'The Knife That Killed Me' Case Study Introduction

1. Film genre and type of production?

• Teenage drama film. 15 certificate due to very strong language, sex references, violence and drug use.
• Independent, low budget. 
• Sources: bbfc, IMDb.

2. What is the film about?

• Reflection of events in Paul Varderman's life, leading to his death. Gets involved with outsiders 'The Freaks' and the bully, Roth. Pressure from both groups - he has to choose where his friendship lies.
• Dark/challenging themes: rivalry, choices, outsiders, gangs, knife crime, friendship
• Sources: official website, IMDb, official trailer

3. Global and UK release dates? Where and what formats?

• No theatrical release.
• Shown in festivals in UK including: London Independent Film Festival (18/4/14) and Coventry Literary Festival (25/6/14)
• Multiplatform Premiere film screening at three venues in UK ( Bradford, Manchester, London) on 15/7/14 and there was a live stream on YouTube.
• Sources: official website, Facebook page

4. Nationality of the film?

• British. British cast, crew, setting, target audience.
• Sources: official website, Green Screen productions, Den of Geek

5. Institutions behind the film's production and UK/US distribution? Where are they based?

• Production companies: Green Screen Productions (GB, York), Knife That Killed Me (GB)
• Finance: Premiere Picture (GB, Brighton).Gloucester Place Films  (GB, London), International Pictures Three (GB, London), 
• Distributors: Universal Pictures (UK), Focus Features (US)
• Sources: IMDb Pro, Wikipedia, Green Screen productions

6. What's the film's production budget?

• £3,000,000 (estimated)
• Gloucester Palace Films and International Pictures Three (subsidiaries of Matador Pictures) involved with finance. 
• Premiere Picture assisted in raising money.
• Kickstarter helped to fund the event expenses. (Goal: £20,000. Pledged: £20,094) 
• Sources: Matador Pictures, Premiere Picture, Kickstarter

7. Any connection with other films?

• Based on the novel by Anthony McGowan (rated 4.5 stars on Amazon)
• Green screen technique similar to 'Sin City'
• Sources: Facebook page, Mild Concern, Amazon, Stealth Media Group, Sin City trailer

8. Who's the director?

• Marcus Romer. Artistic director at Pilot Theate. Actor. Director and writer for 'The Knife That Killed Me'
• Kit Monkman. Visual efffects. Director and writer for 'The Knife That Killed Me'
• Sources: Screenwriter's blog, IMDb 

Marcus Romer

9. How has the film been cast? Who's in it?

• Casting call for role of Paul posted on October 26 2011 and for Yorkshire based teenagers January 9, 2012. 
• Casting director: Jeremy Zimmermann.
• Starring: Jack McMullen as Paul (best known from Waterloo Road), Reece Dinsdale as Paul's dad, Jamie Shelton as Roth, Haruka Abe as Serena and Oliver Lee as Shane.
• Sources: Wikipedia, IMDb

10. Core audience? Secondary/tertiary markets?

• Core: British teenagers and young adults (16-24 year olds)
• Secondary: parents with teenagers, people who live in Yorkshire, people who like the indie drama genre, fans of the book.
• Tertiary: educational institutions e.g. schools who use the film for educational purposes.
• Sources: official trailer.