A Film and Theatre project Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Metroland is about two brothers, who decide to grant their dead mother her wish to finally ride the roller coaster.
Our goal is to create an ambitious, high – end short film and this is why we are trying to raise additional funds. Additionally, like all filmmakers, we want to share our work with people, so by contributing to this campaign, you’ll be a part of this filmmaking journey and get some great (and potentially really weird) rewards in return, including a copy of the film.
We have already secured £5,000 from Creative England, through their iShorts 3 fund. The additional money will help us make the film we want and will supplement the production and post-production budget.
We need to ensure cast and crew are paid, fed, and given suitable accommodation, that is why a percentage of the money raised will be spent on making sure our cast and crew have a great time working on this film!
Of course, there is the small matter of filming on a roller coaster. We already have a fun fair interested in letting us film on their site, but as you can imagine, rigging a camera to a roller coaster and making sure everyone is safe is an entirely different matter. The extra funds we raise can make sure no corners are cut and we get the shots we need.
Post Production is a costly process. It involves hiring an editor, a sound designer and a colorist. With the extra money we raise, we can work with the very best to ensure the final film looks and sounds as good as it possibly can.
We want as many people as possible to see this film, which is why a portion of the money raised will be spent on entry fees to festivals. Who knows, we might even win an award or two? We’re also planning to host screenings in Newcastle and London with cast, crew and lots of our filmmaker friends, by contributing £20 you can join us for a night of films and fun.
Short films are an integral part of a filmmakers career. All the great filmmakers you know of today started out making short films – just like us. By contributing even the smallest amount, you’ll be part of a film that showcases the great filmmaking talent we have in the North East. We will also send you rewards for your contribution and, because we have the backing of Creative England and the BFI, you’ll be part of a film that will get regional and national attention.
Benjamin Bee is a Newcastle based writer and director. His short film “Step Right Up” played at over 35 film festivals, winning 3 awards, was nominated for a further 20 and was long-listed for the BAFTA Best Short Film Award 2014. “A Plastic Toy Dinosaur”, played at over 20 film festivals, won numerous awards and screened on BBC 3. This led Benjamin to be nominated for BBC New Filmmaker of the Year Award in 2006.
Benjamin has made a number of no-budget, super- short comedy films. Frank, a heart-wrenching story of a man who is betrayed by his animated friend, took him to the BAFTAs in 2008.
Benjamin graduated from the London Film School in 2015. His short project, “Wheels”, a comedy about family, love and dogging, was one of the three winning projects at NISI MASA European Short Pitch 2014. His graduation project “Sebastian and Them” has already been selected for over 20 festivals. It marks Benjamin’s sixth collaboration with actor/writer Dan Mersh. Benjamin has just directed a comedy project written by Dan and produced by Baby Cow.
Benjamin is currently in production on “Mordechai” funded by The Pears Short Film Fund at UK Jewish Film.
For more information or to get in touch visit: www.benjamin-bee.com
Maria Caruana Galizia is an entrepreneurial producer based in Newcastle. She used to work in the editing and camera departments of Scottish Television, Game of Thrones and Sinbad, before setting up her own company Candle & Bell. She has produced videos for Sony Music Entertainment, Festival of Media, Northumbria University and many more. She has also produced a number of short films. Most recently A Six and Two Threes, writtent and directed by Andy Berriman, (winner at London Lift Off Festival, Official Selection London Short Film Festival, Official Selection Kino Manchester Short Film Festival and West Chester Film Festival) and The Lost Girl, written and directed by Laura Degnan (Winner Best Cinematography Canberra Short Film Festival, Official Selection London Short Film Festival, Official Selection Aesthetica Short Film Festival) Candle & Bell is dedicated to making films in the North East that are distinct in story and style. For more information visit: www.CandleandBell.com
Yiannis Manolopoulos is a Cinematographer based in London. A graduate of the London Film School, Yiannis has amassed an enviable list of credits as a camera operator and director of photography. He was Cinematographer on the award winning short films “He Took His Skin Off For Me”, “No Strings” and Benjamin Bee’s films “Sebastian and Them” and “Step Right Up”. He has also worked as an operator on the feature films “Forgotten Man” and “Utopia” (88th Oscars long listed). Yiannis brings a wealth of experience and cinematic craft to the film. To find out more about our talented cinematographer, visit: http://www.yiannismanolopoulos.com
What’s next…
With your help we can make a brilliant short film that showcases the best filmmaking talent in the North. pledge your support by picking any of the rewards on this page.
If you aren’t able to contribute but would still like to help the project, please help us spread the word! Share our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MetrolandFilm) Email / tweet / whatsapp this page to all your friends and family. If you have any questions about the film or funding get in touch and we’d be more than happy to talk!
THANK YOU!