2025 was a year of new experiences, travel, birds foraging in the garbage, and people pointing at things that are either really far away, or really close. I wonder what things will be pointed at in 2026? Only time will tell.
Two blacksmiths, a mysterious egg, and the most important meal of the day. The curtain falls on production for 'Hatchling', my @busstopfilms workshop's short film project for 2025. It was bucketing down with rain for the entire day that we shot this, but that wasn't going to stop our smiles. So proud of this team!
CAST
Sarita Starlight - @laurahughesisme
Elijah Daggerheart - Nick Boshier
CREW
Writer+director - Me!
Producer - @hollswood
Producer's Attachment - @sabby__g
DOP - @s_koloadin_dop
1st AC - Christine Anderson
2nd AC - @indyyfilms
Gaffer - @acabybara
1st AD - @chooosdy
Wardrobe - @ellie_lestrange2
Production Design - @dom.appetit
H&MU - @beautyspot_makeup
Sound - @martin_demian
Continuity - @lukeantoun
On Set Support Workers - @mismatchedmich and @katebobis
Thus ends my very sweaty travels in mainland Greece. As a fan of Greek mythology, this trip has definitely left me with more questions than answers.
Why did the Greeks build a temple out of marble (a stone that crumbles after prolonged exposure to salt) right next to the sea (very salty)?
How did so many people traverse the Delphi mountains to speak to the Oracle when hiking boots hadn't been invented yet?
And most importantly, who left a used condom at the summit of Lycabettus Hill, the tallest point in all of Athens?
I certainly hope archaeologists are working on the answers to these very important questions.
Solid Ground is a contender for the 2026 @aacta best short film award and I could not be more thrilled. If you're an AACTA member you can watch and vote for it via the link in my bio. This film was made inclusively with my @busstopfilms 2024 workshop participants and its inclusion on this list is a testament to the power of inclusive filmmaking.
Solid Ground is a romantic comedy about an elderly sea captain that invites a spirited retiree on a date aboard his boat, desperately hoping she doesn't discover his crippling fear of land.
Produced by @diannalagrassa
Cinematography by @s_koloadin_dop
Music by @persianofinterest
Production Design by @dom.appetit
Wardrobe by @ellie_lestrange2
H&MU by @beautyspot_makeup
It stars the incredible @brucer765 and @valerie_bader
Pattaya was the full package. Night markets, big beaches, a shopping centre themed as an airport, a very happy Songkran celebration, and even a toy human torso of ✨infinite pleasure✨.
I had a ball doing my first ever standup set at the @improvtheatresydney grad show last night. Special thanks to @laurahughesisme for being such a wonderful teacher, and to all of my fellow students for being so incredibly supportive and funny in their own right. If you've ever been interested in giving standup a try, I'd highly recommend ITS!
Please enjoy some of my favourite photos (and also a video) from the huge year that was 2024. Here's to 2025 being filled with even more friends, films, fun, and fire engine red coloured doors that make it look like you're walking into the mouth of an otherworldly creature.
Things got nautical last Sunday when my @busstopfilms class shot 'Solid Ground', our romcom about a sea captain with a fear of land. Special thanks to @julian.neuhaus for taking these beautiful BTS shots.
The talented people that made this film happen are:
CAST
Captain Jackson Jackman: Bruce Spence
Barbara Candyrush Jones: Valerie Bader
CREW
Writer + Director: Me!
Producer: @diannalagrassa
Producer's Attachment: Nicholas Ryan
Executive Producer: @thatssotcm
DOP: @s_koloadin_dop
1st AD: @ajpolios
Continuity: @lukeantoun
Production Design: @dom.appetit
Wardrobe: Eleanor L'Estrange-Stranieri
1st AC: @nathanhockridge
2nd AC: @indyyfilms
Gaffer: @riffraffgaffing
H&MU: @beautyspot_makeup
Sound: @secondwisemonkey
Support Workers: Stephanie Stuart and Anna Summerhayes
And an extra special thanks to my class of inclusive filmmaking professionals!
I had a great time visiting Admiralty House last Friday for an event with @busstopfilms . I somehow avoided getting my picture taken by the photographers the whole night, but thankfully there's a group shot. You just have to look REALLY closely.
