LOCALS BRING HEART TO HOBART FILM

Hobart director Rob Stanton-Cook has hailed his latest film as a dream project shaped by community spirit. Locals provided props, accommodation and on-screen presence, embodying the values of the story. Their enthusiasm, even in harsh conditions, gave the production authenticity and heart, making the director’s task both easier and more rewarding.

Hobart-based director Rob Stanton-Cook has described his latest project as the kind of “job you dream of”, a production rooted in community spirit and local participation. The film, shot against the dramatic backdrop of Tasmania’s coastline, relied not only on the landscape but on the people who call it home.  

“The locals were the real heartbeat of our production,” Stanton-Cook told LBB. Their contribution went far beyond appearing on screen. Residents opened their homes to crew members, offered props, and embraced the process with enthusiasm. “There aren’t many other places you could ask a group to stand on a beach on the shortest day of the year, next stop Antarctica, and see nothing but smiles,” he said.  

The director emphasised that the community’s values mirrored those at the core of the film’s narrative, making his role easier. “They live the values of our story, so in that sense it made my job pretty easy,” he added.  

The production highlights how authentic storytelling can be elevated by genuine local involvement. For Stanton-Cook, the experience was not simply about filmmaking but about capturing the essence of a place and its people, ensuring that the final work resonates with truth and warmth.