Stuart GouldenWe’re delighted to announce a big boost to York’s cinematic credentials, with the news that a Universal Pictures backed thriller is to be filmed in new studios on the outskirts of the city, using a wealth of local talent.
The Knife That Killed Me is a gripping and tragically topical story of one boy’s spiral into knife-crime. The script has been adapted from Anthony McGowan’s award winning novel by Marcus Romer and Kit Monkman, who will also direct, and is being produced by Thomas Mattinson and Alan Latham.
Jack McMullen has already been confirmed to play Paul Varderman, with another announcement due in the coming weeks to reveal the full cast.
Production on The Knife That Killed Me is due to commence in mid-February at the purpose-built Green Screen Studios at the former ARTTS International film school at Bubwith, York.
Following extensive renovation, the new studios include an infinity curve green screen studio, sound stages, a screening room, offices, prop stores, workshops, a 200-seat theatre, catering and accommodation. Green Screen Studios is working on the new film in association with the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television, and aims to become a major regional film and television studio with the capacity to finance, produce and distribute multiple films and television programmes for worldwide consumption. With an impressive cast of Directors and Advisors behind the venture, including Oscar winning producers and studio heads, there is no reason why they cannot achieve this ambition.
Alan Latham, producer and managing director of Green Screen Productions Ltd, said: “Green Screen Productions and The Knife That Killed Me are unique and we hope they are the start of a thriving film production and post production business in York.”
Getting to this point in pre-production has been four years in the making. Marcus Romer, director of the film and artistic director of the York-based Pilot Theatre, recalls the journey of discovering and securing the script: “A few years ago, I contacted Anthony [McGowan], who is originally from Sherburn in Elmet, with my ideas for the adaption and how we might approach this. He agreed to the adaption on the condition of approving our first draft, from which we’d then be able develop the script further.
“We then went back with the developed version, meeting with Anthony and his agent in London and inviting them to our theatre work at Pilot. They were delighted with it and gave the project the go ahead.”
From its early inception, the producers have sought to utilise and develop local talent wherever possible on both sides of the camera. The collaboration with University of York’s TFTV department has created the opportunity to work on a feature film for seven graduates at the start of their careers. Marcus Romer explains: “the ability to create this amazing project here in Yorkshire, with the job opportunities and implications for the cultural sector are immense.”
The Knife That Killed Me has been incredibly well received in early testing, so much so that Universal Pictures (UK) has already guaranteed its distribution in Autumn 2012 – an extremely rare accomplishment for any movie that is yet to be shot.
To follow the film’s development visit the The Knife That Killed Me website and hear the latest inside news from the cast and crew via Twitter hashtag #TKTKM.
