Clay is a character driven thriller set against the scenic backdrop of the Derbyshire Moors, drawing influence from Hollywood thrillers yet retaining a distinctly British tone and aesthetic. With stylistic cinematography and a mercurial soundtrack, the short film is due for release later this year with submissions to domestic and international film festivals lined up.

Clay, in its simplest form, is a story of greed and how even the best natured people, when faced with the opportunity of immense wealth, can be overtaken by immorality.

Ironically, this is where we need your help. As developing filmmakers, we don't have access to the immense wealth or even anything nearly resembling the funds that are required to facilitate projects within our industry. Therefore, we're asking for your support to help us realise the full potential of Clay.  

An established smuggling syndicate using the bodies of the deceased for the illicit importation of contraband are attempting to determine the location of a missing shipment. Their contact claims to have no knowledge of the shipments, insisting that it never reached its destination. Francis, an embalmer working at a local mortuary, unwittingly discovers the missing goods during a routine procedure and when presented with the opportunity of immense financial reward, he soon exposes his immorality and succumbs to the overtures of greed.  

Whilst the core crew members have been recruited through friends and colleagues, as developing filmmakers we have sought to involve established professionals from across the UK to collaborate with us to ensure that Clay fulfils its potential. Here's a brief who's who of the key members of the crew.

SAMUEL THORNHILL - DIRECTOR

JAMES WILKINSON - PRODUCER

HARRISON GERAGHTY - DOP

SAMUEL HASKELL - 1st ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

EMILY STIBBS - SFX & MAKEUP ARTIST

DANIEL SONABEND - COMPOSER

LIAM WILLDAY - CONCEPT ARTIST

Through our industry links and association with the University of Westminster, fortunately we've been able to negotiate considerations for key costs such as equipment rental, location hire and crewing. Generous though this may be, it still costs a great deal of money to make even a short film. Costs associated with transportation, accommodation, catering, on-set consumables, makeup, costume & prosthetics as well marketing and festival submissions all add up to a considerable sum. Although finance doesn't make the film, it's instrumental to the project reaching its full potential.

Of course we don't expect your support for nothing, so we've been working hard to get our hands on some brilliant rewards for your investment alongside being part of a new and exciting creative project. All of the rewards can be seen to the right but here are a few of the rewards that we're excited about.

London-based illustrator Liam Willday, his work drawing heavily on the artwork of Ralph Steadman who famously illustrated Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, will be providing a limited number of original drawings, as well as a number of prints available in a range of sizes.  

The multi-talented Daniel Sonabend, a composer for numerous film and television projects including Michal Wojcik's recent short film Frame (Zubroffka International Film Festival 2013 and the London Short Film Festival 2014 Official Selection) has made the original soundtrack available via digital download. 

Our Chance to Meet You

For a limited number of investors, we're providing invitations to a private advanced outdoor screening with the opportunity to join the cast & crew for a BBQ and drinks afterwards.

For the more hardy investors, we're inviting you to join us for a private screening of the film in a cinema in London with the opportunity to share a drink (or two) with the cast & crew afterwards.   

We understand that money's tight and not everyone can contribute to the cause financially. It's just as important to get the word out about Clay so if you could share our campaign we would be eternally grateful! 

You can share our page by sharing the 'Share This Campaign' URL below the title picture or through Facebook, Twitter and Email.

You can find us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/clayshortfilm
You can find us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/clayshortfilm

If you think you can help us out in any other way or you're particularly skilled in a way which you think could help us, please don't hesitate to get in contact. We'd love to hear from you.