EFFIE BATEMAN | BRISBANE | CONTACT
Second year Griffith student, Liam Young, will be presenting a feature film at this years West End Film Festival. The ambitious project titled ‘Accidental Killer’, will focus on the misadventures of an office clerk who finds himself smack bang in the middle of a gang war.
“The premise is that Tim is just your average guy who winds up with the wrong crowd,” explains Liam, “He’s not a bad person though, he’s just going through some hard times.”
‘Accidental Killer’ marks Liam’s first major screenwriting project. Prior to this, Liam had only worked as a gaffer on some local TAFE ads.
Due to his enormously high HECS debt, Liam has had to rely heavily on iMovie effects and songs he found on Garageband. He insists, however, that the true art lies in the storyline.
“Tim finds a mysterious suitcase in a park and takes it home with him. When he opens it he realises it’s full of heroin. But it’s not just any heroin – it’s the property of gang boss Hernando Hernandoz.”
“I thought I’d make it a bit different though, and have a pop overscore – it’s like, that juxtaposition between a dark theme and happy music.”
Liam’s girlfriend, Vanessa, will also be making her debut as the protagonist’s love interest. Though she doesn’t have any acting experience, Vanessa is only required to appear briefly on screen before being shot by a rival gang member.
“It’s a pivotal point for Tim, the moment he loses the only thing that mattered to him. It’s very Godfather III.”
The film is said to have a nonlinear storyline, with some scenes shot in black and white. Though most of it was filmed in one day, some scenes, Liam reveals, were harder than others.
“The scene where he screams in a mirror was pretty difficult.”
Liam goes on to reveal that the film is strewn with clues hinting at its major plot twist.
“It’s right there in the beginning. The opening montage of Tim waking up, looking at his alarm clock over and over again. People think it’s just highlighting the mundane nature of his life but what they don’t realise… is that he never wakes up.”
“It’s all a dream.”
