Client Profile Warp X Nurturing British film talent Shipshape speaks to Kate Fewins, production co-ordinator at Warp X, about the innovative low-budget film company’s success. Warp X is a film studio based in For example, the company’s latest Finance matters Sheffield specialising in cutting edge film,Donkey Punch is being released on Shipleys has been working with Warp digital technology and low budget July 18 and will be screened in some Films as auditors since it made the production methods. 200 cinemas – just under half the UK’s BAFTA-nominated Dead Man’s Shoes Formed as an offshoot to Warp total. “Starring a young, glamorous, in 2004. “We’ve always had a great Records and Warp Films in 2005, British cast, it’s a high octane, nail- working relationship and it made Warp X was awarded a £3m investment biting thriller set on a boat,” explains sense to use Shipleys for Warp X films by the UK Film Council and Film4, Kate. “And it cost just over £1 million. as well,” says Kate. plus £1.5m from regional funding Today’s technology means that you The Shipleys team, led by Steve bodies, to produce a slate of low can shoot something this good and Joberns, helps the company to apply budget genre feature films over three still keep to a tight budget.” for tax credits, which Kate explains is years. Warp X aims to build on the The company’s main office is crucial for providing cash flow for the success of Warp Films, which has won in Sheffield but it also has offices in next production. rave reviews and a BAFTA for This is London and Nottingham. “We aim “They get all our finance finalised England in the past year. to work in Yorkshire and the East and delivered. Our contacts at Midlands as much as possible, given Shipleys are quick, reliable and Talent corridor that EM Media and Screen Yorkshire, helpful trusted allies and are integral “We pride ourselves on being a very two of our backers, are based in to our films in post-production.” British film company and try to stick these areas.” As for the future, Kate is confident to our roots,” explains Kate. “Although that Warp X will continue to build we are high profile, we’re not trying to its reputation as a pioneering digital ape Hollywood.” film company, with funding currently Warp X has an unusual business being finalised for the next few years. model for a film company, as once a film enters production profit share is available to members of the cast and Film producer training programme crew. “It is added incentive to make each film successful and entices good Shipleys is involved with a training give a career boost to people who people to come and work for us. It scheme that provides up and already have a certain amount of also provides opportunities for up coming film producers with the knowledge and experience of film and coming filmmaking talent.” business acumen and market production, and to broaden their “Warp X is a one-stop shop. understanding to develop, finance business perspective. All development and production and sell successful British films. During their nine-month course is in-house and we have Optimum The Producer Training trainees spend time at Shipleys Releasing on board as distributor. Programme (PTP), is run by learning about the financial aspects Things turn around very quickly and Skillset, the sector skills council of the film industry. don’t linger in development. We have for the audio-visual industries, this incredibly low budgets and we are year in collaboration with Magic achieving a lot on them.” Light Pictures. It is intended to Shipshape – Summer 2008 page 9.