Private Project

Stick

When Will, an inexperienced and insecure bushwalker, leads his friends into a mysterious bush trail, they unknowingly awaken a dark curse. Now, they must escape before being splintered and skewered by mother nature and what hides beneath the thick bush.

  • Michael Gosden
    Director
    Watch the Sunset, Schedule One, On the Surface, Crossings
  • Will Hickey
    Writer
    Streets of Sydney
  • Lucy Rennick
    Producer
    Friends and Stranger, Soulless, The Obscure, Toe-Sucker, Lady Like, Granny,
  • Alexandra Duggan
    Producer
    Friends and Strangers, Tingle Fingers
  • Michael Gosden
    Producer
    Watch the Sunset, The Big Image, Schedule One, On the Surface, Crossings
  • Will Hickey
    Key Cast
    "Will"
  • Contessa Treffone
    Key Cast
    "Liz"
  • Jamie Lynch
    Key Cast
    "Sam"
  • Chelsea Zeller
    Key Cast
    "Rachel"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Dark comedy, horror, psychological thriller
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 57 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 22, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Michael Gosden

Michael is an award-winning film director, screenwriter, producer and actor.

With over 5 years of experience working in short & feature-length narrative and documentary films, commercials and music videos.

The filmmaker behind the viral hits "You're Wonderful", and UBER's "Hitchin' a Trike", Michael also co-founded 'fear+love' theatre company, co-created Australia’s first-ever one-shot feature film, 'Watch the Sunset' and has been involved in directing, producing, writing and acting in over 30 short and feature films, TV and web series. He has worked alongside both established and emerging directors, actors, writers and production companies.

Passionate about exploring new and exciting styles of storytelling, he studied acting with the Victorian College of the Arts and film-making with the New York film academy. He is focused on bringing innovative, compassionate and lasting stories to the Australian and international film industry.

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Director Statement

Trekking through the wilderness of Tasmania, our writer and lead actor was convinced he was being followed by the same Stick. Over and over again he saw the same gnarled piece of wood. Turns out he was on a loop and just clumsy, but by the end of this epic, personal adventure Stick was written.

By the time it made its way to me as director, I discovered a funny and quirky film with the potential to showcase the brilliance, wonder and mystery of the Australian wilderness. This story unveils a unique perspective on friendship, relationships and how our link to our environment can, and will always, backfire if we don’t respect it.