Students across years one, two and three will be participating in this project, which will be conducted between December to April 2019 with the final DVD of the short film being shared with Stephen King.
Author Stephen King has awarded budding filmmakers at Middlesex University Dubai the rights to adapt the short story, Stationary Bike from his book, Just After Sunset for just $1.
The Universitys Film and Media Department requested the rights to create a short film based upon the short story by Stephen King under the authors Dollar Baby programme. The authors objective is to enable and empower film students and aspiring filmmakers who are trying to make a name for themselves in the industry. Stationary Bike is a streamlined fever dream of a tale, in which an ordinary household object assumes otherworldly powers and a familiar journey takes a terrifying twist.
As per the Dollar Baby contract, students may use the rights to adapt the short story but cannot use it for commercial purposes. They can, however, submit their work for awards and recognition across film festivals that do not hold any monetary value.
Students across years one, two and three will be participating in this project, which will be conducted between December to April 2019 with the final DVD of the short film being shared with Stephen King. This project will be completed under the guidance of the lecturers from the Film and Media Department, and Middlesex University Dubais alumni members will also offer their expertise as consultants to render this project into a success.
The adaptation of Stationary Bike will reportedly be completed in-house at the Universitys facility, MDX Studios which features industry standard editing suites that includes colour grading suites, editing and VFX suites, ADR Booth, 4K editing facilities and a newly designed integrated learning space that also includes a screening room. MDX Studios is currently the only film university in the Middle East Region to be certified by Blackmagic Design.
As part of an ongoing collaboration with Roxy Cinemas, the final thesis projects of year three students along with the final presentation of the short film based on the short story by Stephen King, Stationary Bike will be showcased in cinema during a private screening.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Director and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University Dubai, said: We believe in fostering the regions talent, and this project under Stephen Kings Dollar Baby programme will provide tremendous exposure to our students. He further added, We look forward to developing and enhancing our students skills through this project under the guidance of our respected and highly experienced faculty and industry partners.
Speaking about the achievement, Dr David Tully, Head of the Film and Media Department at Middlesex University Dubai said: It is an honour and an amazing opportunity for our students to adapt the work of the world-famous author. This is not only exciting from the Universitys perspective, but its also exciting news for the region. Especially with the growing attention towards regional filmmakers.
King previously granted the rights for The Woman in the Room to writer and director Frank Darabont for a 1983 short film. Darabont went on to write and direct the critically acclaimed 1994 drama The Shawshank Redemption, also a King adaptation, and co-create the AMC horror show The Walking Dead.
