The Willows

Synopsis: Many ages ago a sword fell from the sky, sheathing itself within a stone. And with it, it bought a book of unimaginable power. From the arrival of the sword were the Wandering Protectors, the guiders of light. Just as good thrived, an evil began to fester deep beyond the forest and the book was lost.

For many centuries, the Twin Moons rose and fell as the evil began to speak of a soul who would become lost to the darkness. As the peace dwindled and retreated, two unexpected souls found the lost sword and the last protector and now they are on a quest to return the sword to the stone and find the book. It is a tale of love, independence and most importantly, that growing up and letting go might not be so bad after all.

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Hi everyone!

My name is Dylan Randall, Creative Director of Outatime Pictures and a Western Australian filmmaker. As a writer and director, I believe stories are windows into worlds beyond our own, places where anything is possible and audiences can momentarily escape the everyday. I am passionate about creating films that capture a sense of wonder and joy while continually pushing myself to explore new creative challenges and expand my craft.

Throughout my career, I have approached each project as an opportunity to grow as a filmmaker alongside my team. With The Willows, we are taking on our most ambitious challenge yet by shooting entirely on 16mm film. Beyond its unique aesthetic qualities, working with film demands a level of precision, collaboration, and trust that makes the creative process both daunting and incredibly rewarding. The logistics of production, the discipline required on set, and the anticipation of seeing the developed footage all contribute to an experience that will challenge us creatively and elevate our work as storytellers.

In the last two years, we have developed a strong passion for practical filmmaking, bringing imaginative characters to life through puppetry and hands-on effects. Our award-winning short film Reach for the Stars featured a puppet robot character, while our most recent production, The Puppets of the High Seas, utilised a dedicated puppetry team to bring more than nine characters to life on screen. These projects have allowed us to refine our practical techniques and build a collaborative creative process that blends performance, craftsmanship, and storytelling.

With The Willows, we aim to build on that experience by combining practical puppetry with the rich texture and authenticity of 16mm film. Together, these elements will help create a fully realised fantasy world that feels tangible, immersive, and handcrafted, inviting audiences into a story filled with magic, wonder, and heart.

Independent filmmaking is a true community effort. Even with a modest budget, there are many essential costs involved in creating a professional film, especially while shooting on film and that includes camera, film, lighting, and sound equipment rentals, transportation, meals for cast and crew, and post-production expenses like editing, sound mixing, and more. As an emerging filmmaker, I am committed to creating meaningful work that reflects the best of storytelling and taking audiences on an adventure. Your contribution, whether it's a donation, sharing this campaign, or simply spreading the word, will turn this idea into something real. My small yet mighty team greatly appreciates all the support in making this dream a reality.

What you'll be helping with:

Thank you for supporting us!

The Willows is an ambitious independent short-film, and bringing a project like this to life takes a dedicated team, careful planning, and the support of an incredible community. While we've already developing the film, assembling our cast and crew, and preparing for production, securing the remaining funding is our biggest challenge. Independent filmmaking is never easy, especially when you're creating something original. We're committed to making The Willows the best film it can be, and with your support, we can prove that a passionate group of filmmakers from Mandurah, Western Australia can create something truly special. Thank you for believing in our story and helping us bring it to the big screen.

Website: Outatime Pictures

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