Ember and her brother Ash are growing up in an underground settlement, exploring the tunnels that surround them. An idyllic childhood given their circumstances. One day their world is shattered as Walbrook, the settlement they call home, is attacked by a marauding band of outsiders wielding weapons of surpassing power. These soldiers abduct Ember's brother along with many other children living in the settlement. They plan on indoctrinating Ash and the others into their expansionist ideology and have them return to crush the settlement they once came from. Ember must not only learn the skills she needs to rescue her brother, but she must also assume the mantle of leadership in order to convince others to help her succeed in her quest before time runs out and her brother is beyond saving.
Regular human habitation, hidden away beneath the surface of the ruined planet, will be warm in tone, primarily lit by gas lamps, candles or similar implements. The architecture is distinctly shanty town in nature, blending in with the tunnels and side passages that they inhabit.
The warm tones used for our main protagonists will be contrasted using neutral grey and cool blues in and around Eastbourne. This contrast will also be created using distinct architectural elements. Strong brutalist inspired open spaces provide the perfect visual foil, while still maintaining an enclosed underground world.
As we move up, closer to the surface, the building style changes. From ancient Roman, to Victorian, to the modern era of steel reinforced concrete and finally to things more advanced than we have today. Smooth carbon composite panels, strip lighting with very few exposed technical components.
When we meet her, Ember is young, cautious and not yet ready to carry the weight of responsibility on her shoulders . The abduction of her brother forces her to evolve and change.
Ember grows into herself as she seeks to learn from others to gain the skills necessary to return her brother, and through hard work and displays of leadership convinces those around her to risk everything to save their broken families.
Ash is an explorer, constantly burrowing through the tunnels looking for some sort of technology that might be able to help their home tunnel.
Mostly, though, he is looking for adventure and escape. His curiosity with the surface world earns him frequent reprimands.
His naivety is cruelly crushed after he is abducted and eventually consumed by the Eastbourne gang, hard physical and psychological conditioning turning him into a weapon of war.
Aiden is a young man dedicated to the defense of his home, Walbrook.
After it becomes clear that Ember will not be able to find her brother on her own, Aiden and his group of friends take her in and begin to train her.
Their relationship blooms as she transforms from a naive and scared girl into a capable leader.
Aiden becomes a loyal second to Ember’s leadership having been won over by her determination, and is a critical piece in the success of her plans.
NIGEL DENTON - HOWES | Director + Writer
Nigel Denton-Howes is a film development specialist with over 26 years of experience bringing extraordinary visual worlds to life across video games, television, and film. With a focus on visual effects, Nigel has contributed his expertise to acclaimed projects including Day Drinker, Damsel, Aquaman 2, The Flash, Mowgli, and Alita: Battle Angel.
A passionate world-builder, he combines cutting-edge technology with an artist’s eye for detail to craft immersive environments that elevate story and character. From futuristic metropolises to mythic landscapes, Nigel’s work transforms ideas into cinematic realities that captivate audiences and deepen the emotional power of the narrative.
IMPRESSION FILM is a London-based innovative and dynamic film production company specializing in delivering high-quality visual storytelling. With a focus on film production, VFX consulting, and creative direction, we bring stories to life through a perfect blend of creativity, technical expertise, and artistic vision.
PRODUCER | Founder + CEO of Impression Film | May Leung , with decades of feature and series experience on Academy Award-winning films such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Inception brings her production and visual effects knowledge into discussions with regards to methodology, innovative filming and cost efficiencies as well as creative visuals.
PRODUCER | Founder + CEO of Brightspot Entertainment | Robbie Janda, former Netflix VFX Executive with over 15 years of experience delivering award-winning, visually ambitious stories. At Netflix, he oversaw 30+ films and series with a $165M+ combined VFX budget, including Matilda the Musical, Heart of Stone, Damsel, and The School for Good and Evil. His credits span BAFTA and Academy Award-nominated titles such as Da 5 Bloods, Marriage Story, and Don’t Look Up, as well as blockbusters like Jumanji, Suicide Squad, and The Hunger Games.
Divergent | 2014 - 139 mins - Budget $85 mil - Gross Worldwide $289.9 mil
The Maze Runner | 2014 - 113 mins - Budget $34 mil - Gross Worldwide $384.3 mil
City of Ember | 2008 - 96 mins - Budget $55 mil - Gross Worldwide $17.9 mil
How I Live Now | 2013 - 101 mins - Budget $1 mil - Gross Worldwide $0.93 mil