Magwitch

"In jail and out of jail that’s my life pretty much. My name is Magwitch christened Abel.... I’ve been done most things to pretty well... except hanged !’

Who are we?

Violafilms is a Kent-based production company .
Our Mission is Simple....
• Make Great quality original Film and Television
• Discover, Develop and Nurture New Creative Talent
• Have fun doing it !!

What is Magwitch?

Magwitch tells the tale of Abel Magwitch, Charles Dickens’ most famous convict. It’s a story full of injustice, passion, sex and murder.
If you know Great Expectations, this film explores Magwitch’s back story and if you don’t, it’s an action packed 15 minute short film that will make you want to know more!
Filmed in Dickens’ own country, the county of Kent, Magwitch is a prequel to Great Expectations and writer/director Samuel Supple’s debut film and his chance to explore Dickens and his world.
Combining great storytelling with high production values, Magwitch has attracted comment and attention from key industry players, including Oscar winning Director, Andrea Arnold and Shameless Director, David Richardson. Even Dickens’ Great Grandson, Gerald Dickens has given his blessing to the project!

Who is involved?

Writer/Director: Samuel Supple

Since graduating from BRIT school in 2006 Sam has appeared in a number of classical touring plays including working with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
In 2009 Sam made the transition into film and television, learning his craft through a range of trainee roles, before joining the BBC Inside Out current affairs team, pitching original ideas and following them through development into production. In 2011 he worked on the production of the BBC's sixties music documentary "Vox Pop", working alongside some of the biggest names in music.
2011 also saw his directorial debut with Magwitch, written by Sam and receiving its world premiere in 2012

Producer: Debra McGee

Creative Producer Debra has an extensive background in drama and large scale event production and has worked with the RSC, Young Vic and the Royal Exchange Manchester along with a range of high profile cultural events such as the Tour de France and Whitstable Biennale.
Film projects include working with film makers/artists such as BAFTA nominee Clio Barnard and Adam Chodzko as well as Anglo- French collaborations for young film makers.

Director of Photography: Alan Beech

Alan has been working in the television industry since 1996 and has built a reputation as a talented Lighting Cameraman and Director of Photography. Working on hundreds of productions in a wide variety of situations, he has consistently achieved beautiful results using Digi-Beta, DVCam, HD and 35mm. With his abundant enthusiasm, visual flair and plain hard work, he is a valuable asset to our production team.
Credits include The Roundabout Movie, ,
32 Brinkburn St (BBC1),The Bill; Land Girls Series 1&2- ( ‘Best Daytime Programme’ at the 2010 Broadcast Awards )
Missing - Film 2009
Waking The Dead VII- Red Button Documentary
Little Britain II – BBC

Sound: Simon Bysshe
 

Simon was part of the Oscar and BAFTA award winning sound team for The Hurt Locker in 2008 and has most recently completed work on Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights. Other credits include: Lotus Eaters -
Men Don't Lie; Island; The Great Ghost Rescue; Nowhere Boy.

Cast:

Samuel Edward Cook  (Landgirls: Series 3)

Orginally from York, North Yorkshire, Sam began his training at RADA in September 2008. Sam graduated early from RADA in June 2011 to begin filming for the BBC period drama 'Land Girls'. Immediately after filming had finished, Sam was invited to play the title role of Abel Magwitch in Viola Films’ first venture.
Sam would like to thank Violafilms for the opportunity to work on such an exciting project and for giving him his first professional lead role

Candis Nergaard

is an English actor partly of Romany descent. She studied at Dartington College of Arts and the Method Studio, and is a founder member of Caravanserai acting studio.
Candis has worked widely in film, television, radio and on the stage. Selected credits include the acclaimed BBC production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (BBC Radio), Stuart: A Life Backwards (BBC Film for TV), ITV's 'The Bill' and feature films 'The Firm' and 'Sket'. Candis plays Molly in Magwitch. She says
"I loved getting my teeth into the role of Molly, who is a highly complex, formidable woman with a wild instinct. It was great to play a woman who is pivotal to the plot, inspiring a series of tragic events and sealing other characters' fates".

David Verrey (Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason; Sixty Six; Attack on Leningrad; Dr Who)

Veteran of film, television and theatre, David plays the eponymous Jaggers. Best known for playing the villainous Joseph Green,opposite Christopher Eccleston's Dr Who  and playing Sergei Starr in over 200 episodes of the Channel 5 soap 'Family Affairs'. also starirng as Giles Benwick in Bridget Jones Edge of Reason and more recently seen as Thomas Capel in BBC 1''s Garrow's Law.

Where will the film be screened?

When completed, Magwitch will be entered into all the major short film festivals. It will also be screened at a number of national and international Dickens 200 celebrations in 2012 commemorating 200 years since his birth

How can you help?

With funding from Screen South, Rochester Cathedral and Medway Council, we have successfully funded the main part of the film’s production to date but now we need to raise the final £3,000 we need to make this 15 minute short film look and sound as fantastic as we know it can be. Already in post production, we need to ensure that the high production values we have set throughout are carried through- particularly in the sound design and edit.
Please take the time to look at our rewards - we have some unique and exclusive opportunities to offer!
Also, spread the word. We will only reach our goals if enough people become aware of the film and of this campaign...
Thank you!!

Can anyone contribute from anywhere in the world?

Absolutely! Although the listings are in UK pounds, you can invest from anywhere in the world, in your own currency. We know Dickens is loved globally and this movie will be a must for all Dickens fans
A couple of rewards are exclusive to UK-based investors, but if you are based elsewhere and would like to access these anyway, please get in touch.
Pick a voucher and pledge! Now. Tell your friends. Make them pledge too. The beauty of crowdfunding is that we don't need a lot of money, we need lots of people like YOU giving just a little bit.
For more information and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter

When do I get my reward?

All rewards, big and small, will only happen if our target is reached. When that happens, immediately after our deadline, we will start to manufacture and ship all physical merchandise directly to you. The screenings, meet-and-greets and DVDs can only happen after the film is completed, so this will take a bit of time. Bear with us – but we will get there!
 

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