GÆST - a short film
AU$2,390
of $2,100 targetyrs ago
Successful on 22nd Nov 2015 at 5:56AM.
In the wake of a personal tragedy a young woman retreats to an empty mountain village – only to find that she is not alone.
In this unsettling ghost story the expansive landscape is as much a character as the two women who explore it.
From the writer/director:
Gæst is a ghost story only insofar as one of its characters died some time ago. It is not a horror story or a thriller: it is a story about isolation, vulnerability, and finding one’s place in the world.
Aoife goes to Mt Buller to escape her own troubles, only to find herself wrapped up in someone else’s. The awe-inspiring landscape of the Victorian Alps is a reminder of her insignificance, and in that, a reminder that she is a part of something much larger and greater.
This is a personal story to me as I have often felt that disconnect to the fast-moving modern world that Aoife feels. At times like that, retreating somewhere beautiful is a way of taking a step back and a deep breath. But ‘peace and quiet’ and isolation aren’t one and the same – we need those moments of human connection, too. Even if that’s helping someone else find peace.
I have been writing plays, books and short stories for many years, but Gæst is my first short film. In its first incarnation it was a short story set in Iceland, but once I had visited the haunting location of a ski resort in summer – chairlifts creaking on the wires, crows wheeling overhead – I found the story’s true setting. Words alone couldn’t do justice to this striking landscape. So it became a film.
One last note: I focused on Old English during my undergraduate degree, and the film's title – Gæst – is an Old English word, meaning ‘guest’, which the modern English word ‘ghost’ is derived from. Guest/ghost, and pronounced like ‘ghast’. A pretty cool word.
In this unsettling ghost story the expansive landscape is as much a character as the two women who explore it.
From the writer/director:
Gæst is a ghost story only insofar as one of its characters died some time ago. It is not a horror story or a thriller: it is a story about isolation, vulnerability, and finding one’s place in the world.
Aoife goes to Mt Buller to escape her own troubles, only to find herself wrapped up in someone else’s. The awe-inspiring landscape of the Victorian Alps is a reminder of her insignificance, and in that, a reminder that she is a part of something much larger and greater.
This is a personal story to me as I have often felt that disconnect to the fast-moving modern world that Aoife feels. At times like that, retreating somewhere beautiful is a way of taking a step back and a deep breath. But ‘peace and quiet’ and isolation aren’t one and the same – we need those moments of human connection, too. Even if that’s helping someone else find peace.
I have been writing plays, books and short stories for many years, but Gæst is my first short film. In its first incarnation it was a short story set in Iceland, but once I had visited the haunting location of a ski resort in summer – chairlifts creaking on the wires, crows wheeling overhead – I found the story’s true setting. Words alone couldn’t do justice to this striking landscape. So it became a film.
One last note: I focused on Old English during my undergraduate degree, and the film's title – Gæst – is an Old English word, meaning ‘guest’, which the modern English word ‘ghost’ is derived from. Guest/ghost, and pronounced like ‘ghast’. A pretty cool word.
Characters and Cast
Aoife
Reeling from the death of her closest friend, Aoife does what she has always done: retreats. The person who brought out the best in her is gone, and where does that leave her? Curious, methodical and honest to a fault, Aoife finds it hard to allow herself to be vulnerable and let others in.
Played by Tatiana Kotsimbos
Tatiana Kotsimbos has appeared in various stage and screen productions, most recently at The University of Melbourne where she is completing a Bachelor of Arts. She loves the outdoors and is very excited to be working on such a unique film.
Sora
She was an earth girl, airy, a solitary character who enjoyed being alone in the world. In many ways, she is a kindred spirit to Aoife. She had no real connections, so no one ever noticed she was gone, and no one has ever laid her to rest. She is lonely now; a waif, and friendly, if unsettling. She would like very much to rest.
Played by Emi Canavan
Emi Canavan is a Japanese actor who trained in the US and now calls Melbourne home. She has appeared in many films including the award winning short film "Talk To Me." She also performed in the musicals "Avenue Q" and "Miss Saigon" in Victoria, Australia. She is currently featured in a national TV commercial. Her versatile performance transcends both stage and screen.
Reeling from the death of her closest friend, Aoife does what she has always done: retreats. The person who brought out the best in her is gone, and where does that leave her? Curious, methodical and honest to a fault, Aoife finds it hard to allow herself to be vulnerable and let others in.
Played by Tatiana Kotsimbos
Tatiana Kotsimbos has appeared in various stage and screen productions, most recently at The University of Melbourne where she is completing a Bachelor of Arts. She loves the outdoors and is very excited to be working on such a unique film.
Sora
She was an earth girl, airy, a solitary character who enjoyed being alone in the world. In many ways, she is a kindred spirit to Aoife. She had no real connections, so no one ever noticed she was gone, and no one has ever laid her to rest. She is lonely now; a waif, and friendly, if unsettling. She would like very much to rest.
