WILDERWORLD

                                                   It’s a Wilder World

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As to how it came about exactly I can speculate but there are certain things that took place which led to the gestation of WilderWorld.

 

In 1987, six months or so after I began working in my first job in TV I saw an opportunity to play around with my first film, 1982’s Deadly Vacation. There was that middle section of the film where an accidental recording of a few seconds took place, (thanks to Alan) and the horrible Radio News Voiceover (thanks to me) that I wanted to eliminate. Plus I wanted to add some music etc., none of the options available to me in ’82. In fact, we were using a very old VHS camera with the recorder completely separate, connected by a cable, much like the TV cameras of the day. Video cameras for hire were a brand new thing back then and it cost a fair bit to hire. ($100 for the weekend. Approximately $250 today, and we were working class).

 

We had to shoot it in one take only, in order of the script (unheard of in film), with very limited capability’s. Hard to believe it turned out at all. Looking back, especially given my complete inexperience and age (15), it’s quite a feat.

 

So having ‘corrected’ it and had the five year anniversary premiere at my Shepparton flat in 1987 with most of the original cast, I saw an opportunity to create something new, using the facilities at my television work.

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I began writing WilderWorld on my small dining room table in Macintosh Street Shepparton in early ’88. My girlfriend Lyndall and her friend Vicki (who worked at GMV6 too) typed it up for me. I don’t recall handwriting it. (Update. I found the old script in Dec ’17. Handwritten first) I can only remember that the script was printed on ‘computer printer’ paper with dotted perforations on the side. That document is still around somewhere.

 

As is my pattern, which I can determine now, but not then, is that I take some elements of real life and build a story around it. Whether it’s a fiction piece or poetry or video or otherwise, that’s how I operate, especially when it comes to character. All of the characters in WilderWorld are close to their real life persona’s, mostly using their real names.

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Jacinta did have a slightly unrequited crush on Rohan Lynas, at least for a little while. Jez, Aaron, Mark, Jodie, Rohan and Rohan are very close to their real selves. They gave good but mixed performances, as mostly they are playing extensions of themselves and some were more comfortable with the camera than others. I was hardly the best director in the world. They’re not professional actors and I never expected them to be. Yet by linking the characters to the actual person, it’s more real. It just works better that way.

 

Looking back now, even though his part was not very big, I think probably Aaron was the most natural of everyone. Rohan O'Mahony was very good but Aaron had that mix of confidence without overdoing it. I wish I had have told him that (before his death in Oct 2015). I only just realised this when I began working on the film again. (Feb 2016).

 

Being the alcoholic that I am, most of my films (aside from the first, Deadly Vacation and last, Irons, (as of ’16) involved drinking at night, mostly though after the film had wrapped for the day. It made for tough days following, that crazy hangover energy but great behind the scenes footage.

With each subsequent film, even in '88, I expected, hoped, for something to emerge that would further my career, if not kick start it. A career in film. A bigger career in TV. Surely I'd demonstrated enough at such a young age? Enough for someone to give me a chance? To take me under their wing?

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Yet disappointment follows everything and for me, after the initial euphoria of a screening, there was a post film slump. None of those films led to anything. Not in a professional sense. We just don’t value artists in this country and the industry is far too small and competitive to encourage anyone new to enter. With each blow, it became harder and harder to get up again.

 

Periodically, over the years, I would summon the enthusiasm for another go. One more go. I needed something. Some people can push on regardless but I have my insecurities. I need some encouragement, some support.

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Irons (2004) was a last ditch attempt with a true budget and full crew involved, what I always wanted. More money, however, only brought more limitations. More compromise. Ah the irony. I soon saw in Toil On what freedom I had. Once had.

 

Born in a Storm had a good mix of quality and budget, yet I knew it was the writing and lack of life experience which brought it down, despite many finding it moving. I wanted more subtlety but was too young to deliver it. A common mistake of youth. I was 26. How much did I really know about sexual abuse? Not enough. (A 2017 re-edit has improved it).

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I'm trying to get WilderWorld into a digital format. I’m regrading it but along the way and finding much to appreciate about it. (How long since I’ve seen it?) Given our very young ages (I was the oldest at 20) it is quite remarkable. (I subsequently re-edited it but changes were minimal).

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Irrespective of all of that, I'm very proud of all of them. More than films, they are a document to our lives at a particular time, no more than this one.

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29/2/16

 

Rest in Peace Rohan, Rohan and Aaron.