I'm Still Here (2013) Online
Suffering from a terminal illness, a young loner makes plans for the little time he has left while coping with the five stages of death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Dan Burman | - | Matthew Grey | |
Rebecca Bailey | - | Olivia Rudd | |
Joanna Pope | - | Fiona Grey | |
Chris Szuca | - | Ben Edwards | |
Marie Wilson | - | Sophie Edwards | |
Lucy Russell | - | Rebecca Lawrence | |
Steve While | - | Dr. Nolan | |
Mark Ivan Benfield | - | Martin Bailey | |
Nigel Hill | - | Alan Grey | |
Jack Beresford | - | Robert Grey | |
Jade Wallis | - | Vicky | |
Max Flinton | - | Young Matt | |
Oscar Malcolm | - | Young Rob | |
Ben McCall | - | Adam | |
Melody Reynolds | - | Nurse Fran |
The role of Olivia was originally written for London actress Emilia Clarke, but Clarke's agent explained that she was too busy with various projects such as Game of Thrones.
The embarrassing story told by Fiona about Matt as a little boy wanting to try on a bride's dress actually happened to director Kris Smith when he was 7 years old. The bride's dress story is something Kris Smith is embarrassed about however he added it in the script explaining that it would generally be something that Matt would find horrifying to think back to.
In the first draft of the script there was another character that was eventually deleted weeks before the shooting began. He was going to be Matt's housemate Todd, someone he knew since school.
At one point, the director tried to get hold of Neil Maskell for the role of Ben.
The role of Rebecca was written with Sally Carman in mind.
Kris Smith completed post-production on his birthday.
The role of Matthew Grey was written for Dan Burman. If Burman didn't agree to make this film then the entire film would be dropped.
Steve While was so convincing as Dr. Nolan that Ciaran Fallon (camera operator) thought that he was an actual doctor brought in to act on the day.
During post-production, a lot of the scenes were cut down and some were removed entirely from the film as the finished result turned out to be just under 3 hours long. According to the crew, certain scenes were removed due to being "too unnecessary and off-route" such as the idea of Sophie kissing Matt, another Rebecca scene but in Matt's apartment and even another pub scene between Ben and Matt. The crew trimmed down segments of the character Ben's appearance in the film as he was considered too much of a 'bastard' and wouldn't be likeable throughout the film due to his lies, secrets and infidelity.
The origin of the project began with Kris Smith and Dan Burman having the idea to make a feature with Smith being the director and Burman the lead. However there were several plot ideas and scripts handed in their way before this medical screenplay was written. One being a street crime drama, the other being a boxing film. Eventually it turned out to be this script.
This is Marie Wilson and Kris Smith's second installment together. First one being "Damage"
After agreeing to shave off all his hair for the purpose of the film, Dan Burman then had the idea of also shaving his hair for charity at the same time. It received a lot of awareness.
The photo of Dr. Nolan's family that Matt holds in the denial stage is actually actor Steve While's family in real life.
The roles of Ben and Sophie was written with Jonnie Hurn and Grace Vallorani in mind. The director worked with them before in "The Power" where they played a couple in that. They couldn't accept the role due to scheduling difficulties.
In the car scene between Matt and Ben, the music playing on the radio is C.O.L.L's "DMT" track. Years before this project, director Kris Smith appeared in one of C.O.L.L's music videos titled "Nicotine Love" where he played someone stealing his girlfriend away. It can be viewed on youtube.
Most of the main cast never met each other until the actual day of shooting. The only people who auditioned for roles were Rebecca Bailey and Jack Beresford,
Mark Benfield was immediately cast for the role of Martin as the director was impressed with his performance in the short 2012 film "Lulu".
Years before making this film, Linzi Stivey (second assistant director) taught Chelsea Matin (first assistant director) Film and Media while she studied at College.
It is never established in the story what the true name of Matt's condition is. It has always been referred to as a "rare blood disease" or "serious blood disorder." However if you look closely in the main credits the actual name of his disease is titled "Chronic myelogenous leukemia"
The Church that Matt visits was attended by Co-Producer Joseph Betts, as a child, and his Grandmother until she passed away. The short sermon in that scene was written by Joseph Betts and was inspired by his Grandmother.
This is marks the third time that Kris Smith has used The Curve in Norwich's Forum. It was used for the Premier of this film, the Premier of "Damage", and was also used for the Q and A scene in "Z-Lister".
Hours after shooting her first scene at the Sparks in the Park firework event in November 2012, Rebecca Bailey was proposed to by her long-term boyfriend.
The Premier of the film took place at The Curve in Norwich. The film was so well received, there was a standing ovation for almost the entire end credits.
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