Played by Emi Canavan
Emi Canavan is a Japanese actor who trained in the US and now calls Melbourne home. She has appeared in many films including the award winning short film "Talk To Me." She also performed in the musicals "Avenue Q" and "Miss Saigon" in Victoria, Australia. She is currently featured in a national TV commercial. Her versatile performance transcends both stage and screen.
Crew
Writer/Director: Alex Mullarky
Alex Mullarky is a writer and director whose plays have toured in England and been performed in arts festivals in Scotland. She is currently completing her Masters in Screenwriting at the Victorian College of the Arts. This is her first film. (Thank you to Sophie Dia Pegrum and Luke Jacobson for their advice and support during the development of the script!)
Producer: Kate MacKeith
Kate MacKeith is a part-time producer and writer who has a bachelor in Film and Television from Curtin University. She is currently completing her Masters in Screenwriting at the Victorian College of Arts.
Director of Photography: Felicia Smith
Felicia is a freelance Camera Assistant of 3 years with dreams of eventually becoming a Cinematographer. She studied both Advanced Diploma and Bachelor of Film and TV at Swinburne University and has also attended many cinematography short courses at AFTRS. View Felicia's showreel here.
Sound Recordist: Joshua Caverson
Joshua Caverson is a sound engineer and composer from Melbourne.
Gaffer: Annika Brooker
Annika Brooker is an RMIT University graduate, specialising in Screen and Media. Through her studies, she has written and directed her own short films and worked on production for many others. She enjoys writing for the screen, and draws upon art and personal experience for inspiration. Currently on a gap year, Annika endeavours to continue her film studies in the near future.
Production Assistant: Lachlan Robertson
Lachlan Robertson is currently studying Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne. Among other things, Lachlan is an amateur pilgrim and poor sailor. He details the cartography of imaginary lands in his spare time.
Production Assistant: Meegan May
Composer: Emily McKelvie
Emily McKelvie began composing for fun at age 16, shortly after she decided to pursue it at university. She begun her Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne in 2012, majoring for a year in performance (Viola) before beginning a two year major in Composition. During this time she composed scores for several VCA students' films and took lessons from renowned Australian film composer, George Papanicolaou. After graduating, she is composing for films in her spare time while completing two music industry internships. Listen to Emily's score for The Announcement (short film).
All the beautiful photography on this page by Felicia Smith (except Emi Canavan headshot).
Alex Mullarky is a writer and director whose plays have toured in England and been performed in arts festivals in Scotland. She is currently completing her Masters in Screenwriting at the Victorian College of the Arts. This is her first film. (Thank you to Sophie Dia Pegrum and Luke Jacobson for their advice and support during the development of the script!)
Producer: Kate MacKeith
Kate MacKeith is a part-time producer and writer who has a bachelor in Film and Television from Curtin University. She is currently completing her Masters in Screenwriting at the Victorian College of Arts.
Director of Photography: Felicia Smith
Felicia is a freelance Camera Assistant of 3 years with dreams of eventually becoming a Cinematographer. She studied both Advanced Diploma and Bachelor of Film and TV at Swinburne University and has also attended many cinematography short courses at AFTRS. View Felicia's showreel here.
Sound Recordist: Joshua Caverson
Joshua Caverson is a sound engineer and composer from Melbourne.
Gaffer: Annika Brooker
Annika Brooker is an RMIT University graduate, specialising in Screen and Media. Through her studies, she has written and directed her own short films and worked on production for many others. She enjoys writing for the screen, and draws upon art and personal experience for inspiration. Currently on a gap year, Annika endeavours to continue her film studies in the near future.
Production Assistant: Lachlan Robertson
Lachlan Robertson is currently studying Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne. Among other things, Lachlan is an amateur pilgrim and poor sailor. He details the cartography of imaginary lands in his spare time.
Production Assistant: Meegan May
Composer: Emily McKelvie
Emily McKelvie began composing for fun at age 16, shortly after she decided to pursue it at university. She begun her Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne in 2012, majoring for a year in performance (Viola) before beginning a two year major in Composition. During this time she composed scores for several VCA students' films and took lessons from renowned Australian film composer, George Papanicolaou. After graduating, she is composing for films in her spare time while completing two music industry internships. Listen to Emily's score for The Announcement (short film).
All the beautiful photography on this page by Felicia Smith (except Emi Canavan headshot).
What happens next?
Pozible doesn’t collect pledges until the funding goal is reached. So if you would like to be involved but are waiting on your next paycheck, it isn’t a problem – you can pledge now and the amount won’t be collected until the date above.
Once we’ve reached our goal, we’ll shoot the film in early December. We hope to have the finished film ready by the end of February 2016, at which point supporter rewards will be sent out. We’ll then begin submitting the film to festivals, locally and internationally.
If you’ve read this far we've clearly piqued your interest – so go ahead and click the pledge button above, and help us make this film!
Thank you - from all the cast and crew. We look forward to making this film with you.
Once we’ve reached our goal, we’ll shoot the film in early December. We hope to have the finished film ready by the end of February 2016, at which point supporter rewards will be sent out. We’ll then begin submitting the film to festivals, locally and internationally.
