Private Project

The Odyssey Of A Fatherless Son!

Charlie McAdoo, a fatherless son, embarks on an adventure to answer the most important question in society today: what does it mean to be a man?

  • Steven Wu
    Director
  • Steven Wu
    Writer
  • Emma Sophia Pittman
    Producer
  • Sam Winspear Schillings
    Key Cast
    "Charlie McAdoo"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Satire
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 2 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 6, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Steven Wu

Steven Wu is a Sydney-based director passionate about bringing diversity to film sets and amplifying Asian-Australian voices in the local short film scene. Since graduating from UNSW, he has worked across a range of high-profile productions, including Netflix, Disney, and Channel Seven. Known for his ability to bring quirky, unique characters to life, Steven specializes in crafting compelling narratives that challenge conventions and celebrate diverse perspectives. "The Odyssey Of A Fatherless Son!" will mark Steven's professional directorial debut.

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Director Statement

I once asked my friend a simple question: “What does it mean to be a man today?” He contemplated for a moment, then spoke decisively. “The ideal man is someone who makes his presence felt. You walk into a room, and people turn their heads. Women want to be with you, and men want to be you.” This idea captures the essence of “The Odyssey of a Fatherless Son!” and it’s starry-eyed protagonist, Charlie McAdoo, who represents a generation of impressionable young men struggling to find their place in today's world.

Like Charlie, I was a fatherless son myself and I navigated a childhood filled without the help of a positive role model. I underwent relentless bullying, low self-esteem and I naturally sought other ways to fill this void within me. While I avoided the common pitfalls of idolising celebrity athletes portraying their “peak male body image” and social media influencers flaunting their lavish lifestyles and expensive cars, I found filmmaking as my cathartic way of expressing myself.

Similarly, this film is about more than just toxic masculinity and societal expectations— it represents a chapter of my life when I was profoundly unhappy. I had just quit my stable 9-to-5 job at a major TV network because I was truly burnt out. After years of grinding through the film and TV industry, I felt miserable, disillusioned, and I almost lost the spark that 14-year old version of me once had - the same spark that once ignited my dream of becoming a director one day.

One bitter Tuesday night, feeling utterly defeated, I found an escape through writing a fictitious character named Charlie McAdoo. Unlike me, he wasn’t crushed by the weight of reality - rather he rebelled against the perceived norms and chose to see things in his own wonderful way. There were even moments I began to envy Charlie for his unbridled optimism and belief in his own path and future.

What began in the quiet, dark hours of my room has blossomed into a film I’m incredibly proud to share. This is my professional directorial debut: and while it started out from memories of pain and disappointment, brings you, the viewer, an abundance of laughter and joy.