Maisie Cohen

The story...

Donna and Adam are a couple who like to spice up everyday life by taking on the personas of different characters from the movies, playing out these fantasies whenever the mood takes them. But the question of whether this is just a game or a form of escape from their relationship causes tension, - Adam can't be sure when Donna is Donna and when she's playing any number of screen heroines from cult films, the French New Wave or Film Noir femme fatales. The uncertainty caused by this blurring between performance and reality exposes the cracks in their relationship, and somehow triggers a series of mysteriously familiar characters to appear, offering both solace and danger.

Why...

Well, why not is really the question! But there is an ulterior motive here. I am making this film for my Honours project at UTS, and the narrative is influenced by my research around self presentation, fantasy and play. The story is one that has evolved out of previous ideas, and my interests over the past few years in the roles we play in life and the nature of identity, combined with my love of cinema.

That's where you come in...

Your help will enable me to realise this film, transforming it from a series of images playing in my head to one that I can bring to life and share with others. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated. The funds will go towards hiring camera gear, securing locations, production costs like transport and food for cast and crew, and post-production (effects, colour grading, etc.)

I’m really excited to get started on the production of this project, and I have a team of wonderful, talented people on board to help me do it.

Many thanks to Amy Janowski, Amy Broome and Justin Harvey for their help in the early stages of the film's pre-production. 

Introducing the cast and crew!

Writer/director/producer - Maisie Cohen

I am drawn to unique stories that are a creative mirror on the real world. I have a background in film, having completed my Bachelor of Arts in Communication; Media Arts and Production at UTS in 2009. My past projects have primarily been animation – I’ve made stop motion and hand drawn/computer animated short films that have been selected for various festivals and won awards, including the ATOM award for tertiary animation two years running. I’ve worked in various roles on other short films, but this is my first venture into live action as writer/director.

My website: http://www.madamemash.com/

DOP - Meg White

Meg White’s passion for photography, stills and cine, has led to work on a broad range of projects. With camera department experience in television (Underbelly: Razor), features (Burning Man, The Grandmothers and will be on the new Wolverine film) and independent short films, Meg is an aspiring DOP who strives to tell a story through every frame. In addition to her work on films she is also trying to produce a portraiture photography series And I Thought I Was Dreaming which she aims to exhibit.

To see some of Meg’s stills work check out: http://www.megwhite-photography.com/

1st Assistant Director - Clare Holland

Clare Holland is a filmmaker and artist interested in place and identity. She studied Media and Communications at the University of Technology Sydney and her graduate film, Jagdish Ji, screened at FlickerFest and St Kilda Film Festival. She recently completed a Grad Certificate in Directing from AFTRS and is currently developing a number of short films.

Production Design - Olya Ryjenko

Olya has a strong passion for DIY, which extends to her costume and fashion design, music and art practice. She is an avid greenie, ensuring that all her creative endeavours are carried out in consideration of her ethical and environmental ideals.

Sound Design - Ryan Dunwoodie 

Ryan is a Swiss army knife of audio genius. Location recording, sound design and music composition - a real triple threat in today's professional world.

Ryan has worked on various film projects, including recording and creating sound and music tracks for  Maisie's two previous animated films, and has worked on albums as a producer and musician. He is currently doing sound design for a soon-to-be launched web series called 'In Transit'. 

Original Music - Nic Cassey

Nic walks around sometimes with a cowboy hat on and the cowboy hat allows him to be a great artist. It is through the cowboy hat that he can see things that most people don't see. He also rides a bike that allows him to hear sounds which he believes contributes to the creation of music and art. 

Donna - Linda Ngo

Adam - Peter Maple

Gilda - Debbie Neilsen

Anna - Marine Roche

Pete - Arnould Gely