EXIT
EXIT began as an intuitive project, shooting random footage around St.
Leonards on the Bellarine Peninsula with a newly acquired Delkin Wingman HD
camera, the idea being to see what the camera could do.
After a couple of months David realised the footage seemed to be ‘going
somehere”. Editing it together he began to see possibilities and drafted a
rough screenplay to explore them. Thus the 27-minute experimental art film EXIT was born.
Using largely abstract imagery and deconstructed narrative, the film
explores the scenario: “Y is immortal and lives in paradise. Or so
he believes. When paradise starts coming apart around him and he begins
receiving messages from his dead wife, he realises he’s either losing his
mind...or nothing is what it seems.”
A philosophical odyssey into
the enigmas of life, love, immortality and the meaning of reality.
David placed articles in local newspapers calling for volunteers to
help him make it. To his great surprise, he was almost overwhelmed with
interest.
EXIT became a project
with a co-producer, a crew of five and cast of 12. Co-producer and actress was
local theatre notable Lorraine Hall. Another well-known face was 70-year old
national Masters weight lifting champion and music theatre actress Elaine
Janes.
Equipment grew to include a Sony A3000 and a Pansonic P200 camera
supplied gratis by former US filmmaker Ed Mylan who also played a lead role
opposite David and his partner Andrea.
The Potato Shed arts complex in Drysdale provided studio and lighting,
Bellarine Bayside chipped in with a local hall, and a long defunct maze was
found in the Barrabool Hills.
Bill Mousoulis generously provided stock footage from his film
Wild
and Precious.
Original music was added by Geelong-based experimental musician Joseph
Stanaway who also recorded the voice overs which were directed by former
Melbourne Filmmakers Co-Op member (and David’s long-time friend and colleague)
Brian Jones. A local choir also became involved.
EXIT premiered at the
Potato Shed theatre on May 28th with positive comments heard all over the
foyer after the screening.
In July 2016, it was one of only nine films officially selected from
all over the world to screen at the Hell Chess Film Festival in Madrid, Spain,
where it won the Best Director award.
David is still amazed at how a project which began so simply ended up
so well.
Back
to David King profile
