The Docks – Short Film – 3 Day Campaign

Story

The Docks is about a haunted dock worker who is given a chance at redemption when a woman from his past appears one night with a strange request to smuggle her onto a ship back to South Africa.

Set in 1993, amid the changing political climate in both South Africa and Australia, The Docks poses the question: how far would a person be willing to go, and how much would they sacrifice, to fulfil the wishes of a loved one?

This drama is a joint production between the WA Screen Academy and the Western Australia Academy for Performing Arts (WAAPA) and will be directed by Australian Director’s Guild nominee Richard Todd (Dying to Live, Frackman) in his scripted drama debut.

To follow the progress of The Docks, please like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheDocksWA/

Donations + Rewards

By donating to our campaign, you’re not only helping us as young filmmakers and actors, but contributing to the of the West Australian film industry.

In addition to our eternal love, we’ve added some sweet incentives for our generous donors:

Every person who pledges receives an entry into the draw to win our South African/Australian themed hamper … plus a lil’ something extra to express our gratitude (see reward tiers).

Cast

Bryn Chapman Parish – Hugo

Bryn Chapman Parish is a 21 year old actor hailing from Sydney, Australia. He is currently completing his third and final year at WAAPA. Bryn discovered his love for acting at age 8 in France, when he was whisked away with a touring theatre company, performing in chateaus around the country.  

He went on to attend Sydney’s prestigious Newtown High School of the performing arts, where he took part in countless school shows. 

His work at WAAPA includes Boris Trigorin in Chekhov’s The Seagull (2018), and Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet (2019).

Mariama Whitton – Gugu

Mariama Whitton is an Ethiopian/Australian actress who was adopted from Ethiopia when she was 3 and a half. She is currently in her third and final year at WAAPA. 

In 2011 she completed her ATCL (Associate Trinity College of London) in performing. She then proceeded to undertake courses at NIDA, ACA, ACTT and the HubStudio. 

Her work at WAAPA includes Nina in Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull (2018) and Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet (2019).

Crew

Richard Todd – Director

Richard Todd is an award winning social impact documentarian who joined the WA Screen Academy in order to develop his skill set as a drama director.

In 2015, he completed the feature documentary Frackman which was screened at over 200 cinemas across Australia and rated by the Guardian as one of the 10 best films made in 2015. In 2019, he was nominated by the Australian Director’s Guild for Best Direction in a feature length documentary for his latest film Dying to Live which looks at the organ donor process in Australia.

Dumi Mashinini – Producer/Writer

Dumi Mashinini is a chartered accountant turned producer/writer who gave up a career as an auditor to pursue a passion for screen. As an African Australian, the story of The Docks mirrors the migration of his family from Australia to South Africa in 1993.

Dumi is currently enrolled as a masters student at the WA Screen Academy and hopes to continue to tell the stories of under-represented communities in the future.

Stephanie Senior – Cinematographer

Stephanie Senior is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Creative Industries program at Edith Cowan University, majoring in Film & Video, minoring in both Scriptwriting and Photography. She is currently completing her Master’s degree at the WA Screen Academy, specialising in Directing and Cinematography. 

Stephanie is excited to bring the short film The Docks to life; its story is set in a beautiful place and time with diverse characters and a strong female lead. She’s excited to craft, create and work to make The Docks something special.

Yasmin Al-Jawad – Editor

Hailing from good ole Blighty, Yasmin Al-Jawad has studied film in both the U.K. and the USA. She spent last year working in the Documentary Commissioning department at the BBC when she decided to try something new and earn her Masters at WA Screen Academy, specialising in editing. 

Yasmin is keen to work on this poignant drama with a talented cast and crew, and hopes to further develop her skills as an editor.

Brandon Fisher – Sound

Brandon Fisher is currently studying his Bachelors degree, majoring in Sound at WA Screen Academy. Brandon has previously studied and completed his Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Digital Cinema at North Metropolitan TAFE. Having prior experience in Directing, Scriptwriting, Production Design and other various roles in film, broadcast, commercials, and promotional videos. 

Brandon is now tackling the role of sound design in the film ‘The Docks’ in hopes to create an engaging soundscape for the viewer. He hopes to continue developing his craft in all fields of the film industry, in hopes to thrive and tackle every challenge that lies ahead. The first stop for the journey is The Docks, then who knows what lies ahead.

BUDGET & FINANCIALS

In order to bring our production to life we are hoping to raise funding in order to use the great locations we’ve found, pay for a professional actor in a supporting role, hire lightning for our evening shooting schedule and dress the locations and characters as they would have been in 1993.

Where will your money go?

$500 – Location Fees

$500 – Professional Actor for Third Role

$1050 – 1993 Costumes and Props

$300 – Electrical Generator

$350 – Lighting

$300 – Festival