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Innovative Yorkshire feature film seeks local support

Posted on 19 May 2014

A specially invited audience will today enjoy an exclusive Yorkshire preview of the feature film The Knife That Killed Me at the University of York ahead of its national release this summer.

The Knife That Killed Me poster. Image courtesy of Green Screen Productions Ltd.

Produced by York-based independent production company Green Screen Productions Ltd, the visually inventive film - which was shot entirely on green screen - has already secured a major deal with Universal Pictures UK for DVD and Video on Demand distribution.

Today Green Screen Productions are teaming up with Heslington Studios - the commercial arm of the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television – to launch a “Kickstarter” crowdfunding campaign.

The idea of the Kickstarter campaign is to raise awareness and additional funding to launch the film with a Multiplatform Premiere this summer. The entire event will be simultaneously live streamed to exclusive pop-up locations in the UK and to a global audience online. The aim is to provide film viewers with a visual experience that is as inventive and participatory as the film itself.

The Knife That Killed Me is a compelling journey through the memories of teenage protagonist Paul Varderman (played by actor Jack McMullen, Waterloo Road, Brookside, Seamonsters), as he reflects on the events leading to the fatal moment his life is cut short.

The film, based on Anthony McGowan’s novel of the same title, was shot entirely in a studio with the actors performing against green screen. The backgrounds were created digitally, giving the film its unique visual stylistic language which is used to represent Paul’s subconscious thoughts.

Kit Monkman said: “In The Knife That Killed Me we push the boundaries of independent cinema by using new technology to ‘break the lens’ in order to create a different, more interactive relationship between the audience and the screen. This makes the experience feel more like theatre - and the viewer less like a spectator - than is generally the case with film.”

The film was shot entirely at Green Screen Production’s Bubwith studios, with post-production work taking place at Heslington Studios at the University of York.

Producer Alan Latham, Managing Director of Green Screen Productions, said: “Through our partnership with Heslington Studios, our aim is to create a media hub in York, which will generate revenue and create new jobs for the region. The Kickstarter campaign is designed to encourage local people to support and celebrate Yorkshire filmmaking talent and help bring more TV and film production into the region.”

Green Screen Productions and Heslington Studios have developed a strong relationship during the production of the film and are now working together on new projects. Green Screen Productions visual effects team are all recent University of York graduates from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television.

John Mateer, Senior Lecturer at the University of York, and the film’s Visual Effects Producer and one of the Executive Producers, said: “Without a doubt, one of the most rewarding aspects of The Knife That Killed Me was to see our graduates work at such a high level and become fully-fledged professionals.” 

Assistant Visual Effects Supervisor and Lead Compositor on the film, Ben Louden, graduated from the University of York with a Masters in Post Production with Visual Effects in 2011. He is continuing to work with Green Screen Productions on other productions.

He said: “The experience of working on The Knife That Killed Me was as enjoyable as it was unique. As a team it was amazing for us to have the opportunity to work so closely with the Director from a creative perspective."

To find out more about The Knife That Killed Me visit www.theknifethatkilledmemovie.com

To donate to the crowdfunding platform, visit: www.kickstarter.com/projects/1116719561/1615158451?token=7f05b79c

A trailer for the film can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu689ONneAI

Further information:

  • The Knife That Killed Me was adapted for film from Anthony McGowan’s novel by York-based theatre director Marcus Romer and Kit Monkman, one-half of the internationally recognised artist group KMA. It stars Jack McMullen (Waterloo Road, Brookside, Seamonsters) as Paul Varderman in the gritty story of a boy’s spiral into knife-crime. The film is produced by Thomas Mattinson and Alan Latham.
  • The Directors of Green Screen Productions have significant skill and experience in the film sector, including Oscar winning Producer Stephen Evans (Henry V, The Madness of King George), film producers Alan Latham (Darkness Falls, Circus) and Thomas Mattison (Irish Jam, Dead Man Running), as well as award winning artist Kit Monkman. More information on Green Screen Productions at www.greenscreen.co.uk/
  • The Green Screen Productions/Heslington Studios partnership grew out of an earlier collaboration between the University (through John Mateer) and some of Green Screen’s principals - Kit Monkman, Alan Latham and Thomas Mattinson - on the 2006 film The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, featuring Joely Richardson and Tom Berenger. York Music Technology and Media Technology students carried out a significant portion of the visual effects work.
  • For more information on the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television visit www.york.ac.uk/tftv

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