GIPPSLAND-born filmmaker Josh Conn has just released his first feature film in Australia, following its international debut in the US, UK and Canada earlier this year.
Outback horror Crow Valley was filmed along the Surf Coast in southwest Victoria, but Mr Conn said his early years growing up in eastern Gippsland were a huge inspiration for the film.
“We were actually looking at filming in a cabin in Gippsland, but the cost and distance became an issue. It was a pity because it’s such a beautiful part of the world,” Mr Conn said.
Mr Conn was born in Orbost and spent his early childhood in Cann River.
“When you live in a smaller town, you’re familiar with the tyranny of distance. You’re a little more remote, it’s hard to get help. Those type of issues were a real starting point when I began writing the movie,” he said.
Crow Valley is about mountain biker Benny Jones who sets off on a weekend ride but is knocked off his bike in a brutal hit and run. He wakes up badly injured in a remote cabin where he meets young hiker Greta. She soon turns his life into a living hell.
The now Torquay-based filmmaker began his career as a screenwriter with his first feature script optioned by New Zealand’s the Gibson Group. He went on to make several short films before tackling Crow Valley.
Mr Conn also stars in the film alongside Geelong-based actress Nicole Freeman, while friend Adrian Olsson was cinematographer.
“We filmed the movie on weekends for about a year,” Mr Conn said.
“Usually for an independent film it’s done in a block of 18 or 24 days, but having more time meant that if we didn’t like a scene, we could just rewrite it and shoot it again. We also saved a huge amount of money. We made Crow Valley for just under $20,000 which is next to nothing in the movie world.”
Mr Conn said he was passionate about a huge range of movies genres, but decided to focus on horror for Crow Valley.
“Many of the decisions I made for this movie were for practical reasons,” he said.
“Horror movies are easy from a marketing point of view. To keep costs down, I needed a single location, a simple idea and a minimal cast. I looked at how director Robert Rodriguez made his movies – he was the model.
“I had the idea about a guy getting knocked off his bike and the plot’s twists and turns evolved through the writing process.”
Mr Conn said he was extremely proud Crow Valley had managed to secure an international release.
“We’re really punching above our weight with this movie. It was a real community effort, we had an army of friends and family helping us, so the US release was a massive reward for everyone involved,” he said.
Mr Conn has already finished a script for his next movie, a crime thriller inspired by Aussie classics like Chopper and Death in Brunswick.
“That film is still a few years away, but I’m really excited by the way the script is coming together,” he said.
Crow Valley is now available for streaming on Google Play, YouTube Movies and Vimeo on Demand.
