Press release from Gil & Stine International
During his final days on planet Earth, the Astronaut returns to his childhood hometown and meets a local girl going nowhere; the two form an unlikely connection that will set them on a new trajectory through this unknown universe.
Core creative team Adam Lemmey and Meredith Calthorpe aim to introduce themselves as screen storytellers by busting out all they’ve got to get a fresh, energetic film experience to you. Rough around the edges, full of love, the meaning of life and contemplations on space travel; “The Astronaut” will be a character driven science fiction tale set in the year 2037.
Meredith originally set out the challenge to make a feature film using only available resources and making it right now. Two months for story development and pre-production, one week to shoot, and two months for post-production. Adam accepted the challenge.
Said Meredith, “Our intention is to guarantee the making of this film. We’re not waiting on anyone else’s approval or financing. With only the resources available to us we are setting out to introduce ourselves as serious filmmakers. We are very proud of the story we have and once it’s out there we’ll intend to move progressively forward in our careers and development.”
With the idea of creating a relationship drama, Adam remembered a newspaper article he had read; that NASA claimed humans could be living on MARS by 2030 and the human space program is now aimed at settling other worlds. The sheer cost of the mission, combined with limited technology means that the first colonists would be sent on a one-way trip.
“Based on this story, we thought about these astronauts who are willing to leave Earth forever in the pursuit of human colonies amongst the stars. Our film became about one astronaut and how he says goodbye to Earth”, said Adam.
Principle photography will commence in the second half of August with the Astronaut being played by Curtis Fernandez, taking on his first lead role in a feature.
“I’ve always wanted to travel to space and this will give me the chance to play a character who will live on Mars”, commented Curtis.
“I’m excited to be involved, the characters are so rich and the story is different to what usually goes around the micro-budget and independent film circles.”
Gil & Stine Independent will have the film ready for release by the end of October and are considering different distribution strategies.
There are many fantastic film festivals that they would love to be part of, and a cinematic release would be wonderful, but while they will be pursuing them Adam and Meredith will also be looking at a DIY mode of getting The Astronaut seen.
“As this is to be our introduction film, we will be hosting our own screenings of it and inviting all those we wish to introduce ourselves to; in particular practitioners and professionals of the film industry,” explains Adam. “We can guarantee making the film, so we want to guarantee that people will be able to see it.”
From there, they will look at hosting more screenings and even touring the country with it, so whoever you are, expect your invite soon.
About Gil & Stine International: Meredith Calthorpe and Adam Lemmey met while studying at the Australian Film, Television, Radio School in 2009. Bonding while learning arduously and capturing monsters, they discovered a shared sense of humour and a passion for storytelling that is fun, playful, and will create a deep, emotional connection with an audience.
In 2008 Meredith began working as a personal assistant to cinematographer Christopher Doyle. Discovering that the best job on set was playing with cameras, she returned to Sydney to study filmmaking at AFTRS. Now a freelance camera assistant and cinematographer based in Sydney, this is her first feature length film.
Adam originates from Adelaide, where he acquired his taste for screen stories at the MAPS film school. In 2007 his short film “Hard Rubbish” was nominated for a bunch of SASSA awards and toured festivals internationally. He has since been involved in many shorts, contracted work, web content, and is also devoted to his concepts for children’s stories “Creepy Weekly” and “Freight Train Stallions”.
Together, they decided to formalize their working relationship and created Gil & Stine International in 2010 as a place to explore and produce their many stories. While in production with “The Astronaut”, they are also developing TV series “Douglas Columbus Mysteries”, the nuns on a heist feature comedy “Sisters”, and an ever-evolving slate of concepts.
This is just the beginning and you can follow our progress via the web here.