Filming Dates: Monday 8th - Friday 12th January 2024

WELCOME TO THE 'INFECTION' CROWDFUNDING PROJECT!

We are digital film production students at the Ravensbourne University of London developing this music video for our graduation project. We are determined to film this to an extremely high-quality so that we can showcase our talents as emerging filmmakers but also as something that we and the band can be proud of.

WHAT IS THIS PROJECT ABOUT?

We have collaborated with an upcoming thrash-metal band called Detoxen to film a music video for their song 'Infection'. This will feature a high concept story and performance video that follows the band members desperately escaping a horde of zombies chasing their backs. Our crew of students have been working on this project for a few months now, planning everything we can to ensure a smooth production and a high quality end-product. Not only do we hope this video will highlight our skills as young filmmakers but we want to deliver this band a high-quality product that matches their talent as outstanding artists. 

SIZZLE REEL (Featuring the song 'Infection')

HOW WILL WE FILM THIS?

The video will begin by focusing on a tranquil puddle of muddy water which quickly is stomped through as the band flee from a horde of zombies pursuers. To escape, they try to barricade themselves inside a deserted building but eventually are overrun, leading them to a final stand. Little do they know however that one of their own has become the very threat they were trying to avoid. Throughout the video we will intercut footage of this story and a performance segment where the band play their song. The ending will see a highly-stylised merging of the two parts of the video where in both the band is ambushed by their lead singer who turned infected.

OUR VIS-PACK

WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY PRODUCED:

- Filming equipment

- Crew members

- Actors and background artists

- Storyboards, shotlists and other treatments

- Shooting schedule (5 days of filming)

- SFX Trial

ZOMBIE SFX TRIAL

Our Special Effects artist recently had a chance to practice her ideas on some of the band members. We are proud to say that this is how our characters will look like in the music video.

WHERE WE WOULD LIKE HELP IN?

- SFX and Makeup for the zombies. To do this well, we would need to make sure we have qualified SFX artists that can make the zombies look realistic and we will need to buy the relevant resources for them to create prosthetics and special makeup.

- Locations and production design. Our post-apocalyptic world is set, for the majority, inside a warehouse to help reduce costs. We would also need a studio space to film the band's performance in and an exterior location to film the opening scene in.

Art department will need to set-dress and construct some small set pieces to accomplish the deserted look of our location but also to be able to film the scenes where the band members are barricading themselves inside the building.

- Production & Transportation. We have managed to convince a lot of our crew and actors to help us film this for free. But to keep everyone motivated, we would like to feed them and pay for some transportation to those who are coming from afar.

Renting a van would also be useful as we will need to move large quantities of kit and art department materials from one location to another.

BUNKER 51 - FILMING LOCATION

PERKS & REWARDS

In return we would like to offer a range of digital and film-related perks as part of our appreciation that will be delivered immediately after this crowdfund is complete. The band and our crew fully understand that this is a project we can’t do without your generous support. Even if you cannot help us through a donation, we would love to ask your help by sharing this project with your friends and family. 

THE CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR - Maxim Euling (Instagram: @maxim.euling)

Maxim's career began with his enrolment at Ravensbourne University in 2021. Here he discovered his affinity for directing short films. He quickly  identified his strengths in writing and production which further fuelled his desire to become a director. Throughout his studies, Maxim specialised in directing fiction and screenwriting which aided his knowledge of narrative based storytelling and bolstered his ability to direct productions successfully. Throughout these modules he developed numerous skills including directing actors and managing cast and crew on set. Whilst studying, Maxim has had the opportunity to work on an abundance of industry jobs such as commercials, feature films and music videos for Big Narstie. 

When Kit approached Maxim to Direct the Detoxen music video he quickly accepted the offer and constructed a narrative alongside kit to mirror the performance segment. As part of his final piece of work before graduation, this music video gives Maxim the opportunity to apply everything he has learnt over his 3 years of study and create a visually stunning and well written piece of media.

