A FILM-MAKER from Westbury is shooting a feature-length film and filming most of it in and around the town.

John Wheeler has been writing and filming his new fantasy film entitled ‘A Song For The Fifth Season’ for the past three years, using locations in Westbury and Glastonbury, and plans to have it completed by summer.

Previously, the 43-year-old has produced one feature-length film entitled ‘The Last Road’, music videos, a documentary on his battle with depression and an animated short which was nominated at London’s Portobello Film Festival in 2011, which can all be viewed on his website.

Mr Wheeler, who is also directing the film, said: “The film is based on the premise that the entire world wakes up one morning to discover that there is no longer any religion, and it's about how people who believe in various religions cope with it.

“Christopher Hitchens, among other people, believe that religion poisons everything in the world, so I have explored that notion in the movie.

“I see making films as more than just a job, I use it to help with problems I face in life, such as my depression, which I have based a documentary on in the past as I think it’s something that needs to be discussed more openly.”

“A special mention must go to my partner Alison Pople, who is a very talented musician. She has helped me to create this film by making the music and she also features in it.

“It’s been good fun making this film but I’ve had to produce quite a few time-lapse shots, which involves staying up for about seven hours overnight, taking one shot every hour. It's a long process but it produces really good stuff.

“I see making films as more than just a job, I use it to help with problems I face in life, such as my depression, which I have based a documentary on in the past. I think it’s something that needs to be discussed more openly than it currently is.

Mr Wheeler, from Newtown, plans to film the chimney of the town’s cement works being demolished in May using a drone camera, which he will use as an establishing shot in the film’s introduction.

He has also filmed scenes at The White Horse and in the town centre.

To view Mr Wheeler’s previous work, visit his website: www.johnwheelerfilm.wix.com/home