The Proof of Concept, Take 2

All it took was three months. From when we finished shooting one proof of concept short film - Truth To Power - until we embarked on the same task with a wildly different project, the horror script #doomscroller. 

I say 'all' as if it were nothing. Of course, it's a massive task to go from one self-financed short film to another in such a tight timeframe. It's kind of remarkable if I think about it. 

But we didn't have time to think. From that shoot at the end of January to completing the short and preparing a funding submission for its feature counterpart, the team focussed pretty exclusively on Truth to Power.

After a comprehensive effort, we handily met the funding deadline in early March and instead of resting on our laurels and waiting to see what the outcome would be we immediately launched into planning the next shoot over the Anzac Day long weekend. 

The 'we' in those sentences is the same creative team as Truth To Power - myself as writer, producer Jaimee Peasley, and producer/director Tim Dean though Tim would be concentrating on directing only for the DS short with Jaimee as sole producer under the Patch Productions (Australia) Pty Ltd banner. On this one though we needed a little assistance. Which I'm delighted to say we found through several avenues.

While the Truth To Power short is a 14 page, dialogue heavy script with multiple transitions in and out of imagined scenes, it's basically set in one location - a conference room. 

The Doomscroller script, at a svelte 8 pages, is dialogue light, essentially a two-hander but has an effects shot and ended up being filmed in multiple locations.   

Jaimee established a crowdfunding campaign through the Australian Cultural Fund which we needed to ameliorate out-of-pocket costs having just been through a DIY shoot. With my financial situation increasingly parlous, I gritted my virtual teeth determined to help meet the target by hitting the socials. Not only did Team DS meet that goal we went a little over. A HUGE thank you to the people listed at the end of this post and all the anonymous donors as well!    

Then there's the crew, many of whom were with us on the TTP shoot. Jaimee put together another outstanding collection of talented people who worked tirelessly over the three day shoot, a lot of it at night, donating their time and expertise. To see so many of the same faces reaffirmed in my mind the quality of the script as well as an acknowledgement we were going about things the right way with Tim's directing and Jaimee's producing skills again to the fore. Thank you to one and all for your excellent work and belief in us. 

The same with casting. Heaps of self-tapes came in from talented young actors and we found our leads in newcomers Mackenzie Reynolds and Jayk Thomas after doing callbacks. They acquitted themselves in style over the shoot. 

While I was on set the whole time for TTP, it being our first production as a trio, this time I stayed well out of the way and let Tim, Jaimee, the cast and crew do their thing. I had absolute confidence they had everything in hand. I rocked up for a few hours on the first day - apparently ate all the chips - and for a few hours on the final night. Special mention to script supervisor Matthew Keenan who had my back as a proactive and thoughtful guardian of the script. 

Now I eagerly await a first assembly of the film even though there are some pickup shots still to be done. Early word from our editor Lawrie Silvestrin is very encouraging! 

I'm super proud of what we've achieved in the first four months of the year. To add to the list we were also accepted into Screenwest's Feature Navigator initiative which took place less than a fortnight before our shoot. But that's best left to another post as an amazing experience with yet another feature project. 

For now, THANK YOU to the following people who donated to the #doomscroller crowdfunding campaign and the many other people who wish to remain anonymous:

Michael Facey, Karen Connolly, Alan Gill, Jason Jones, Janelle Pelchen, Narelle Townsend, Alice Reynolds, Naomi Scalora, Virginia Moore-Price, Alzbeta Rekosh, Aaron McCann, Jane Rennick, Charli Peasley, Drew Anthony, Thomas Dimmick, Katy R, Dolores & Donald Hyde, Courtney Magee, Rowan Marshall, Jeffrey Jay Fowler, Sue Chalcraft, Ryan Davey, Carly Portch, e Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Jonathan Beckett, Carol Peasley, Donna McFetridge, Lynette Cuthbert, Bruce Turner, Kieran Ridgway, Phil Bedworth, DMC Conveyor Services, Rosemary McKenna & Peta Reynolds Lugg. 

Also, thank you to the people who see me at shows and ask about my film endeavours or message me. It really means a lot.

Richard

Doomscroller - Crowdfunding Campaign

I’m a writer. And of a certain age. All the whizz-bang multi-media presentations aren’t really my thing. So I’m just going to write.

It’s difficult asking people for money. Especially now. I know that. But here’s why.

I’ve written a horror screenplay a lot of people seem to like very much. Industry people whose opinions I value and trust.

To have a shot at getting that feature script made we first need to demonstrate we know what we’re doing. To that end I’ve written a self-contained short film – a proof of concept. Again, another script people seem to like very much.

We are shooting that short film over the Anzac Day long weekend. This is coming off the back of shooting another proof of concept short at the end of January which was a trial of fire for me and my creative collaborators which we passed with flying colours.

Except it means our resources are somewhat depleted. Not in the talent, goodwill, right way of going about things perspective. But in the dollars kind of way to look after our cast and crew and for any additional equipment we may need.

Why should you care if Richard gets to make a great short film to possibly get to make a feature film?

It’s a good question.

It feels like I’ve served a twenty-year apprenticeship and suddenly everything is happening all at once. Crazy things, wonderful things, exciting things.

I’d like to think that that over the journey I have been supportive of people with their own creative dreams and endeavours. Nobody owes me anything though.

But if you are able to spare a few dollars in a tax-deductible donation I’d love to be able to show you all what my creative talents and dreams are.

If you got this far, thank you for reading. To those people who have already donated, I cannot sufficiently express my enormous gratitude.

The link to make a donation is here.

Thank you for your consideration.

Richard