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FILM
"Last Drinks"
Director: Gabriel Dowrick
Producers: Az Jackson, Tony Chu, Aaron Scully, Wayne Bassett
Location: Paddington, Sydney
Age: 33
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
Started
off in stunts because I loved the action then progressed to an actor
as I found it more challenging. Producing was a natural progressions
to get the films I wanted to make, made.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
I'm off to Hollywood soon to play with the big boys so ultimately
I want to start my own production company over there, then of course
I can see myself directing and starring in films for the studios.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
Story
has to catch your attention, has to look and sound good and you need
solid acting.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Start
small, if yhou don't and you try and get a big project off the ground
straight away, it's very easy to lose momentum. Filmmaking is fun, don't
lose that side of it.
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
Change
the mindset to start thinking big, lose the necessary elements needed
when going for government funding that make our films unique. Our uniqueness
will come if they just gave us the freedom to make the films that say
whatever we want. Stop using the same actors for every film. Take some
risks.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
True Romance, Carlito's Way, V for Vendetta.
Who
is your favourite Director?
Scorsese.
FILM:
"Love, War & Auditions"
Producer/Director:
Patrick J Gallagher
Location: Canberra, ACT
Age: 42
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
Started
out making Super 8 films as a teenager (One of which led to me and my
mates getting arrested for causing "Serious Alarm and Affront").
Studied Film & Television Production at Charles Sturt Uni (Wagga),
and ended up working as a News Cameraman for Prime, then WIN. Didn't
really get back into filmmaking until the digital video age came of
age, and have been making shorts for about the past 5 years.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
To
make feature films that appeal to the general public.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
Story,
story & story! Seriously, if I see one more short that pushes flashy
style over good storytelling, I'll scream. That doesn't mean you can't
be flashy, but there has to be a story to back it up.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Watch
films all the time.
What three things would you do to revitalise
the Australian film industry?
Just
one, really. Encourage the production of as many commercially popular
films as possible. Once the industry can support itself, it'll be able
to afford the occassional soul-searching coming-of-age flick that nobody
really wants to see (but has cultural and artistic importance). You
have to put the "industry" into our Film Industry.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
Yeah,
like I could pick just three...
Who
is your favourite Director?
Again,
hard to pick just one. It used to be Peter Jackson until he delivered
the over-bloated King Kong. That showed a lack of directorial sense.
Same goes for Sam Raimi. These guys made better films when they only
had a shoestring and their imaginations to work with.
FILM:
Shed Dwellers
Producer: Silvana McCausland
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
My
husband Otis, a keen surfer and I sailed from Darwin to Africa in the
90's on a 39 Ft yacht; a surreal experience that inspired me to write…Shed
Dwellers was my first short script. I wrote it in a week and shot it
in a day… I got the bug and have made another three shorts since.
Two are in post and I'm looking forward to entering them in SNOWYFEST
2008.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
The
opportunity to have my voice heard. Everyone has a story too tell -
mine is surf epic…a cross between "Out Of Africa" meets
"Endless Summer" meets "Pirates of the Caribbean",
well sort of anyway. I've been working on the script for nearly seven
years. Producing is also an area I see myself moving into. Currently
I'm in negotiations with "Working Title", so it's a very exciting
time for me.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
STORY!
STORY! STORY! (ha ha ha). And research, know our stuff, then f*** with
the story a little or a lot, depending on how risqué you want
to be.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Never
give up. If people are critical of your work, DO NOT take it personally.
Make the next draft, scene, edit etc better than the previous one. Film/scripts
are a progressive piece of art that will have many opinions. It's all
about collaboration and creative respect. Find a team of like-minded
players.
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
Nurture
our struggling, un-produced writers with incentives, such as access
to seed funding. Currently writers are the bottom feeders of the film-food-chain,
yet without a cracker of a script, you've got no film. Encourage private
investment. MONEY!
What
are your 3 favourite films?
American
Beauty. Scarface. Puberty Blues.
Who
is your favourite Director?
Very
hard to give just one…I really respect Jane Campion because she's
a woman, an Aussie (Kiwi ex-pat) and revered around the world for her
talent.
FILM:
LINES
Director: Sonja Jasansky
Location: Los Angeles, USA (note: Canadian citizen!)
Age: 30
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
I
got into filmmaking by taking some courses in film & tv production.
These courses gave me a basic understanding of how shows get made, and
inspired me to give it a go myself. I had no previous experience in
film production (my background is graphic design and letterpress printing).
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
As
a filmmaker I don't really have any lofty goals, other than to tell
interesting stories, and hopefully have some people respond to what
I've created (whether that be in a positive way, perhaps some people
might identify with the story or characters, or just to get people thinking
about something new or consider a different point of view). And if I
can entertain them while doing these things, then I'm beyond happy!
