The Act of Storytelling

Frank Ryan survived the drought, he put food on the table for his children and a roof over their heads, and he raised them to be strong enough to face the world. 

And now he has time on his hands...

We want the best for those we love... but what if we don’t have the words to let them know?

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THE FILM

Before I Go is a short film about life, love and legacy, that looks at three generations of one family in country Australia, and aims to tackle issues surrounding male mental health.

The film has been developed over the last two years by creative professionals and The Act of Storytelling co-founders, Lauren Bailey and Nick Cain. The story draws from both personal events and conversations to examine the impact of stereotyping and fixed gender norms on the mental health of men in regional Australia, including the effect this has on the community and those closest to them.

Shot in the beautiful surrounds of Nick’s home, the twin town’s of Koondrook/ Barham, we have been working with the local community and organisations, and hope to continue igniting conversations and spreading awareness of these issues via a local screening in 2019.

THE CAST

The main cast of the film is made up of three generations of the Ryan Family:

FRANK RYAN

Strong, steady and stoic, retired dairy farmer, Frank Ryan, is brought to life with warmth and sensitivity by Australian television, film and theatre actor, David Ross Paterson (Saving Mr Banks, Chopper, The Revenant, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).

ELSIE RYAN

Frank’s granddaughter, Elsie Ryan, is played with sensitivity, curiosity and joy by young actress, Maisy Lester Bryant, currently in rehearsals for the Melbourne Arts Centre’s upcoming season of Evita - the Musical.

LUKE RYAN

Warm and outgoing, Luke Ryan, has a deep sense of responsibility for his daughter, Elsie, and is played with love, humour and vulnerability by theatre and film actor, Nick Cain (Neighbours, Utopia, Home & Away).

MEGAN RYAN

Luke’s sister and Elsie’s Aunty M, Megan Ryan is used to keeping an eye on her family and just getting on. Brought to life by theatre and film actress, Lauren Bailey (House Husbands, Neighbours).

The supporting cast comprises some fantastic Australian talent including Josephine Croft (Larry the Wonderpup, Telepathy), Anthea Davis (Corelli, The Jammed), Chad O'Brien (Lawless: The Real Bushrangers, Fragrant Rice), Steph Evison Williams (Rostered On), Josh Futcher (Conspiracy 365, Fight Like A Girl).

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Lauren Bailey and Nick Cain are Australian performing artists and creative professionals with over two decades of experience in the Arts Industry. In 2013 they combined their creative talents to form The Act of Storytelling, a content production company that aims to challenge the human experience and impact the world through art.

After 4 years of podcasting, vlogging and blogging, this is The Act of Storytelling’s second short film production, following the success of the company’s first film, In Life Today, which premiered at the 26th International FlickerFest Short Film Festival, and won Best Actress and Best Screenplay for SIPFest at the Gold Coast Film Festival 2017, Before I Go is different in genre, complexity and aim.

Lauren and Nick have focussed on bringing on board some fantastic creative talent, behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera, to bring this story to life. At every step during the creation of the film the focus has been to both break down gender rigidity and include a diverse range of creatives at all levels, including a cast and crew of 50% female/male roles.

 Executive Producer/Actor - Lauren Bailey

 Lauren is an actor, writer, voice over artist and filmmaker who has been working in the industry for nearly two decades.       Lauren is represented by Emma Raciti Management.

 Executive Producer/Actor - Nick Cain

 Nick is an actor, producer, presenter and voice over artist with over ten years experience. He is proudly represented 

 by Expression Arts Management.

 Producer - Fiona McCarthy

 Gloss Productions founder, Fiona McCarthy, has years of experience globally managing projects, people and budgets to       produce corporate film, television, documentary and more.

 Producer/Actor - Josephine Croft

 Josephine has produced documentary Hitting Zero: A Legacy, and has a few projects in development, including Season 2     Hitting Zero: All Girl, as well as two feature films based on real life stories.

 Director - Mika Tran

 Mika is an independent filmmaker with a passion for stories about social justice and the human condition. She co-directed         Series 2 of ABC’s Twentysomething, and her debut short film, Shrapnel, was nominated  for an SBS Award at the St.Kilda         Film Festival.

 Cinematographer - Jaque Fisher

 Jaque Fisher works as a cinematographer in narrative and documentary, a relationship he finds to be mutually beneficial to         both forms of storytelling.

 Production Designer - Fiona McLean

 Fiona is an established Production Designer and Set Dresser in the television and film industry who has recently relocated to    Australia from the UK.

 Production Manager - Melanie Killingsworth

 Melanie is a filmmaker and director, with over 10 years experience in American and Australian productions, who loves coffee    and noir as  dark as 2AM.

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Full cast & crew listing @ IMDb 

DISTRIBUTION

Initially, the focus is on releasing Before I Go in domestic and international film markets, but beyond that it is our intention and desire to ensure as many people see this film as possible.

We are currently in discussion with broadcasters with a view to screening as part of a wider program to discuss the issue of male mental health in our rural areas as well as in the community in general.

We also have interest from a number of organisations dealing with depression, suicide prevention and mental health, and will be cementing these partnerships once post-production on the film is completed. We intend to work within these partnerships to explore every opportunity for the film to gain as large an audience as possible, including the opportunity for school and regional screenings.

WHERE THE MONEY WILL GO

A short film by name and a massive film endeavour by nature, the effort to bring Before I Go to screens has already involved a large amount of financing, as well as a huge amount of work from a group of amazing individuals.

The community of Koondrook/Barham, where filming took place last month, has been hugely supportive of the film’s production. Sponsorship and support from local companies and respresentatives includes - the Murray River Council, Koondrook Barham Bridge Newspaper, Murray River Accounting, Barham Koondrook Lions Club and Lighthouse Rentals, Melbourne – and has allowed us to begin the making of the film. 

Aside from this, the project is self-funded, and the crowdfunding from this campaign will be the much needed extra funds to complete production, pay cast & crew and bring the film to life!

Donations toward Before I Go will go towards these areas of production:

• $7,000 - Art Department, Wardrobe and Equipment Hire

Covering the essentials required to build the set, dress the actors and film the production.

• $5,000 – Accommodation & Catering

Covering accommodation and catering costs that are supporting local businesses.

• $3,000 - Post Production, Promotion & Marketing

Covers post production, including editing, sound design and colour grading, as well as marketing and film festival submission fees. Post production will be completed in time to submit for the Cannes Film Festival 2019.

To partner as an official sponsor, please contact [email protected].

SHARE THE JOURNEY

PLEDGE TO HELP US BRING THE FILM TO LIFE

Your pledge toward the creation and distribution of this film is supporting Australian stories and helping to tackle issues surrounding mental health, at all levels.

SHARE THE LOVE

For those of you who are not able to contribute at this stage, we completely understand but you can still help! Please share the love by spreading the word far and wide on social media and helping us to make some noise about our campaign.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM

Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date on the progress of the film, share in behind the scenes photos from the shoot and more:

https://www.instagram.com/beforeigothefilm

https://www.facebook.com/beforeigothefilm

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Photos courtesy of Murray River Photographer - Alicia McInnes - @murrayriverphotographer

Lighting by Lighthouse Rentals - https://www.facebook.com/LighthouseRentals.Melb