THE public are being offered the chance to get involved in the glamorous world of movies, courtesy of an ambitious group of young film-makers.

The cameras are rolling on a film version of the Stephen King story The Death of Jack Hamilton, a gangster tale set in depression-era America.

Interior shooting is now completed and work is about to start on the exteriors, using North Yorkshire locations for action sequences.

But further funding is needed and the producers are looking for investments and donations to help the production – being made by a mix of professionals and students – come to life.

The director is Jamie Anderson, a 21-year-old from Castletown, Sunderland, a freelance film-maker who is in his final year of a TV and film degree at York St John University.

He already has one film under his belt – Id of the Soulless – which has enjoyed festival success. Mr Anderson’s new, totally independent, production is already lined up for festivals in Los Angeles and Barcelona and is also to be entered at Cannes and Sundance.

“The prospect of bringing 1930s America to 2012 Britain is a mammoth task to accomplish, and one that requires as much financial backing as possible,” said Jamie.

Rewards for investors will range from free screenings and DVDs to an “executive producer” credit on the movie itself.

Money is needed to help “dress” the exteriors to recreate the American mid-west, invest in realistic replica weapons and to cover the costs of the genuine Ford V8 that has been secured for the duration of the shoot.

“We are looking to produce a unique, refreshing, honest film that provides a different type of viewing for audiences, offering a unique interpretation of one of King’s best and most underrated short stories,” said Mr Anderson.

“As well as this, we want to show what young British filmmakers can do.

“Producing a 1930s American gangster film is a difficult task by any standard, but we are more than confident of producing something incredible.”

A teaser trailer for the film can be seen at https://vimeo.com/44655979 and details of the fundraising campaign can be found at sponsume.com/project/death-jack-hamilton-2012

To find out more about the film, visit the website at thedeathofjackhamilton.com or on Facebook at The Death of Jack Hamilton.