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University’s pioneering screen collaboration goes on release

Posted on 27 April 2015

Universal Pictures have released a feature film produced through a pioneering academic-industry partnership involving the University of York.

The Knife That Killed Me, which was made entirely using green screen technology, is now available on DVD and Digital HD.

The film has received some glowing reviews including 4 stars in The Times and ranking as the 10th Best Film of 2014 by the Huffington Post .

The film is part of a ground-breaking partnership between the University and commercial film producers GSP Studios, specialists in computer generated imagery (CGI).

The film was shot entirely at GSP Studios near York with post-production work taking place at Heslington Studios, the commercial arm of the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television (TFTV).

The partnership involved more than a dozen TFTV graduates and students doing all the visual effects and sound work. Audio postproduction was overseen by Dr Gavin Kearney, Lecturer in Sound Design, who served as the Supervising Sound Editor. Other departmental staff were also involved -- Paul Ryan, Matt Brannan and Erik Olafsen provided technical support; Carole Eccles, Lisa Burch and Annita Hirons provided logistical support.

The collaboration was arranged by John Mateer, Senior Lecturer and Head of Film and Television for TFTV, who served as one of the Executive Producers and the Visual Effects Producer for the film. 

He said: “The project has been highly rewarding and provided invaluable experience for our students.  Working in conjunction with GSP Studios, this project truly represents a unique academic-industry partnership and is one of the first of its kind in the UK.  We hope it is the first of many.”

The Knife That Killed Me is a journey through the memories of teenager Paul Varderman, played by Jack McMullen, (Waterloo Road, Brookside, Seamonsters) as he reflects on events leading to the fatal moment his life is cut short. The film has a distinctive visual style to illustrate the story, using green screen and Visual Effect (VFX) filmmaking technology in an unconventional manner.

The film is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Anthony McGowan, adapted and directed by Marcus Romer and Kit Monkman.

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