Higgins vs Filmland

ROLLPLAY PRODUCTIONS // 2006

 

Film Synopsis

A ten-minute ‘mocumentary' about animal rights, involving a pet goldfish that has suffered from discrimination and its disgruntled owner.

 

Filmmaker Notes

Around April, after filming for Crossroads 12:03 was complete, the RollPLAY team began contemplating our next project. After the macabre nature of our first film, the team decided to try something a little less supernatural. It may be tough to believe, but the original concept was a serious piece about a young man struggling to come to grips with the disappearance of his first love. The idea evolved, with the object of our hero's affections becoming a fish (suggested, perhaps in jest, by Mr Jupp), with our hero himself becoming somewhat eccentric in thinking of his fish as his child, and finally with the style of the piece becoming a “mockumentary.”

The group created a list of humorous ideas, evolving into a script over the next few weeks. We briefly contemplated casting outside the RollPLAY team due to the large number of characters in the script, however, mainly due to time constraints decided to cast internally, with each team member rising brilliantly to the task. Most of the shooting was able to happen on one day in early June in the local Glen Waverley area.

The beauty of the RollPLAY Productions modus operandi is that everyone is able to have hands on experience of whatever interests them. Pretty much the whole team had a go at camera operation, directing, sound, acting and editing, as well as planning the film-festival. Many thanks to Bill and Shelley for their help and guidance, and to Monash Youth and Family Services for running the RollPLAY Productions service for young people.

Meredith Eldridge

RollPLAY Productions