'Euxine' - Short Film
A$3,320
of $3,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 30th Jul 2014 at 12:31PM.
‘Euxine’ will be the graduate short film of VCA’s Master of Film and TV student and writer/director Tess Hutson, produced by Master of Producing student Alexandra Roach.
This short film will be an historical drama that follows the story of Euxine’s second mate (James). The men have been at sea for thirteen days when the longboat encounters a storm, snapping the mast and washing all remaining food overboard. Days pass and the men are tortured by their pain and haunted by shared hallucinations. They soon descend into a primal state of self-preservation, finally targeting the youngest and weakest member of their crew, Zuffo. James faces a choice: lose his life or his humanity.
The film focuses on the distinction between criminal and ‘moral’ behaviour. We're investigating what drives a person to commit violent acts, and whether this potential resides in us all.
We are making this project because we are passionate storytellers and eager filmmakers, and what better way to kick-start that journey than by creating a physically and thematically challenging short film. We’ve heard the word ‘ambitious’ a lot during the earlier stages of the film, and yes - the film is very ambitious. And so are we!
This short film will be an historical drama that follows the story of Euxine’s second mate (James). The men have been at sea for thirteen days when the longboat encounters a storm, snapping the mast and washing all remaining food overboard. Days pass and the men are tortured by their pain and haunted by shared hallucinations. They soon descend into a primal state of self-preservation, finally targeting the youngest and weakest member of their crew, Zuffo. James faces a choice: lose his life or his humanity.
The film focuses on the distinction between criminal and ‘moral’ behaviour. We're investigating what drives a person to commit violent acts, and whether this potential resides in us all.
We are making this project because we are passionate storytellers and eager filmmakers, and what better way to kick-start that journey than by creating a physically and thematically challenging short film. We’ve heard the word ‘ambitious’ a lot during the earlier stages of the film, and yes - the film is very ambitious. And so are we!
Who we are
Writer/director - Tess Hutson:
Hailing from Sydney, Tess attended Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and spent her teenage years engaged with theatre and film. With an undergraduate degree in film and digital art (BVA, University of Sydney), Tess is now in her final year of a Master of Film and Television at the Victorian College of the Arts. She combines her conceptual, theoretical and technical skills to bring her original creativity to the screen. Her work to date explores themes of time and memory, usually with a surreal bent. Her screenplay ‘Euxine’ was recently awarded the Postgraduate Film and Television (Narrative) Production Script Award sponsored by Moving Clickers. As part of the award she has received a mentorship from the Australian Directors Guild (ADG). She also makes a mean pie.
Producer - Alexandra Roach:
Alex is an emerging producer from the Victorian College of the Arts’ Master of Producing course, having spent the last year writing and producing a number of shorts along with graduating with a degree in media and communications (BProfComn, RMIT University). She is currently working on several graduating films at the VCA and to this she brings infinite curiosity, energy and commitment. She runs marathons, loves the Meisner acting technique and is also a superwoman.
Production Manager - Kate Kennard:
Having lived and worked in Los Angeles since graduating with a film degree (Northwestern University), Kate has had the amazing opportunity to work with some of the industry's greats. She got her start working as an assistant to director Peter Bogdanovich and has since worked in TV and film; her credits including AMC’s Mad Men. Kate is currently working as a production manager for an up-and-coming record company based in London and is also writing a zombie movie.
Hailing from Sydney, Tess attended Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and spent her teenage years engaged with theatre and film. With an undergraduate degree in film and digital art (BVA, University of Sydney), Tess is now in her final year of a Master of Film and Television at the Victorian College of the Arts. She combines her conceptual, theoretical and technical skills to bring her original creativity to the screen. Her work to date explores themes of time and memory, usually with a surreal bent. Her screenplay ‘Euxine’ was recently awarded the Postgraduate Film and Television (Narrative) Production Script Award sponsored by Moving Clickers. As part of the award she has received a mentorship from the Australian Directors Guild (ADG). She also makes a mean pie.
Producer - Alexandra Roach:
Alex is an emerging producer from the Victorian College of the Arts’ Master of Producing course, having spent the last year writing and producing a number of shorts along with graduating with a degree in media and communications (BProfComn, RMIT University). She is currently working on several graduating films at the VCA and to this she brings infinite curiosity, energy and commitment. She runs marathons, loves the Meisner acting technique and is also a superwoman.
Production Manager - Kate Kennard:
Having lived and worked in Los Angeles since graduating with a film degree (Northwestern University), Kate has had the amazing opportunity to work with some of the industry's greats. She got her start working as an assistant to director Peter Bogdanovich and has since worked in TV and film; her credits including AMC’s Mad Men. Kate is currently working as a production manager for an up-and-coming record company based in London and is also writing a zombie movie.
About our Pozible campaign
First and foremost, this project wouldn’t be possible without the generously discounted resources and services quoted by our suppliers. We are humbled and thankful that we already have a community who believe in this film and are actively supporting it. This support so far has come from our lecturers, peers, family, film industry professionals, writers, marine specialists, shipwreck enthusiasts, makeup artists, costume makers, and the lovely people down at the Alma Doepel Restoration Project (more on that later on in the campaign).
