Principal photography for the Australian feature film Storage commenced today in Brisbane. The Beef Pavillion at Brisbane’s historical RNA Showgrounds will be converted to a massive storage facility for the setting of this gripping, edge of your seat thriller. Filming will also take place in other Brisbane suburbs including Toowong, Ascot and Murrarie.
AFI award winning actress Saskia Burmeister (The Jammed, Hating Alison Ashley, Sea Patrol) has been cast as Zia, a drifter working as Leonard’s receptionist. Robert Mammone (Underbelly, The Condemned) will star as Francis and Robert Price (Head On) is set to play Jimmy’s Father Leonard. Following months of auditions, Brisbane born Matt Scully (H20 Just Add Water, The Starter Wife) will make his feature film debut as the lead, Jimmy. Damian Garvey (Daybreakers, Sea Patrol, McLeod’s Daughters and the new ABC series East of Everything) will portray Uncle Leonard. “Mike and I, along with prominent casting director Tom McSweeney, tested in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for the roles of Jimmy and Leonard. After the extensive search, we were excited to find the most fantastic actors, who had both the screen presence and ability to carry these complex characters, right here in Brisbane. We believe that this is a wonderful boost for the Queensland industry and a great credit to the talent who are living and working here,” Producer Elizabeth Symes stated.
Storage tells the story of Jimmy, a young man of 17, who is bereft and alone after the brutal murder of his father. Burdened by grief, he goes to live with his Uncle Leonard, an ex SAS officer, who runs a multi level storage facility in the city. While exploring the maze of corridors Jimmy comes across a deeply disturbed man, Francis, who seems to be storing evidence of a crime in his storage unit. In the middle of the night, behind his Uncle’s back, Jimmy breaks into this man’s storage room, but his Uncle has followed him and he confronts the young man, absolutely furious. What he didn’t expect to find was that Jimmy was telling the truth. In a red drum barrel at the back of the room they find clear evidence that this man is a murderer. Together they decide to track this man down. Jimmy soon discovers that once you start down a dark road it’s almost impossible to turn back.
Storage is written, directed and produced by Michael Craft, and co-produced by Brisbane entrepreneur Gregor Drugowitsch and established Queensland filmmaker Elizabeth Symes (Shine, The Potato Factory, Blue Heelers) Producer, Gregor Drugowitsch believes “Michael is one of Queensland’s most sought after young directors. Michael finished his Masters degree at QUT in 2002. His graduating film The Machine played at over 40 international film festivals. He has given us a script which has outstanding potential. This is evidenced by our success in attaching David Lightfoot (Producer Rogue, Wolf Creek and Bad Boy Bubby) as Executive Producer”.
Both Gregor and Elizabeth believe there is a rich vein of talent in Queensland. Rich Vein Productions was conceived to contribute and further a thriving filmmaking hub in Queensland. Director of Photography Tony Luu (48 Shades, 2006 Tropfest winner for Silencer) and Production Designer Michelle Sotheren (Acolytes) have been confirmed as key crew. Independently financed, Storage is produced by Queensland based Rich Vein Productions and is scheduled for release in 2008.
[release by Think Tank Communications]