'Magic' is a short film being produced by the passionate and dedicated students at the WA Screen Academy. It will air on Channel Nine in the second half of the year and will star the 3rd year WAAPA actors. 

'Magic' tells the story of a female teacher in 1906, forbidden from teaching science due to her gender. Fed up with the same poems and recitals, she starts showing her students seemingly frivolous ‘magic tricks’, which are in fact basic chemistry experiments. With her suspicious teacher's aide constantly on her tail, how long can she keep the magic a secret? 

ABOUT THE CREW

Director Laurie Ann McAinsh

Laurie Ann McAinsh is a passionate 22 year old director. Born in the U.K., she immigrated to Australia in 2011. She graduated from Murdoch University in 2015 with a BA in Theatre and Drama. She is currently completing her Masters in Directing at the WA Screen Academy. 

She has worked in the Perth theatre scene as a stage manager and director/assistant director for six years. She has a passion for period films and stories grounded in truth. 

Laurie is excited to undertake her first film directing role with the engaging story  told in ‘Magic’.

(Picture by EClaire Photography)

DOP Jacob Abercromby

Specialising in cinematography at the WA Screen Academy, Jacob is the Director of Photography for 'Magic'. Jacob previously studied film at North Metro TAFE, and will bring his practical knowledge and creativity to this period piece.

Producer AB Morrison

Alex "AB" Morrison is a writer-producer who graduated from the International Film School Sydney (Now AFTT) in June 2015, majoring in directing, screenwriting & producing, and has since been honing his craft through short courses at NIDA and AFTRS as well as writing and directing the award-winning music video 'Token You' for emerging artist Ingrid Mae. 

He most recently wrote, produced and directed the upcoming web series ‘Phake It’.

AB is currently  a screenwriter and producer at the WA Screen Academy.

Writer Ashlee Ishak

Ashlee is an aspiring writer who graduated from Curtin University with a Screen Arts degree in 2015. She is currently completing a Master of Screen Studies at the WA Screen Academy, specialising in screenwriting and editing. In 2015, she produced an award-winning short film that was screened at 3 international film festivals. Ashlee worked as a transcriber for documentaries before entering the Screen Academy.

Editor David Morgan-Brown

David Morgan-Brown has been involved in filmmaking for nearly ten years. He completed a degree in Screen Studies and Communications (plus a minor in Scriptwriting) and then volunteered on a number of productions at RTRFM, West TV, and Colosoul. Most of his editing experience has come from working on comedy sketch videos with his friends, in a variety of roles including writing, directing, acting, camerawork, editing, and sound design.

Being a period piece, historical accuracy is very important to us, as is the overall look of the film. Production design will therefore take up a large portion of the budget.

Additionally, being set in a school, 'Magic' will have numerous children on set and we will require funds to ensure they are kept well fed!

We are so excited about making this film and can't wait to share it with the world. 

We just need a push to make sure it can be the best it can be!

Any help is much appreciated.

Love, 

The 'Magic' team.

The challenge with this project is to achieve authentic historical accuracy in a period drama on a tight budget.  We are determined to make it as true to the period as possible.

To do this our production designer, Katelyn Collins, needs additional funds to buy costume pieces and set dressings to create the authenticity and quality to match the ambition of our director and our entire team.