SCRATCH Short Film
A$34,306
of $25,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 1st Jul 2012 at 2:00AM.
In the wake of life-threatening allergies, 13-year-old Henry must choose between his beloved cat and saving his new baby brother. Based on a true story, SCRATCH is a short film project being made by an award-winning team and starring Claudia Karvan.
* * *
* * *
Writer's thoughts
This is the story of a blended family. My family. It was like Sophie's Choice, where one is, as a mother, forced to put the needs of one child over the wellbeing of another. Not that there really was a choice when a baby’s life was in danger. But I’ll never forget that awful moment when I had to break my son's heart, by telling him about his cat.
Our baby had a lot of health problems and his first winter was hard, for all of us. Allergies and food intolerances are themselves a complex narrative thread, like a mystery novel, full of dead ends and red herrings. Twice he ended up in Intensive Care under the broad diagnosis of ‘bronchialitis’.
Once I'd gotten over the initial sadness of it all, I wrote an article and sent it to Fairfax for their Essential Kids website. They published it right away and shared it on Essential Baby too.
When I put the link on my own Facebook page, friends were berating me with "Damn you Rachael, I'm reading this at work and blubbing my eyes out", "Where are the tissues!". Then I read the comments on the Fairfax websites and saw the same thing. I was making strangers all over the country cry! It was then that I realised this story had an audience.
Director's thoughts
I read the article on Essential Baby and called Rachael straight away. I'd been waiting 7 years, since my last film, for a story that touched me like this. It was beautifully observed and heartfelt and I felt sure it’d make a great short film script.
As a parent to a child with allergies – for any parent really – there’s so much to relate to. On first reading, SCRATCH is a simple family drama. But it’s also a bittersweet coming-of-age story about the sacrifices we make for the people we love. Usually, we don’t have to make those sacrifices until we’re much older. In a sense, the choices he makes are about the kind of man he will become – and the kind of family he’s a part of.
I plan to make a warm, naturalistic film, a film that invokes what it is to be a kid – and the moment in all our lives when that reality starts to give way to something else… The painful, confusing and sometimes heart-sickening burdens of adulthood. All balanced against the choice confronting the boy’s mum. Some things never get easy – no matter how old you are.
But the thing that gets you through is family. In the end, that’s what I want SCRATCH to be about. A poetic little ode to the sustenance and renewal that the love of your family gives you.
Producers' thoughts
SCRATCH is a story of the moment. Blended families and childhood allergies are topical themes, as seen in the The Age article ‘The Age of Intolerance’ (22/11/11) and another in The Sydney Morning Herald last year (14/7/11) that went as far as to call Australia “the allergy capital of the world”. But more than anything, this is a charming and heartfelt story about family and sacrifice that we feel strongly will travel, talking to audiences of all stripes.
With a powerful script, a passionate director and some award-winning crew, we've now attached Claudia Karvan (SPIRITED, LOVE MY WAY, HEARTBREAK HIGH) – a multiple Logie/AFI award winner with wide audience appeal.
From here, what we need most is funds. Begging, borrowing and stealing from friends and family will take us some of the way, but we need your help to finance the majority.
Once completed, we will distribute the film through the festival circuit, where we’re sure it will enjoy widespread appreciation. We hope you'll be a part of this journey with us. Please see Rewards (right) for how to help us get there - and get this important story out there. And enjoy private screenings, DVDs, commemorative Cat mugs and even the chance to star along the way.
Keep updated on the film
Like us at facebook.com/ScratchShortFilm/
HELPING HAND<br /><br /> If you just want to throw some good karma our way, you will have our eternal gratitude.<br />
3 chosen
Est. delivery is May 12
ACTIVE AUDIENCE<br /><br /> Keen to be part of telling a great story? Your contribution will be gratefully marked by a 'With Thanks' credit online.
