An Australian artist living in France clashes with her model while working on her latest portrait. A film shot by a one-woman cast and crew.

Director’s Vision for ‘Made By Us’

The journey of this film began 9 years ago, with another film, called Mates. Mates was also a one-woman cast and crew film about a woman who locks herself in a courtyard, which begins filling up with very annoying clones of herself. In the end, she murders all of them. After a big change in my life, I was reflecting on that film, and thinking about how I would tell that story today.

While visiting an art gallery, I thought about how much of the art was made alone. Perhaps this means that every artwork is, in a way, a self-portrait, and even films could be considered self-portraits. This relationship we have with art as a reflection of ourselves is what I wanted to explore again.

The artist, Joan, is surrounded by herself, the best parts, and the worst parts. She’s afraid to create a true portrait of herself, because what if people don’t like what they see? Jonarthy Jones, the instagram art critic, is the voice of that fear. Jane, the model, is what she aspires to be, honest, with some pretty solid boundaries. The other characters are there to actually get the work done.

There were the obvious technical challenges of making the film, dealing with camera, lights, sound, trying to listen as an actor while acting to nobody, and not having anyone behind the camera to spot mistakes (like when the microphone isn’t turned on). But the biggest challenge was trying to live up to the message of the film. In order for Joan to accept herself, she had to be honest. She had to let go of her insecurities and take a risk. When I realised what the ending of the film needed to be, I had that ecstatic feeling that I’d figured out the puzzle. This feeling was quickly followed by panic, that in that process, I would have to be very vulnerable myself. And the doubt set in.

I have made a lot of short films, but this is the first time I have felt truly nervous to share one. I believe that as we speak to the truths of our own lives, we will also speak to the lives of others, and in doing so, find a previously invisible community. Ultimately, I hope it will inspire individuals to feel seen and to be more accepting of themselves, the good and the bad.