I enjoy the feeling of finally being able to put a project to rest. The HOMECOMING DVD is absolutely complete has started distribution to those involved in the project (contact me here to request your copy). I’ve also handed a copy to FTI to keep amongst the stacks of student films they have produced. Hopefully the DVD artwork and disc menu helps it stand out a little against the masses.
So, that’s it for HOMECOMING. Watch it here (if you haven’t already) and also view some behind-the-scenes material!
The King of Pop died today. My wife told me the news while I was getting ready to lecture for the first time at the Film & Television Institute. I took the train and cued a bunch of Michael Jackson tunes on my iPod, listening to them and reminiscing while wintry thunderclouds rolled it overhead.
I remember being fascinated by the Thriller video as a very young child. My Father bought the videotape ‘Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller’ when I was just five years old, and I watched that tape almost every day. And so began my intrigue into the world of fiilmmaking.
At 14, I would force my family to spend weekends helping me reenact Michael Jackson music videos, playing a host of characters for me. I, of course, always played the role of MJ. Filming and editing these home videos influenced my passion for filmmaking a great deal.
I taught my sister to moonwalk when she was 3. She turns 18 tomorrow.
My wall used to be covered top to bottom with Michael Jackson posters and paraphernalia. I hoarded CDs, videotapes, magazines. I even kept a scrapbook.
Lord knows where all this stuff is now. I stopped being so obsessed during the nineties. Though I still enjoy listening to classic Michael Jackson tunes every so often. I always will.
And I still have that original Thriller VHS my Father bought all those years ago.
Last week I sat with a group of talented and enthusiastic people as we enjoyed some drinks and dip, discussing a short film production that is about to get underway. It’s a screenplay I wrote called That Year They Were Bridesmaids and I will be directing it in August.
Like any idea for a story, this has been swimming around my head for a while. This is evidenced in the numerous files saved in my ’screenplays’ directory containing all kinds of drafts and notes.
While the story itself began to grow from my mind the day after my first son was born, the screenplay didn’t begin to grow until I began studying at FTI the following year. Needing a screenplay to hand in during the course, I chose to flesh out this story ahead of many others I had drafted. I guess, at the time, it seemed like the safest choice.
That Year They Were Bridesmaids tells the story two middle-aged brothers who come together to begin cleaning their family home in preparation for it being sold. They recall old memories stored in the depths of their minds while coming across objects they haven’t seen in years.
I’m enthusiastic about the dedicated group we have on board for this film. They signed on with the knowledge that the screenplay was up for a government grant, and when that fell through (more on that later…) they stayed on. They turned up at this meeting rearing to go, excited to be apart of filmmaking and eager to be involved in every way.
Danny (Cinematographer) and I have started the shotlisting and storyboarding process, while our Producer, Sara, is busy lining up our departments and getting casting ready for auditions next week.
This is the first film Danny and I will have made together since becoming FTI graduates, and our first since Hair Dye in 2006. Amazing to think we are about to shoot this under private investment, in Perth, with a full crew dedicated to delivering professional results with us. ‘Tis a long way from our small country town beginnings.
(My shotlist notes. I keep a different copy of the screenplay for every different set of notes. Always red pen.)
Earlier this year I invited viewers of Her Party - a short student film I directed in 2008 - to provide me with solid, honest (constructive) feedback. I always knew there were issues with the first cut of the film, which was hurried to meet graduation screening. Now, with festival submissions and a DVD looming, I wanted to ensure I turned in a film I was (more) proud of and happy to be shown to wider audiences.
I personally called the project Party Redux (geddit?) and set about making sensible changes; using the razor tool to improve pacing and the paintbrush to improve grading.
The results are wholeheartedly satisfying. Her Party now runs just over five minutes (instead of the original, painful painful 10) and looks fantastic:
