Synopsis

written by bafta winner, paul abbott, and directed by the duo, neil thomson and david kew, ‘twenty8k’ portrays the story of deeva jani (parminder nagra bend it like beckham, er), a successful paris-based fashion executive, who returns home to london when she receives the distressing news that her teenage brother vipon, played by up and coming actor, sebastian nanena, has been arrested for a fatal gang land shooting in London. Deeva and her family are cast as villains and the dead boy’s violent family seek retribution against vipon in jail. In a last ditch attempt to uncover the truth, Deeva carries out her own investigative work to prove her brother’s innocence and save his life. Teaming up with ex-gang member and youth worker, Clint, played by jonas armstrong (robin hood), deeva finds herself up against powerful and unexpected adversaries including the corrupt but highly connected dci stone, played by tony award-winner stephen dillane (spygame ,the hours, welcome to sarajevo). as events unfold a deeper conspiracy is unlocked involving absolute corruption, media manipulation, a sex scandal, murder and power struggles way beyond london’s street gangs and all the way to the seat of government.  

twenty8k – production designer chris richmond

The production was based out of three mills studio in london in early 2011. 86 sets over a six week shoot period, this is the nature of a fast-paced thriller. Undaunted by the sheer volume of sets the art department were to create over such a short period – and most from scratch (empty spaces), the production designer commenced the production design process. an abundance of mood boards, concept sketches, 3-d visualisations and technical drawings ensued. the directors also expressed a will to shoot everything in camera, and not rely on green screens or post, which entailed the production of all of the graphical elements in advance of the 1st day of principle photography – curtousy of kausch, our resident gfx designer. I am pretty sure the likes of three mills studio, had never before seen their common spaces in so many differnt guises – the cafe, as a 5* hotel set, their lighting store as a swanky loft appartment set, a casino set, and a prison interior set. Doctor’s offices, morgues, police station interiors, all within the grounds of the studio. set construction was headed up by the art director, adam makin, with a number of carpenters from freeform. ewan robertson – prop master, and his team had the unenviable task of striking and dressing sets on a daily basis, which invloved a great deal of hours over and above the normal call of duty. Overall, the production designer and art department achieved a symbiotic aeshetic which serves an intruiging backdrop to this contemporary, fast-paced thriller. ‘twenty8k’ is currently with the post-production facility at molinaire, and is due for release early 2012. producer: martin carr, directors: david kew, neil thompson, cinematographer: mike bereford-jones, production designer: chris richmond