BABY

A comedic drama short film.

Baby, a seventeen-year-old girl with severely misunderstood communication skills, falls into one sided love for the first time with her family’s new farm hand Geoffrey (18) and as her love takes control, mischief inevitably follows as she tries to win him over with grand and ridiculous romantic gestures.

SYNOPSIS 

Poorly educated and confined by her mother, seventeen year old Baby’s quirkiness and immaturity has flourished in her isolation as she spends her days tending to her extravagant flower garden. An extraordinarily handsome, tall and swoon worthy young man named Geoffrey (18) moves onto her 1950’s farm as the new farm hand. Baby is instantly infatuated with Geoffrey and in her world, exists the fantasy that Geoffrey could love her just as much in return. After Baby’s intrusive proclamations of one-sided love are received unwillingly by Geoffrey, she must decide whether to listen to her mother's manipulative intrusions or trust her desires and continue on her far from simple quest for a whirlwind romance, but not without creating some havock in a way that is so uniquely, Baby.

INSPIRATION AND IMPACT

There's a little bit of Baby in all of us. She is every bit awkward, uncomfortable, forward, intrusive and loveable.  The writing of this narrative was truly inspired by strong, independent characters that dominate the screen with their quirkiness and individuality, which we all love. Its their uniqueness that makes them so enticing. Baby is absurd, different, misunderstood, naïve and gentle; this is her world, we're just living in it.

When developing this film the purpose has always been to purely entertain and create a cathartic experience for the viewer. Whilst the comedic content of the film is intertwined with powerfuly uncomfotable and confronting themes, at the soul of the narrative is the intention of a humbling and frustrating tale, that leaves you purely satisfied with how you spent the last 12 minutes. 

“With this film, I’m truly invested in creating a narrative that is equally as funny as it is melancholily powerful. This character has developed into a true, quirky and honest representation of herself through her isolation and forced social withdrawal. I’m excited for the audience to witness that whilst Baby thinks, acts and sees a little differently to us, she is still validly and intricately marvellous.”  Emma.

***THE SUMMER SCREENING TICKET REWARD OPTION FOR $75 INCLUDES TWO TICKETS 

MEET THE CREW!

Producer, Madison Westbrook!

Introducing our French speaking producer Maddison Westbrook! Maddie is an extremely talented producer who has produced multiple short films over the past few years. Maddie’s favourite thing about the 1950’s were the classic, fashion silhouettes. She is extremely excited to create the unique world of ‘Baby’ and can’t wait for audiences to see this truly unique, heart-warming and oddly comedic story come to life.

Writer and Director, Emma Wardell!

Introducing our mathematics loving writer and director, Emma Wardell! Emma’s favourite thing about the 1950’s was the birth of her favourite musician, Stevie Wonder, and also the birth of Dennis Quaid. Bringing this narrative and specifically its protagonist to life, has been a dream of Emma's for 3 years now. This story has brewed and developed into an exciting and comedic tale that she is so extremely passionate about and is excited to finally create and share with you! 

Director of Photography, Luke Hotchkin Van Neuren!

Introducing our Director of Photography that would rather die than edit a film, Luke Hotchkin van Neuren! Luke is most comfortable with the camera in his hands and has been the cinematographer for multiple short films over the past few years. Luke’s favourite thing about the 1950’s was the fact that there were more natural environments that hadn’t been urbanised. Therefore, the vast landscape that acts as a character itself in ‘Baby’ is something that Luke is excited about and he is also keen to portray the intricacies of Baby’s character through the art of cinematography.

*Photo by Ivy Mutuku

Production Designer, Matt Garrand!

Introducing our pasta loving production designer, Matthew Garrand! This production design wiz, is thrilled to be building the visual world of ‘Baby.’ With potentially an undiagnosed intellectual disability, Baby has developed a truly unique and authentic perspective of the world. Matt looks forward to bringing the vibrant, playful and beautiful subjectivity of Baby to the screen. Matt’s favourite thing about the 1950s are the elite tunes produced. Check out instagram for a mixtape he's created for you!

Editor, Sam McGowan!

Introducing our editor who saw Fast and Furious 7 in the cinema three times, Sam McGowan! Sam’s favourite thing about the 1950’s are the melodramatic films. He is also a lover of romantic comedies, so the awkward romantic tension between Baby and the farmhand Geoffrey is something he’s particularly excited to create and emphasise through his role.

Sound Designer, Laurence LaRosa!

Introducing our human biology loving sound designer, Laurence LaRosa! Laurence is a sound design lover and knows that’s exactly what he loves the most. Laurence’s favourite thing about the 1950’s is ‘Put Your Head on My Shoulder’ by Paul Anka (thanks to Emma for forcing the crew to listen to it, seriously go and put it on right now) and he is extremely excited to enhance the quirky and fun perspective of Baby through the sound design of the film.

*Reward designs are subject to change*

BUDGET

A huge portion of the budget is being funded by the crew itself but most importantly, we can’t do this without you! We especially need your help to bring this vision to life. The budget that we are crowdfunding will assist in all departments including: Casting, accommodation, equipment hire, catering, set facilities, set design, costume, props, music, transport and location hire, just to name a few.

By donating to our pozible, you’ll not only be bringing our vision to life but more importantly you’ll be supporting and encouraging not only young Australian filmmakers but also the production of Australian films, so in advance, thank you.

This film is a heart-warming and entertaining story that’s just as comedic as it is bittersweet. We hope that you will fall in love with Baby just as much as we have, and we can’t wait to share her world with you.