Detective | |
---|---|
Directed by | Connick Cheung Jeffrey Li |
Screenplay by | Blair Stevenson |
Story by | Connick Cheung |
Based on | Cluedo by Anthony E. Pratt |
Produced by | Emma Knaus Jasmine Bunting-Sylivris Mel Beal Daniel Borberly Lisa Sutton |
Starring | Philip Chen Carina Armstrong Benjamin Greenwood Christina Percival Naomi Tang-Yamaoka Daniel Phillips Liam House |
Cinematography | Connick Cheung Emma Knaus Jeffrey Li |
Music by | Jade Tsai Norman Zhou Richard Cong |
Production companies | CC Productions HT Media JeffstarFilms DanielDrivingYouNuts |
Distributed by | HT Media |
Release date |
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Country | Australia |
Language | English |
Detective is a 2014 Australian short film loosely based on the board game Cluedo. The film is a murder mystery set in Melbourne, Australia. The film was directed by Connick Cheung with Assistant Producer Jeffrey Li. It is produced by Emma Knaus and Jasmine Bunting-Sylivris with Executive Producers Mel Beal, Daniel Borberly and Lisa Sutton. It stars Philip Chen, Carina Armstrong, Benjamin Greenwood, Christina Percival, Naomi Tang-Yamaoka, Daniel Phillips and Liam House. When Detective Alan Jones was forced to partner with private-investigator Carly Rose, they must find the suspect who has killed a high-rank police officer. Little did they know, that the suspect is closer than they expected. The Huntingtower School film has no release date as of yet.
Plot
editAfter the murder of Sergeant George Simpson (Liam House), Harry Warner (Benjamin Greenwood) invites Alan Jones (Philip Chen) and Carly Rose (Carina Armstrong) by letter to work on the murder case. After being introduced to Harry Warner’s secretary- Bridget Fox (Christina Percival), they were given a list of names as suspects. Alan and Carly interrogate Rachel Carson (Naomi Tang-Yamaoka) as her knife was used as the murder weapon. It is later found out that it’s unachievable to obtain the weapon unless someone bypassed the security made by Wake and Find. The interrogation was interrupted by a grenade, killing Rachael. After a few stern words from Harry Warner, they go on to question Andrew Johnson (Daniel Philips). Alan’s previous history with Andrew was evident, but also found out that he was not the killer. Andrew is later shot by a mysterious person who runs into the Wake and Find building. Carly, thinking it was Harry who was the killer, storms into his office with Alan knocking Harry unconscious. When Harry wakes up, Alan and Carly question his position in the case, until Alan recognises that they’re got the wrong suspect. However, due to the killings of suspects and false questionings, Harry Warner suspends Alan’s licence. Later on, Alan and Carly continue investigating, until Alan finally finds out the killer’s identity. Carly goes to the Wake and Find building to see Bridget copying information to her USB. Bridget then reveals that she had captured Harry Warner, however Harry Warner walks in. It was discovered that Alan had freed Harry beforehand. Bridget is captured and shows that the story was in fact friend’s imagination of the story.
Cast
edit- Philip Chen [1] as Alan Jones, a well-known detective who has the reputation of being a cocky, over confident person.
- Carina Armstrong as Carly Rose, a private investigator and qualified doctor, she is a light hearted person who doesn't mind to crack a joke.
- Benjamin Greenwood as Harry Warner, the boss of Wake and Find Industries – The leading detective industry in Australia.
- Christina Percival as Bridget Fox, a quiet person, she is the secretary of Harry Warner.
- Naomi Tang-Yamaoka as Rachael Carson, a forensic scientist.
- Daniel Phillips as Andrew Johnson, Alan Jones’ previous partner.
- Liam House as Sergeant George Simpson.
- Jasmine Bunting-Sylivris as Ruby Sparks.
