Do you want to appear in a locally made film adaptation of a story by bestselling author Stephen King?

It’s a rarity for a small independent local film maker to produce a feature-length film right here in Canberra, but even more so when the film maker moves immediately onto a second feature-length film. Adding an even greater challenge, the film is based on “Dedication”, a short story by the internationally renowned Stephen King.

This is exactly what local filmmaker, Steve Cooke from The Walk World Productions, has done. Last year, his ghost story, The Blacksmith, premiered at Dendy. Now, he finds himself in the hectic period that is pre-production.

• Canberra filmmaker’s first feature premieres at Dendy (22 November 2022)

“You would think that I’d take some time off after the last film, but sometimes opportunities come along, and they’re too good to not pursue,” Mr Cooke said. “This is one of those opportunities. It’s a little surreal, to be honest. Having been a Stephen King fan since I was a teenager, to now get to make a film based on one of his short stories, right here in Canberra, I’m very excited.” 

The story centres on Martha, a hotel maid at a prestigious hotel that hosts the rich and famous. One of these guests is Peter Jeffries, a famous and talented author, known throughout the world for his literature. But he has an ugly side to him. He’s racist, sexist, elitist, and at times, downright rude – something that Martha experiences first-hand and on a regular basis.

But this job means a lot to Martha. Having come from a very poor background, she feels like she has worked hard to get where she is. She is married to Johnny Roswall, a man who is more interested in women, booze, and drugs than her, and she is the victim of his regular physical abuse.

When Martha becomes pregnant, Johnny is determined to ensure Martha loses the baby. But Martha wants the child, and will do whatever she can to save it. A neighbour talks her into seeing Mama Delorme, a mysterious and reclusive lady who lives at the end of the street. Resisting at first, she eventually succumbs to her neighbour’s pressure and visits Mama Delorme.

Martha could not possibly have foreseen the events that would unfold. After 20 years of hiding a very dark secret, she finally reveals all to a co-worker.

“The story is so complex, set mainly in the 1940s, but moving through to the 1960s and even right back to a scene in the 1920s,” Mr Cooke said. “It really is hard to put it into a 100-words synopsis.”

With so many moving pieces to the story, set location is of upmost importance. After all, where do you find locations that can take an audience back to 1940s Canberra?

“This is probably the easy part, to be honest,” Mr Cooke said. “Canberra has a number of heritage hotels that were built in the 1920s, and they’ve maintained that old style feel, albeit with some modern updates. My vision for the film is to take the story and adapt it, giving it a really unique 1940s Canberra feel.”

But securing venues for filming comes at a cost, and Steve and his small team have now started a number of fundraisers, including grant applications, crowdfunding campaigns, and even a trivia night.

“I really wanted to be able to offer people something, for those who are looking to contribute through the crowdfunding websites,” Mr Cooke said. “There’s this terrific scene, which is a 1940s cocktail party, and it really stood out as something that we can put a Canberra vibe around, reproduce something that may well have been happening in 1940s Canberra. I thought to myself, why can’t we offer roles as extras to anyone who wants to contribute?”

So, if you think of yourself as a bit of an actor, or perhaps you’d just like to be involved in this exciting locally produced film, here is your opportunity!

“We’ve auditioned,” Mr Cooke said. “We have a terrific cast. I have a phenomenal crew. We just need our extras! I’d really love for lots of people to support us, and of course, be in the film. We’ve only just launched and have had an enthusiastic take-up of the extra roles. I’m really looking forward to having everyone in the production.”

Filming is scheduled to commence end of April, and the cocktail party scene will be filmed early June 2023.

For a $200 donation, you will be an extra: you will have your hair and make-up styled, you will be dressed in 1940s attire, and you’ll get to re-enact a 1940s cocktail party. You will also get a special T-shirt and film poster – and your name captured in the film credits for perpetuity. For details on how to contribute, go to: https://igg.me/at/canberra-dedication/x/27878351#/

General contributions: https://gofund.me/e9783219

The trivia night details will be available at: www.thewalkworldproductions.com