Back in 2015, I got the chance to direct one of my first proper music videos — “Train” by Tommy Novak.
Music has always held a special place in my heart, and I was even studying it at AIM (the Australian Institute of Music). The deeper I got involved in music, the more I loved it, but it felt like only part of the whole - I was missing out on the visual aspect.
Realising that video is where I can join both sides together, I switched trajectory to a film degree. It felt fitting that the first video I directed while studying film at SAE was a music video, on top of that it was for a friend I met while studying music at AIM.
The project itself was very fun, partly as there was a lot of excitement from the team making it, but also because it stars my nanna and her partner as the two leads. It felt rare and beautiful to make something creative with family, and even more so to tell a story about love, aging, and quiet resilience.
They loved starring in it too!
To fit with Tommy's lyrics that had such a nostalgic, bittersweet message, I wanted the concept to be simple but emotional:
An old man wakes up on his anniversary. Dressed in his best and carrying a gift and flowers, he sets out to meet his partner. The city is harsh, fast, and indifferent — and he struggles against it.
He’s knocked down, his gift is lost, and his energy is fading. But with help from a stranger and the memory of love as fuel, he keeps moving forward.
Looking back, I learned a lot from this project:
Keep it human
Big emotions come through in the small, sincere moments. Seeing the genuine love shared between my grandparents through the camera has kept me looking for real emotions whenever I film.
Big emotions come through in the small, sincere moments. Seeing the genuine love shared between my grandparents through the camera has kept me looking for real emotions whenever I film.
Cast with care
Bob & Nanna Ros brought so much truth to the screen because they could be themselves.
Bob & Nanna Ros brought so much truth to the screen because they could be themselves.
Don't overcomplicate it
A simple story, told clearly, can still hit hard.
A simple story, told clearly, can still hit hard.
While it can be hard to look at your early work, I’ll always be proud of this one — even with its student-level rough edges.
