This issue, The Spread talks to Daniel Turner McGibney. Daniel is spearheading a Kickstarter campaign all about the dangers of knifecrime.
Here he tells us all about his latest project…
Following the success of short film Richard III: A Memoir of a King’s Love, Nottingham’s McGibney Productions have launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their new project, Stereotype. A fictional short film about the Power of Choice, it depicts the dilemma faced by Leroy, a teenager who must decide whether to use his knife against the people who murdered his brother.
The initial concept was influenced by the astounding level of violence in the UK, as writer Luke McGibney explains, “We were amazed to read about just how many incidences of knife crime there were. It was something like 130,000 every year. That means someone is stabbed approximately every four minutes.” The story explores the feeling amongst young people that they are left without a choice, caught in a perpetual cycle of violence, concluding that in fact they are presented with a choice: the choice not to choose.
Director Jordan McGibney added, “Whether it inspires people to make a choice in their lives, or makes them think twice before stereotyping, we want everyone to go away from our film in the cinema feeling changed.” Rather than serving purely as entertainment, Stereotype is also being shaped as an educational tool. It will be available with worksheets for those who want to utilize it in educating young people on the dangers of knife crime, the power of choice, and creating a positive change.
Aesthetically, the aim is to move away from the typical ‘gritty’ British urban dramas and craft a striking, cinematic short with a focus on beauty and symmetry within an urban environment. Having received the backing of two major rental houses that believed in the project, Stereotype will be shot with the Arri Alexa, the same camera used on the Academy Award winning Skyfall. The crew is heavily Nottingham-based. Co-directors Jordan and Rebecca, and writer Luke, all make up McGibney Productions.
Also involved is Director of Photography Richard Dunton, a well-respected member of the National Film and Television School; storyboard and concept artist Kieron Edwards, whose previous credits include Song for Marion and Misfits; and Executive Producer Al Clark, who produced the award winning London to Brighton. Together they present a huge amount of local talent, as well as a wealth of experience that will potentially create a visually stunning and socially relevant short film, should they hit the funding target. In addition, they have recently announced securing the acting talent of BAFTA award winning actor Eliot Otis Brown Walters.
“We really can’t make this film without people’s help. The independent filmmaking community in the UK is so collaborative by nature, and we really want to help continue that tradition.” Luke stated, adding, “If you want to make a difference, as well as raising awareness of knife-crime and educating young people, please take a minute to check out the Kickstarter campaign, and contribute if you can.” To contribute, get on the below links…
To help make this film into a reality and to check out their trailer, pop over to their campaign at:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mcgibney/short-film-stereotype
Twitter: @stereotypemovie
