Portrait - a short film by Charles Le Patourel

THE STORY

Portrait is an upcoming Australian gothic short film set in rural New South Wales. Inspired by true events, Portrait captures The Man as he goes about his day preparing the farm for the arrival of The Guest. Everything must be perfect.

THE INSPIRATION

In the United States in the 1920's a man had a picture taken. The events that followed shocked a community to the point that, nearly a century later, they are still discussed. The motives for what this man did remain a mystery and people continue to develop their own theories. 

Charles has written a modern Australian adaptation of this timeless story with a theory of his own. Portrait aims to challenge the fact that we do not like being left in the dark. We feel uncomfortable when we can't comprehend the reasons behind the actions of others but ultimately sometimes we will never know. 

THE TEAM

Cast

The Man - Charles Le Patourel

Charles Le Patourel is a British-born Australian actor based in Sydney, Australia. Portrait marks his debut as a writer, director and producer.

Charles has worked primarily in independent theatre over the past seven years performing with New Theatre, Sport for Jove, Brave New Word, and more. Charles works as a resident developer for Brave New Word, bringing new Australian works to life. He also creates immersive theatre experiences in Sydney and Melbourne with Secret Squirrel Productions through Underground Cinema, Feast of the Deceiver, and Murder. Charles is a founding member of OBAT, a North Shore based Theatre Company.

The Guest - Karina Banno

Karina Banno has over 10 years of experience as an actor. Represented in both Australia and Los Angeles; her acting credits include Melbourne International Film Festival selection 'Love Song Devotions' and 2013's 'Circle of Lies' where Karina was apart of the main ensemble cast. Karina will be appearing in ABC's special event drama The Easybeats later in 2017. She was drawn to Charles Le Patourel’s 'Portrait' due to its emotionally empowering writing and visuals, of which she's certain audiences will deeply connect with. 

Crew

Writer / Director / Producer - Charles Le Patourel

Director of Photography / Editor - Jonathon Mcnee

An actor as a youngster, a video producer as a supposed-adult, and a lifelong lover of image (especially when in motion). Jonny’s passion is marrying creative direction with technical know-how to bring original ideas to life in film.

For the past five years Jonny has worked for Australian and global brands among the likes of Coca-Cola, Hisense and Telstra, non-profits like IJM and The Wayside Chapel; helping tell their stories with an authentic message that doesn’t smack as plain-old advertising.

With experience in many different roles of the production process, and on the road to mastery of those he loves the most, Jonny is always final product focussed (having played the all-important role of audience member on countless projects, too). Each aspect of crafting a film weighs into an eventual viewer’s immediate impression, and lasting emotions. He delights in bringing all the pieces together to create an image that you’ll love too.

Assistant Director - Miriam Capper

Miriam is an actor and graduate of the International Screen Academy where she studied acting and filmmaking under the likes of  Philip Quast, Kevin Jackson, and Lyn Pierse. Miriam has written and directed two short films which are currently in post production and is a performance director for Underground Cinema’s immersive theatre events. Presenter and professional know-it-all, Miriam is a regular on SKIPI TV’s Watch This movie reviews and is the mouthpiece and coordinator of Sydney’s monthly Nerd Nite. 

 Miriam is excited to work with such a passionate cast and crew on a thought provoking story that recognises that even those who make the most extreme decisions are still just humans, doing their best.

Executive Producer - Nick Bolton

Nick is an Actor, Producer and Director, in film, video, theatre and online content.

Acting credits for TV include Inside Story, The Killing Fields, Deadly Women, and has appeared in Commercials for Best&Less, Volkswagen, Liptons Iced Tea, Old Spice, Altium, Sealys Beds, Harvey Norman, Arnotts, and Sprite.. 

Theatre credits include Our Country's Good, The Tempest, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Harvest, Little Voice, Calendar Girls, Shots, Proof, Inheritance, Love Puke, Blood Brothers, Lady Windermere’s Fan, and Inheritance. 

Nick appears in the new feature film 'Rough Stuff' which has just screened in cinemas. His first documentary 'The Art of Perseverance in Feature filmmaking' is in post production. 