If you’ve read this far we've clearly piqued your interest – so go ahead and click the pledge button above, and help us make this film!
Thank you - from all the cast and crew. We look forward to making this film with you.
How The Funds Will Be Used
We are a group of independent filmmakers and actors based in Melbourne who are all working free of charge to create this film. By contributing to this project, you will be helping to bring a unique story to life, and more broadly you’ll be supporting the arts in Australia. There are also some great rewards for our supporters, which are all named after rivers, mountains and other areas local to our location.
The money we raise will cover the logistical costs of the shoot. The cost breakdown is as follows:
Costuming - $150
Our cast are kindly providing some of their own clothing for their characters' costumes; this will cover the cost of the items which need to be purchased.
Equipment - $1,150
This will cover the costs of equipment hire for camera, lighting and sound gear.
Transport - $250
The entire cast and crew will be transported to and from our location at Mt Buller in two cars. This will cover the cost of fuel.
Catering - $550
This will cover the costs of feeding the cast and crew for the duration of our shoot.
Accommodation has been generously provided free of charge.
The money we raise will cover the logistical costs of the shoot. The cost breakdown is as follows:
Costuming - $150
Our cast are kindly providing some of their own clothing for their characters' costumes; this will cover the cost of the items which need to be purchased.
Equipment - $1,150
This will cover the costs of equipment hire for camera, lighting and sound gear.
Transport - $250
The entire cast and crew will be transported to and from our location at Mt Buller in two cars. This will cover the cost of fuel.
Catering - $550
This will cover the costs of feeding the cast and crew for the duration of our shoot.
Accommodation has been generously provided free of charge.
The Challenges
A green production: we are taking steps to ensure that this film’s environmental footprint is minimal or non-existent.
All scripts and documents are printed on recycled paper and will be recycled after production.
All food for catering will be sustainable, seasonal and locally sourced. Food waste will be minimal or non-existent and packaging recycled with the aid of the Sustain Me app.
We have a ‘leave no trace’ policy on location. No litter will be left behind or damage done to the locations.
This production will be carbon neutral. Using the carbon calculator at myclimate.org, the production's carbon emissions have been estimated at 0.873 tonnes. This estimation will be checked again after shooting and emissions will then be offset with Stand For Trees, an organisation which supports the conservation of forests. (Funds raised on Pozible will not be used for carbon offsetting.)
Any profits that we make from this film will be donated to Zoos Victoria to fund their Mountain Pygmy-possum Recovery Program, as our shoot will take place in the alpine habitat of the endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum.
The director is the founder/administrator of the Facebook group Green Filmmakers Melbourne.
Another challenge will be our remote locations on the shoot, some of which will require a hike to reach. All members of the cast and crew have been briefed on this and will be fit and prepared for the challenge!
All scripts and documents are printed on recycled paper and will be recycled after production.
All food for catering will be sustainable, seasonal and locally sourced. Food waste will be minimal or non-existent and packaging recycled with the aid of the Sustain Me app.
We have a ‘leave no trace’ policy on location. No litter will be left behind or damage done to the locations.
This production will be carbon neutral. Using the carbon calculator at myclimate.org, the production's carbon emissions have been estimated at 0.873 tonnes. This estimation will be checked again after shooting and emissions will then be offset with Stand For Trees, an organisation which supports the conservation of forests. (Funds raised on Pozible will not be used for carbon offsetting.)
Any profits that we make from this film will be donated to Zoos Victoria to fund their Mountain Pygmy-possum Recovery Program, as our shoot will take place in the alpine habitat of the endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum.
The director is the founder/administrator of the Facebook group Green Filmmakers Melbourne.
Another challenge will be our remote locations on the shoot, some of which will require a hike to reach. All members of the cast and crew have been briefed on this and will be fit and prepared for the challenge!
Mirimbah
For your generosity you'll receive a thank you in the credits!
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 16
Merrijig
You’ll receive: - a thank you in the credits AND - a postcard featuring a still from the film!
14 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 16
Howqua
You’ll receive: - a postcard featuring a still from the film - a thank you in the credits - an A3 poster featuring film artwork AND - a digital copy of the film! This will be a private link sent directly to you for you to view the film before anyone else.
14 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 16
Delatite
You’ll receive: - a postcard featuring a still from the film - a thank you in the credits - an A3 poster featuring film artwork AND - both digital and hard copies of the film to view before anyone else!
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 16
Stirling
You will receive: - a postcard featuring a still from the film - a thank you in the credits - an A3 poster featuring film artwork - digital and hard copies of the film AND - an invitation to a private screening and Q&A session with members of the cast and crew!
3 chosen / 12 available
Est. delivery is Feb 16
Buller
You will receive: - a postcard featuring a still from the film - a thank you in the credits - an A3 poster featuring film artwork - digital and hard copies of the film - an invitation to a private screening and Q&A session with members of the cast and crew AND - an Executive Producer credit on the film!
1 chosen / 5 available
Est. delivery is Feb 16