Films
Professional Short Films
OF LAND AND BOUNTY (In Production)
Colonial Australia, 1874. After attending a church service that he finds thoroughly disinteresting, William Brady returns with his family to their quiet, isolated yet ostensibly affluent home. A carpenter in a tiny colonial town, Brady is not the kind of man who enjoys unannounced visitors. When Michael O'Keefe, an Irish traveler and gold prospector arrives at his home in search of water for himself and his horse, Brady is forced to accept a guest and invites O'Keefe in for a drink. The subservient Fiona brings the gentleman their drinks on the veranda as the two begin to converse and learn about their similarities and differences. As the conversation progresses, we learn that Brady has not been forthright about his past, nor has O'Keefe been forthright about his intentions.
THE WINDOW
"Julian feels compelled to travel to his local pub. On arrival he finds his friends and family there celebrating, and they have some important news."
Our third short film, made with a professional cast and crew, shot on location with a self-funded budget of $4,000.
Starring: Ashley Weidner, Robert Grubb, Paul Reichstein and Peter Lesley.
Produced by Nick Williams and Hayden Grubb
Written and Directed by Lucas Crandles
Click here to see The Window on YouTube
See stills from The Window (including behind the scenes stills) here
Awards and Recognition:
- Finalist in the upcoming Rome International Film Festival
- Front Page Feature on YouTube Australia
- Shortlisted for Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival
CAMPSITE
"Three young men venture into the heart of the Australian bush to escape the evils of suburban life. They learn that the darker side of humanity cannot be escaped so easily."
Our second professional short, shot for less than $500 in just two half-days. No trained actors or crew and a fairly controversial script. Music provided by French artist 'Darkened Escape'
Starring: Hayden James Weston, Robert Nakos and Nicholas Gell.
Written and Directed by: Lucas Crandles
See stills from "CAMPSITE" Here
See CAMPSITE here Part 1, Part 2
Awards and Recognition:
- 5th of 13 finalists in Open Channel short film festival, Love Your Work
- Finalist for Blue Dandenong Youth Film Festival (Feb 15th-17th, 2008)
BLACK BUTTON
Our first professional short.
"Mr Roberts finds himself awoken inexplicably in a white room. A man sits before him at a desk and in between them stands a black button. If Mr Roberts pushes it, he will receive a briefcase filled with millions of dollars. Or he can take the key to the door and leave penniless. The catch? Pushing the button will result in the death of a human being. What would you do?"
Starring Robert Grubb (Gallipoli, Mad Max 3) and his son and co-founder of DHP, Hayden James Weston.
Written by Lucas Crandles and Hayden James Weston
Directed by Lucas Crandles
Quote - "Kindness, selflessness, mercy. These are all euphemisms for weakness. I hold up the animal world, Mr Roberts. The beasts of the field show no mercy. You don't die of old age on the Serengeti!"
Making of Black Button Part 1, Part 2
Ed Paxton's fantastic original score for Black Button is now available for download. Click here. (Right click Save As) Please remember that this score is not available for public use. If you'd like to use it, email us first to discuss it.
Awards and Recognition:
- YouTube Awards 2007 - Best Short Film - Top Six Finalist
- Fitzroy Short Film Festival May 2007 - Best Film - Equal First Place
- DearCinemaFest Shortfilm Festival - First Place
- 2nd of 13 finalists in Open Channel short film festival, Love Your Work
- Honorable Mention - Indie Short Film Festival - USA
- Finalist - 'Electric Shorts' Film Festival 2007, Melbourne Fringe Festival (a screening night, not a competition)
- Pending recurring broadcast on U.S.A. digital television station Local Point TV, based in Washington
- Discussion of film appears in popular Dutch newspaper NRC. See the original here or the translation courtesy Tessa from RobertGrubb.com here
- Finalist on Short Film Website Si Mi
- YouTube Editor's Pick, featured film in YouTube's 'Film and Animation' Category
- YouTube Front Page Feature
- Broadcast on U.S. television station CATS TV
- Broadcast on CNBC - Network 18
- Featured Review on Short of the Week here
Pre-'Dark Heart' Amateur Short Films
THE OFFICER
One of Lucas' projects from his army days. Became widely circulated within the Australian Defence Force Academy and abroad. The Brass did not approve. Allegedly, more than a year after its creation (and its creators' departure from the Academy grounds), its catchphrases still echo the divisional buildings.
"A 'mockumentary' look into the daily life of Officer Cadets at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Satirical, subtle and derisive. You don't have to have been at ADFA to understand it, but it helps!"
Starring Robert Hartley, Shaun Blacker, Jessica Adams, Lucas Crandles
Written and Directed by Lucas Crandles and Shaun Blacker
Quote - "We were standing on the parade ground talking; in other words, looking for a leader. And the Sergeant just looked at us and said -'Shut up.' I mean...that's leadership."
SURVIVOR: GRUNDY'S HOUSE
A solo project by Lucas' that unashamedly copied virtually every element of the television show Survivor, condensed it into a day and held it in the backyard of his friend's house. A fantastic learning tool in how to edit. We learnt a lot about filmmaking that day.
"A feature-length look into a day that went down in history. Eight people drank filthy concoctions, shamed themselves, faced the elements and exhaustive physical challenges. Only one survived."
Produced and Directed by Lucas Crandles
Quote - "You said in your application forms that you were willing to do anything to win. Lets put that to the test."
TIME TO ROLL
DHP in its developmental stages During the period when Guy Ritchie was cool. Considering what we had, some fine looking stunts and editing in this little number. "Didn't pay your dealer on time? Its time to run."
Starring Hayden James Weston, Nick Grundy and Lucas Crandles
Written and Directed by Lucas Crandles and Hayden James Weston
Quote - "Get Sarge on the blower and tell him to get his kit on. Time to teach this kid some manners."
MAYONNAISE
The first DHP collaboration. Not even remotely dark but produced some moments still quoted to this day. "Two 16-year-old boys. One day. One camera. One ludicrous sketch-comedy script. No limits."
Starring Written and Directed by Lucas Crandles and Hayden James Weston
QUOTE: "It was back in the war. Old Jimmy was sittin' by himself. The lads loved this one. So I snuck up behind up, and BANG! And off came his leg of course. All the lads had a laugh. Well, Jimmy didn't, on the account of me blowin' off his leg. But we always said, had he not died of gangrene, he would've laughed."