THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS WELCOME FROM THE STAFF
Welcome to this special screening of our graduating students’ work.
Each film you see tonight is a team effort. Driven by a passion to tell stories and to become masters of their craft, each member of the team has made a valuable contribution towards the final result you see on the screen. Enthusiasm, commitment and a respect for each other are just a few of the qualities that they have had to draw upon to bring these projects to life.
At QUT we value the unique and distinctive voice of each student and hope they will continue to bring a freshness of vision and approach to all their work in the future.
Please feel free to stay and talk with the students at the end of this screening.
Associate Professor Kári Gíslason Discipline Leader
Creative Writing, Film, Screen & Animation & Visual Arts
DOCUMENTARIES
Questions. As creatives, we are constantly asking and uncovering questions to find worthwhile stories to tell.
Especially when it comes to documentary filmmaking, many questions are required of us to ensure we are interrogating stories that are important for us to tell the world. When we find one of these stories, it’s like the clock has turned itself back and we are inquisitive little four-year-olds, asking hundreds of questions to satisfy our curiosity on the subject. However, it takes a lot of work, dedication and support to be afforded the luxury of slipping into this filmmaking mindset. We need people around us that allow these story gems to be explored and developed – people who allow a space to freely shout ideas, no matter how crazy, until you uncover the perfect subject or way to deliver your idea.
Bringing people’s lives, truths and experiences to the screen is always a hard undertaking – are you doing the right thing telling their tale? Are you being accurate to their truth and story? Are you telling the world all they need to know? All these questions are running through our heads from the conception of the idea till the screening of the documentary. It is only through the support from all those around us that we are able to get through all these stages and present everyone with a film. Thank you to all the families that have supported us, without your belief and willingness to let us throw ourselves into the ever-changing creative industries, we would not be where we are today. Thank you to all our teaching staff who have, over the last three years, nurtured our growth into the creatives we are today. Thank you to the friends and film families we have made throughout our time at QUT. We cried, struggled, laughed, celebrated, fought for ideas together and we never stopped supporting one another. This is the start of our exciting careers, so please keep believing in yourselves and each other and again, thank you to everyone who helped make these films what they are.
The 2019 Documentary Slate Students
Mama Arsenic, Brisbane’s “Mother of Drag”, is well-known and loved among the LGBTQ+ community for her warm heart, and has been a shoulder to cry on for many in need. In the past year, she has begun running a store out of her own home – and even if she won’t admit it, she’s come a long way to get there.
Director Callum Page Writer Chloe Irving Producer Dan Taylor
ARSENIC
After migrating to Australia with her immediate family at only seven years of age, Anisa Nandaula spent her adolescence torn with guilt from leaving the remainder of her family behind in Africa, and anxiety due to her inability to fit in with Western cultural and beauty standards. Realising the change she could make within society, Anisa became a slam poet, and now seeks to create a relationship with her flaws to enable herself to connect with those who resonate with her struggles.
Director Kimberly Henderson Story Editor Liam Hartley Producer Jonelle Christensen
Finding A Voice
Prior to his migration to Australia, Congolese playwright Future D. Fidel witnessed the deaths of his parents and narrowly avoided being massacred alongside other villagers by child soldiers. His debut play and novel, Prize Fighter, draws on several of his experiences, and has become a national hit. By detailing his story – with the help of actors Pach and Gideon Mzembe, and director Todd McDonald – Future provides an example of how art and entertainment can be powerful tools for self-expression.
Director Connor Price Writer Patrick Moroney Producer Gerard Wilkie
The Greatest Battle Lies Within
Jacq Hackett leads a double life – by day, she’s a highly successful real estate agent; by night, she’s a practicing pagan witch. Having incorporated her beliefs into her real estate work, she is acutely aware of the common misconceptions that affect the daily lives of many other witches in her community. As such, she hopes that sharing her story will shed a positive light on witchcraft, and inspire other witches to step out of the broom closet.
Director Heidi Zhou Writer Lachlan Bembrick Producer Lara Williams
Two former breast cancer patients, Bel and Tonia, have recently completed their treatment.
In a time where they are expected to celebrate, the duo reveal – with insight from clinical therapist Samantha Clutton – that since such a large part of their lives has ended, they are unsure of how to move forward and are now finding themselves with feelings of confusion, loneliness and anxiety – known as Remedy Blues.
Director Alevtina Chernih Writer Jake Roseneder Producer Ian Adamson
Brad King is a man on a mission – to provide a safe haven for mistreated farm animals at Farm Animal Rescue. Motivated by his own experiences with animals, he and his team undergo tireless challenges to provide sanctuary for these creatures, and strives to lay bare the almost human-like qualities these animals display in their relationships with each other.
