Andrew Merlino
b. October 18, 1985, Melbourne, Australia.

BIOGRAPHY:   While casually filming his end-of-year-12 overseas trip in early 2004 with a miniDV consumer video camera, Andrew stumbled across what would prove to be his prime passion – the art of filmmaking. After an introductory short course at Melbourne University in early 2006, and with barely any experience or technical knowledge, Andrew gathered the fundamental elements to make a short film.

This flight of fancy turned into Friendship (2006). In 2006 and 2007, Andrew began to incorporate surrealism, metaphor and more expressive content to his work, resulting in Safe House (2006), Her Sun (2007), and Lucid Place (2007).

In 2008, Andrew wrote and directed an ultra-low-budget feature film, which he is currently editing. Andrew learns from experiences on his own productions, the knowledge and assistance of a select few like-minded young filmmakers and inspiration from filmmakers like David Lynch, Gus Van Sant, Stanley Kubrick, Carlos Reygadas and Richard Kelly.

	Safe House

CRITICAL OVERVIEW:   I write and direct films for personal self-expression and to take viewers on journeys that they can personalise for themselves through self-interpretation.

My style tends to be formalistic, and at times impressionistic, with a recurring use of surrealism and metaphor. My thematic concerns are the sub-conscious, internal struggles, isolation, loss and re-awakening.

My filmmaking journey is at a very embryonic stage. I have a great deal to learn from genuinely independent fellow filmmakers and so I’m very grateful to be included in this community.

- Andrew Merlino, March 2009.

FILMOGRAPHY:

	Lucid Place

Friendship (2006, 15 mins, miniDV)

Safe House (2006, 5 mins, miniDV)
screened at Electric Shorts 2007.

Her Sun (2007, 31 mins, miniDV)

Lucid Place (2007, 15 mins, miniDV)

Imitating Charlie (2009, 100 mins, HDV, currently in post-production)

	Her Sun

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY:

"Already his film Her Sun is an ambitious and interesting work –
there is a depth to the characters, and also a dexterity to the form,
which is a real sign he could develop into a very good filmmaker."

Bill Mousoulis (September 2007), reference letter.

Contact Andrew Merlino
and telephone: 0438 338 621

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