Synopsis
Claire is an aspiring actor attending an audition. Unnerved by the arrival of her period moments before, she must overcome her anxieties and deliver a compelling performance until she realizes that the unexpected could be exactly what she needed.
Theme
Inspired by the notion to embrace life’s uncertainties, Blood Lines exhibits the unpredictable experience of an actor’s audition. The unnatural and peculiar nature of an audition is met with bizarre moments in this offbeat black comedy. Blood Lines explores the ways in which actors either take control of of uncertainty, or unravel under the pressure of a casting environment.
Cast
Claire - Lucy Kennedy
Maude - Nic Alexander
Tabitha - Amelia Dunn
Meeka - Michelle Keating
Kate - Tess McKaige
Crew
Director - Michael Demarco
Producer - Michael Demarco
Producer - Lucy Kennedy
Producer - Goss Jue
Producer - Diako Kalapera
Assistant Director: Sally Long
2nd Assistant Director: Rebecca Fu
DoP: Jesse Lane
1st Assistant Camera: Lewis Rodan
2nd Assistant Camera: Mounir Harchaui
Camera Attachment: Benson Keer
Gaffer: Ryan Fish
Best Person: Michelle Reeves
Sound Recorder: Mig Artugue
Sound Design: Andrew Richards
Production Designer: Nikko Ritta
Production Assitant: Tika Baski
Makeup Artist: Amanda Lissant-Claydon
Costume Designer: Anna Muster
Stills Photographer/BTS: Will Chao
Script Supervisor: Jesse Leaman
Runner: Tom Sullivan
Runner: Ben Schoonderbeek/BTS Video
Editor: Marc Smithwick
Assembly Editor: Eamon Willis
Colour: Crayon
Director's Statement
Michael Demarco
Director / Executive Producer
Once I finished that final page, there was an incredible desire to be involved in this project's fruition any way possible.
The shots vividly flashed in my mind and the scenes were so clear for me. I was immensely keen to have this vision instilled. Luckily, after a nervous query, Lucy trusted me to take on the role of Director and I'll be forever grateful for that.
Blood Lines has been an amazing experience. Not only educational for me, but truly fulfilling. It’s my first time at the helm of the ship on a short film production and oh my I feel so lucky to have this as my first sail. The winds were very kind.
We really got to fool around with some very interesting themes and dive into some unknown territory. But, thanks to the wonderful writing and such amazing crew who helped bring this film to life, I truly believe we achieved what we set out to do.
Blood Lines swims around in the themes of dark comedy and mystery. We really wanted to stretch the audition process of what actors would go through in this "ominous" world. What would happen to the Actor once they stepped on their mark? How much would they be willing to endure, and how would this affect someone?
Lucy Kennedy gives an amazing performance as our lead and I couldn't believe how impressive she was on set. Not only that, our DOP Jesse Lane, was such a great friend and mentor to have on board, making me feel so safe throughout the entire process.
I know, that whatever the reception of the film may be, I’m proud to have directed this picture and am very excited to share it with all audiences who hopefully want to have a fun encounter with the cinema.
Writer's Intention
Lucy Kennedy
Actor / Writer / Executive Producer
As writers, we're often told to "write what we know". A statement that I've had to reckon with a few times, because - what do I know? It feels like life's only just begun for me in my mid-late 20s when I took the plunge and quit the corporate world to dive into the creative world of film and theatre. But perhaps the most noteworthy occurence I was experiencing during this time was the loneliness that came from being in this arena when everyone else seem to be watching on with bemusement from the comfort of their seats knowing when the next paycheck is coming and how much it's for.
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon in July. The weather outside was grey and windy which is to be expected of a Melbourne winter. I was lying on my couch absorbing the sounds coming from the tv when I saw this short film in my head. It happened that quickly and that randomly.
An audition is a uniquely strange experience, one I've tried to explain to those around me many times. As an actor, I'm constantly trying to embrace the absurdity and uncertainty that comes with the job, so I was drawn to exploring a way in which I could convey this to my non-actor friends and family. I finally wrote Blood Lines when it dawned on me that instead of explaining this to the non-actors in my orbit, why not show them?
The key theme I wanted to highlight in this script is that of uncertainty. Specifically, the uncertainty that comes with a creative endeavor, the uncertainty of an audition, and at times, the uncertainty of how we might respond. The script looks at ways actors must tackle this theme and how they might harness their experience so that they can bring out their best performance.