19 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 12
DIGITAL MASTER<br /><br /> Being a modern viewer, you’ll receive a 'With Thanks' credit online, together with a download of the finished film once it has concluded its run on the festival circuit.<br />
31 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
FILM LOVER<br /><br /> Love a good story? Supporter of Aussie filmmaking? Support SCRATCH at this level and you’ll receive a signed copy of the script, together with a cast-and-crew DVD of the final film so you can see how the leap was made from page to screen. You’ll also receive: a 'With Thanks' credit online, a download of the finished film once it has concluded its run on the film festival circuit and a postcard of the film’s marketing still.<br />
28 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
VIRTUAL CREW<br /> <br /> You’ll get two tickets to the cast-and-crew screening. Join the people who actually made the film as they see the finished product for the first time. You’ll also receive: a signed copy of the script and a cast-and-crew DVD, a 'With Thanks' credit online, a download of the finished film once it has concluded its run on the film festival circuit and a postcard of the film’s marketing still.<br />
13 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
ANIMAL LOVER<br /><br /> You’ll receive a lovingly crafted photo of Howie the hero cat from SCRATCH and a commemorative Howie (the film cat) mug. You’ll also receive: a signed copy of the script and a cast-and-crew DVD, a 'With Thanks' credit online, a download of the finished film once it has concluded its run on the film festival circuit and a postcard of the film’s marketing still. Includes a $5 donation to the Cat Protection Society of Australia
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
ANIMAL CELEBRITY<br /><br /> Your own furry friend can make his or her film debut in SCRATCH. Send us a picture of your beloved pet and he/she will appear as one of Howie the Cat’s online 'Catbook' friends. You’ll also receive: a commemorative Howie mug, a 'With Thanks' online, a download of the finished film once it has concluded its run on the film festival circuit and a postcard of the film’s marketing still. Includes a $5 donation to the Cat Protection Society of Australia.
0 chosen / 4 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
FILM CONOISSEUR<br /><br /> Conjure up this contribution and you’ll be part of a select screening of the finished film over wine and nibblies and spend time with the filmmakers as we take you through the magic behind making the film. You’ll also receive: a 'With Thanks' credit online, a signed copy of the script and a cast-and-crew DVD, a download of the finished film once it has concluded its run on the film festival circuit, a commemorative Howie mug and a postcard of the film’s marketing still.
5 chosen / 15 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
MOVIE EXTRA<br /><br /> Be an extra for a day, working and eating with the crew. PLUS an exclusive on-set photo (subject to conditions) with actor Claudia Karvan, taken by an award-winning portrait photographer. You’ll also receive: your name in the extras credits, a signed copy of the script and a cast-and-crew DVD, a download of the finished film once it has concluded its run on the film festival circuit, a commemorative Howie mug and a postcard of the film’s marketing still.
1 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
CAPED CRUSADER<br /><br /> As our hero, you will enjoy an intimate screening of the finished film in your home for you and your guests. We will take you through the process, from script to post, with a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the action. You will also receive: your name in the credits, a signed copy of the script and a cast-and-crew DVD, a download of the finished film once it has finished the festival circuit, a commemorative Howie mug and a postcard of the film’s marketing still.
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
UNDISCOVERED GENIUS<br /><br /> Doctor with a dusty script in the bottom drawer? Renowned film/TV producer Matt Carroll will spend a 2-hr session discussing your project's potential. You will also receive: your name in the credits, a signed copy of the script and a cast-and-crew DVD, a download of the finished film once it has finished the festival circuit, a commemorative Howie mug and a postcard of the film’s marketing still.
0 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER<br /><br /> Dreammakers, you'll receive an EP’s credit on the film as one of 3 names (max) on a single card credit in the same block as the Writer, Director and Producers, and on IMDB. PLUS access to set to see them at work. You will also receive: your name in the credits, a signed copy of the script and a cast-and-crew DVD, a download of the finished film once it has finished the festival circuit, a commemorative Howie mug and a postcard of the film’s marketing still.<br />
2 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
ANGEL INVESTOR<br /><br /> You are a true gift. Consequently, you get a seat at the right hand of the Director. During the shoot, you'll be welcomed on-set, ushered to a chair at the video-split as all of the action unfolds. You also receive an EP credit in the film and IMDB, a signed copy of the script and a cast-and-crew DVD, a download of the finished film once it has finished the festival circuit, a commemorative Howie mug and a postcard of the film’s marketing still.<br />
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14