Production
editDevelopment
editIn August 2013, after talks with Mel Beal concerning the entry of films in development to be entered into the City of Monash Youth Film Festival 2013,[2] Connick Cheung decided to create a solely new film to be made. Jeffrey Li was chosen as Assistant Director due to his recent work on videos such as the Moped Race, First Person Shooter and the Go Kart Build. Pre-Production started on the 14th August 2013. Naomi, Norman, Richard and Nathan were offered the job to create original composed music, however settled on Jade Tsai as main composer. After many talks with Mel Beal/HT Media, Emma Knaus was assigned producer for the film. Mel Beal was chosen as executive producer to oversee the filming/editing process.[3] Later, Daniel Borberly were added as executive producers for the film to guide the actors to act as they would in real life. Lisa Sutton was added as an additional Executive Producer to oversee the music composition process.
Test names for Alan Jones included Bruce, Alex, Sebastian and John, and test names for Carly included Ruby and Selina. The cast for the Alan Jones, Carly Rose and Bridget Fox were given to Philip Chen, Carina Armstrong and Christina Percival respectively, however the decision to cast someone for Harry Warner was tricky. The casting crew contemplated over students like Jeffrey Sing, Oliver Gale, Liam House, Matthew Sturgeon and Conor Rowley, however eventually the role was given to Benjamin Greenwood on the 6th October 2013.
The original script was over 19 pages long, with the storyline similar to the final. Many elements in the original script such as drugs, love interests, a replacing secretary and solid ending were in it, however was later altered to enable the story to be told in a teenage view, as well as removing unnecessary bits and tie in as a Cluedo imagination story.
The film crew were able to bypass the need to have Cluedo names in the story by allowing the actors to wear the respective colours of the characters in the game, i.e. Yellow, Green and Blue. The script has had over 2 re-drafts, and over 20 different edits from various editors. Countless script editors have checked and proof-read the script. Working titles for the film include 'The Case of the Missing Drug' and 'Detective Cluedo'.
At the start of 2014, many things had to be refined. The script had many checks to fine-tune the dialogue and opening scene. The story-boards were created by Maggie Wu. Props were found and costumes were chosen.
Filming
editPrincipal photography was originally to start near the beginning of 2014, but was postponed to fine-tune various things. Filming started on the 9th March 2014 and 10 March 2014, during the mid-term break. Later scenes were then postponed to April/May due to Simunye and other commitments.
Effects
editEffects- including muzzle flashes and explosions will be added on in post-production.
Music
editIt was confirmed that Jade Tsai would, in fact, be writing the film's musical score. Norman Zhou and Richard Cong would be creating separate music as well. Music will be released in a special soundtrack after release of movie.
Marketing
editOn October 18, 2013, there was a voice-over session in the HT Media Room to introduce the main characters in a teaser-trailer. On December 3, 2013, the teaser trailer was created to be shown at the Media Screening Night and Huntingtower At Home Magazine 2013. On March 12, 2014, the official Facebook Page was released.[4] On the page were various 'behind-the-scenes' images and pictures.
Release
editDetective has yet to be released.
Critical Response
editDetective has yet to be released.
Home Media
editDetective will be released on DVD after being shown to cast and crew in Australia.
Sequel
editThere were rumours of a sequel, but nothing confirmed. However a new film with a new idea for 2015 has been discussed.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2702291/
- ^ "Request for Expressions of Interest" (PDF). The Governors Island Preservation & Education Corporation and Jones Lang LaSalle. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
- ^ "Internet Filmmaker's FAQ :". filmmaking.net. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/DetectiveHT
Further reading
edit- Lyons, Donald (1994). Independent Visions: A Critical Introduction to Recent Independent American Film. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-38249-8.
- Hall, Phil (2009). The History of Independent Cinema. BearManor Media. ISBN 1-59393-335-5.
External links
edit- Official website
- IFTA - The Independent Film & Television Alliance, an International trade association representing Independent Producers
- Indie Films at the Internet Movie Database
- Indian Independent Films at the DearCinema.com
- [1] at the Internet Movie Database