Director Monica Rooney Writer Meg Gillan Producer Zoe Burr
To tackle the growing homeless crisis in Australia, two young men – Michael and Ryan – run a charity called “Pay A Sack Forward”, which is designed to supply homeless individuals with the essential supplies they need. Through their groovy thrift stores, the duo bring a glamorous flair to their charity work. But, with the time, dedication and resources it takes to run a not-for-profit enterprise, it begs the question – what motivates these men to keep going?
Director Erin Jarrett Writer Samantha Ellis Producer Jordan Randle
THRIFTY
Every single one of us who decided to begin a career in film are dreamers. For that we cannot thank you enough for encouraging and supporting our dreams. Many of you – staff, friends and family – know the blood, sweat and tears we have shed to make tonight possible. It’s through all your love and support that we have been able to make these stories come to life on the silver screen. With your help we have been able to discuss the challenges of parenthood, document the lives of Incels, crash golf carts, ruin a funeral, show emotion on stage, plan a trip to a very windy mountain top, debate which twin is which, steal a ghost and avoid piano practice.
It’s all there on the screen; the hard work of those striving to understand the story and character, to capture clean sound and fantastic lighting, to get that amazing shot, to make well timed edits and craft wonderful sets and costumes. The struggle of spending hours wrangling footage, keeping to schedule and feeding an entire crew. We even battled to get the performances we needed and to complete the mountains of paperwork.
Without the advice, support and lessons of the staff we would not have achieved the level of quality on display tonight. Without the loving support of family and friends we would not have come this far. So once again, thank you for believing in us. Thank you for helping us begin an exciting career in film.
Still dreaming,
The 2019 Drama Slate Students
NARRATIVES
Vietnamese-Australian Marie dreams of the limelight. One day, the opportunity arrives in the form of the lead role in a major theatre production. Sheltered by Chau, her traditionalist mother, Marie finds herself facing a script far beyond her understanding of love and loss, and resorts to severe measures in order to portray the required emotions. When confronted by her outraged mother, Marie must choose between her family and her dream.
Director Caley Miles
Writers Uyen Bui & Samantha Ellis Producer Kimberly Henderson
ANOTHER AUDREY
James Morgan is a lonely, socially awkward young man who becomes involved with a secretive online society of Involuntary Celibates – better known as Incels. When he meets an old crush from primary school, he is forced to choose between a potential chance for love… or the security of his newfound friends.
Director Liam Power Writer Liam Hartley Producer Ian Adamson
In a last-ditch effort to earn enough cash for their Bali holiday, troublemaking best friends Carmen and Mel head to the sports club to sniff out easy prize money.
They enter a zany karaoke competition and encounter increasingly absurd characters along the way.
Director Laura Eather Writer Angela Kann Producer Rasneet Assan
Doug Hayes is a stoner who works for his father’s funeral home. His habit of mixing drugs with his work comes to a precarious head after his stash finds its way into the body he was preparing for the day’s service. Doug must go to extreme lengths in order to retrieve his stash… and hilarity ensues.
Directors Jake Leskarac & Sophie McDuff Writer Sophie McDuff
Producer Samantha Ellis
After the death of their mother, struggling magician Doug Phillips pays a visit to his estranged identical twin brother, Jackson. However, their reunion quickly falls apart as it coincides with the biggest moment of Jackson’s political career – the televised Australian Prime Ministerial debate. Having endured years of being shunned by his family, Doug takes revenge by impersonating Jackson during the debate, adamant on destroying his brother’s credibility.
Director Dan Taylor
Writers Ian Adamson & Jake Roseneder Producers Jonelle Christensen & Jordan Randle
Believing that his smoking habit caused the death of his wife Maggie, devastated widower Graham Mortlock embarks on a journey to fulfil his last promise to her – to scatter her ashes under the tree where they were married. Along the way, an apparition of his younger self torments him and Graham is forced to face his guilt.
Director Lachlan Bembrick
Writers Ian Adamson & Tom Walder Wolfe Producer Steven Mudge
Jackson is a cheeky little boy who will do anything to get out of his dreaded piano practice sessions. His mother, Loretta, gives him a lesson every day, then leaves him to practice for fifteen minutes as she returns to her work as a seamstress. But for Jackson, fifteen minutes is too long and he’ll try anything to make time go faster. It is only when Loretta’s health takes a turn for the worse that he comes to understand his love for his mum and how playing music for her facilitates this.