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
In
my opinion, the 3 most important elements of a short film are a compelling
story/concept, characters that are believable and interesting, and attention
to detail.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
My
advice would be to learn by doing!
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
A
general answer for revitalizing a film industry in any country, would
be more support for independent filmmakers (grants, sponsorships, etc),
and more opportunities to exhibit films (screenings, festivals, etc).
What are your 3 favourite films?
Too
many films to narrow down to only 3!
Who
is your favourite Director?
I don't have any one favourite director.
FILM:
Manoj: Telemarketer Elite
Director, Producer: Steve Anthopoulos
Location: Sydney NSW
Age: 19
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
I
was always interested in writing as a kid and filmmaking was a progression
from that.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
I'm
focused on directing feature films. Successful films that make a mark.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
Characters.
Acting. Direction.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Make
short films.
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
I
agree with people who say it comes in cycles. It needs a few or a dozen
talented people to make a few special, big films around the same time.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
Signs,
Donnie Darko, American Beauty
Who
is your favourite Director?
M Night Shyamalan.
FILM:
THE INTERVIEW
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Bruce Davie
Canberra ACT
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
Dabbled
in it at school but didn't follow through at the time. Filmmaking sat
in the back of my mind for years until I saw an ad for a filmmaking
course.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
Direct
a feature film.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
Story,
story and acting performances.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Just
have a go. Don't be frightened of making a stinker. Even if the end
product isn't how you visualised it, you will have learnt heaps for
next time.
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
Encourage
private investment and let me direct a few features.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
Pulp
Fiction, Pleasantville and Bad Boy Bubby.
Who
is your favourite Director?
Rolf De Heer
FILMS:
Vote for Jack & Psycho the Musical the Documentary
Name: Mike Craft & Dave Zwolenski
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Age: Mike - 28; Dave - 25
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
Nude
car wash didn't work out. Mike is quite unattractive in a bikini.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
To
make lots and lots of money. Film making is ALL ABOUT MONEY to us.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
An
attractive female lead, me and Mike.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Stick
to Short Films... that's where the money is.
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
Remake
"Murial's Wedding" OVER and OVER and OVER again.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
L'Aventura
Last Year at Marienbad
Chopper Chicks in Zombietown
Who
is your favourite Director?
Sol Trujillo
FILM:
Still Life
Director: Tahnee McGuire
Location: Surry Hills NSW
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
Worked
in production at an Advertising Agency in London (TBWA), did undergraduate
degree at the Queensland College of Art and then Masters in Directing
at the AFTRS.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
I'd
like to make a feature film that really connects with its audience emotionally
and challenges them as well.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
Script,
unique detail and truthful performance.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Make
films as many as you can, be aware of technique but do it your own way.
Experiment and be unafraid.
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
I
think there the Australian film industry is vitalised already, there
are a lot of great films being made, films like Ten Canoes, Kenny and
Noise. It would be helpful if there were more opportunities available
in terms of financing, incentives for private investment in film as
well as continued government support.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
The
Piano Teacher, Punch Drunk Love and Bonnie and Clyde.
Who
is your favourite Director?
Michael Haneke or PT Anderson
FILM
: WALLY
Director:
Tonnette Stanford
Location: Shot in Melbourne
Age: 25
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
I
used to film all the events in high school, such as school camp and
our formal. It used to drive everyone nuts, but then in the end everyone
wanted copies. After high school I went on to study film-making at UTS,
Sydney and then at VCA in Melbourne.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
I
would like to continually improve my skills and techniques as a filmmaker.
I hope to continue making films for the love of it, and maintain a lifestyle
that enables me to continue making films for the rest of my life.
What are the three most important elements
of a good short film?
The
script, the actors and a co-operative crew.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Watch
lots of films.
Volunteer to go on set and watch the filmmaking process.
Cultivate a really good script. Get people that you respect to critically
analyse the script and be prepared to listen to advice.
Take lots of time in pre production and prepare as much as possible.
Always use professional actors - not your friends!!!
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
Give
more funding to film-makers.
I think the AFC should divide their money so that more people can benefit.
For example, rather than giving one filmmaker $100 000 for one short
film, they should fund 10 short films for $10 000 each.
The government should give more incentives for businesses to invest
in films.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
Picnic
at Hanging Rock
Annie Hall
The Piano
Who
is your favourite Director?
Woody Allen
FILM:
Educating Kevin
Producer & Actor - Alexia Kelly
Location: Sydney NSW
Age: 25
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
From the
other side of the camera as an actor.! I realized a few years ago rather
than sitting around waiting for my big break to happen I should make
it happen myself! So I started producing theatre, then worked as a production
manager on tv, then onto producing short films. And most things I produce
I also star in J
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
Success!!
Money to make more films and give up my day job!! Hollywood baby!
