Surveilled is a study in psychological manipulation and the perception of justice.
Joe Brooke has dark interests. As well as working under the radar for low-level criminals as a surveillance operative, he also has a fascination with serial killers - his bookshelf is filled with biographies on the most notorious murderers of modern times.
Ironically, however, Joe’s hometown of Clairmont is the home of the country’s latest serial killer. Three local women have been brutally murdered by an attacker dubbed The Clairmont Murderer, a copycat killer who re-enacts the sickening murders depicted in a series of violent crime novels, the fanatical popularity of which is sweeping through the country.
Having recently watched a TV crime show highlighting the case, Joe finds himself embroiled in the world of The Clairmont Murderer when he witnesses some disturbing behaviour in the course of his work.
Inspired by popular crime novels depicting a violent serial killer, a copycat murderer emerges to terrorize the town of Clairmont.
Shot on Samsung Galaxy S9+.
Director's Statement
Surveilled was a big challenge: gather together an international cast flying into England from around the world and shoot a 'smart horror' feature film on a smartphone!
Director's Bio
James Smith was born in 1965 in Surrey, England and brought up in the USA and South Africa before his family returned to Essex in the late 1970s. Following college stints at Chelmsford and Leicester, he embarked on a career in the computer business. This, however, was short-lived as he spent much of his time indulging in travel, outdoor sports, and creative pursuits, including music, painting and photography.
Taking advantage of the digital video revolution, Smith began making sports promos and documentary films in 2004, developing a mix of hand-held techniques melded with evocative static compositions that hallmark his style today. When directing actors, he often employs improvisation to add realism and dynamism to his work. His award-winning documentary Gentlemen of the Night (2006) was screened theatrically, the latest on its tenth anniversary to packed venues.
His short film Keep Up If You Can (2009) was selected from 3500 entries for Rutger Hauer's "I've Seen Films" International Internet Contest in Milan, whilst his début feature Do Something, Jake (2018) was premiered in September 2018 to rapturous applause at a packed Odeon Cinema in the Midlands, UK.
These films were followed by experimental thriller Agent Kelly (2020), cyber-crime thriller Cyberlante (2020), and horror-whodunnit Surveilled (2021), the latter two films shot using smartphone technology and adapted lenses. James and the Raya Films team are now taking things to the next level with Casting Kill, an Hitchcockian 'smart horror', which is now in pre-production and scheduled to shoot in 2021.
- Year2021
- Runtime106 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited Kingdom
- DirectorJames Smith
- ScreenwriterCaroline Spence
- ProducerCaroline Spence
- Co-ProducerJohnny Kinch
- CastGavin Gordon, Johnny Kinch, Robert Roworth & Melanie Aumann
- CinematographerJames Smith
- Production DesignJohnny Kinch
- Sound DesignManuel Costeira Mendes
Surveilled is a study in psychological manipulation and the perception of justice.
Joe Brooke has dark interests. As well as working under the radar for low-level criminals as a surveillance operative, he also has a fascination with serial killers - his bookshelf is filled with biographies on the most notorious murderers of modern times.
Ironically, however, Joe’s hometown of Clairmont is the home of the country’s latest serial killer. Three local women have been brutally murdered by an attacker dubbed The Clairmont Murderer, a copycat killer who re-enacts the sickening murders depicted in a series of violent crime novels, the fanatical popularity of which is sweeping through the country.
Having recently watched a TV crime show highlighting the case, Joe finds himself embroiled in the world of The Clairmont Murderer when he witnesses some disturbing behaviour in the course of his work.
Inspired by popular crime novels depicting a violent serial killer, a copycat murderer emerges to terrorize the town of Clairmont.
Shot on Samsung Galaxy S9+.
Director's Statement
Surveilled was a big challenge: gather together an international cast flying into England from around the world and shoot a 'smart horror' feature film on a smartphone!
Director's Bio
James Smith was born in 1965 in Surrey, England and brought up in the USA and South Africa before his family returned to Essex in the late 1970s. Following college stints at Chelmsford and Leicester, he embarked on a career in the computer business. This, however, was short-lived as he spent much of his time indulging in travel, outdoor sports, and creative pursuits, including music, painting and photography.
Taking advantage of the digital video revolution, Smith began making sports promos and documentary films in 2004, developing a mix of hand-held techniques melded with evocative static compositions that hallmark his style today. When directing actors, he often employs improvisation to add realism and dynamism to his work. His award-winning documentary Gentlemen of the Night (2006) was screened theatrically, the latest on its tenth anniversary to packed venues.
His short film Keep Up If You Can (2009) was selected from 3500 entries for Rutger Hauer's "I've Seen Films" International Internet Contest in Milan, whilst his début feature Do Something, Jake (2018) was premiered in September 2018 to rapturous applause at a packed Odeon Cinema in the Midlands, UK.
These films were followed by experimental thriller Agent Kelly (2020), cyber-crime thriller Cyberlante (2020), and horror-whodunnit Surveilled (2021), the latter two films shot using smartphone technology and adapted lenses. James and the Raya Films team are now taking things to the next level with Casting Kill, an Hitchcockian 'smart horror', which is now in pre-production and scheduled to shoot in 2021.
- Year2021
- Runtime106 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited Kingdom
- DirectorJames Smith
- ScreenwriterCaroline Spence
- ProducerCaroline Spence
- Co-ProducerJohnny Kinch
- CastGavin Gordon, Johnny Kinch, Robert Roworth & Melanie Aumann
- CinematographerJames Smith
- Production DesignJohnny Kinch
- Sound DesignManuel Costeira Mendes
