The Party Job
A young woman accepts a videography gig for what seems like a standard child's birthday party. The tension becomes unbearable as the absurd reason for the party becomes more clear.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Raechelle Banno and Actor/Producer Karina Banno
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
RAECHELLE : THE PARTY JOB was made for a variety of reasons. The purest and first was I’d come across this idea years ago that I felt was whacky and heart warming, yet deeply personal. It was also the first time I felt called to direct. I had tried for quite a while to get it made but found it extremely difficult to tie anyone down to help me do so. At a time of deep creative frustration, I was venting to Karina and she told me we could just make it ourselves; bypass the middleman. So, we did. That energy quickly brought on Ryan Harrison at Sparrow Studio’s to assist in bringing the film to life. THE PARTY JOB then became a vehicle to launch our production company, Palindrome Productions.
KARINA : This was a script Raechelle kindly shared with me years ago, and I always had it in the back of my mind as a strong story only she could tell. Given we share similar taste and style, I was relentless that she had to direct it, and that we could bring it to life together. Having Worked and auditioned together as actors for many years, we knew we had a shorthand in understanding how to pitch Molly, so our on set relationship could be streamlined to focus on other elements.
It was also with the consistent encouragement from Leigh Pickford (a sensationally talented Casting Director of whom we greatly admire) checking in and reminding us how passionate he was about the script. Through this we found the belief that we really had something in our back pocket that could showcase our style as filmmakers.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
RAECHELLE : THE PARTY JOB does what comedies do best: it opens us up to a world not too dissimilar to our own, heightens it with humour, and then hits us straight in the heart with truth. The truth of THE PARTY JOB is that we are all in this together. It celebrates the lived reality that Australian’s, both silly and sincere, would absolutely-no worries-mate go out of their way to be there for a fellow struggler... even if the theme is a little off kilter.
KARINA : I also love the idea that it’s a solid 15 minute short that has a clear beginning, middle and end. That can be a struggle to achieve, but I feel like Raechelle’s film has delivered an experience for audiences that is fun, emotional and succinct.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
RAECHELLE : The film explores anxiety and belonging. Both personal themes to me, and yet, the more I’ve learned to voice my experiences, I’ve learned how truly universal they are. I’ve always found that anxious people have a way of finding other anxious people. Molly immediately knows something is up when she arrives at Kens’ home. They’re eventually drawn together, resulting in the only grounded conversation we’ll see in the film. I wanted to create a film that saluted the idea that, when we recognise authenticity in one another’s vulnerabilities and can meet each other in the awkwardness, we might just find we belong after all.
KARINA : No one writes sentimental thoughts like Raechelle - so her delivery of these themes is so eloquently peppered throughout all the characters.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
RAECHELLE : I have to thank my agent David Sheridan for some feedback he gave me very early on in THE PARTY JOB’s development. He suggested two things: to delay Molly’s learning of the theme of the party and to not have Kens’ speak until his sweet exchange with Molly. This totally transformed the film - it created necessary tension (both comedic and sincere) as well as utilising the literal taking of Kens’ voice from the whole endeavour to then earn it when it really mattered. Simple, yet effective.
KARINA : For me, the addition of a tiny moment of air we added for Chester’s character involving tea; initially it was added as a function to give the illusion of time passing from one scene to another, but funnily enough, every time we have shown the film, this moment has resulted in the biggest laughs. And rightly so - Stephen Hunter’s delivery and pure approach knocked it out of the park. I found it so amusing that you can agonise over every detail of a script, and then throw something in with little thought into MAKING something funny and purely out of function can totally transform the overall experience of the tone and characters.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
RAECHELLE : We have been fortunate enough so far to have received some truly kind and encouraging feedback. Some on the cinematography (achieved so brilliantly by Brendan Barnes), the music (by the talented George Maher), the performances (a cast to die for), but a lot on the overall story. Many people have resonated with Kens’ or Molly’s feelings of being the ‘other’ and responded really well to their ‘seeing’ one another. I’m so proud people walk away from our film having had a good giggle and feeling what we’d dreamed they would: hope.
KARINA : Honestly, very positive. The trusted mentors and supporters of our work that we’ve shown the film to have expressed an appreciation of the simplicity of the film, but can stand back and acknowledge the difficulty it takes to pull off a succinct short film.
Also the rewatch factor is fun for THE PARTY JOB - very thoughtful elements added into the editing and cinematography that make for a great second watch, which has been super rewarding whenever commented on.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
RAECHELLE : My point of view on the film changed very early in pre-production. As I began meeting other creatives, whether that be cast or crew, I was surprised by how all were coming to the table with their own experiences of anxiety, either their journey or that of a loved one. Almost everyone began to interpret each character as having their own form of anxiety, manifesting in different ways - something I hadn’t initially considered. It was very touching. I went into this thinking I was making a very personal film, somewhat Trojan-horsed as a comedy. I quickly realised that there was no hiding the themes beneath the giggles - we were all making the same film. One about anxiety, that’s also funny. Anxious, but silly, just like life.