Director Heidi Zhou Writer Meg Gillan
Producers Chloe Irving & Gerard Wilkie
Geoff, a young and inexperienced thief, attempts to prove himself by stealing an expensive painting from an art restoration facility. Inside, he is startled by the appearance of the ghost of Sir Eckhart – the subject of the painting, and a former thief. The two must work together, not only to pull off the heist, but to overcome many obstacles, such as security guards, alarms and – most importantly – their social, generational and egocentric differences.
Director Edward Mitchell
Writers Tom Feather & Jack Pressley Producer Josephine Stalley
Brought face-to-face with the unknown, seventeen-year-old Harper must find her inner strength to reconnect with her estranged father if she plans on being able to afford an abortion. In the end, she finds herself leaving with more than she bargained for.
Director Sofie Heiner Writer Lara Williams Producer Chloe Irving
ANIMATIONS
Animation is hard to explain, man. No one can understand weight-painting, AOVs or edge flow over a family gathering. But when the film is done, the work speaks for itself. We can create whatever we want, and to have such freedom at our fingertips is the sole reason we stick through the hours lost when Maya crashes. But we never would have made it this far without the people we’ve had the pleasure to work with, and I’d like to thank them all personally on behalf of the third year animation cohort this year. To Sorin, thank you for being our creative mentor, guiding these films through visuals and story, and for organising so many inspiring guest speakers to visit us. To Bree, thank you for managing our team and enforcing our deadlines (even when we kept having to push them back). Thank you Rangi, for joining us this semester and opening our eyes to the marvels of pipeline management, Python scripting and stories from the industry. To Paul, thank you for working behind the scenes and taking on our subject feedback, teaching us so well last year... and for giving us lollies.
Thank you Chris, for getting us into rendering, visual effects and being another person we could run to for advice. To Charles, thanks for talking with us even though we were in the room during your own classes this year, and for teaching us the values of pre-production.
There’s also much to be said of the immense talent of the student body but I’ll keep it brief. Our two directors, Grant and Georgia, have been working sleepless nights in the labs along with our production manager Joyce, technical director Mike and sound designer Sanha. The entire team has triumphed thanks solely to the effort that has been placed into these productions and I’m very proud of what has been achieved.
See you all again in the real world.
The 2019 Animation Slate Students
A relaxing stroll in the park with her mother becomes a whimsical adventure for the young, adorable Mia as she uncovers an underwater world beneath the surface of an ordinary puddle.
Director Georgia Tobin
It’s another imaginative day of antics between rowdy younger brother Timmy and busy older sister Jemima. But when they both reach their breaking points after a long afternoon, friendly competition turns into war.
Director Grant Cordwell
ANOTHER AUDREY
1st Assistant Director Charlotte Laracy Cinematographer Madeline Randall Production Designer Carissa Niciauskas Gaffer Jake Leskarac
Editor Uyen Bui
Sound Recordist Ryan Turner
Sound Designer Adam Chandrasekhar
CARMEN & MEL
Associate Producers Laura Eather &
Lachlan Cuneen
1st Assistant Director Lachlan Cuneen Cinematographer Patrick Lan
Production Designer Rasneet Assan Gaffer Vivian Wong
Editor David Batacan Sound Recordist Karl Li
Sound Designers Gonzo Du & Xuechen Jia
ARSENIC
Associate Producer Josephine Stalley 1st Assistant Director Aurora O’Neill Cinematographer Kerry Cull Gaffer Taylor Brent
Editor Reanna Jones
Sound Recordist Lachlan Bembrick Sound Designer Jonelle Christensen
CRACK
1st Assistant Director Nic Cave Cinematographer Stef Canard Production Designer Erin Jarrett Gaffer Taj Kirkham
Editor Adam Chandrasekhar Sound Recordist Taylor Brent Sound Designer Ryan Turner