But we still have a long way to go! In order to bring this story to life we’re looking for the generosity of friends, family, friends-of-friends, family-of-friends, and complete strangers...who will then become friends!
Having already raised $11K, we’re hoping to raise a further $3000 through crowdfunding. If we don’t reach the target, we won’t receive anything so we have settled for a conservative figure (relative to the budget). There’s no limit to the amount that we are allowed to raise through this campaign so yes, we hope that we surpass the $3000 mark.
But we still have a long way to go! In order to bring this story to life we’re looking for the generosity of friends, family, friends-of-friends, family-of-friends, and complete strangers...who will then become friends!
Having already raised $11K, we’re hoping to raise a further $3000 through crowdfunding. If we don’t reach the target, we won’t receive anything so we have settled for a conservative figure (relative to the budget). There’s no limit to the amount that we are allowed to raise through this campaign so yes, we hope that we surpass the $3000 mark.
The story of Euxine
The British Collier ‘Euxine’ (pronounced ‘Yook - sin’, meaning ‘Black Sea’) left North Shields for Aden on June 11th, 1874. In early August, after encountering severe weather, smoke was seen rising from her ventilators, and by August 8th it became clear that there was a fire in the hold. The crew took to longboats and abandoned the Euxine, setting a course for St. Helena.
Our story follows one of the longboats in the days following the abandoning of the Euxine.
Our story follows one of the longboats in the days following the abandoning of the Euxine.
How The Funds Will Be Used
Poring over the budget, we’ve put on our serious faces and have used sober judgment to ensure that every single dollar works hard for us. The overall budget is coming in at $27K. For all of you curious ones out there, we have included a breakdown of the budget below.
If money isn’t your thing at the moment and you think you can help with this project in any other way, we’d love to hear from you. If you have some time on your hands and you’d like to invest a few minutes into our project, spreading the word about our campaign would be a huge contribution!
If money isn’t your thing at the moment and you think you can help with this project in any other way, we’d love to hear from you. If you have some time on your hands and you’d like to invest a few minutes into our project, spreading the word about our campaign would be a huge contribution!
The Challenges
Our biggest challenges so far have to do with water: electricity and rigging around water, actors in water, shooting in wet weather, and boat safety.
Allow us to assure you that we’ve done our research and have received some amazing advice from experienced practitioners, resulting in a plethora of strategies to shoot the film without needing to be in the middle of the ocean for seven days. The magic of filmmaking!
We don’t want to ruin all the magic for you, but we do want you to know we have carefully planned the shoot in order to successfully capture this epic tale.
Allow us to assure you that we’ve done our research and have received some amazing advice from experienced practitioners, resulting in a plethora of strategies to shoot the film without needing to be in the middle of the ocean for seven days. The magic of filmmaking!
We don’t want to ruin all the magic for you, but we do want you to know we have carefully planned the shoot in order to successfully capture this epic tale.
Public 'Thank you!'
Thanks and welcome aboard, you’re officially part of making this project happen! Every dollar counts. In fact, we’ve calculated that if around half of our friends gave $5 each we’d reach our goal! To mark this special occasion we’ll put a personalised thank you on Facebook so that everyone can see what a generous person you are!
3 chosen
Est. delivery is Aug 14
Name in credits!
Congratulations and thanks! You’ve just helped us to purchase and hire essential props and costumes for our cast. Not only will you get a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that you’ve helped make this project happen, we’ll give you a big thank you on Facebook and your name will appear in the film credits as a crowdfunding supporter!
15 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Personalised letter!
That was really generous of you, thank you! Your contribution means that one of our actors will have makeup for a day. They’ll be forever grateful to you that they don’t need to spend ten years living as a merchant sailor to play this role convincingly! In addition to all of the above you will receive a personalised letter of thank you from members of the cast and crew.
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Wow, now you’re really impressing us. Thank you! You’ve just helped us lock in an operations crew for the most essential location of the shoot - the boat! Without trained crew and operations support, our excellent boat would be entirely useless to us. To show our deep gratitude, in addition to all of the above you will receive a digital download of the film upon release.
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Original still!
This just keeps getting better. Philanthropy is your thing isn’t it? Well, you can be satisfied knowing that you’ve just contributed to the hiring of our most important prop for one day: the longboat! In addition to all of the above, you will receive a printed 8” x 10” original still of the film upon release.
1 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Credit, script & letter!
May the bird of paradise sprinkle many sunflower seeds on your fruit salad. I hope you can hear our screams of excitement through your screen. We’re probably crying a bit, too. In addition to all of the above, you will receive a major crowdfunding sponsor credit in the film and if you’re a business we can feature your logo in this credit. You will also receive a printed and bound copy of the award winning script along with a personal letter from writer/director Tess Hutson.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
Sponsorship
If you’re a business and interested in sponsoring us, let’s talk! We are open to discuss tailoring a sponsorship pack that floats your boat (we are allowed a second pun, right?)
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14