Simon West boards Scrapbook Pictures’ First Fantasy Feature Film

Following their launch last year, Scrapbook Pictures have today announced Simon West – known for box office hits including Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and The Expendables – as the director of their first family adventure, A Paige Odyssey.  The film sees a father, mired in grief, become immersed in a children’s book written by his late wife, unknowingly opening a door to the world she imagined, and sending his daughter on a perilous journey where fears thrive, and love and courage are the only hopes for them both. 

Scrapbook Pictures was set up by visual artist Stuart Birchall and producers Leila Mousavi and Seb Brown in February 2024 to focus on developing original, live action family films using practical FX.

Based on a screenplay by Mousavi, Birchall and Paul Davidson, A Paige Odyssey is an exciting first feature for the production company, who are teaming up with incredible practical FX talent to create a fantasy world using both miniature and creature FX, integrated with live action scenes set in Manchester. 

Simon West said, ‘I’m looking forward to bringing my experience of live action, practical FX and storytelling to a fantasy adventure with an original screenplay -and am particularly excited to be utilising miniatures and creature FX within this process.’ 

Stuart Birchall added, ‘We’re determined to unite traditional film crafts with modern technology to bring the story to life.  We are striving for all action to be caught in-camera which is ambitious – and we could not be happier to have Simon West at the helm.’

Seb Brown concluded, ‘It’s an exciting time to be announcing right now. knowing there are a wave of other incredible films including Labyrinth 2, Gremlins 3, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and The Legend of Ochi – all of which celebrate practical FX.’

Producing alongside Stuart Birchall, Leila Mousavi and Seb Brown will be British actress & comedienne Ronni Ancona.  Tom Guida will serve as Executive Producer.

A Paige Odyssey will be co-produced by miniatures FX supervisor and owner of the Magic Camera Company, José Granell (Harry Potter franchise, Frankenstein 2025).

Creature FX from Life Cast (Wonka, Wicked).