KARINA : I’ve been surprised by how many parents have resonated with this story, either for themselves or their kids. Anxiety is universal, but I think our story delicately balances the very personal battles we all go through just to get by.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
RAECHELLE : I hope We Are Moving Stories widens the reach of the film. I’m so very proud of what each and every individual achieved in the making of THE PARTY JOB and want to share it with as many people as we can. It was a phenomenal learning experience for me. If we can get some extra eyes on our special film, some that will connect with the story as much as viewers so far have, then I’ll be one happy woman.
KARINA : I also would love exposure for our production company; THE PARTY JOB was a labour of love that was intended to be a calling card for the exciting projects we’re developing. Through We Are Moving Stories, I’d love an opportunity to connect with like-minded audiences and filmmakers who are all about what we’re putting out into the world.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
RAECHELLE : Film Festival Directors, in the hopes that them coming on board will boost the film to a wider audience. THE PARTY JOB is a film that is meant to be shared with a crowd, laughing and resonating together. Film festivals are a great environment to ensure that happens.
KARINA : Speaking to that; Film Festival Directors are champions of emerging filmmakers such as ourselves, and the gatekeepers for projects like THE PARTY JOB finding an audience.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
RAECHELLE : I would like to continue the conversations that have already started with people who have seen the film. Viewers recognising their own anxieties, or those of someone in their life, and discussing the importance of transparency when looking to truly connect with people. The more comfortable and open I have become with my own anxiety, I’ve found that the experience of anxiety, (one that is so insular), is one that brings us together when we are open about it, don’t deny its existence, and accept that it is something we will continue to bring with us through life. How sweet would it be if a few extra people chatted about that?
KARINA : I like the idea of this film opening up conversations with the people in our lives about how we cope. Things can get very loud in our heads sometimes, and I think the message of this film is about having compassion to the individual experience and coping mechanisms that help us all get by.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
RAECHELLE : What’s the weirdest thing someone has done for you to try and show you they love you?
KARINA : Have you ever had a connection or experience with a stranger that had an impact on you or them?
Would you like to add anything else?
RAECHELLE : I would like to thank every single person who helped make this film possible, during a COVID lockdown nonetheless. Everyone was kind, oh so professional, and taught me things I cannot wait to bring into the future productions I create.
KARINA : Speaking of lockdowns, I walked away from the challenge of making THE PARTY JOB under such strict restrictions feeling like we’d already faced every possible worst case scenario. And we still accomplished what we set out to do, and then some. The lockdowns forced us to be economical and strategic from every department, top to bottom. It empowered us; If we could get this passion project in the bag under those conditions, I’m excited for whatever we do next.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Under Palindrome Productions, we are developing a number of features and television projects. Most notably, our project BLACKHEATH has brought on some exciting collaborators, in co-producers Sparrow Studios, successful scribe Georgia Harrison, and award winning cinematographer Brendan Barnes (SASC).
Interview: August 2022
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
The Party Job
Length:
15:00
Writer/Director
RAECHELLE BANNO co-wrote (with Karina Banno) the 2020 short ‘@BladeRoller: Case Unsolved’, leading to its selection in the Sydney Underground Film Festival’s ‘Take 48’ lineup. Other works include being one of only eight teams selected as finalists for AACTA x Monster Pictures Isolation independent film development initiative for their project ‘BLACKHEATH’. She and her collaborator, Karina Banno, have multiple projects currently in development under their production banner, Palindrome Productions.
Producer
KARINA BANNO wrote & directed ‘The Unfortunate Files’, which won ‘Best Web Series’ at the Port Stephens Film Festival. ‘September’ (co-directed alongside writer Tara O'Connell), won 'Best Short' & ‘People's Choice' at the 2014 Martini Awards.
Recently, Karina’s screenplay ‘Gwen’s Girl’ was selected as a semifinalist for the TSL Screenplay Contest (2021) and she was a part of only eight teams selected as finalists in AACTA x Monster Pictures’ Isolation film development initiative for their project ‘BLACKHEATH’.
Key cast:
Karina Banno, Remy Hii, Pippa Grandison, Stephen Hunter, Ezekiel Sciacca, Miritana Hughes, Kelly Zacharias, James Winestock
Looking for:
film festival directors
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/palindromeprd?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Where can I watch it?
THE PARTY JOB will be screening in CinefestOz’s 2022 Gala Night set which is held on the following dates/locations:
Saturday 27th August, Orana Cinemas Busselton.