'My film is Quentin Tarantino meets Jackie Chan but in Rotherham'

Nathan Geering, a talented individual from Rotherham, is embarking on an exciting journey as he creates his first feature film titled The Lock In. Nathan wears many hats in this project; he is the writer, director, lead actor, and fight choreographer. This kung fu thriller is a passion project for him, and he is determined to bring it to life in his hometown. Nathan's love for martial arts began in his childhood when he would watch classic kung fu movies with his grandmother. Recently, he found himself feeling uninspired, so he decided to reconnect with his inner child. He asked himself what he truly wanted to do, and the answer was clear: 'I want to be Jackie Chan! ' This realization sparked his motivation to create a film that reflects his passion for martial arts and storytelling. The Lock In is being filmed in various locations around Rotherham, with The Forge bar serving as one of the main venues. The film's plot revolves around a nervous man on a date who encounters a mysterious bartender, played by Nathan, and becomes entangled in a dangerous situation involving assassins. The production is being done on a shoestring budget, which means that each crew member takes on multiple roles. For instance, Adam Hornsby, the director of photography, also plays a victim in a bar brawl scene. During filming, a glass bottle is smashed over his head, but he reassures everyone that it is made of sugar glass, so he is not hurt. Adam describes the film as 'like Quentin Tarantino meets Jackie Chan but in Rotherham,' highlighting the unique blend of action and storytelling that Nathan aims to achieve. Despite the limited budget, the crew is filled with experienced and enthusiastic individuals who are dedicated to making the film a success. Nathan emphasizes the importance of teamwork, stating, 'I need my team to feel happy, valued, and appreciated. ' Carolyn Dean, who plays one of the assassins, is a skilled martial artist and brings her expertise to the role. Ethan Lyndsey, who portrays The Farmer, has a special talent for realistic fight reactions, which adds authenticity to the action scenes. Nathan wrote the script for The Lock In in late 2024 after spending the summer training with the Jackie Chan Stunt Team in Beijing. This experience inspired him to create a longer film after previously achieving success with short action films like Flaming Assassin, which won several awards. Nathan believes in taking initiative, saying, 'You can either wait for permission or you create your own opportunities. ' The film is set in Rotherham because Nathan wants to showcase the potential of his hometown and change the narrative surrounding it. He states, 'We're not pretending this is Shanghai. We want to raise the aspirations of the town and change the narrative. ' The Lock In tells the story of a man who goes out for a late drink on a date and finds himself caught up with deadly assassins. Nathan has also taken advantage of a recent trip to the United States, where he won three martial arts gold medals at The Battle of the Dragons World Championships in Atlantic City. During this trip, he received assistance from Jeff Pruit, a renowned stunt coordinator known for his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who lent him a helicopter for a stunt in the film. The production has taken place in various locations around Rotherham, including the old Empire Theatre. As filming progresses, the cast and crew move to the main bar of The Forge to set up for the final scene of the day. Nathan hopes to complete filming by the end of February and is optimistic about the film's future. He is currently raising funds to ensure that the post-production, sound effects, and music score are of the highest quality. Nathan dreams of having a premiere in Rotherham and hopes to secure an international distribution deal with platforms like Netflix or Paramount Plus. He is determined to take on the big players in the film industry and showcase the talent and creativity that Rotherham has to offer.