Iain Bonner

This is a funding project to send, The Comedian, a VCA graduating film, to major international festivals. The film and myself took out 'Best Achievement in Directing' for the post-graduate course, at the 2013 VCA awards. And we hope to give this film a full chance of being selected at big festivals, in the hope that we can continue to make intriguing and challenging films in this country. The budgets for these works are heavy, and we seek support, all support, now that the budget is gone !

The setting for the film is the Docklands, an area of Melbourne that has struggled for its own identity within the culturally rich city. The area is often avoided, so I sought to spend time there and find out more about it. It became a large thematic element within the film.

Synopsis
A want-to-be stand-up comedian steals comedy routines to spark a connection with a Chinese girl, new to Australia. They are surrounded by an empty, urban landscape, yet an intimacy grows.

Background
The idea for this film has been with me for around 7 years. I had attempted to make it before, but it never materialised. I had always loved the idea and felt its potential so to have failed to make it left a deep wound inside myself. At a time when I hit a low within the course at VCA, and thought it was no longer for me and I was ready to quit, this idea popped its head up once more.

I had been fascinated by the Melbourne wheel for years, but once I started to think about the Docklands as a setting for this story, I knew this film could work. Its an area of Melbourne that is well known for its problems as a new suburb. There is a feeling, something in your chest, as you walk around it that doesn’t sit right. As if the ghosts of all the tiny failures that created place are there with you. My main character and the setting then, are intrinsically connected.

The plight of the comedian has always interested me, as well as comedy. My 1st year films at the VCA have been an interrogation of comedy and absurdity, so I felt I was in good standing to tackle this story.

The stand up comedian’s task is so knife-edged: failure is always so close. Wanting to make someone laugh is a beautiful thing. But what happens if you want it a little too much? What happens if you don’t have the skill?

To be authentic is also a skill, and can be very hard. Failure, then, is often the most authentic act, and so terribly, utterly human, a direct window to our vulnerability - the Docklands, I believe, represents this idea too - and there is something beautiful in that.

I wanted to imbue the film with this feeling, so it may just sit there and slowly make its way into your consciousness as you witness the unfolding of events. A film just as a piece of music, that sets up a world, riffs and flows and then resolves itself just enough so it may end.

Cast and Crew

An initial fundraiser has already been held, right in the heart of the Docklands. A great night was had, with comedy performances, live music, and screenings of The Comedian, and another one of my shorts. It was a real variety night, with many performers being involved, and a really great atmosphere was created. $400 was raised on the night.







So the $400 and $1200 will go toward the following:
Create a poster and press kit
Make a DCP (digital cinema package) version of the film
Send to major international film festivals, the aim would 30+ festivals. Including the big ones, Venice, Sundance, Busan International, SXSW, MIFF, Telluride, Clermont-Ferrand etc

The film festivals all have different prices, but an average of around $45 is pretty fair, then of course postage and other things is extra, all in all it's an expensive act. Filmmaking is very expensive and I spent $10,000 on the film, not to mention the large HECS fees we have to endure as post-graduate students, and also worked very hard, along with many others, to bring it to its completion. So to see it now have an international life is important, and for the story and sentiment to touch people, to share its humour and mood, and for it to connect with people all around the world, as this character's journey is one I think most of us have undertaken at some point in our lives.

Please join The Comedian facebook page to keep up to date with news!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedian-short-film/1544396022452615?ref=hl

The challenges of making the film - which were many - have already been met. It was incredibly hard work, and the hours were long.









The challenge now, is to get this film seen.

Why should you care ? Is a good question, and one I have to acknowledge. All I can really say to that is, if you like art that is personal, that does not stick by some rules laid out, wants to try new things, and if you are in a position financially, please support this work. Check out the prizes too as the last prize might suit you especially. And thank you for reading !