Hatchback

HATCHBACK is a quintessential Australian Comedy with universal themes. Two men bicker over the macabre task of how best to dispose of a body. One with the experience to know better, saddled with an approval-seeking doofus. Could this day go any worse? Think Weekend at Bernie's with a mix of Reservoir Dogs.

This film was birthed during the editing room sessions with Chloe Graham during the post-production of Rabbits. She told me this idea that I thought was brilliant and I said it needs to be written. Life happened and a year or so later, I queried her about the idea. And then the Pandemic happened. I said now is the perfect time to write it Chloe and true to her word, she did. I came on board after the first draft and helped bring some more structure to the script, but it was already funny.

During the long 4-5 month Melbourne lockdown, we redrafted many times and then thought about how we were going to make this. One thing was for sure. Everyone had to be local - including the actors. So I made a list of my dream casting and at the top of both sides of that was Stephen Curry and Jackson Tozer. Luckily I am a social butterfly and had met Stephen before and had his contact information so when I sent the script to him, I was beyond happy that he replied and was interested in the project. I think circumstance and timing were the big things in signing him onto the film as he had work canceled due to the lockdown and was just excited to work on something a bit fun. Jackson was eager to work on the project as well as get the opportunity to work alongside Stephen.

Once we had the two leads on board, we met the first week out of lockdown and I was so happy with the decision as they had such brilliant chemistry and I knew early on that this was going to work.

The production and post-production of this film have gone through multiple lockdowns and many things that have delayed progress.

However, I am beyond happy with the quality of the film as it is both my first comedy and my first real opportunity to direct seasoned professionals. Never have I worked with actors in which they both understood the assignment so unquestionably, as well as were able to inhabit those characters - even in 12 minute unscripted improvised takes.

I am beyond grateful to everyone who helped make this idea a reality and make a little pipe dream into something real.

My feeling is that once people see this, they will be hungry for more Vince and Ted.