A film experiment by Mike Staniforth
A painter.
Death beside him.
One painting. Twenty seconds.
A camera move that comes full circle.
Get the portrait first-frame image, creative starting prompt and loop setup. Explore thick paint, worn violin wood and a single string leading toward Death’s skull. Return through the darkness of an eye socket.
Get the free loop kitMake your own loop.
Free kit · One PNG, starting prompt + loop guide
Inside the download
The frame. The move.
The return.
- 01 / PNG
The first frame
One high-resolution portrait image. Upload it as your first frame to anchor the room, figures, colours and composition.
- 02 / TEXT
A creative starting prompt
A simple direction for a continuous camera journey, with room to choose your own details, pacing and interpretation.
- 03 / GUIDE
The loop setup
How to keep the scene frozen and bring the opening image back through Death’s eye socket.
Made for an image-to-video workflow. You’ll need your own access to the generation tool; credits and software aren’t included. AI results vary, so treat this as a starting point, not a guaranteed identical render.
Your email & the kit
Mike Staniforth Film Ltd uses your email to record your download request. Your signup includes the filmmaking tools, breakdowns, updates and offers you request by ticking the checkbox. Emails are handled through MailerLite; you can unsubscribe at any time and keep the kit.
For access or removal requests, email mike@mikestaniforth.com. Company no. 10636076.
The first frame is an AI-created painterly reinterpretation inspired by Arnold Böcklin’s Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, not a reproduction of the original painting. The portrait composition and eye-socket loop are imagined additions.