Title : Automated Thumping Machine

Length : 10 minutes (est.)

Shooting duration : 4 days.

Planning : To be shot and post-produced in Spring-Summer 2014.

Camera : Canon C500.

Format : 4K shooting.

Browse the complete file for the film on Issuu (in French)

Synopsistitre

A trio of not-too-bright Crooks, sitting on a bench opposite a bank, are waiting for people to retrieve cash at the ATM so they can rob them. Nothing goes according to their script, however: Fuming over their successive failures, they have full intent to cause grievous bodily harm on their next victim… Our 3 Stooges are in for a major surprise and will come to regret seeking help from the nearby police precinct…

Training video of the actors under the director's supervision :

Distributiontitrebio

Distributioneng

Intentiontitreeng

As soon as I heard about that real-life story of those lame 3 ATM robbers who unfortunately attacked the wrong person, I felt it was perfect for a movie. This story was self-evident in its humour and we instantly got to work with my co-writer to bring an exaggerated and romanced version of this tale to the screen.

This film will be filled with energy, slapstick humour and a succession of funny & unusual scenes. Our story is simple but will be sublimated through camera movements, audacious framing, colourful characters to create an unique atmosphere full of details to emphasize its comical, even cartoon-like, tone.

Essaiscostumeseng

I want the audience to experience the humour and weirdness of each situation our 3 “unlucky heroes” will face throughout while still managing room for a surprise, by leaving in the dark the viewer until the very last moment about how the 3 thugs ended up bruised and furious at the police precinct. Once the key to the mystery is given, we will be free to start ou big action piece, a fight scene I intend to be utterly spectacular.

“Automated Thumping Machine” is first and foremost a comical film and therefore it hinges on the alchemy between our protagonists. Hence why I chose comedians with distinct mugs for my 3 crooks. They are also all experienced stuntmen as well, able to take a severe-looking and convincing beating while being safe all along.

To underline the cartoon-like dimension of this story, I focused on a dynamic direction with extreme-angled camera movements: top-shots, below shots, matching and opposite travelling shots done with a steadycam or handheld… to build some tension and to match with the sense of danger our 3 wannabe gangsters are supposed to embody.

Decorseng

Framing will go as far using shorter focal length and Fisheye effects to emphasize the comical effect of their mugs, how impressive their physical features are (The actor playing Momo is 2,05 meters tall.) and their unexpected and unusual actions and reactions.

We will shoot most of the movie using two cameras (Canon C500) in 4k while recording on Gemini. Those are light, handy, high-end cameras that will allow me a great freedom of movement and also to shoot several different axis and use alternative framing. Technical set-up will not be an hindrance to how flexible and lively we will need to be on shoot. Being able to use either a steadycam or an handheld shot means we can be fast and effective in capturing the right movement or reaction. Framing will sometimes be more direct, using either long shots to establish immediately what the sequences are about or close shots to focus on the characters expressions.

Equipetitreeng

Gilbioeng

Starting his career in film in 1982, Gil quickly found work as an actor and a stuntman in television or long-feature films. Holding a Krav Maga black belt and an official qualification as a trainer, Gil specializes himself in stunt choreography, most notably for TV cop shows. He has been credited on "Brotherhood of the Worlf", "Podium" , "La Beuze", "Scorpion"...

Gil De Murger Website

Willbioeng

Learn all about William's experience as a stuntman and actor on his website.

William Simonnet Website

Diezbioeng

Christophe is the funder of I-Prod, a company funded more than 15 ago and whose activity combine both his passion for martial arts and film, via the production of educational combat sports DVD. "Automated Thumping Machine" is the first fiction film produced by I-Prod.

I-Prod Website

Crew List :

Script : Gil de Murger & William Simonnet

Director : Gil de Murger

1st assistant director : Jérémy Mazza

Continuity : Virginie Labyt

Director of photography : Guillaume Pierre

Set decorateur : François Tossan

Make-up : Lauréne Gardeux-Zanotti

Music : Cédric Le Men

Production : I-Prod

Executive producer : Christophe Diez

Line producer : Louis Midavaine

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