About Us

Chasing Cotardsis a high profile short film, beautifully shot, with stunningproduction design, cinematography evoking classic Hollywood elegance.
The project was shot on a Vista Vision Camera so that it could be projected ontothe BFI IMAX Cinema for a presentation on Saturday 8th May 2010, literally making it…
The Biggest Short Film Of All Time!
FILM OVERVIEW
SYNOPSIS
Once a successful artist, Hart is now a shadow of his former self, his world torn apart by loss. He is consumed by a haunting portrait of his deceased wife and spends every moment studying her face, unable to forget. Knowing that she was taken away from him too soon, all he wishes is that she would return to breathe life into his world once more.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Film Format: 35mm / Vista Vision

Length: 13 minutes 10 seconds

Shoot Dates: 26th & 27th September 2009

Première: London BFI IMAX cinema, Saturday 8th May 2010

SHOT USING VISTA VISION

Higher quality than 95% of current Hollywood movies and used by Alfred Hitchcock

on ‘North by Northwest’ and Cecil B. DeMille’s ‘The Ten Commandments’.

Follow Chasing Cotards either on Facebook or on Twitter

 

A MIX OF EMERGING BRITISH TALENT AND HIGHLY EXPERIENCEDHOLLYWOOD PROFESSIONALS

 

The crew includes people who have worked on some of the biggest films of thelast decade. They are unified behind director Ed Dark’s vision and havecommitted their time, experience and contacts to the film.
Edward L Dark, Director
Edward has been working on Chasing Cotards for over 3 years, building the perfect team and developing the creative aspects.  During this time he has worked as a Visual Effects Co-ordinator on some of Hollywood’s largest blockbusters including the hugely popular Harry Potter series.  Edward’s previous short film, The Rosary, was a highly stylised look at what may happen when a person dies that isn’t entirely happy with the life they left behind and the lies they told. The film gained a local theatrical release and received the support of the Odeon cinema chain.

Samantha Fazackerley, Producer


Samantha has five years experience as a producer for the documentary production company In the Dark Productions.  In addition Samantha has worked as the Director’s On-Set PA on Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, On-Set AD on Wild Target and Production Assistant on Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood.

 

Stephen Follows, Executive Producer

Stephen has produced two feature films and over 30 short films, many of which have been screened on television and at film festivals worldwide.  His most recent feature, Baseline, stars Jamie Foreman, Dexter Fletcher, Zoe Tapper and Gary Stretch.  Stephen was the Festival Director of the 2008 Super Shorts International Film Festival and the Editor In Chief of Short Cuts magazine.

Olivia Wakeford, Writer

Edward L Dark and Olivia Wakeford have been working together on projects for the last few years and have established an emotive, but successful, working relationship. Olivia is one of the more interesting writers working in the industry today and has learnt a great deal from her work on The Grind and Baseline.

 

James Clarke, Original Story Created By

A successful writer, publishing books such as Coppola and Ridley Scott for Virgin Books, James has a great eye for a good idea. Chasing Cotards was originally his concept and he handed in two drafts of the script before it was handed to Olivia. This film is being made because James wrote, in amongst a list of other ideas, Man stares at painting… woman comes out of painting. It caught the director’s attention.

 

Hannah Ireland, Co-Producer

An extremely ambitious woman who is doing everything she can to climb the ladder in the film and television industry. She has a proven record of delivering large and small films and acted as the point person on the lead up to and on the days of the shoot. She is an award-winning producer of independent films who has also had credits on Love Actually and Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood in the Production Department.

 



Phil Trayner, Associate Producer

Phil brings over 7 years of business experience to Chasing Cotards – his first foray into filmmaking.  His project management skills and ability to assess / integrate new products and practices have been vital to the production.  Phil is based in the USA which will help the team explore the American distribution of Chasing Cotards.

 

Carl Theakston, Executive Producer
A long admirer of films and a supporter of independent art projects, Carl has come onto Chasing Cotards in Post-Production and is one of the main reasons why this film has happened. The filmmakers will always be in his debt.

Steve Brooke-Smith, Director of Photography

Steve brought a vast amount of experience to Chasing Cotards including shooting on Vista Vision for films such as Inkheart.   His other work includes The Madness of King George, Braveheart, Band of Brothers, Sahara and The Brothers Grimm.

 

Simon Burley, IMAX Technical Supervisor

When Angus Bickerton, Mitch Mitchel and IMAX personally recommend one man that you MUST have on the project – it makes you sit up and listen! Simon used his experience from working on The Dark Knight, as well as many other films, to help us through a very difficult post-production process. Quite simply, this film wouldn’t have been possible without Simon.

