Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2020 – Clockumentary
Brian Toggle is a self-proclaimed timekeeper and expert drummer who plays in art-pop band, Sunset Thrills. But his theories of timing don’t always bode well with other members in the group.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Ursula Woods
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Clockumentary is a joke that I have long shared with some musician friends. It is based on a drummer I know who has some hilarious perspectives on timing and music. I made this film because I wanted to direct and write a short story and I had lots of ideas that I wanted to execute for the look, feel and music in this film.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Watch this film if you enjoy a rockumentary piss-take, if you can laugh at the creative process for music-making, if you know anyone or you yourself play in a band. This film is full of subtle humour, real-life muso characters, in-jokes and uncomfortable rehearsal room moments.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I wrote this film with real people and moments in mind. The two main characters have entirely opposing approaches to the music they are playing. Having played in many bands over the years, I have first-hand experience of the frustrations and challenges that are involved with bands. Also, as a female keyboardist, I was rarely noticed or asked for my opinion in the rehearsal room. Making this film, I chose to play with these stereotypes and include a lot of talk on couches that I see in real life documentaries such as the Classic Albums series.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The story originated with the drummer and main character, Brian 'Toggs' Toggle having grown up in Ulverstone, Tasmania and being imposed upon by the town clock there. I initially had a heavier focus on this aspect of his life and how it affected his personality. It became quite obsessive and 'Toggs' the character was evolving to have a much darker and mentally unhealthy personality. I decided to focus more on the music and the 'now', leaving the past at a more subtle level, to be interpreted by the audience. The film and script turned towards the band space and the music.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have received excellent feedback from the local screen community here in Hobart and have increased demand for work projects ever since. Of the few family, friends and of course the cast and crew who have viewed it, they all enjoyed the two characters, the music and some drummer in-jokes!
Other feedback:
"It looks great and it's genuinely funny! The style and the performances really mesh together and there are all these cool ideas sort of bubbling beneath the surface that gives it a real depth like it's not just a comedy." Sam Lingam (Aunty Donna writer)
"Its everything I hoped for and more. Genuinely funny and well put together. The clock scene was really great, psychedelic and awesome. Overall a great portrait of a narcissistic weirdo. I loved it. And great music too Jethro." Adrian Whitehead (musician)
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I am always surprised and enjoy hearing what moments people liked the most. It's great when people pick up subtleties or find humour in the finer details. It is challenging for me to continue to write in the dramedy genre.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would like people to go and watch it at the online Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2020.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would like it to be shared at more festivals and even music festivals, I think it would go well with music-minded audiences.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
For it to be received with a sense of humour. For people to like the music and perhaps want to hear more from the band 'Sunset Thrills'. For it to become a drummer's cult classic!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Are timing, rhythm and tempo the most important elements in music?
Would you like to add anything else?
This film is dedicated to drummers worldwide.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Jethro Pickett (composer) continues to write and record music here as a solo artist and with other musicians in Tasmania. He has just completed film music for an analogue film collaboration for Melbourne's Artist Film Workshop.
Jacob Collings (Bcam) has successfully received a grant to create a short film with a musician in Tasmania. He has published Stories of Isolation which was well received and can be viewed on YouTube.
Michael Panton (Mick 'Thrills') continues to play guitar with Quivers band. They are working on an upcoming release.
Rose Vallentine made a huge impact with her editing of Clockumentary and is consistently in high demand for many film projects from creative to corporate.
Interview: July 2020
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Clockumentary
Brian Toggle is a self-proclaimed timekeeper and expert drummer who plays in art-pop band, Sunset Thrills. But his theories of timing don’t always bode well with other members in the group.
Length: 9:52
Director: Ursula Woods
Producer: Ursula Woods and Abi Binning
Writer: Ursula Woods
About the writer, director and producer:
URSULA WOODS is a filmmaker, artist, musician and screenwriter based in southern Tasmania. Ursula has directed music videos for artists worldwide including Coda Chroma (Vic), Tomorrows (Irl), The Bell Streets (Vic), Bianca Blackhall (Tas) and Jethro Pickett (Tas). Her work has been increasingly well-received and this past year her work culminated in directing a short film; Clockumentary, a mockumentary about a drummer, funded by Wide Angle Tasmania. Clockumentary is Ursula's first short film to be published. Made with the support of Wide Angle Tasmania, Ursula is grateful for the encouragement and input of mentor Troy Melville and music composer Jethro Pickett. Other works presented this year include two music videos for the WIFT International Women's Day in Hobart and a collaborative project with Artists Film Workshop (Vic) in 16mm film. Influenced by many artists and musicians, Ursula creates video art, visual poems and stories.
ABI BINNING is the executive director at Wide Angle Tasmania since 2010. She is an independent producer and principal of the production company, Move Media. Abi has a number of credits in both broadcast documentary and short drama. Before entering the film industry, Abi worked extensively across the education sector as a teacher, researcher and curriculum writer.
Key cast: Mike Brooke (Brian 'Toggs' Toggle), Michael Panton (Mick 'Thrills')
Looking for: film festival directors
Facebook: Clockumentary
Instagram: @clockumentary_film
Hashtags used: #clockumentary #doco #mockumentary #femaledirector #band #shortfilm #artpop #sunsetthrills #drummer #music #musolife #rockumentary
Website: clockumentary.com
Made in association with: Wide Angle Tasmania
Funders: Wide Angle Tasmania
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (Doco Shorts Australian Stories 2) Online, June 30th