Once Belonged Short Film

Once Belonged is the latest movie from award winning Darwin independent film maker Terry (Salvatore) Finocchiaro. IMDB Link: http://www...

Once Belonged is the latest movie from award winning Darwin independent film maker Terry (Salvatore) Finocchiaro.

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3769184

This short film in the adventure genre is a story about the journey of two young women from vastly different backgrounds, thrown together through a strange twist of fate.  Isolated by distance from their loved ones, the girls come to realise that they share the same feelings of loss and abandonment.

An interesting mix of new faces take lead roles in this project. Amie Smith (Sandra) and Sam Pini (Anna) debut as the two main characters alongside familiar Fravashi actor Giacomo Pandini.

Shooting locations for this film although local to Darwin spanned quite some distance.  From various sets in the industrial estate centres, traversing right out to shoots at Palmerston, Channel Island and Wickham Point.

Filmed over a period of 6 months Once Belonged involved a substantially bigger cast and crew than Sienna Productions previous year's short film release "Fravashi" this time drawing not only on the talents and dedication of many Darwin locals, but that of interstate composer Geoff Byfield who created the score for the film.

It is perhaps testament to the 'can do' attitude of Darwinites that all positions were filled just for the joy of participating and helping to create something great while having fun at the same time.

Terry always thinks he has the last laugh as he jokes that he'll be paying us the usual 'one peanut' fee for signing on to work on one of his projects ... but let's face it, his projects are now becoming anticipated to the point where some of the crew are seriously thinking of negotiating a two peanut deal.

It's always great to see some of the usual suspects joining the crew on set duties for this film.  With Lentini Productions Michael De Luca coming on board as assistant director for yet another year and Vernon Lowe moonlighting on both sides of the camera, behind the scenes as an action choreographer and a grip.  Matthew Phillips is back this year as well with a bad bad bad boy character which totally suits him - a little too much some say.

Sound guy +Brad Stott and Assistant Director +Michael De Luca on set.

New crew this year includes local Darwin funny man Brad Stott, the popular MC better known for his work with Hot100 and Top End Comedy lending a hand not only as rigger and sound guy but also appearing on camera in various roles (watch the movie and see if you can pick him).   Making the experience a family affair; Marco Pandini father of Giacomo is also moonlighting in front of the camera as Mafioso style boss "Mr. De Marco"

The man with the ideas +Salvatore Finocchiaro directing on "Once Belonged"

After what I believed to be my once-off cameo opportunity last year with Fravashi I was absolutely thrilled to be asked again by Terry to appear in Once Belonged, this time in a small speaking role.  Of course I said yes.  I said yes not just for the chance to get more exposure in a Sienna film but also because Terry makes it all fun.  The laughs on set, despite the Darwin humidty, despite the gruelling hours (not really - insert 'easy Sunday afternoons') and the peanuts for pay are absolutely a break away from the stresses of our daily grind.  Even if all the footage were accidentally erased at the end of the day every single person on set would say it was worth it for the memories anyway.