Infinitely (2023)

16 minutes / Vontaine Australia® / Directed By Joel Devereux

“Infinitely” follows the journey of a young couple navigating an amicable breakup. Uncertain about which path to take, they grapple with conflicting opinions on what is truly best for them both.

Cast

Ruby Sanders, Alex Kaan, Bailey Stevenson, Abi Muir, Daryl Heath, Liz Christensen, Jack Mooney, Susan Prince

Written and Directed by Joel Devereux

Making films for fun...

Opting to create my first short film in over a decade, I aimed for a small budget to demonstrate that short films are within reach for nearly everyone. The script drew inspiration from a personal experience in my early twenties when I went through a separation from my French partner, navigating the uncertainty of whether we should remain friends.

Funding

Acquiring a Blackmagic 6K Pro for WePop Creative significantly streamlined the decision-making process for shooting Infinitely. The film’s funding primarily came from a Regional RADF Creative grant, covering expenses such as actor and crew payments, lens and camera equipment, as well as post-production costs. The total grant amount was approximately $AU8891.

Ruby And Alex

Initially selecting Ruby Sanders and Alex Kaan for individual roles, we later discovered by chance that they not only were acquainted but had also been a couple for several years. Being situated in Sydney, we facilitated discussions about the script and allowed for convenient read-throughs conducted via Zoom and FaceTime. Everyone commented on the chemistry between the two, and this was the reason.

The snakebite...

After 11 hours of shooting on a Saturday, Brak Jones, the assistant camera, had an unexpected encounter with a grass snake, resulting in a bite that landed him in the hospital overnight. Despite the incident, he managed to return in time for the final scene shoot of the weekend at Oaks Beach near Port Douglas.

Understory Film Festival

My objective was to create a submission for the Understory Film Festival, a locally funded event overseen by my close friend Jan Aird. However, upon completing Infinitely, I discovered its duration was 16 minutes, exceeding the festival’s maximum limit of 8 minutes. Despite the challenge, I successfully edited it down and submitted it with just 5 minutes to spare. Remarkably, we secured the “Best Narrative” award, marking a significant achievement.

FNQ Film Community

The most remarkable aspect of filming this movie was collaborating with some of the most dedicated members of the local film crew. They were all willing to take on shorts for modest regionally funded compensation, yet meeting each of them was a pleasure. I’m eager to kick off this year’s film project soon. Stay tuned for further details.