Filmmaker seeks funds for latest project

Richard Anthony Dunford, 31, of Littlehampton Road, Worthing, made his first short film in 2011 after doing ‘bits of writing and making some films and music, off and on for a while’.

The same year, one of his feature scripts was optioned – a contractual agreement between a potential film producer and a writer who holds ownership of a screenplay – which inspired him to further pursue filmmaking.

Richard’s currently in post-production with POV – a no-budget horror film shot through the eyes of the story’s protagonist.

“We didn’t have access to the kind of money and glossy production values the big films have so had to think outside the box,” said Richard. “It’s tough, but if it was easy it would be boring right? I guess you just have to forget the fact you don’t have anywhere near the money you need to make a film and be creative in every aspect of the process. Although we only had a small crew the people we did have were amazing.”

Influenced by horror films The Shining, Session 9 and Silent House, POV is filmed through the eyes of newly single Zack, whose older brother decides to throw him a house party in an old retirement home he’s been refurbishing. The building has an ominous history, the previous owner believed the residents had turned into demons and set the place on fire. As the party progresses Zack’s friends become possessed by the same demon curse.

The film was shot on location in Folkestone, London, Brighton and Worthing with a small crew all working on an expenses-only basis.

Richard said: “There’s a lot of films being made so I wanted to do something that might capture people’s attention and tell a story in a unique way. I’d done a short film called Groupie in the same POV style, and while making that I started to think if the concept could be expanded into something bigger.”

Richard has won numerous awards for his productions including the best one minute short at the Sussex Film Festival 2012 and best 60 second short at the annual SERIAC film festival.

Other successes include his short film Groupie being singed to a distribution deal with Continuum Pictures in the US, and having short films screened at film festivals all over the world, including Russia, Switzerland and Germany.

POV was written last August. Soon after, Richard met with producers Dan Vallecillo and Mercedes Amezola Artola and the trio set themselves two months to organize the whole thing from casting, finding crew, locations, costumes to catering, rehearsals, props etc.

The majority of the film was shot over 10 days in November with the final three to four scenes completed over the past few months while the team worked on the edit and post production simultaneously.

Richard is hoping to raise money through crowdfunding – an online platform which allows people to make a donation to a creative project.

Depending on the amount donated there are numerous ‘film goodies’ being given away as a thank you for donating. These include a name on the credits, a DVD of the finished film, a signed movie poster, tickets to the UK premiere and more.

To make a contribution, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-the-filmmakers-of-pov