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Our Story
Registry

Set in the future Story of Toys tells one mouse's struggle through everyday life in an oversized world.

 

Influenced by George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, noted as a “powerful piece of animation” in a more unusual format, filming in a similar style to Chris Marker's La Jetée but with the inclusion of modern cinemagraphs, Story of Toys touches on regime and higher power.

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Story of Toy’s (despite it’s namesakes) real narrative exists in the environment. The desire to create an experience that enabled the audience to really think about each frame and paint a picture of a world, possibly fast approaching a similar Orwellian future was what drove Liam Spittle's interest in making this short film. 

Wedding
Getting There
SAMUEL LARDNER-Narrator

An aspiring student filmmaker from Bedworth, England, studying Media Production at Coventry University. Working on a number of projects both in and outside of his studies, Samuel has spent time developing his craft and understanding what it takes to make quality film. He focuses now towards the completion of his degree and future projects, collaborating with creators around the world.

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EFFIE RAY-Writer

CREW

Effie Ray is a writer and part time vampire hunter who grew up in Whitby, the birthplace of Bram Stoker's famous novel 'Dracula'. While she is mainly known for her poetry, Effie Ray draws most of her inspiration from fantasy novels, most notably Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' series, and hopes to one day follow in his footsteps. Her latest work can be found in the current issue of CovWords magazine.

LIAM SPITTLE-Director
ASHISH PATEL-Producer

An aspiring student filmmaker from Bedworth, England, studying Media Production at Coventry University. Working on a number of projects both in and outside of his studies, Samuel has spent time developing his craft and understanding what it takes to make quality film. He focuses now towards the completion of his degree and future projects, collaborating with creators around the world.

Born in Walsall UK, Liam’s previous work includes the documentary “The Big Comfy Bookshop” and the short film “The Case”. Noting Martin Scorsese, Guy Ritchie and David Fincher as his directorial influences. Spittle aims for realism and likes to delve deep into the human experience, both personal and conceptual. He likes blending abstract concepts with genuine realism, believing that film should enhance reality, not replace it. 

Ashish Patel’s previous work includes his groups well-received fan fiction film inspired by the hit youth programme “Skins”. Patel’s interests include blogging, writing film reviews, meditating and dancing. Demonstrating this in his short collection of poems, which he writes as another one of his past times. As for influences, some aspirators include Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction.

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DANA CHIS-Assistant Director
TARA RUTLEDGE-Director of Photography

Born in Arad Romania, her influences include Tim Burton and Wes Anderson, who she praises for their style and their use of colours. Dana’s previous work includes her well praised short When The Last Tree Is Cut Down. She believes in detail but also simplicity, through well established shots and highly articulated messages with meaning and story, aiming at a higher purpose. 

Tara’s previous work includes working on ‘The Case’, where she directed. Noting Hitchcock, Wes Craven, Stanley Kubrick and Hoyte van Hoytema along with many others as her influences. Rutledge is a personified dreamer, with a strong eye for film and visual imagery. Born in Coventry, Rutledge is an avid photographer with a keen interest in surrealism and old film stocks with their unabashed tone and cinematic volume.

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RICHARD SMITH-Camera Op.
VICTORIA MANUHINA-
Production Designer
LAVINIA BOTIRCA-Gaffer

Born in Arad Romania, her influences include Tim Burton and Wes Anderson, who she praises for their style and their use of colours. Dana’s previous work includes her well praised short When The Last Tree Is Cut Down. She believes in detail but also simplicity, through well established shots and highly articulated messages with meaning and story, aiming at a higher purpose. 

Originally from Latvia, Riga, in production design was working for a fashion magazine “Schön!” based in London and a small budget short film “White Rabbit”. Also, was making a social commercials as a part of the Film Festival for Russian National Television. Inspired by Rick Carter’s versatility and meticulousness she always dedicates her time fully to the project until she is satisfied with the result. 

Lavinia’s previous work includes short cinematic response to The Matchmaker and The Revolution is Now documentary.  Born in Arad, Romania she sees herself as a positive, curious person, eager to learn about the world of film. As her influences she is admiring the different styles and techniques of Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, Edgar Wright, David Fincher.

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JANA SOLTISIK-Sound Designer

Richard’s previous work includes his well received documentary on Autism. Documentary inspired by Richard’s own issue with Autism and wishing to share it with others. His pastimes include filming nature, capturing its raw and intensity beauty in each shot. Using his vivid imagination to create fan fiction stories.

Jana’s previous work includes her well-received podcast ‘Mysterium” and her praised work on ‘The Case’. Her pastimes include watching comedy shows and spending time with her five cats. Inspired by her childhood memories watching ‘Toy Story’, Soltisik embraces the kid in her through musical sounds reflective of the 90’s.

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TOBY READ-Editor
DANIEL PETCU-Editor

Read’s previous work includes ‘The Case’, a neo noir short with mysterious lighting and an intriguing premise. Born in Coventry, Read lists Alan Edward Bell, who worked on The Hunger Games films, and Kirk Baxter, editor of Gone Girl, as popular editors who have influenced his pieces. Capturing mood and tone in his work by using colour and lighting to its full effectiveness, highlights the power of post-production and visual effects, adding to his interest as an editor.

Daniel’s influences includes the film Crimson Peak, for its cinematography, lighting and cinematic allure. Born in Bucharest, Romania Petcu has worked on various student shorts, and wedding highlight videos. He believes in balance and detail through well constructed lighting and a refined editing process.

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