Hester BaverstockYork filmmakers are set to bring another outstanding independent production to a screen near you.
Milestone Films was founded in 2006 by Miles Watts and Tony Hipwell. Writing, producing and directing, these two talented York residents have worked with a large team of local creatives to bring a number of original and exciting feature films.
The group’s first production, Bandwagons, was modestly screened in 2007 and 2008. Next came Crimefighters, which in 2010 flourished not only at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and Arizona Underground Film Festival, but also at cinemas throughout the United Kingdom. Shooting for their latest feature, Amber, concluded in April 2011; the latter production having been made in-between larger projects, improvised and shot in six days.
This production group is perhaps however best known for the cult web series Zomblogalypse. As a three season series with all episodes freely available online, Zomblogalypse has become a web spectacle with international veneration. MilesTone Films also hints that a related feature production may also be on the Horizon.
Miles Watts, Hannah Bungard and Tony Hipwell, all of Zomblogalypse, alongside Sam Robinson, have now exclusively announced to One&Other that they are in the early stages of their biggest budget production to date. Experts in maintaining suspense, many details remain undisclosed as of yet. They tantalise us with reports that this is to be another British black-comedy based upon an idea from Sam Robinson. With the same delightfully deadpan and comedic-horror tones that run through Zomblogalypse, we are promised ‘a lot of blood’ despite an absence of zombies this time!
Financial support is often very difficult to achieve for local, independent productions. Lucky enough to secure private funding from local entrepreneurs for this latest venture, this enigmatic project promises to be smoother and slicker than those that have come before.
One of the key aims of this inspirational group is not only to develop fun, personal and artistic projects, but also to support and nurture fresh filmmaking talent in the area through employment of those new to the field and young individuals with creative flair.
Miles tells us that those involved see every film MilesTones produces as a step forward from their previous work in terms of quality and scope, and this current venture gives a real opportunity to develop the way they make films:
“Every film is a new challenge and we’re really going for it with this one. There’s never been a better time for us to be making creative, independent films in York.”
Miles and the team are giving away no secrets. With aspects of this great endeavour still in discussion, and with filming not due to commence until April 2012 we will be sure to let you know as soon as more is revealed about this cloak-and-dagger mission.
Image courtesy of AndyRobertsPhotos
