Behind The ScenesTrue Blue Aussie Talent

When I set out on this remarkable journey to write, produce and direct the Wantin sizzle reel, I was a adamant that I wanted to have people aligned to me who were passionate about their craft and wanted an opportunity to be showcased for their abilities.

Anyone who has been associated to the development of a film, at any or all phases of the process can tell you that it is seriously hard yakka. There isn’t an aspect of any department that isn’t integral to the success of the production. Hence, I knew from the outset that it was critical to engage and surround myself with a crew that would not only excel at what they do, but must also be willing to pull together as a team to get the film across the line.

Never stop trying. It’s your dream, so do what it takes to make it happen.

Thanks to the initial assistance of Ignition Pictures I was already well underway with auditioning for a full cast for the reel. Ignition Pictures were kind enough to make time in their busy schedule to help me get across the line with casting call outs and screen tests. This set the pace for me to move forward on my own to begin executing the rehearsals, location scouting, developing the story boards and creating the preliminary shot lists, while in the background I reviewed all the crew applications from my shout out through Australian filming networks and industry services such as StarNow.

“Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”

–Mattie Stepanek.

Post developing a short list of candidates I steamrolled through the arduous task of calling to make a time to catch up with everyone. This in itself is a very curious process because in reality people don’t tend to like being interviewed. The hope for most creatives is that their show reels speak volumes for their capability so they don’t have to sell themselves verbally.

Instinct plays a part for me when I’m assessing people. Although, my initial plan was to meet absolutely every candidate, I did find after speaking with some applicants on the phone that I was willing to give them a chance. Mary Kate Winebrenner my production assistant was one such person and Hanna Palmer, a steadicam specialist was another. It didn’t take me long to establish that the people who were applying for the roles oozed passion for film making and were doing all that they can to maintain regular work within the industry. Its precisely what I was looking for.

A couple of days into the process I met with Konrad McCarthy for a coffee. Within minutes of our exchange I knew I had found the person I wanted to appoint as my director of photography. There is a brooding confidence in his introverted demeanor that held me steadfast to the belief that he would be the right person for the job. He quickly demonstrated that he is a straight shooter who doesn’t entertain drama and is completely focussed on understanding the vision so that he can translate it to film.

Gerard Mack was another of the applicants I was lucky enough to have met with and enlisted the services of for the sizzle reel. When I caught up with him at his private recording studio I was blown away by his knowledge of all thing pertaining to sound and more so by the length of time he has been in the industry.

Within less than ten days (thanks to the assistance of the appointed crew recommending other professionals to join the team), I had my full compliment of people in place.The vibe of the group was heightened by the fact that most of them knew each other and were eager to work together again. Opting to shift to interviewing ‘recommended‘ crew proved to become one of the best decisions I could have made.

Thus our unified journey of manifesting the Wantin sizzle reel from concept to creation had commenced …..

CREW ROLE + NAME + EMAIL

Producer / Director Truth Devour (author_truthdevour@hushmail.com)

Assistant Director Jillian Drenen (jilliandrenen97@gmail.com)

Assistant Director Miffy Wild (myf.wild@gmail.com)

Director of Photography Konrad McCarthy (konrad@konradmccarthy.com)

Steady Cam Operator & Gaffer Hannah Palmer (steadipalms@gmail.com)

Best Boy Reza Zaki (reza.zaki@hotmail.com)

Best Boy Tom (tomfz@live.com)

2nd AC / Clapper Nicholson Ren (nicholson.ren@hotmail.com)

Camera Assist / Focus Puller Dominic Mulligan (dom@dominicmulligan.com)

Behind The Scenes (BTS) Taylor Wilson (wilsontaylor18@yahoo.com)

Script Supervisor Lisa Habermann (lisahab888@gmail.com)

Production Sound / Composer Gerard Mack (gmack@pipeline.com.au)

Data Wrangler & Editor Madison Siladi (maddyjayde@gmail.com)

Production Assistant Mary Kate Winebrenner (marykatewinebrenner@gmail.com)

Head of Makeup Daphne Goutler (dgoulter@gmail.com)

Makeup Assistant Rachel Molino (rachelmolino@hotmail.com)

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