting, but I know all the hard work is going to pay off. Our producers Duncan Newham and Benton Hodges have also put in their hard earned money in.

“I want people to try and solve the mystery along with Candy from the clues which are dropped in. If viewers stay watching after the credits, they will get to see a short scene from the next film in the series, which we’ve already started writing.

“We’re also hoping to have the film entered into Cannes Film Festival for 2021.”