PRODUCER - Matas Galkevicius (Instagram: 131_matas)

Matas first started his career as an actor where he quickly realised he preferred to work behind the camera rather than in front. He had wanted to learn how films are made so that one day he could make his own, particularly in the suspenseful horror genre. This is when he joined Ravensbourne University in 2021. Throughout his studies, Matas specialised in production management whilst working in the film industry for companies like Apple TV and Studio Canal to develop his skills.
When Kit first pitched this idea to him, there was no hesitation from Matas's part. Not only does this music video encompass some of his favourite films but this is also his graduation project. This music video provides him an opportunity to use all of the skills he's learnt on a genre he's completely absorbed in.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Kit Bessant (Instagram: @steadikit)

Kit Bessant is a Director of Photography and a Tiffen-Certified steadicam operator based in London. Working primarily in short narrative and music videos, Kit's short film 'Workout' won the BFI's Into Film 'Film of The Month' award in 2021 for its cinematography; and most recently, Kit has been steadicam operating on a number of shorts, now entering the festival circuit.

He Hope to move into HETV and Film as a steadicam operator in the next couple of years. Kit is ecstatic to bring his love of horror and metal to this exciting new project.

WHO ARE DETOXEN?

Detoxen is a London based thrash-metal rock band comprised of four members. They are part of a dedicated community of emerging heavy-metal rock bands from London and surrounding counties; frequently playing at smaller rock music festivals and music events. Detoxen have just released their new album 'Dead Man's Weapon' with the song 'Infection' that will feature this music video being produced. Have a listen to the album through the link below:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kcWQ74CWc_Wuj8oLkWZIrsHGWzAzQ…

A SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Formation

Detoxen (formerly bloodshed) was formed back in 2008 by school friends James Lockey (former vocals & rhythm guitar) and Joe Kolendo (lead guitar). 

As two musicians heavily influenced from various musical backgrounds, the pair soon wanted to make a band focusing on their main passion, metal music. The band modelled themselves around such acts as Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Metallica in which with the bands  “raw, thrash, early Hetfield” take on the genre interested Jesse Borondy to join on drums later that year. 

The band would over the next 3 years see a multitude of bass players come and go until Thomas Debenham (current vocals & bass) joined as a full time member. 

Now with a full lineup, Detoxen took no break and started mixing with the local metal scene and began to write and produce our debut album “Victims” which was released 3 years later in 2014. Detoxen gigged this relentlessly which led to the bands ultimate demise and stagnation in which other projects led dominance. 

After many years of this treading the waters, hiatus and various road blocks Detoxen fully reformed in 2019 and entered M2TM London to try for a slot at Bloodstock festival later that year. With the great support of our fans, friends and family, the band got to the finals but ultimately wasn’t chosen to play which although was disheartening fed the hunger for the band to try again.

Reformation 

2020 - 2021 was an odd couple of years for the band. Detoxen had reformed from what they were and were hoping for bigger and better things but what occurred in this time period deferred that. Lockdown had seen the relocation and departure of signer/rhythm guitarist, James and the band once again were at a crossroads. The band was now left in a place wondering how or if to continue in which they ultimately decided to and proceeded with M2TM as a three piece with Joe taking lead on all guitars and Thomas stepping up to both vocals as well as bass. With this new lineup, 2022 saw Detoxen being offered a place at Bloodstock Festival playing on the same bill as some of our idols such as Lamb of God, Machine Head, Testament, Exodus etc. Although Detoxen were back, they needed that 4th member on guitar till longtime friend Ed Hamilton took that position in late 2022. This addition made the band tighter and a more solid unit going forward. 

2023 and beyond. 

Detoxen are now fully back on track and in our opinion are at the forefront of where they wish to be as a band. Their new album 'Dead Man’s Weapon' is released in November and a music video production is in the works.

"To say the band is excited about its release and our future is an understatement and we thank everyone for their ongoing support and encouragement towards our music" - Joe Kolendo.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for taking the time to read about our project! Links to our socials can be found below where we will be constantly sharing our progress for this music video. If there is anything you would like to know or ask about, drop a message there as well or email our producer at matasg.productions@gmail.com.