THE DEATH OF DON DUNCAN
When mismatched friends Alby, Otis, and Ed accidentally kill action movie star Don Duncan whilst sneaking onto one of his sets, they devise a plan to escape that’s so crazy it might just work. Or not. They’re not really sure.
SYNOPSIS
The Death of Don Duncan is an absurd comedy that follows three friends, Alby, Otis, and Ed as they try to find a way off the set of Death Rider 7 after they accidentally kill the lead actor. The film acts as a hilarious exaggeration of both Hollywood A-lister culture and the anxieties of doing something you know you're not supposed to be doing. It also doubles as an exploration of friendship groups of three and the difficulties that come with trying to navigate that dynamic, whilst also providing comedic moments.
Director's Statement
My whole life, I've been an incredibly nervous person. Nervous about the little things, like whether my bus driver hates me because I forgot to smile at them when I got on, whether I'm wearing the same thing I wore yesterday (thus, people will think I'm weird), or whether my wallet has disappeared when it's not in my direct line of sight. But, I've also always been worried about the bigger things. Nervous about where my creative voice fits in the vast creative landscape, whether my stories are worth telling, whether filmmaking is something I'm any good at.
I was always set on making a horror film for my final uni project. I wanted to challenge myself to create something subversive, something edgy, something unpredictable. So, I got to writing. I wrote draft after draft of contrived, overdone boring cliche horror concepts that I knew had no serious chance of ever making it off the page. So, I gave up. I had to face the reality - I was nervous, yet again.
So, when all hope was lost, I wrote about it. I wrote about my own anxieties. I wrote about how terrifying filmmaking is. About how when everything is going right, someone goes ahead and dies (obviously, an exaggeration, but you get it). It led me to a realisation, that filmmaking is, well and truly, the most ridiculous, illogical thing ever. This is a concept that was echoed throughout the production of this film - it was absolute hell. I felt so alone, I pretty much produced the whole thing by myself (yet felt as if I was being expected to do even more, due to others not pulling their own weight), crew members dropped out mere days before deadlines, files corrupted, drafts sucked, and I can say with my chest that it was well and truly some of the most difficult, uncomfortable months of my life.
Then, I finished post production. All the stresses were over. So, I decided to take a break from creating. I wanted to give myself some distance from filmmaking so I could come back even stronger.
And I hated it.
So, yes, I still (sort of) stand by my conclusion that I made before, but I'd like to amend it. Filmmaking is the SECOND most ridiculous, illogical thing ever. What's the first, you ask? Well, that would be not making films.
On the surface level, my film, The Death of Don Duncan, follows three friends accidentally killing their favourite actor after sneaking onto a film set. But read into it a little closer and you'll see that it's everything I'm excited for, everything I'm nervous about, hell, everything I'm just thinking about in terms of making films in the future. This process has made it abundantly clear that I not only want to make films for the rest of my life, but I simply need to. I crave it every second of every day, it's all I can think about.
So, I stand beside my biggest project (so far), The Death of Don Duncan, immensely proud of what me and my (mostly) amazing team of collaborators have delivered. I know my inspirations (such as the Coen Brothers, Scorsese, and other random flicks such as Wayne's World and Withnail & I) shine brightly through, and frankly I can't wait to see what people think of it. I can't wait to look back on it and see how far me and my friends have come. But most of all, I can't wait for you to watch it!
Crew
Writer/Director
Maya Heinecke
Maya Heinecke has been in love with film for as long as she can remember. From growing up spending long nights watching animated films on repeat, to going to film festivals around the country, she has always been fascinated with the medium, and is taking her biggest step towards making her dreams of being a film director with her new project "The Death of Don Duncan".
Maya’s exciting and hilarious script has rallied forth a crew of wonderful talents who feel lucky just to work with her. With her trademark warmth, kindness and relentless sense of humour, she brings the filmic knowledge (for every movie you name, Maya can name 16) and skill to embark on an ambitious and fresh piece of work.
Maya's work is a manifestation of her own fears and excitements surrounding filmmaking, and she can't wait to share it with the world.
Producer
Luke Mendes
Luke Mendes is a lover of films of all kinds. He approaches film from a unique, analytical standpoint and was thrilled to take on this project from a production perspective.
He brings his love of the films of Guy Ritchie in all of his creative ventures, be that through absurd Shakespearean adaptations to videography for real estate companies, Luke has a unique creative voice that is hard not to listen to.
Director of Photography
William McAndrew
William McAndrew is a lover of all things film. He always has been! Over the past year, however, his obsession with watching films of all kinds has led to him developing a one of a kind, essential creative voice that is paramount to the success of this project.
