Experiencing Interruptions?

Murder For Dummies (Episode 01: Victim)

Back in the nineties, ventriloquism was bigger than the Spice Girls and Princess Diana put together... ...you remember that, right? Of course you do. It definitely happened.
​
When beloved British ventriloquist Keith Flapp was found murdered in his West End dressing room in 1999, it devastated the nation. Today, a documentary filmmaker tries to solve the case... but wait: does EVERYONE she's interviewing have a motive?

MURDER FOR DUMMIES is a dark comedy murder mystery series, cunningly disguised as a true crime documentary - developed by and starring multi award winning comedy troupe CASUAL VIOLENCE.

The series is created and written by James Hamilton, head writer of Netflix's DOGS IN SPACE ("A total blast... consistently smart and deft" - The New York Times) and upcoming YA animated series JENTRY CHAU VS THE UNDERWORLD, executive produced by and starring Ali Wong.

Every episode of Murder for Dummies is directed and co-produced by J.W. Roberts.

  • J.W. Roberts
    Director
    Bear Hugs, The Grot In The Grotto
  • James Hamilton
    Writer
    Dogs In Space (Netflix), The Amazing World of Gumball (Cartoon Network), Bear Hugs, The Grot In The Grotto
  • James Hamilton
    Producer
  • J.W. Roberts
    Producer
  • David Arrondelle
    Producer
  • Luke Booys
    Producer
  • Sean Garratt
    Key Cast
    "Keith Flapp"
  • Lucy Farrett
    Key Cast
    "Esther Farrago"
  • Amy Rockson
    Key Cast
    "Madison Skirmish"
  • Ian Houghton
    Key Cast
    "Richard Prent"
  • Luke Booys
    Key Cast
    "Tom Flapp"
  • Claire-Marie Hall
    Key Cast
    "Annabelle Flapp-Delaney"
  • David Arrondelle
    Key Cast
    "Dickie Rolex"
  • Greg Cranness
    Key Cast
    "Molloy Mangle"
  • Beth Eyre
    Key Cast
    "Susan Finangle"
  • Thom Tuck
    Key Cast
    "Henry Deadson"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Television, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Horror, Mock-Doc, Murder mystery, Whodunnit, Thriller, Dark comedy
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 42 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 14, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Stareable Festival 2024
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 14, 2024
    Winner: Best Cinematography
  • London Horror Film Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 3, 2024
    Nominee: Comedy Horror
  • Montreal Independent Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    October 12, 2024
    Nominee: Best Web Series / TV Pilot
Distribution Information
  • James Hamilton
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - J.W. Roberts

J.W. Roberts has more than fifteen years' experience as a director, editor and VFX artist.

He has partnered with award-winning comedy troupe Casual Violence for over a decade, creating acclaimed horror-comedy short films including BEAR HUGS, LOST IN THE POST and THE GROT IN THE GROTTO, all of which are available to watch on Alter.

His credits span directing and producing short films, commercials, documentaries, corporate videos and branded content, for companies including the BBC, Channel 4, E4, Vice, Casual Films, Grain Media, Gunpowder & Sky, Serious, and Avalon.

As a VFX artist, he contributed to Oscar and BAFTA winning feature films at the world-renowned VFX house Framestore, including the iconic first shot of Two-Face from The Dark Knight.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Our show was created - on a tiny budget, and thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign that hit our target in just six hours - as a response to a TV and film industry that has become increasingly resistant to taking chances on ideas that aren’t based on existing IP.

We made MURDER FOR DUMMIES because we love making comedy together, and didn’t want to need permission. We’re lucky that we spent over ten years cultivating our group’s voice at the Edinburgh Fringe and beyond; it’s thanks to the relationships, the experience, the collaborators, the fans and the resources we’ve accumulated through dicking around on stage that we could pull this off.

We hope an audience finds this show. We know it’s a tall order given our teeny budget and the dreaded algorithm. But whatever happens: we’re proud that we went ahead and did the same thing as when we first started out back when we first met as students. We made something we believe in, with our friends, and we’re putting it out there on our own terms. We hope you’ll love it as much as we do.

JAMES HAMILTON
Series writer & creator