Patch Adams Productions

Patch Adams Productions in collaboration with writer/director James Vinson are working together for the first time on a short film called Airgirl. A biographical drama depicting the true story of legendary aviatrix Jean Batten. As she enters for final year of stardom, Batten grapples with the lonely consequence of a life flying solo. Airgirl is the first periodic endeavor from both Patch Adams and James Vinson. The project has managed to get through production on budget, now opening up to crowd funding to source the funds for the final stages. 

PATCH ADAMS PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS:
AIRGIRL: A Short Film


A biographical drama depicting the true story of legendary aviatrix Jean Batten. As she enters her final year of stardom, Batten grapples with the lonely consequence of a life flying solo.

SYNOPSIS:
Air Girl is a short semi-biographical film based on the trials and tribulations of legendary aviatrix Jean Batten. The film itself centres on the return of Jean after her successful solo flight from Australia to England.

We meet her in the aviation fields in Ballarat in 1937 during her return reception at a cocktail venue. Throughout the evening she is confronted by a number of historical figures that all contributed to shaping the great Jean Batten. The evening takes us on journey through both the troubles that Jean has faced in the past and her outlook for the future.



Director/Writer Notes;
JAMES VINSON:

James is fledging writer director and a recent graduate from the University of Melbourne. After majoring in screenwriting and cultural cinema studies, James continues to advance his filmmaking skills by directing independent productions. He has since garnered a range of local and international festival accolades, and his most recent short film entitled Abraxas was officially selected for the Cannes Festival Short Film Corner and showcased at the American Online Film Awards. In the near future, James aspires to further his studies at the prestigious National Film and Television School in the United Kingdom.

What’s driving you to bring Jean’s story to life?

What first drew me to Jean Batten’s story was her uncompromising sense of purpose. I was in awe of her will to accomplish so much whilst defying the social expectations of her time.

Of course, her success was not without personal tragedy, and this aspect of Jean’s story made her instantly relatable, and I was compelled to tell her story. Unlike Amelia Earhart (or others like her), Jean was rarely shown charity, and fought hard for every opportunity she could afford. Her resolve was impressive, but intimidating to those who tried to be close with her, and there’s sadness to that. After receiving such mass adulation during the height of her career, it’s heartbreaking to know that she passed away in exile, estranged from friends and family.



Jean had a calling to be a wanderer of the skies. I believe this calling gave her strength, and immense willpower, but I also think it undeniably contributed to her ultimate loneliness. I’d like to pay tribute to that.
How will audiences benefit from this piece?
Whilst this film doesn’t seek to educate the audience on precise dates or events throughout Jean’s lifetime, I believe the film accurately encapsulates her personality
as it was behind the scenes. It’s well documented that during her later years, Jean began to lose her grip on reality as she distanced herself from the limelight during World War II and beyond. Aviation was her entire reason for being, her singular passion in life, and when she was forced to grapple with the notion that her flying days were coming to an end, we can only speculate the emotional pain she must have endured. Ultimately our film seeks to render a vivid portrayal of this emotional transition, a story that has never yet been told.



How are we delivering this aviation story, differently than the others before us eg. Aviator, FlyBoys, Amelia?

Unlike various aviation biographical films that have come before (such as Amelia,
The Aviator, or Flyboys), our film seeks to deliver a far more grounded study of Jean’s character. We’re more interested in depicting her intimate struggles with fame and isolation rather than showcasing her glamorous lifestyle with excessive action
or stylised visual effects. Although Amelia’s script admirably adhered to historical accuracy, the film was more concerned with sum of her accomplishments, and there was little dramatic emphasis given to who Amelia Earhart was as a woman. And whilst The Aviator is certainly an impressive film and a great inspiration to our piece, we’re striving for a more subtle approach to Jean’s portrayal onscreen.

 

OUR INTENTION FOR COLLABORATION
Jean’s story stems from a complex female protagonist placed within a romantic pre‐war era. Audiences will be engaged with the historical significance of the piece, and find the narrative thematically challenging and emotionally stirring. With these combined factors this piece has the capacity to be an international festival winner, and if successful, carries the potential to be made into a theatrical feature film, showing the full extent of Jean Batten’s fascinating biography.

This film is conceived to be used as an educational tool, commercial entertainment,
or even a historical exhibit. It’s a boasts a unique connection between Australia and New Zealand. Not only is this film about Jean Batten, but it also features the Australian aviation icon Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. We’re seeking to capture the nostalgia, adventure, and tragedy associated with these pioneering pilots of the 1930s. It’s a rich period in history that Australian cinema has never fully realised, and it’s a tremendous opportunity for enthusiasts to give Jean’s story the exposure it deserves.




Patch Adams intends to enter the short into a large array of top tier international film festivals. We believe the story has such merit in the Australian film market, there is a gap we aspire to fill bringWng Jean Batten’s untouched story to life on an international platform. Patch Adams Productions is so excited to be able to produce such original and honest story telling, we hope you’ll join us for the flight.

Contact us:

WHERE WiLL THE MONEY BE SPENT:
As you can see from the images we have completed principle photography. But now we are calling on you for some help with the last steps we simply want to be able to finish mastering and giving this film the extra shine it deserves.


-Colour grade
-Sound master
-Festival entry
-Promotional materials

Being an aviation film, the project requires visual effects and a lot of studio time to bring it to life.
With our incredible editor and visual effects master Darius Family on board, we hope to bring the finished product out of post-production and distribute Jean's story internationally. 
The funds via Pozible will be spend colour grading, the edit, sound mixing/mastering, deliverables and cover our festival entry costs to make sure Airgirl is seen around the world! 

See below the work of Darius Family:

As a collective, we've received so much support from our peers, and we need a final push to get us out of the edit and to the finish line.