Downstream - A Short Film by Sophie Seyd

Directors Note - Sophie Seyd

This is my debut writing and directing for screen — a long time fantasy-come-reality due largely to the faith, support (and frankly, heckling) of my rousing friend and producer Georgina Savage. 

Downstream is a story born from the location in which the narrative is set; Cape Conran Coastal Park on the border of NSW in Victoria, Australia. A place where I have camped with my family and our closest friends almost every year since I was three (I am now twenty-four). 

During the early years I was one of few girls, and have always been one of the eldest. When we were children we ran around like Lord of the Flies and as we have grown, this ritualistic holiday has become a clear marker of developmental change. The story grew from the place. 

This film is a response to the present conversation pertaining to masculinity and gender politics. It is a coming of age story inspired by the young men I know and love.

Many thanks for your contribution to this film,

Sophie Seyd

Key Crew:

Producer - Georgina Savage

Screenwriter/ Director - Sophie Seyd

Production Designer - Elias Seyd

DOP - Jordan Kaye

Sound Recordist - David Ross

HMU Artist - Georgia Plummer

Composer - Maxi Roberts (Adonidia)

Cast: 

Harry - Dwin Lavery

Rich - Charlie Perry

Tom - Gabe Lillington

Quin - Elvis Walsh

Matrice - Tahnee Ollerton 

Pat - Stephen Mitchell

Quin's Mother - TBC

We are blessed to have an incredible creative team on Downstream who are mostly providing their services free of charge, for the love of the project and the passion for collaboration. However, we still have a series of costs for the production and post production of this project. 

We are shooting on location at Cape Conran National Park, which is 5 hours from Melbourne. 

Our total budget is at $8,800, however we are asking for our community to help us with the first $6000 and we will cover the rest through fund raisers and our own money. 

Budget Break Down:

Sound Recordist/ Boom Operator: $1500

Camera Department: $1500

Catering: $600

Transport: $600

Acommodation: $1000

Production Design (incl. Costume): $600

Post Production, Editing/ Colour Correction: $1000

Film Festival Submission Fees: $2000

Total: $8,800