With Skin Like Bark, we are dedicated to increasing our audience's awareness of toxic masculine behaviour and advocating for a better alternative: for us to simply accept ourselves for who we are, warts and all.

Behind this film are a passionate Gold Coast-based cast and crew, all signed aboard to contribute to the conversation about gender in 2017. Our team wishes to chart the failures of hegemonic (or "toxic") masculinity through our protagonist's emotional journey.

Our message is simple.

Toxic masculinity is unsustainable in 2017. Rather than continue to assert our dominance through threats of physical action or repression of our true emotions, men should simply accept themselves, their successes and their failures for what they are.

This is where our story begins. 

SKIN LIKE BARK is a dramatic short film led by an ensemble of males, all of whom provide differing portrayals of masculinity for our protagonist to draw upon throughout his emotional journey.

This protagonist is Sam. A boy on the cusp of adolescence, Sam physically embodies the antithesis of manhood: little muscle development, a gauntly face and a vacant mind. Unsure of what he’ll grow to be, Sam is stuck in age purgatory and serves as the perfect blank slate for others to imprint their worldview upon him.

Once Sam commits a violent and inescapable crime with far-reaching consequences, he must face his disgusting actions head-on and decide exactly what kind of man he wishes to become.

Behind this team is Saudade Films, a production company founded by the award-winning director Declan Caruso (Surfers Paradise: Sunrise to Sunset, 2016). Behind him are a team of talented producers, including Celine Wienand (Bunny, 2017) and Christine Marie Milo (award-winning director & producer of Überrich, 2017).

This film is employing over 20 talented cast and crew members who have all dedicated their time and energy towards making this project a reality. There are specific goals we wish to achieve throughout our production.

Here's just a few of them:

• We aim to shed light on the ongoing identity crisis that traditional masculinity faces in 2017.
• We aim to create a story that is emotionally affecting, whose effect serves as a cautionary tale for viewers.
• We have and will continue to connect with various partners in the Gold Coast region to enrich the quality of our film and have a valuable impact in the community.
• As artists, we will use the utmost of our potential and challenge ourselves to achieve an end-result we are proud of.

Just as we're sure you are, we're all so incredibly excited to see this film be made! Here's how exactly you can help too:

Skin Like Bark is a student-run initiative. However, like any production, there are necessary costs that ensure a high quality film with a high quality impact. We are relying on fundraisers, donations, and generous supporters like you to bring this story to the screen. Even the smallest donation will help us get one step closer to our goal! 

So where does it all go? Great question!

MAIN BUDGET ITEMS

Cast & Crew Payment

For this film, we are employing professional actors and crew members for the best sense of immersion in our film's environment and characters. We'd very much like to compensate them for their efforts. Even a little goes a long way.

Production Design

Through costumes, set dressing and other contemporary design items, we wish to showcase a visually authentic, modern-day production. 

Craft and Transportation

This will be a large student production with quite a few cast and crew members. We will need to ensure that everyone has a safe and reliable form of transportation to and from the shoot and we need to ensure that everyone is fed.

Marketing and Distribution

Finally, your support will help us cover the cost of digital advertising, posters, banners, and other forms of marketing to get our story to as many audiences as possible. Likewise, showcasing our film at festivals allows more people to experience Sam's emotional journey.