Our Ghostly Crew
Our Ghostly Crew follows artist Michael Vale as he makes his painting Our Ghostly Crew in lockdown. Partner and subject of the painting, filmmaker Donna McRae, filmed the journey to win Australia’s richest art prize, the 2021 Doug Moran.
Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Donna McRae
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
When Michael Vale and I were living through Melbourne's 2nd lockdown in 2021 he decided to make a family portrait. I agreed if 1) our elderly dog Pancho could be in it, and 2) if I could document it. I was feeling frustrated with the industry shutdown, and I was working on a screenplay, but thought that documentation of a painting would be a welcome distraction.
As we could only go out for essential things in a 5k radius, I soon realised I had no access to any suitable camera and sound equipment but Michael wouldn't wait.
All I had was my old iPhone 7 and no sound or grip gear.
So I persevered.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Have you ever seen the process of making a painting? It is a mysterious process that most people aren't privy to. I watched Michael Vale make this painting from the beginning, trying to go out to his studio in our backyard as much as possible to see it evolve.
He was listening to Dirty Three's Cinder, and I could see how the act of painting and the music produced an alchemy of something really magical. As the painting emerged, the process of every brushstroke and every decision revealed an intricate command of his art practice. Michael decided to put it in a painting prize as he was really pleased with it as well. He had won some significant art prizes before, and had been an Archibald Prize finalist three times, but the Moran Prize was in another stratosphere.
So, to conclude, this film unveils the process of painting, and how personal it can be. Watching this film the viewer is right in the studio with the artist, as he makes choices and decisions that lead to the culmination of a major work.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film is an act of creativity, which anyone can relate to. It is also about portrait painting and creative partnerships.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
This is an essay film - I shot it on my old iPhone as I had nothing else, and through the phone, I filmed the painting being made. It was immediate - as it happened. There were no second chances or time to go back and reshoot. In editing, I tried to follow that same path.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I was not there for the world premiere in Poland, but those who have seen it are taken with the process of making a painting. It's quite a magical process and if you are familiar with the finished image, then it's a treat to see it take shape from the blank canvas.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I'm so thrilled that people like it. It's so immediate and lo-fi, although the film documents the process beautifully. It demonstrates that film is always about the idea, and not about the latest equipment or technology.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'm happy to get the word out about the film and the wonderful work of Michael Vale, (who is on Instagram)
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
After the festival circuit, I feel that the film would work well in art schools and universities - so perhaps an education buyer or distributor.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like this film to spark a conversation about art making and the much-maligned practice of painting within contemporary art schools. The relationship between artist and sitter, and how an artist needs to practise every day.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is portrait painting still relevant today?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am working on my 3rd horror/ghost feature film called Dawn. That's very exciting !!
Interview: July 2023
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
Our Ghostly Crew
Our Ghostly Crew follows artist Michael Vale as he makes his painting Our Ghostly Crew in lockdown. Partner and subject of the painting, filmmaker Donna McRae, filmed the journey to win Australia’s richest art prize, the 2021 Doug Moran.
Length: 22:00
Director: Donna McRae
Producer: Donna McRae
Writer: Donna McRae
About the writer, director and producer:
After graduating from the VCA, DONNA McRAE made several shorts before completing a PhD. Her 1st feature film Johnny Ghost won seven awards and two Special Jury Prizes. Her 2nd feature Lost Gully Road, has worldwide distribution, won Best Feature at three International Film Festivals and sold to Channel 9. She was nominated for Best Direction in a Feature Film for Lost Gully Road at the Australian Directors Guild Awards in 2019. Her feature documentary Cobby: The Other Side of Cute has distribution with LABEL and sold to Foxtel. She is in late development for Dawn, a psycho-biddy ghost feature film.
Key cast: Michael Vale
Looking for: distributors, buyers
Facebook: Donna McRae
Twitter: @donnalmcr
Instagram: @donna_mcrae_
Hashtags used: #ourghostlycrew
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
On Art/Poland - July 9 - August 5:
Revelation Film festival/Perth - July 14
Melbourne Dcumentary Film festival/Melbourne - July 23