Who are we?

In early 2012, Glasgow-based horror journalist Andy Stewart made the decision to move from writing about films to actually making them. His first film, Dysmorphia, was shot over two days in May at locations around Glasgow, Scotland, on a budget of £160. 

The film premiered at Manchester's Grimmfest in October 2012 before heading out on the festival circuit where it picked up several awards for "Best Practical Effects" and "Best Short" at festivals around the World, where it was also responsible for several fainting and vomiting incidents. 

Dysmorphia received overwhelmingly positive reviews and was featured on websites such as Fangoria and Bloody-Disgusting. The film was also called "Quite possibly the best short film we have ever seen" by Canadian directors Jen & Sylvia Soska (American Mary, Dead Hooker In A Trunk).

The entire film is available to watch below. (WARNING: contains graphic scenes of self-mutilation)

In June 2013, Andy, Chris Goldie and Dysmorphia actor Gordie Holliday formed Shining Example Films, a production company with a desire to make interesting and challenging genre films. Films for fans, by fans. Together, they set about developing Andy's next short film, Split. 

Split...

Filmed in August 2013, Split was intended to be a step up in terms of quality from Dysmorphia. With a knowing nod to body horror films, particularly David Cronenberg's "The Fly", and starring Californian actor Austin Hayden and Shian Denovan (Sawney: Flesh of Man), Split is a horror-drama with the emphasis placed firmly on a relatable human story and believable practical make-up effects. 

Special Make-up FX were designed by Glasgow-based FX artist Grant Mason, whose credits include Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, Nightbreed, Bride of Chucky and Sleepy Hollow. 

Early reviews have been positive with glowing reviews appearing on UK Horrorscene and Scream Sirens. Jen & Sylvia Soska also repeated their earlier praise, calling Split "an absolute triumph. Just brilliant film-making".

Split is currently being submitted for festivals and will hopefully hit a festival near you soon.

The teaser trailer for Split can be viewed below.

So, what is "INK"?

The third and final installment of Andy's Body Horror trilogy, INK is the story of a nameless man who takes the path of least resistance (and cost) in an attempt to turn his body into a work of art. A gory examination of a fractured mind, INK promises to further demonstrate that Andy and Shining Example Films are a team worth keeping an eye on.

Sammy Hayman will handle the physically demanding lead role of "The Man". 

Cinematography will be handled by BAFTA winner Alan McLaughlin while sound will again be designed by David McKeitch, who received praise for his sound work on both Dysmorphia and Split. 

Grant Mason will also be returning as Special Effects Designer while all tattoo artwork and promotional materials will be designed by Custom Inc Tattoo Studio, Glasgow. 

INK will be produced by Gordie Holliday and Chris Goldie for Shining Example Films alongside Austin Hayden for 21st Century Renaissance Man. 

This film will be everything that people have come to expect from us. Bloody, emotional and professionally-made. 

INK will be shot on the RED Scarlet. 

What do we need?

We have an amount that will be funnelling personally into the production but we will also be requiring additional funding. Every single penny raised will go towards ensuring that auxiliary services such as equipment and location hire, transportation costs, catering, insurance and crew expenses can be met and covered. 

As the third part in a "Trilogy", investors can expect numerous perks ranging from DVD's packed with extras to t-shirts and signed posters and from producer credits to actual tattoos.

A Promise...

At Shining Example Films, we strongly believe that "low budget" should not mean low quality and while our budgets continue to rise with each subsequent production, so too does our desire to provide the same high quality films we have done. We want to continue to build on our successes and in doing so, carry on making interesting genre films. That really is all we want to do. 

We have shown, with Dysmorphia, that we can create interesting films from very little and that we can make every single penny count on larger scale projects such as Split.

...and we will! 

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT HORROR!!!!

Other Ways You Can Help

Obviously, we don't expect everyone to be able to put their hands in their pockets and contribute, so if you can't, please at least check out and share the official INK Facebook page and visit Shining Example Films at the official site.

If you have any further questions, please drop an email along to shiningexamplefilms@gmail.com. 

Thank you.

Andy, Gordie, Chris & Austin