Greta Nash

KARMA POLICE is a 10 minute comedy, told from the perspective of a middle-aged woman struggling with the morality of working as a Ticket Inspector.

Eager-to-please Wendy just wants to win the respect of her thuggish co-workers - without losing the respect of the passengers they spend all day bullying. Is that really so much to ask? After taking pity on one fare-evader too many, she is given the ultimatum: fine somebody, or be fired. Desperate, Wendy manipulates an innocent senior into believing her ticket is invalid. When her co-workers get involved, the situation escalates into an act of violence that will force Wendy to choose between her morals and her job. As it turns out, she can't please everyone...

WHY TICKET INSPECTORS?

We've all seen the scathing news reports and CCTV footage of Ticket Inspectors resorting to unnecessary force, verbal abuse, intimidation and violence. Put simply: Ticket Inspectors have a terrible reputation.

As a team interested in telling a story from the perspective of a "villain", a Ticket Inspector seems like the perfect character through which to examine the fundamental question - are bullies born, or are they made? It's easier to condemn bullies than it is to understand them - but it isn't as interesting. With KARMA POLICE, we want to examine the abuse that comes from both sides, not just corrupt Inspectors. As it turns out, passengers can be pretty cruel, too.

At its heart, KARMA POLICE is a film about the disconnect between ambition and morals and the way in which a culture of bullying creates more bullies. 

Apparently making a film is expensive. Who knew!

We've already set aside some money, but we need a bit of help covering the rest of the costs. Here's an idea of what your money will help us to afford:

LOCATIONS - $1200 (Sadly I don't own my own personal train, so we have to hire a carriage!)
LIGHTING - $1000 (Tricking the audience into thinking we're in an underground tunnel, when its actually just an empty carriage in the middle of a warehouse. The magic of cinema!)
CAMERA/LENSES- $2500 (To give the film the perfect soft, grungy look, we'll be shooting on an Arri Alexa - but they don't exactly grow on trees.)
CATERING - $1200 (Because setting up dolly tracks on a stomach full of vegemite sandwiches just won't cut it for our amazing crew!)
COSTUMES - $500 (Giving Wendy and her co-workers their own special uniform)
PROPS - $500 (Ticket readers, badges, TripCards, pints of beer, eggs, spray paint, handbags...)
HAIR AND MAKEUP - $350 (Fake blood, and keeping Wendy's tight bun tamed requires a lot of hairspray.)
FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY AND MARKETING - $750 (Printing posters and postcards, press kits, unit photography and entry fees!)

Here's a few mood boards to give you an idea of the look and feel of the film:


Production Design - a dingy, grimy yellowy-green colour palate with a big focus on the interior of the train carriage. Creating an imaginary Public Transport Network that, whilst echoing our own Metro systems, remains non-descript and allows us to be slightly stylised with our "look".

Costumes (and character inspiration): As part of a diverse trio of Ticket Inspectors, Wendy will stand out from the rest with a clean, pressed uniform of greys and greens - her co-workers Vijay and Paul will wear their uniforms rough, scruffy and sweat-stained. See also inspiration for our beautiful old Russian woman Elena, dressed top to toe in her favourite shades of purple, as well as pimpled teenager Dylan with his gang of tracksuited hoodlums.

Making any film is a challenge, but luckily we are supported by wonderful mentors at the VCA. The combined experience of the team gives us the confidence we need to make a great film! 

Follow our journey on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/karmapolice