Southwater Telford Town Centre UK
A film that was created on zero budget'
Private information is covered up using Adobe Photoshop.
(Photo taken by Gary Wilding)
Another person added: "For a first time feature film; you have done very well here!
Sure, most beginner movies have there ups and downs and I have certainly seen a couple here.
But in the end, we all learn and improve as we go along.
Overall, your film was great, the storyline was different and the music played a huge part in it".
Another viewer also commented: "For a first time film; it had a decent level of jump scares and a great lasting atmosphere. I loved how the half human character finally found his killer and got his own back. Just knowing that you've made this film from a game is incredible enough and it must of been very difficult to create! The helicopter battles and even when the zombies infiltrated the safe zone were brilliantly done, especially for a very limited universe! Good job on 2018: The Virus and I look forward to the next project(s)!".
Ryan Allen commented: "I rate it a 7, it was quite good. It was awesome".
This was an event like no other, in fact, this is the first and yet biggest event I've ever done. Friends, family, cast and other guests from many areas around the West Midlands (Telford, Shifnal & Wolverhampton areas) made their appearances and this night turned out to be a very special one.
After spending endless months working on my title; I was very exciting to finally see my hard work up on the big screen and how dramatic it turned out to be. I am very proud of what I and the team have achieved here, especially for my first ever feature film.
After the film finished I was asked a number of questions about it.
Here are my answers;
Q: How did '2018: The Virus' make it into the cinema?
A: A month prior to release; me and Lara Millard visited Cineworld Cinemas to enquire about the evening Venue Hires and seek further information. Cineworld Manager 'James Harris' talked us through the whole process and arranged a screening date there and then.
I later contact Cineworld Cinemas directly via e-mail and arranged for the Monday evening at 18:00-20:00. From that point, the screening was arranged for us through the Head Office and all I had to do was sign the Venue Hires Agreement papers.
Private information is covered up using Adobe Photoshop.
Q: How much was the Hiring of the Venue, was the room a decent size and how was the Cineworld team toward you about the event, both prior and on the day?
A: In person and via e-mail; the team were very interested and congratulated me on the completion of my work. The total cost of hiring out Screen 4 was £344 (inc. Tax) and this was one of the cheapest deals we could get. The room had a seat capacity of 98, excluding the 10 seats already reserved for the cast (leaving us 88 seats for the audience). Since I am a still rising filmmaker, the screen room we had received was a fairly decent size, not too big.
Cineworld team members were extremely helpful toward me prior to the release of the film and on release day. I wa given a tour inside the projector rooms and other staff rooms to see how it was all going to work, aswell as seeing how the whole cinema system works.
Seeing how a cinema is run is an interesting and yet very complex thing.
On release day 12/10/15; I was asked to go stand in the screen room to make sure the films' audio was correct and how I wanted it to sound.
After tweaking with the audio settings, the sound we received was almost like the type they use for every other film they show (surrounding and base-filled).
Q: What was the film like up on the big screen and did it have a different impact?
A: I worked hard continuously for months on end and actually seeing my work on the big screen made me speechless (literally). The feeling was just incredible and I definitely saw my film differently in the cinema than I did during the making at home.
2018: The Virus felt more alive during the cinema run, especially with the surround sound and sharpened picture. I could hear members of audience behind me reacting to it.
My characters looked more lively and realistic, the scare factor was definitely better in the dark and it worked for most of the audience. The soundtrack and sound effects had many of the audience on the edge of their seats; the overall atmosphere was better.
Q: How did the audience react to the film? Before, during and after?
A: 2018: The Virus has a mixture of jump scares and dark comedy. Throughout the film people were laughing at Ivan's jokes and the jump scares had definitely gotten a number of the audience.
After the credits finished rolling; everybody gave us a continuous round of applause for the talent and work that's been put into this.
During the round of applause; me and the cast stood up in front of the big screen. Members of the audience pulled out their mobile phones and took many photographs of us.
(Photo taken by Teresa Rudge)
Source - Facebook
Source - Facebook
We were also tagged, mentioned and reviewed on Facebook.
Outside the screening room, Film Critic Carl Jones held a quick 3-minute BBC interview with myself, a number of the audience, cast and an Cineworld employee. It turns out I was the first ever person to hire out their screen for my own creative works. Many other hirings have been for already existing films, other presentations and gaming sessions.
After we finished recording the BBC interview, family members, friends and other guests gathered around, shuck my hand and said how good the film was and for a first time attempt. Although there were a few minor errors and I was expected them from Day One; but I will learn to get better as I go along.
The premiere interview can be found here on YouTube:
Members of the audience had their say about the film. Many have said for a first time film; the storyline was great and well structured, it definitely makes a change and stands out from the continuous trend of zombie films.
One stranger who saw us in the newspaper commented: "having a mixture of psychological horror, dark comedy and a science fiction theme created a whole new film and a new side to the zombie genre".
One stranger who saw us in the newspaper commented: "having a mixture of psychological horror, dark comedy and a science fiction theme created a whole new film and a new side to the zombie genre".
Another person added: "For a first time feature film; you have done very well here!
Sure, most beginner movies have there ups and downs and I have certainly seen a couple here.
But in the end, we all learn and improve as we go along.
Overall, your film was great, the storyline was different and the music played a huge part in it".
Another viewer also commented: "For a first time film; it had a decent level of jump scares and a great lasting atmosphere. I loved how the half human character finally found his killer and got his own back. Just knowing that you've made this film from a game is incredible enough and it must of been very difficult to create! The helicopter battles and even when the zombies infiltrated the safe zone were brilliantly done, especially for a very limited universe! Good job on 2018: The Virus and I look forward to the next project(s)!".
Ryan Allen commented: "I rate it a 7, it was quite good. It was awesome".
Sean Malin commented: "better than what I first thought; I saw the original trailer and the original idea.
Literally speechless, fair play Ash!"
Reporter Carl Jones was impressed with 2018: The Virus! He loved the film's style, the camera angles and everything about it. It was a very unique way of telling my story and an ambitious one aswell.
Q: What will you be doing next and will you be using Cineworld Cinemas again for future works?
A: Most definitely! The experience we had was amazing and worth every single penny! The Cineworld team were friendly, very helpful and supportive throughout.
This was a great way to present my work to a huge crowd of people and the outcome was fantastic!
This was a great way to present my work to a huge crowd of people and the outcome was fantastic!
This is by far the biggest thing I have ever done and will not be my last either.
I am now looking to aim higher, achieve higher quality, tell better and more interesting storylines. Films that will appeal to bigger audience groups; I am always willing to challenge myself to new things.
Following the success of my first film, many talented and experienced people have found me and are willing to help out with my creating of future films and short films. We may also have a studio to use for recording of voices.
People from editors to actors and from singers to film score composers.
As of November 12, 2015 - I am currently writing up my next film called The Last Mission. More information on the next project will be released in 2016.
With 2018: The Virus done, I am now able to look back on a previous piece of work and see where I can improve on my weakenesses.
Thank you to Cineworld Cinemas, BBC, Carl Jones and the audience for watching, reviewing, publicing and allowing 2018: The Virus to be shown!