ATTACK OF THE INCELS 1st Assistant Director Jack Crilly Cinematographer Terje Frøyland Production Designer Rachel Costello Gaffer Adam Chandrasekhar Editor Ryan Phillips
Sound Recordist Lachlan Bembrick Sound Designer Keely Hall
DEBATABLE
1st Assistant Director Samantha Ellis Cinematographer Ryan Turner Production Designer Erin Jarrett Gaffer Taylor Brent
Editor Thomas Spry Sound Recordist Jessica Tu Sound Designer Taylor Brent
FINDING A VOICE
Cinematographer Jack Cohalan Production Designer Caley Miles Gaffer Thomas Spry
Editor Uyen Bui
Sound Recordist Reanna Jones Sound Designer Taylor Brent
LONE TREE
Associate Producer Josephine Stalley 1st Assistant Director Jonelle Christensen Cinematographer Taj Kirkham
Production Designer Josephine Stalley Gaffer Adam Chandrasekhar
Editor Terje Frøyland Sound Recordist Jessica Tu Sound Designer Jessica Tu
THE GREATEST BATTLE LIES WITHIN Associate Producer Lucy Lakshman Cinematographer Kerry Cull Gaffer Jake Leskarac Editor Terje Frøyland Sound Recordist Ryan Turner Sound Designer Lachlan Bembrick Animator George Battams
MIRROR MIRROR
Associate Producer Lara Williams 1st Assistant Director Aurora O’Neill Cinematographer Callum Page Production Designer Matilda Greening Gaffer Taj Kirkham
Editor Jordan Randle Sound Recordist Jessica Tu Sound Designer Lachlan Bembrick
A KIND OF MAGICK
Associate Producer Henriette Viljoen Cinematographer Sofie Heiner Production Designer Steven Mudge Gaffer Adam Chandrasekhar
Editors David Batacan & Jack Pressley Sound Recordist Jessica Tu
Sound Designer Chloe Irving
POLTERHEIST
1st Assistant Director Jack Crilly Cinematographer Keely Hall
Production Designer Matilda Greening Gaffer Jake Leskarac
Editor Jasmin Pratt
Sound Recordist Lachlan Bembrick Sound Designer Jonelle Christensen
HEADS OF DEPARTMENT HEADS OF DEPARTMENT
FACULTY
Our sincerest thanks to each and every member of the staff for their tireless efforts and dedication to our personal and professional development. Your passion for storytelling and your willingness to share it has and will continue to inspire us.
DISCIPLINE STAFF Susan Cake Christopher Carter Joe Carter Cameron Cliff Sarah Collier Charles daCosta Christopher Denaro Phoebe Hart Joanne Kenny Phoebe Macrossan Sean Maher Tony McGrath
Christine “Tfer” Newsome Sorin Oancea
Mark Ryan Peter Schembri Jason Tolsher
Paul Van Opdenbosch
EQUIPMENT LOANS CENTRE Ella-May Hannan
Rob Matthews James Paramor Rhys Tyack
SESSIONAL STAFF Casper Adams Ian Anderson Martin Binfield Tess Brading Thalia Brunner Damian Castellini Michael Cuckson Robin Darch Jed Dawson Annabelle De Paola
Richard Deavin Di Drew Edwin Emery John Eyley
Alexandra Fontinos Anthony Garcia Patrick Jones Sze Joon Jong Maureen “Kay” Kane Faramarz Keshawarz Rahber Bree Kettley
Michael Kuhn Senbao Lan Joseph Lewis Justin MacDonald Cameron Mackay Jason Markland Jack McGirr Tahnee McGuire Andrew McInally PROFOUND
Production Manager Joyce Yang Technical Director Michael Mason Sound Designer Sanha Ramsing
SANCTUARY
Associate Producers Meg Gillan & Heidi Zhou 1st Assistant Director Edward Mitchell Cinematographer Tom Feather Gaffer Edward Mitchell
Editors Jasmin Pratt & Jacqueline Rashad Sound Recordist Taylor Brent
Sound Designer Reanna Jones
RIVALS
Production Manager Joyce Yang Technical Director Michael Mason Sound Designer Sanha Ramsing
TWO ROADS DIVERGED Associate Producer Caitlin Roe 1st Assistant Director Gerard Wilkie Cinematographer Callum Page Production Designer Keely Hall Gaffer Tom Walder Wolfe Editor Aurora O’Neill
Sound Recordist Sophie Blackshaw Sound Designer Chloe Irving REMEDY BLUES
Associate Producer Jack Crilly Cinematographer Terje Frøyland Production Designer Caley Miles Gaffer Thomas Spry
Editor Adam Chandrasekhar Sound Recordist Jessica Tu Sound Designer Keely Hall
THRIFTY
Cinematographer Stef Canard
Production Designer Carissa Niciauskas Gaffer Jake Leskarac
Editor Sophie McDuff Sound Recordist Ryan Turner Sound Designer Ryan Turner
HEADS OF DEPARTMENT
Richard Meyers Helen Morrison Matthew Nelson Amy O’Connor Cassandra Paddick Helena Papageorgiou Kelsey Porteous Matthew Putland Peter Rasmussen Matthew Rostas Rangi Sutton Lucy Sweeney Samuel Taylor Wayne Taylor Dane Tennant Ryan Turner Travis Vetier
Freya Wright-Brough Maria Zelenskaya
