BATHURST will be on the big screen in 2018 if independent director Heath Davis has his way.
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And Mr Davis wants the benefits for the city to go well beyond the scenes filmed locally, saying local businesses and musicians will also have the chance to gain exposure.
Mr Davis, whose first long film Broke, about a former rugby league player struggling with a gambling problem, was voted best film at the Kiwi International Film Festival and Las Vegas Independent Film Festival, has his main cast finalised for his second film Book Week.
The comedy/drama, written by Mr Davis, will tell the story of a jaded English teacher, played by larrikin Australian actor Brendan Cowell, who re-evaluates his life over a week of turmoil.
Mr Davis says filming will take place over four weeks in April next year in western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Bathurst, including in the CSU dorm rooms.
“In the new year, there will be a cattle call for cast and supporting roles,” he said. “Book Week will come out in 2018 in the first quarter.”
Mr Davis, who grew up in western Sydney, says he wants to make a film for the area beyond central Sydney.
He says there will be an opportunity for interested CSU students to gain some experience on a film set, businesses will have a chance to get their products into the film and the initial release for the film will be in the areas in which it was filmed.
“Anyone from out of town who wants to see the movie will have to come to those areas, spend a bit of money and make a day of it,” he said.
“We’ll be putting the area on the map. It’s everyone’s movie, not just ours.”
Mr Davis says the community support for Broke, which was filmed in central Queensland on a tiny budget, was “quite amazing”, and he hopes to harness that support again.
“When you don't have a massive marketing budget, you really have to connect,” he said.
As well, a music contest is being held where the winner will appear in Book Week playing their own original song.
“There’s lots of great musical talent out here and we want to showcase that and give unsigned acts a platform to be heard,” Mr Davis said.
Presented by Kelts Entertainment, the Book Week Battle of the Bands began on November 27 and will run each Sunday afternoon at the Aussie Arms Hotel, Penrith for the next three weeks, to be followed by a grand final event set for January where special judges including Triple M’s Mark Geyer and members of the ARIA-winning band The Jezabels will choose the winner.
Mr Davis is inviting those who would like to be involved in the film – from businesses to creative people - to get in touch.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/bookweekfilm or email bookweekfilm@gmail.com