Shane Meadows

The vast majority of Meadows' films have been set in the Midlands area. They recall the kitchen sink realism of filmmakers such as Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, with a post-modern twist. He has a relaxed directing style, encouraging the actors to ad lib in order to create a better sense of reality.


Much of the content of his films is semi-autobiographical and based on his experiences in Uttoxeter.


Twenty Four Seven was inspired by his youth, both at a boxing club, and also playing in a local football club. Despite some huge losses, the club's coach never lost faith in them. A Room for Romeo Brass was also inspired by his youth. After Paul Fraser — his best friend, neighbour and future writing partner— had a bad accident and was bound to his bed for two years, Meadows instead hung around with some of the town's more undesirable characters. Dead Man's Shoes is based on the more unpleasant side of his youth in Uttoxeter. It was inspired by a close friend who had been bullied, developed a drug problem and then committed suicide. He said "I couldn't believe that, going back ten years later, he had been totally forgotten in the town — it was as if he had never existed. I was filled with anger against the people who had bullied and pushed the drugs on him, and with despair at what drugs had done to that small community".


Re-occuring actors


Paddy Considine- Richard (Dead Man's Shoes), Morell (A Room For Romeo Brass)
Vicky Mclure- Ladine Brass (A Room For Romeo Brass), Lol (This Is England)
Andrew Shim- Romeo Brass (A Room For Romeo Brass),  Milky(This Is England)
Thomas Turgoose- Shaun Field (This Is England), Tomo (Somers Town)