“The Projectionist” Selected for Million Dollar Babies
In conjunction with Madman Production Company, we’re excited to announce that we have selected The Projectionist by Marcus McKenzie, to enter development as part of our Million Dollar Babies low budget feature film initiative for South Australian writers and directors.
The decision follows from a three-day development workshop in which six participants developed their feature film concepts and discussed the practical and commercial realities of production and distribution. Each writer then expanded their initial concept into a feature film treatment, from which The Projectionist was selected.
Marcus McKenzie has recently completed post-production on a self-funded feature film, Crew Cut, a feature length crime drama set in the heart of outback Australia. Having previously written and directed several short films and music videos, and co-created the ABC iview series Wastelander Panda, Marcus is ideally placed to take the next step in his filmmaking career.
The Projectionist is an original time travel drama in which a recent widower, longing for the past, is transported into the home movies he shot 40 years ago.
Kirsty Stark of Epic Films stated, “The intention of Million Dollar Babies was to develop projects with the potential to find audiences both in Australia and internationally, and extend the careers of their writers and directors. With its unique spin on the concept of time travel, The Projectionist fits well within those intentions.”
The other five projects selected for the workshop were:
- Ageing Young – Sophie Morgan
- Blue Lake – Gilbert Kemp Attrill
- Consumed by Salt- Matt Vesely
- Four Days of Happiness – Dave Wade
- The Keeper – Tim Hodgson
“The MDB workshop confirmed yet again the depth of talent and ideas in the SA screen community. We will keenly track all of the filmmakers involved and look with particular interest at the next phase of development for Marcus and The Projectionist,” added Nick Batzias, Head of Madman Production.
“It was fantastic to participate in the Million Dollar Babies workshop alongside the other shortlisted filmmakers,” McKenzie said. “Being afforded the valuable opportunity to pitch and then discuss my ideas with them and the amazing team at Madman has undoubtedly improved my project. I’m extremely thankful, humbled and excited to continue to develop The Projectionist.”
The Projectionist will now enter funded development with feedback, with the aim of completing a financing script by late 2016.
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Image by Aaron Schwartz
