Last week we wrapped up five days of production on a new short film I'm directing and editing called 'The Fling'.
Pictured: The cast and crew of 'The Fling'
'The Fling' is a mixed-media, stop motion pixilation short film about two women who are looking for love whilst trying to hide that they are creatures from 'The Thing' (Dir. John Carpenter, 1982).
Pictured: Lucy Fox (Actor) plays Frances while Emily Kleiner (Animator) holds a tentacle behind her
Pre-Production began in September and the set was built through-out October by the art department team. Led by Production Designer Elena Lyons-Dawson, the set design features many references to the original film, which we're hoping 'The Thing' fans will have fun spotting.
Pictured: Elena Lyons-Dawson (Production Designer) and Dan Elborne (Art Department Assistant)
Pixilation stop motion was a very strange way of working for me and I've never had to talk so much on set EVER! I'm very lucky to have had my friend and co-conspirator Alyssa Smedley by my side, as her animation brain and my live action brain got together and made something that falls somewhere in-between both mediums.
Pictured: Flick Smith (Cinematographer), Alyssa Smedley (Animation Director), Chido Mwat (Actor), Lily Fish (Actor), and Emily Kleiner (Animator)
It was an absolute blast getting to film so many of the special effects in-camera, from long, squishy tentacles slathered in lube, to strips of hairy skin glued to our actor's faces created by the effervescent Emily Stacey.
Pictured: Lucy Fox (Actor) wearing special effects make-up created by Emily Stacey
Plus, getting to work with such a patient and warm cast really made all the difference. I couldn't have done it without them being totally open to such an unusual filmmaking process. I'm very grateful for all the weird poses and expressions they held for long periods of time, which is far more tiring than it sounds on paper.
Pictured: Annie Louey (Actor) holding a funny expression
For now, we head into post-production, which will take place over several months. We will be editing, compositing, animating, colour grading, sound designing, and composing. Phew - there's a lot of work to go before we have our final film.
We're hoping to have a small cast & crew screening once post is completed, but until then... we'll be tinkering away.
I would just like to acknowledge and say a special thank you to the following organisations for their vital support:
Filmmaking is a big, expensive activity and without the help of all of these organisations, making this short film would simply not have been possible. Thanks again for supporting local Aussie filmmaking!
Pictured: Flick Smith (Cinematographer), Han Palmer (Gaffer), Jemma Cotter (Director), Lucy Fox (Actor), and Chido Mwat (Actor)
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