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Make
lots of films! You learn so much with every scene you create and shoot…
just film constantly, don't talk about making films, just do it.
What three things would you do to revitalise
the Australian film industry?
More
RISK TAKING by writers, film makers and funding bodies
What
are your 3 favourite films?
Eternal
Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Fight Club & Napolean Dynamite. Well
they are 3 of my top 10… its hard to pick a top 3..
Who
is your favourite Director?
Again
hard to pick one… but I love Peter Jackson, Tarantino, Tim Burton,
Ridley Scot…
FILM:
SATURDAY NIGHT NEWTOWN SUNDAY MORNING ENMORE
DIRECTOR: Christopher Johnson
Location: Sydney NSW
What
are your 3 favourite films?
My favourite film is The Godfather, probably followed by
Apocalypse Now and Goodfellas.
FILM:
BARNEY THE TERRIER
Writer/Director/Producer: Anny Slater
Location: NSW
Age: somewhere between 39 and death
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
I wrote a script first; decided who I wanted to act in it,
sent it to the actor's agents and surprisingly they liked the comedy
in it and said yes. I hadn't made a film before but I had a lot of entertainment
industry knowledge and some experience in theatre. I then collected
crew by word of mouth.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
To
continue to make films that make people laugh or feel good when they
leave a screening.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
Good editing,
lots of coverage of each scene and good sound. If you have those elements
then you can "find" the film in the editing room. The worst
actor and the worst story can be saved by a good editor.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
If you
are "interested" don't start at all. Only if you are passionate
should you run not walk to the nearest film set!
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
Revive
Section 10B of the Tax Act and explain to people how it could be used
to foster new creative talent-it was never properly explained to people
and very few used it. I'd also introduce real after working hours
part-time diploma and degree studies at AFTRS. Holding down a job shouldn't
be viewed as a negative to creative ability. I'd legislate to provide
a tax break to people who wrote Australian stories and had them produced
as theatre, film, TV, readings, anything. We need more Australian stories
and we need to convince Australian's that our stories are interesting
and worthwhile otherwise we lose our culture. I'd also create script
centres to give our writers a good grounding in what it take to write
a sellable novel / screenplay / TV script etc.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
The
Enchanted Cottage, Fallen Angel, Now Voyager
Who
is your favourite Director?
It's a draw between William Wyler, Otto Preminger and Ang
Lee.
FILM:
Crazy Love
Director: William Van Cuyck
Location: Valencia, CA, USA
Age: 37
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
It
started when my Dad got me hooked watching classics like Adv of Robin
Hood, Red River, and Casablanca and that love just grew until I wanted
to be the one behind the camera writing the stories and directing them.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
I
want to be able to make movies that allow the audience to slip away
for awhile and escape their lives for somebody else's adventures, whether
a good scare, a laugh or a good cry.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
Story/Concept
- a great concept with a real beginning, middle and end no matter how
long or short.
Acting - without
good actors it can just fall apart.
Pace - I think
especially with a short, you have a limited time to tell your story
and you have to keep the audience hooked from beginning to end. This
is where your DP and Editor are so important, getting the right shots
and then knowing where to trim.
Oh, and pre-production,
I know that's four, but be prepared. Most of the time with shorts, filmmakers
are working with little to no money. Thinking things through and planning
them out is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Shoot!
Play with the camera. Whether it is film, video, your camera phone!
Shoot!
What
are your 3 favourite films?
I
will say that I just love movies. Good, bad, B movies, genre. I could
debate over these choices for days and still think I need to change
my mind, but here are three.
Raiders of the Lost
Ark
Lawrence of Arabia
Adventures of Robin Hood
Who
is your favourite Director?
One
of my all time favorites from days watching movies with my Dad is Michael
Curtiz. Casablanca. Adventures of Robin Hood. His use of shadows is
still extrodinary.
FILM:
Crazy Love
Producer: Kristin Van Cuyck
Location: Valencia, CA, USA
Age: 32
How
did you get into Filmmaking?
The
moment I managed to swipe my grandfather's old brownie I was hooked.
Though, to be honest, I have always directed music videos and commercials
in my head since I could remember.
What
would you like to achieve as a filmmaker?
I
would like to inspire more people to be honest and true to their dreams.
I would also love to be the first female director to receive an academy
award, or at least inspire the up and coming to fill my dream shoes.
What
are the three most important elements of a good short film?
Acting,
movement and sound.
What
tips would you give to someone interested in filmmaking?
Don't
wait for someone to give you the green-light. Go out and make a film
yourself.
What
three things would you do to revitalise the Australian film industry?
I
haven't a clue, since I tend to be a big fan of Australian directors
and films.
What
are your 3 favourite films?
Wings
of Desire, Amelie and Dead Alive.
Who
is your favourite Director?
Wim Wenders
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