Proof of Concept for Shift - Day 1

Late last year we shot a few scenes for our proof-of-concept (PoC) video for Shift. According to the internet a PoC video is a short, low budget film or video that serves as a resume or demo for a larger feature film project showcasing its visual style, tone, narrative potential and commercial viability to potential investors, studios and producers. My friend and screenwriter Richard Hyde who has a couple of excellent projects in development was the first person I heard the term proof of concept from as he excitedly told me about not one but two PoC videos he had been working on. It seems that these types of “calling cards” are required frequently these days as part of funding applications and requests for letters of intent.

We decided to downsize my rather lofty ambition to “guerilla shoot” the entire feature film to guerilla shoot a PoC video. While guerilla shooting or shooting a film without funding or on the smell of an oily rag, is possible, it would be a logistical nightmare and put a lot of pressure on all of us. The goal was therefore tempered to a PoC which would assist us in finding funding to shoot the whole film. We decided to shoot a flashback garden party scene first in which JD (Ian Bolgia), feeling out of place at Adelle’s mum’s (Rose McKenna’s) event, leaves Adelle (Ann Marie Bradstreet) to drive home without her hearing aid.

Jace taking amazing footage while I look thoughtful in the background

The shoot went extremely smoothly thanks to a heap of talented and dedicated people. First, Anne Liedel our producer who organised pretty much everything and ran around all day despite having a bad cold. What a legend. Anne also managed to find the beautiful location, a house in Alfred Cove (thank you Annie T) and set us up with the support of NMTAFE alumni students who worked extremely generously and professionally. Andy Milner our cinematographer and head of camera department provided great ideas and support for the shots that were beautifully taken by NMTAFE alumni, Jace Roco. Steve Trowbridge our head of sound department also generously donated his Saturday afternoon to mentor Rob Livingston and record pristine sound. Anne had a couple of absolute legends in the art department, Abbe Dans-Schunselaar and Michael Fragomeni who worked with us on Not Fake News. Alex Zappa was our awesome 1^{s t} AD and Adrian Retter did a great job on lighting.

Abbe fixes Aria's hair

Adam Hill who is credited with AD/AC from the day seemed to be everywhere and exactly where he was needed all day and did this with a smile, which was amazing. He also kindly offered to edit the PoC film for us and at the time of writing has delivered the first cut which looks great.

It was such a treat to work with my old friends Ian Bolgia, Anne Marie Bradstreet and Rose McKenna again. Les S played Adelle’s debonair dad and was also official photographer on the day. Having not done much in the arts since I had my son, I haven’t worked with actors for around ten years – apart from briefly for Not Fake News in 2023. Seeing how these actors have continued to hone their craft and have developed as artists was inspirational to me. It was also a joy to cast August’s beautiful little friend Aria Mahajan in the Molly Rose role.

We were joined by a number of our friends who kindly played as extras at the garden party. Big shout out to my good friends Collette Wrynn and Simon Whalley, Anne’s gorgeous daughter Paige Liedel and her partner, Jasper, Takara Vivian, Victoria McCaw and Melissa Mahajan. Big thanks to Mel for not only ensuring Aria was there to play a haunting Molly Rose but also for donating drinks for the day through her and husband Mackie Mahajan’s business the Maylands Tavern.

In other great news for Shift, we have cast the extremely talented and charming Jeremy Levi in the role of Malcolm.

Watch this space for updates as the project unfolds.