Sloane U’Ren, Production Designer

Bringing with her years of experience, and a wonderful flair for design, Sloane is one of the major players involved with Chasing Cotards. One of the most compelling views in Cotards is the set. The design is perfect and it is somewhat of a miracle that Sloane managed to do this on the budget she had.  Previous work includes Set Designer and Art Director on Being John Malkovich, Ali, Open Range, Batman Begins and The Good Shepherd.

Millie Scalchi, Casting Director

Working under the mentorship of Lucy Bevan, one of the leading Casting Directors in the country, Millie has acquired wonderful skills and contacts within the acting community.  She worked with Lucy Bevan on the upcoming releases of Dorian Gray, St. Trinian’s 2 and Nanny McPhee 2.

Andrew Walton, Editor


An experienced Editor who is moving his way up the ladder in the film industry. Andrew is responsible for the beautiful Edit we have today. His previous work includes Editorial jobs on Die Another Day, Revolver and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

Paul Thomson, Composer

An award-winning composer who came onto the project through the connection with Mark Lo and Air Edel. Paul delivers a stunning and spine-chilling piece for the 13 minutes of screen time. Because it’s a silent film, the music is one of the essential ingredients on the project and the music delivers on so many levels its untrue. If it doesn’t bring you to tears, you have a heart made

out of Margaret Thatcher.

Mark Lo, Music Supervisor

Mark is a New Business Manager and Agent working out of Air Edel. Mark is an extremely amicable and lovable figure within the film and music industry. He instantly connected with the Director and Producers and came up trumps after suggesting Paul Thomson as the composer. A decision that was a significant game changer on the project.

Brian Eimer, Sound Designer

Brian started making soundtracks in 1989 for television and feature films. Then in 1996, he shifted focus to sound design for large format films (IMAX), special venue films and themed attractions. While working in this area he won 3 Golden Reel awards. In 2003 Brian formed his own sound company called ImagesInSound. Another major player on Chasing Cotards who helped design our standard format mix and, importantly, our IMAX 6.0 mix that blasted out Paul Thomson’s beautiful score during our Premiere.

Karl Mainzer, Foley Sound Designer

Creating the Foley sounds for a silent movie that had no sound department on the set during the shoot is challenging. Karl managed to create a plethora of noises and sounds that slip into the movie and sell the idea that they were recorded on the shoot days. Great work by an experienced artist.

Stefano Pepin, SFX Supervisor


One of the more experienced crew members who is another one of those people that the filmmakers are extremely grateful for lending his time and good spirits. His previous work speaks for itself after working on Lost In Space, Band Of Brothers and the Oscar-winning SFX team on The Golden Compass.

Jack Hughes, Visual Effects

Jack is an extremely talented and well-respected Visual Effects artist working on some of the major British movies from the last 5 years. His previous credits include Inkheart, Tideland, Flightplan, Casino Royale and The Wolf Man.

Thomas Müller, CG Supervisor


One of the more talented manipulators of CGI working in the film industry today bringing with him experience working at Terry Gilliam’s and Kent Houston’s company, Peerless, on Casino Royale, The Golden Compass and Inkheart.

Andy Bowman, Technical Support


Working from Three Mills Studios, Andy has worked on the most important stop motion films of the last 10 years (Corpse Bride, The Fantastic Mr. Fox). His company, Tech-Mechs-FX, offer a wide range of equipment and Visual Effects help. On this project, Andy kindly donated a set of beautiful lenses to the shoot and supervised the VistaVision camera on the day. He turned out to be an invaluable member of the team.

Tim Knapp & Glen Newland, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Technicolour CFI

We worked with both these men during the post-production of the film. The filmmakers cannot speak any higher of them and cannot thank them enough. They offered a fantastic deal for our 70mm print and from start to finish worked at a truly professional standard. Even to this day our Producer is being sent emails from them asking how the film is going and if we need anything from them. There should be more people like that in world!

Carolina Schmidtholstien, Gaffer


Hugely recommended by the camera team, Carolina lived up to every single bit of praise thrown upon her. She was a calming, talented woman who was an asset to the team.  Previous work includes The Football Factory, Evil Calls and Emma.

Leigh Gilbert, Construction Manager


After working on The Dark Knight, Leigh has great experience working on large format movies. Leigh helped SFX create the bathroom scene and has proved an absolute lifesaver. His other credits include Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Batman Begins.

Alex Watherston, Costume Designer

Alex is an extremely lovely and talented lady with plenty of experience after working as Costume Designer on Extraordinary Rendition. She designed a beautiful dress for Elizabeth and a wonderfully bohemian suit for Hart – both of which are perfect for the characters.

Camilla Kirk-Reynolds, Hair & Make-Up

Camilla has been highly recommended from some of the leading names working in film hair and make-up today. A great list of films behind her adds to her reputation and she delivered a perfect look for our stars. Previous work includes The Other Boleyn Girl, The Duchess and Gulliver’s Travels.