William has always loved the telling of the story, be that through the writing, the acting, or the direction - but lately, his interest in photography has collided with his love of filmmaking and culminated in a fantastic first outing as a cinematographer. He brings with him inspiration of all different kinds - be that the Coen Brothers, Scorsese, and many others - William wants to paint a picture, to tell a story, and he does so masterfully.
Editor
Styliana Eleni
Calling Styliana Eleni's editing knowledge extensive would be a cruel understatement. Being a graduate of SAE, she has extensive knowledge of all different areas of production, specifically post. Her masterful cutting has shown in this project shows her discipline, skill, and ability to tell a story, whilst creating comedy and tension.
Styliana has gone viral online multiple times for her insanely inspired edits of her favourite franchises - which is only testament to the fact that she is singular and essential to the success of this project.
Sound Designer
Miki Pybus
There's nothing Miki can't do when she sets her mind to it, which is evident through her efforts in The Death of Don Duncan. On top of being a shining ray of sunshine on set, she brings an inspiring air of confidence in all of her creative ventures, uplifting all those around her.
She is extending her endless list of skills in this project, moving her latest experimentation to foley and sound design, and has delivered far greater than anything you'd expect from a first timer.
Production Designer
Isabelle Tang
Belle's talent as a production designer shines through The Death of Don Duncan, and she truly needs no introduction. From little pieces of set dressing to entire extra cameras, it is clear Belle has a comprehensive understanding of the importance of telling a story through the setting of the scene.
She has gracefully lended her talents to countless student projects, and always brings an exciting new take on the source material that can only be chalked up to her level of professionalism.
Cast
Don Duncan
Tommy Ropati
There's no other way to put it - Tommy Ropati is famous amongst student filmmakers. Although he works full-time as a security guard, he still finds time EVERY WEEK to volunteer on a new student project - a level of commitment and time management we can't even begin to comprehend.
Tommy floats onto set and lifts the spirits of all of those involved in anything he does, which was prominent on our set. Only being able to film on the second day, he came right onto set and got straight to business, and delivered a killer performace we couldn't be happier to show off to the world.
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Alby
Campbell Krol
Campbell Krol is a talent beyond words. His energy is infectious, with so many little mannerisms that you can't teach - it's just pure skill. These statements are at their truest in his role of Alby, where he plays a hapless-action-movie-loving-sort-of-manipulative-goofball with terrifying ease.
As a lover of all things acting, Campbell has spent the better half of his life volunteering on projects and lending his insane talents to better everything that is lucky enough to have him involved.
Ed
Zara Zuccolotto
Zara Zuccolotto is no stranger to acting. Performing all throughout primary school, high school, and now well into her uni life, she has collaborated with Maya Heinecke on multiple occasions and together they are forming an exciting creative partnership.
Outside of this, Zara is a great presence to have around in every context. She is a lover of all things creative, studying to be an English teacher, and watches as many films as she can when she gets the chance.
Otis
Rose Tate
Tate is a fantastic actor, but on top of all things, a fantastic person to have around. They give everything they set their mind to 100%, which is evident in their fantastic performance in The Death of Don Duncan.
Being incredibly involved in university life, everyone knows and loves Tate, and is incredibly excited to see their performance in this project
Script
Application is no longer available.
Credits
Director
Maya Heinecke
Writer
Maya Heinecke
Producer
Luke Mendes
Director of Photography
William McAndrew
Production Designer
Isabelle Tang
Editor
Styliana Barn
Sound Designer/Recordist
Miki Pybus
Composer
Louis Wishart
Featuring
Campbell Krol as Alby
Tate as Otis
Zara Zuccolotto as Ed
Tommy Ropati as Dan/Don Duncan
Leo Larmer as Director
Also Featuring
Nia Chen
Louis-Sebastien Danoy
Ella Fraser
Isabelle Tang
Script Supervisor
William McAndrew
1st Assistant Director
Daniel MacKenzie
Runner
Josie Sullivan
Louis-Sebastien Danoy
Camera Operator
Ruihai Wang
William McAndrew
Key Grip
Nia Chen
Music
Don's Death
Written and mixed by Louis Wishart
Your Monologue
Written and mixed by Louis Wishart
Let's Get Out Of Here
Written and mixed by Louis Wishart
Colourist
Curtis Green
A Chitterhouse Production
Specifics
Runtime
10 mins, 36 seconds.
Format
Screener available at request on Vimeo
File format QT .mov Apple ProRes 422 HQ (open on VLC)