Short films credits include Life (Best Film Sydney Fringe Festival 2014 and Best Actor, Lucky Film Festival 2013), My Brother Andy (Finalist, St Kilda Film Festival 2012), and Dreams of Evolution (Finalist, 2012 Queensland Poetry Film Festival), Sidekick, The Bolt (In the Bin 2008 Best Actor), Love your Thumbs (SONY PSP 2007 winner) and Bird Flew.  In April 2013, Nick won the NIDA Independent Producer Program competition and produced his new work SET the play at NIDA Parade Studios. 

In the corporate arena, he is an award winning All-Media Producer and strategic thinker in the digital and online video space, consulting for corporate and government organisations, with an entrepreneurial nature and proven business management experience.

Executive Producer - Jess Milne

Jess has extensive experience in the industry, having worked as a producer, director, strategist, and motion graphics artist in major organisations, including the Department of Defence, Mazda and the ACMA. At TEN ALPHAS, Jess does sales and marketing, strategy, and art direction. On set Jess is also a Director and Director of Photography.

She has degrees in Fine Art, Theatre and Digital Design.

Her rock documentary 'Off the Leash' exploring music in Chaing Mai, Thailand is about to be released.

She has worked on music videos for Silverchair, The Dissociatives, Magic Bullet and Acoustic Soul, and on the short films 'Smash the Mirror', 'Candy' and 'Elijah'. 

Stills Photographer - George Maher

George has had a passion for photography from his youth, taking after his father’s passion for the same thing. While developing his creative eye and style throughout the years he has worked primarily as a motion picture stills photographer as well as working in lifestyle and landscape photography.

George has worked with many known Australian actors and personalities like Chris Lilley, Delta Goodrem, Raechelle Banno and on many different short and feature films throughout his years while branching out internationally and working in the US.

While he is expanding his skill set into fashion and marketing photography with various different talent agencies and companies he still has firm roots in the film production industry as stills photographer. Coupled with working in his field of choice and his love for photographing the elements, ‘Portrait’ becomes a fantastic project for George to really sink his teeth into his craft and enjoy every moment of it.

Camera / Drone Operator - Matthew Atkins

Matthew Atkins is a Sydney based videographer. Since graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor in Interactive Media Design, Matthew took to shooting live music for local bands around Sydney.

Matthew is the National Video Producer for Nova’s Drive show Kate, Tim & Marty, and Nova’s nights show Smallzy’s Surgery. The role has taken him around the world, from shooting the Grammys in LA, to live performances around the world with artists such as Coldplay in Manchester, Tinie Tempah in London, Calvin Harris in Vegas, and Miley Cyrus in New York.

This will be the first short film Matthew has worked on, who is eager to break into the motion picture industry.

Make Up / SFX Artist - Sasha Barhon

Sound Recordist - Karina Banno

Composer - Lachlan McDonald

Safety Officer / Rigger - Joshua Bell

Location Manager - Amie Mcnee

THE LOCATION

Waldara Farm is a working farm and wedding venue in rural New South Wales.

http://www.waldara.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/waldarafarm
https://www.instagram.com/waldarafarm

Transport: $600 - the location is three hours out of Sydney and petrol is expensive.

Equipment hire: $600 - we originally had a much higher target but our friends in the film community have been able to provide us with a lot of equipment for free. There are still a few pieces we will have to hire.

Catering: $1,000 - eating make us happy and work hard.

Costume / props: $500 - to create the world of Portrait

Make up / SFX: $500 - the actors have demanded we make them look good

Post – production: $800 - colour grading, sound design and score composition take lots of time.

Festival entry fees: $1,000 - we would love to see this little Australian work being broadcast across Australia and internationally.

Total: $5,000

We strongly believe all artists and crew should be paid to make Australian art. If we can reach our target of $5000 we will hopefully be able to cover all costs and any extra will be split evenly between all cast and crew.

The weather is likely to be our biggest challenge. Shooting in mid Winter in Oberon means snow is a possibility and it has potential to be an uncomfortable shoot for the cast and crew. Adverse weather will push the shoot back as the majority of the shots are external however we do have back up shoot dates in place.

We can't wait to get this project made and to share it with our supporters. We appreciate every donation that will help make this film a possibility.

To follow the progress of the production please 'Like' the Facebook page and follow the director's instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/portraitashortfilm/

https://www.instagram.com/clepj92

If you need to contact the Portrait team please do so via our Facebook page or via email; [email protected]

Please feel free to share this campaign with friends and family.

Thank you, Charles and the Portrait Team