Alice Bird, Art Director

Alice has had experience working on Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and on Wes Anderson’s The Fantastic Mr Fox as an Art Director. Alice is one of the main reasons, under Sloane’s wonderful guidance, why the set for Chasing Cotards looks so stunning.

Shirley Schumacher, Camera Operator

Having previously worked closely with the Director and D.O.P they both love and trust her dearly. Shirley brings with her great experience after working on films such as Waking The Dead, Midsummer’s Murders and has experience with the Vista Vision Camera on Inkheart.

Andy Edridge, Grip

After working on Inkheart with Edward L Dark and Steve Brooke Smith he is the number one choice of Grip by the Director and DOP. The best in the business, according to the Director, who has worked on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Hot Fuzz and Sherlock Holmes, to name just a few.

Marios Hamboulidies, 1st Assistant Director


Marios helped the shoot run smoothly and without too many hiccups. A wide range of film credits includes Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves all the way to Poirot.

Gareth Lewis, 3rd Assistant Director / 1st Assistant Director


Gareth is a popular and liked man in the film industry who had to step up to the task of 1st A.D. on the Sunday afternoon of the shoot. Previous work includes, naming just a few, The Queen, Eastern Promises, Clash of the Titans and 5 Harry Potter movies.

Angel Van Den Akker, Camera Assistant


Angel has been working as a camera trainee on BBC dramas like Criminal Justice and Survivor. You can also regularly find her assisting Mike Valentine’s team at the Underwater stage at Pinewood. As one of the GBCTs official camera trainees she was excited to live up to the challenge of being one of the clapper loaders on this biggest of all short films.

Niall Cullinane, Camera Assistant

Niall has worked as a camera trainee and camera assistant on features such as Scouting Book for Boys, Snap and My Brothers.  He has also spent time working on drama including The Tudors and Pure Mule. He is a GBCT camera trainee.  Cotards was his first experience loading a VistaVision camera!

Karen Fayerty, Medic

With experience working on all but one Harry Potter film Karen brings with her years of experience and bags of happiness. She manages to keep every crew she works with happy and safe – it was no different on Chasing Cotards.

Tekura Maeva, Storyboard Artist / Concept Artist


Tekura’s unique and individual style has brought a beautiful imagery to the storyboard design of Chasing Cotards. The Director has become such a fan that he has asked her to further her work on the project as a Concept Artist. A talented woman with a wonderful future in the film industry.

Stu Kershaw, EPK Director

Stuart was trained as an editor in the United States at Penn State University before moving from the East Coast to Los Angeles where he made the leap into Marketing with Paramount Pictures and later honed his experience with 20th Century Fox. Stuart returned to the UK in 2003 where he set up In the Dark Productions with Samantha Fazackerley after receiving a 1st class honours degree in Film. www.inthedarkproductions.co.uk

Rob Garwood, EPK Director & Editor

An old friend of the Producer and the Director, Rob is a man who is destined for great things in the film industry. As you can see from the behind-the-scenes Documentary he holds all the talents and tools in his armory to create a compelling film.

Gareth Hay, Associate Producer

Gareth has put out many fires while on the film, most of all concerning the website. He is in charge of all outgoing content through this site and is doing a stunning job with his constant patience and technical know-how. An asset to the team and a man the filmmakers hope to continue working with on future projects.

Lebo “Boo” Motjuoadi, Associate Producer


Boo was an important member of the crew throughout pre-production instigating introductions for our location and Casting Director. Previous films include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass, Wanted and Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood.

James Kelly, Stills Photographer

Covering the Saturday’s shoot, James has produced some stunning photos that have been invaluable to the production. Check out the images section of this website to see what we mean. James is also Edward L Dark’s favourite photographer working currently in the UK.

www.jamesdkelly.com

Benedict Stenning, Stills Photographer

Covering the Sunday shoot, it has to be said that Ben managed to grab many of the iconic images for the film. He was a pleasure to have on set and the results of his work speak for themselves.

A very Special Thanks to…

Angus Bickerton, Vista Vision Camera and Project Mentor


Angus doesn’t require an introduction to people in the film industry because he is a well liked and extremely talented VFX Supervisor who has huge films on his resume including The Da Vinci Code, Lost in Space, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Angels & Demons. Angus has acted as a mentor for this project and without him – it simply wouldn’t be happening. He has lent us his own personal Vista Vision Camera for use. The filmmakers thank him from the bottom of their technicoloured hearts.

Christine Comyn, Artist


Chasing Cotards is privileged and honoured to have, Bruges artist, Christine agree to bring her talents to the film. As a highly established artist, Christine created the perfect painting that both haunts, and maintains that beautiful quality, that all

her work does. It stuns the room with its magnificence.

www.christinecomyn.be

This is In Memory of Queenie May Pemberton

&

Is Dedicated to Antony Loobey