An Ambitious and Original Feature Film Project
How Far Would You Go To Survive?
"Passion and hard work can get you places... for some that's Olympic glory but for others... it's creating the next great thriller"
Geraldine Sanchez- Examiner.com
"Not your typical scary movie... it's about creating real bonds with the characters"
Geraldine Sanchez- Examiner.com
" They have a real passion for filmmaking and an amazing vision for the film itself"
Ben Loyd Holmes- Actor (Skyfall, Bones, Torchwood)
The Story behind SURVIVORS
Survivors began life as the short film "Sunset 9:04" (2011) and transformed into something much larger - the idea to make a micro-budget feature film. It's goal being both to showcase the undiscovered talent at work in the United Kingdom and also to tell a unique story with a genuine message.
By combining the talents of our cast and crew, Survivors is sure to be something very special indeed.
Directed by first time feature Director, Adam Spinks from a screenplay penned by himself and Laurence Timms, Survivors is the story of three people who find themselves caught up in the chaos of a cadaverous apocalypse told through a mixture of traditional cinematic storytelling and found-footage elements.
THE STORY
When a biotechnology facility began advertising for volunteers to take part in a series of pioneering medical experiments, nobody could have predicted it would end this way.
A stirring and thought provoking horror/drama, Survivors is the story of three people caught up in the disruption and destruction as the facility began to lose control. It's experiments turned loose after a series of damaging leaks from inside.
The facility scrambles to cover it's tracks, leaving independent journalist Kate and her cameraman Duke with the only videotaped evidence and they find themselves caught in the tightening net of the infected zone as the outbreak spreads like fire.
Will anybody make it out alive?
THE CREW
Michael Beddoes - Producer
Michael joins the team after studying a Masters in Film and Television Production at Royal Holloway and subsequently producing the multiple award winning short "The Third One This Week", which premiered in Austin TX as part of SXSW 2011. Michael is currently on the festival circuit with "Womble" and "Meeting Daddy" and in post-production on "Lolotte".
Michael is currently a producer for London-based Hoot Comedy.
Phillip Biggs - Producer/ Film Editor
Phillip joins the team after originally studying for an BSC in Civil Engineering. He graduated in 2009 and subsequently developed an interest in short films, which led to his first Producing role on the short film "The Stranger" in 2010. In 2011 Phillip produced two shorts directed by Survivors director Adam Spinks "A Different Life" and "Sunset 9:04".
Most recently, Phillip has edited the short film "Breaking".
Ellie Harvie-August - Producer/Production Design
Ellie joins the team after studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Film & Television screenwriting from the University of Central Lancashire. During her degree she solely focussed on writing and understanding the basis of film. She has expanded her skills set to include naturalistic makeup and set dressing. Ellie was the lead make up artist for short film "Sunset 9:04" and is eager to delve further into the artistic side of creating the overall look of Survivors.
Adam Spinks - Director/Screenwriter
Adam graduated from Royal Holloway in July 2011 with a Masters in Feature Film Screenwriting, he has gone on to write and direct several short films, including "A Different Life" and "Sunset 9:04" as well as producing "Breaking", a two minute-twenty short film for Virgin Media Shorts. Adam also wrote Seasons 1 and 2 of the App-based Soap Opera "Persona", produced by App Media.
Survivors is his first feature film project.
Laurence Timms - Screenwriter
Veteran of three spec TV drama scripts, ten spec short film scripts, a spec radio play and two spec feature scripts, Laurence Timms has finally leapt the divide from unproduced to produced writer. ”Survivors” is technically his second feature project. His first, “Big Pink” is currently in production. He also has several short films in pre-production and is carving out a potentially lucrative sideshow career as a novelist. Laurence also wrote for the app-based soap opera “Persona”.
