St Nick

THE STORY

St Nick is a short film that takes a modern and original angle on the santa/elf story. We all know what Santa brings into our houses, but what does he take away?  

Is Santa a career criminal or a saint?  Is Santa being set up, or will an Elf expose him as a fraud?  Or is there another reality?  There’s only one way to find out – join us in getting this story to the world.  You’ll be supporting the next wave of Western Australia’s most exciting actors and filmmakers: our stories, told our way, in our voice.      

DONATIONS + REWARDS 

This drama is produced by the Western Australian Screen Academy in collaboration with the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).  By donating to our campaign, you’re not only helping us as emerging filmmakers and actors, but contributing to the promotion of the Australian film industry.

Our rewards are fun and give you an opportunity to engage directly with the filmmakers. 

BUDGET & FINANCIALS

Film has its many and varied expenses, we have most of them covered but not all, our crowdfunding will go directly to the following outlays. 

$500 – Location Fees

$800 – Costumes and Props

$500 – Special Effects 

$800 – Actors (Extras)

$300 – Electrical Generator

$500 – Festival Entry Fee’s 

$500 – Catering for crew/cast 

CAST

Justin Bell – Santa

Justin is in his third year at WAAPA.  When he’s not acting Justin puts in cameo’s as a tradie, footy player and kick boxer. His acting roles include, Leaf Conniebear in ‘Putnam Spelling Bee‘; the Dentist in the ‘Little Shop of Horrors‘; and Ajax in ‘Our Ajax‘; Justin is one of those actors your eyes follow and certainly the man to re-write the Santa role. Look out! 

Lucinda Howes – Holly (Elf) 

Lucinda is a NSW born actor who has performed in Sydney’s theatre scene since 2014, most recently with an adaptation of ‘Nosferatu: A Fractured Symphony.’  Locating to Perth, Lucinda’s WAAPA roles, include playing Benvolio in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet.’ Lucinda’s character faces multiple challenges, it’s the ideal role for this multi-talented actor.  

Jonathan Lagudi – Roy (Elf) 

Jonathan Lagudi is an Italian-Australian actor born who began his acting training at WAAPA in 2017.  His stage highlights at WAAPA include playing Konstantin in Anton Chekhov’s, ‘The Seagull‘; and the titular role of Romeo in William Shakespeare’s, ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Jonathon has a maturity beyond his years and is an ideal fit to play a morally challenged Elf.

Camila Ponte-Alvarez – Sadler (Detective) 

Camila Ponte Alvarez is a 21 year old Venezuelan/Australian Actor. Camila has played a variety roles of iconic roles in ‘Romeo and Juliet’; Two Gentleman of Verona‘; and recently, ‘Ajax in Afganistan.‘  In St Nick, Camila is a detective with a, ‘I’ve seen it all attitude’. Ho ho ho, how little does she know that this is one investigation that’s anything but open and shut. 

Alexander Dilley – Jones (Detective) 

Alex is a NSW born actor who began his acting training at WAAPA in 2017. Stage highlights at WAAPA have included: Konstantin Treplev in Chekov’s, ‘The Seagull’; and Gabriel Law in Andrew Bovelle’s, ‘When the Rain Stops Falling’.  In St Nick, Alex plays a detective struggling to get his Christmas crime theory taken seriously. In the diligent cop/lazy cop team, Alex is a ‘man of ideals’ and the voice of humanity and reason.    

The Crew

Caleb Whitehurst – Writer/Director 

Caleb graduated with a Bachelors of Media Arts majoring in Screen and Sound. For seven years he taught children in upstate New York all aspects of film making and live theatre Returning to Perth to do his Masters in Screen Studies at the WA Screen Academy, Caleb’s is making his directorial and writing debut with St Nick. He might have a first up home run.

Stephen Bartley – Producer 

Stephen’s screen industry career began 25 years ago.  He went to the ‘dark side’ taking various corporate roles until making a welcome return to the screen working as a researcher/producer for the Netflix original series, ‘72 Dangerous Animals Asia/Latin America’.  He’s returned to study as a writer/producer and to learn how to write a short bio.

Richard Todd – Cinematographer 

Richard or ‘Toddy’ as he is affectionately known in the screen industry is one of  Australia’s most famed documentary filmmakers.  In recent years, ‘Frackman‘ and ‘Dying to Live‘ have kept him at the pinnacle of the observational documentary genre. His many achievements include a 2018 nomination for Best Direction at The Australian Director’s Guild Award. 

Kaela Halatau – Location Sound Supervisor

Kaela completed an Advanced Diploma in Screen and Media (Digital Cinema) at TAFE. In 2019 she enrolled in a Bachelor of Media and Communications at the WA Screen Academy, specialising in producing, editing and sound. Kaela as you can guess, is very clever. She is excited to tackle the unique and uplifting St Nick and bringing her own original stamp to it. 

Haresh Chandra – Sound Designer

This musician turned filmmaker earned an Advanced Diploma in Digital Cinema and is now studying for his Bachelor in Screen Studies, specialising in sound and editing. His passion is composing & creating soundscapes with a focus on sci-fi and/or horror. With St Nick he has all that, plus fantasy, mystery, suspense, drama and comedy.  He’s in for some long nights. 

Jessica Russell – Art, Design and Camera Assistant 

Jessica left WAAPA in 2016 with a Bachelor in Performance Making which was used to good effect in several quality theatre productions. Jess returned to Edith Cowan University in 2019 to study directing and cinematography for her Masters at the WA Screen Academy. Jess firmly believes milk and cookies are not just for Santa – cast and crew tend to agree. .

Meghan Offe – Editor

Meghan has been editing short videos of her favourite movies before she could walk. This later lead to TAFE to study film and build her editing skills to a professional level. In 2019, she’s is furthering her editing skills at the WA Screen Academy.  Meghan is looking forward to editing St Nick as the film lends itself to a whole new editing style and skill set.  

Sean Symes – 2nd Assistant Director and Production Coordinator

Sean’s flirtation with the screen industry started at age 13, attending directing classes at Fremantle’s FTI’s summer school program.. However, the I.T. pay packet drew him into the machinery of the corporate edifice. Yet, the creative spark burned inside and he’s returned to studies to find the outcome of, “what if” he’d become a director and/or screenwriter.