Alicia Fahnesa

Two estranged sisters are drawn back together after the passing of their father to fulfill his last wish.

Piano is a personal and beautiful story brought to life by our writer, Jhaz Bullen-Williams. Siblinghood is an interesting and complicated relationship. Nobody teaches you how to act as an older or younger sibling, you're just expected to behave well for each other. Piano explores a heartbreaking yet beautiful relationship between two characters, Darcy and Lily, and their journey of self-discovery. 

Darcy and Lily are total opposites. One is a self-sufficient, aspiring actor whose dream of a life in the big city hasn’t quite worked out. The other, a piano prodigy whose only barrier to an exciting life outside her small town is her own self-doubt and continuing loyalty to her father. The pair are reunited under uncomfortable circumstances when their sickly father dies. They must now fulfill a final promise to him. 

Can Darcy and Lily put aside their differences, or will the weight of the past tear them apart for good?

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SOME EXCLUSIVE BEHIND THE SCENES FROM CROWDFUND SHOOT

OUR CAST

Allegra Monk as Darcy

The Daughter of a glassblower and a mural painter. Allegra Monk was raised to appreciate artistry as a life-long practice. Growing up in a studio in Sydney, and walking up King Street each morning attending Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, she became an avid listener to the world around her from a young age. A love for storytelling led her to London in 2015 to participate in workshops with RADA (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts), Frantic Assembly and The Globe Theatre. 

Shortly after giving a speech filled with David Bowie quotes on the importance of the performing arts in Australian culture, Allegra was elected School Captain and cast as ‘Nellie Forbush’ in the school’s Major production of South Pacific. At seventeen, alongside ushering at the Sydney Theatre Company, Allegra was accepted into the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts where earlier this year she played ‘Ophelia’ in Hamlet, directed by Sean O’Shea. As an emerging Actor, Allegra is looking forward to entering the industry with a hunger for new work.

India Goodhand as Lily

India is a lover of comedy and especially interested in telling stories that are true to home. Being originally from Adelaide, she has struggled with the temptations to stay at home and do what is most comfortable. She also grew up with an older sister so portraying the strained relationship with Darcy will be an all too relatable experience. 

What attracted her to this story was the realisation that many people have when being away from someone they grew up with, that they are who they are because of the love that was provided. Regardless of if it was appreciated at the time. What makes the character of Lily so important to her is her trusting heart, masked ever so slightly with winged eyeliner.

THE CREW

Steven Clarke - Director

Steven Clarke is an up and coming West Australian film director and writer. He studied his undergraduate degree at Murdoch University and graduated in 2019 with a bachelors degree in Screen Production. His last film was “Sandman” (2018) an experimental project which he directed and co-wrote. The film was a semifinalist in the Perth inspirational film festival. 

Steven is currently furthering his education by undertaking the master of screen studies course at WA Screen Academy focusing mainly on directing. Alongside Piano, Steven also continuing to work on numerous independently produced projects, such as “The Raven” a film funded by propel Youth Arts. Steven is continuing to hone his craft and is learning each day how to more effectible harness the potential of cinema.

Alicia Fahnesa - Producer

Born and raised in Indonesia, Alicia is a graduate from North Metropolitan TAFE and now completing her Bachelor’s degree at Western Australia Screen Academy, specialising in Producing and Directing. Alicia is passionate to share her culture with a heartful story and help people who don’t have a voice be heard. Just like the previous film she produced, Solivagant, that explores how complicated relationship can be in a family, Piano is also a heartwarming story of sisterhood and how complex that relationship can be. She’s excited to put her skills and passion for bringing this upcoming film, Piano, come to life.

Jhaz Bullen-Williams - Writer

Jhaz has always been sick of seeing unrealistic female characters in cinema. By specialising in Screenwriting at Western Australia Screen Academy, she hopes to be able to influence stories from the ground up. Whether it be writing toxic female relationships in her North Metropolitan TAFE graduate film, Now You’re on Venus, or the complicated nature of being a sister in the upcoming film, Piano, Jhaz always endeavours to bring the true female experience to the big screen.

Giac Patroni - Cinematographer

Giac is currently completing his Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography and Editing at Western Australia Screen Academy. Prior to this, Giac studied at North Metropolitan TAFE and has been working as a freelance Cinematographer for the past four years. He is passionate about creating beautiful visceral imagery that aims to enhance the story and invoke an emotional response within the audience.

Gemma Cutler - Editor

Gemma loves telling true stories to inspire, shock and educate viewers. She aspires to direct and edit her own films, combing her love of music and fashion to create art on the screen. She is passionate about spreading the message of equality and hopes to bring stories from all walks of life to audiences around the world. Currently majoring in editing at WA Screen Academy, she’s looking forward to working with her talented peers on the upcoming graduate films.

Val Burnazov - Sound 

Val started a degree in animation and quickly realised he was atrocious at it. However, during these studies, he took some electives in film and discovered his passion for editing and sound. Val is drawn towards sci-fi, dark comedies and coming of age stories. Val is studying his master's at the WA screen academy specialising in editing and sound.

All the funds raised will go towards making Piano the best possible film can be;

Location $400

We have two beautiful locations in mind for this project, the funding raised will be used to cover up the cost to use them. 

Costume and Props $150

We have a powerful vision for the art direction, your donation will help us make that vision comes true.

Camera Equipment $250

It will require some specific equipment to make our cinematographer's vision to become reality.

Pyrotechnician $350

There will be a scene where we burn a piano and we need someone with good knowledge to help make our creative vision happen. 

Firefighter $330

A safe option for a burning scene is always good to have around! 

Catering $1200

We will have a large crew for a total of 4 days. This fund raised will definitely go on feeding our hardworking crew and cast.

Anything over will be spent on getting our film to film festivals all around the world. Your amazing assistance and kind donation will able to fund all the above attributes and breath life into our project!