Sian Revill - Make Up Department
Siân graduated from Coventry University with a foundation degree in Artistic Makeup and Special Effects. She spent her final year focusing on makeup for film and tv. Since graduating she has worked on a variety of shorts, most recent of which are “Morty”, “The Sentinel" & "Breaking"
Daniel Gahnstrom- Cinematography
A graduate from the University of Lincoln, Daniel has worked on several short films since he finished University, moving up from Assistant Camera positions to fully fledged DOP within a year. After a short stint making corporate videos with Little Voice Media in Dorking, UK, Daniel now works freelance in the industry. His most recent productions include Lolotte, Breaking and a trailer for The Beta Males 2012 Edinburgh Fringe show.
Matthew North- Sound Recordist/ Mixer/ Post Production Engineer
Matt joins the team after working with us on the short film Breaking. A recent graduate also, Matt is passionate about sound and currently works for a television company since graduating.
THE CAST
David Anderson
David Anderson is a likeable actor, adept in performance for television, film and stage roles, David continues to work hard in the industry. He has most recently appeared as part of the Nicorette bumper advertising programming for 2011 and in a production of Habeus Corpus, which plays until March 2012. David starred in the short film "Sunset 9:04" on which "Survivors" is based and appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe 2011, co-starring in the Mad Science Family Show.
Joanne Gale
Joanne Gale is a very talented, young actress working in London. Gifted in theatre performance, Joanne also starred in the short film "Sunset 9:04" on which "Survivors" is based. She also performed at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Simon Burbage
Simon graduated East 15 Acting School in 2008 and has since appeared in many plays, films and adverts. He joins Survivors after sharing a stage at the Old Vic with Kevin Spacey and playing Keith in feature film 'Pulp'.
David Anthony Green
David is a likeable actor with incredible improvisation skills. David has played a variety of roles on both the stage and on the screen. In 2012, he continues to tour with a theatre company where he also directs.
Lydia Kay
Vanessa Mayfield
The team here at SURVIVORS HQ is proud to welcome Ben Loyd Holmes to the cast of our little movie. Here's a little bit more about this immensely talented actor, who currently lives here in Surrey, UK.
Biography:
Ben has been acting since he was a small boy. His first notable production was the Spielberg produced mini-series Band of Brothers and has enjoyed subsequent roles in a variety of high-end productions such as Torchwood, Spooks and Bones, as well as the feature length horror film The Hike. Most recently Ben has been filming scenes for Skyfall, the 23rd James Bond release starring Daniel Craig
Ben says of his decision to join the Survivors project:
"I'm looking forward to working with Adam and the team, they have a real passion for filmmaking and an amazing vision for the film itself. I know they are going to bring a new and interesting take on an established genre"
Survivors, starring Joanne Gale, David Anderson, Simon Burbage and Ben Loyd-Holmes is expected to be released late in 2013. The film is produced by Initiative Motion Pictures UK.
POSTERISED!
So our first official teaser poster has made it up here. This poster is available as a signed edition, printed especially for the backer, and delivered to you. for £10.00 (UK only) Backers donating and receiving this outside of the UK please be aware that you are responsible for your own shipping costs and bear that in mind when donating.
If you are not able to add these shipping costs then we will happily supply you with a high resolution digital copy of the poster with our signatures emblazoned upon it alongside an accompanying thank-you message from our crew here at SURVIVORS HQ.
Lydia Kay will be joining the cast of Survivors as a Security Guard!
Lydia Kay trained at East 15 Acting School. As a World Performance graduate she has acquired a range of skills in theatre and performance styles from across the globe. Previous to drama school she aquired a lot of amature dramatics and musical theatre experience with the Leighton Buzzard Children’s Theatre where she was a member for 12 years. Lydia has a great love for the arts and a mind bursting with creativity just waiting to be unleashed
Lydia Says:
I took the role with Survivors because the story is different and intriguing, also I believe it is very important to support independent film makers so that they can use their work to create the films that the commercial film industry is missing. Give the talent of tomorrow a chance!
Find out more here: http://www.survivorsmovie.org/blog/2012/07/15/vlog-day-3-a-cheeky-announcement-the-week-ahead-and-thank-you/
Keep completely up to date with everything at Survivors HQ with our daily vlogs by Ellie (our producer & Makeup Assistant) over on youtube! View our Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/survivorscrewvlogs/videos
