Ever been to a Bachelors and Spinsters ball?
Apparently it’s a night of partying to country music, catching up new and old friends, and drinking volumes of beer, Bundy and Jim Beam before passing out in the back of a ute.
In a flick that aims to represent this particular taste of Australian life, location was imperative in conveying total authenticity of an annual B&S and ute muster event – two iconic Australian phenomena that occur in rural areas.
“It’s just a great party really. This film is about finding and keeping love, friendship, loyalty, and just absolute craziness really,” says David Redman, co-producer of the Australian film.
Classed as a romantic comedy for the young and the young at heart, Spin Out has it all. The B&S ball, denial over desire, fast cars, drama and a hell of a party – all in a humble regional town.
For Redman, Shepparton was the answer. Located two hours from Melbourne and having worked on a number of regionally set films (Strange Bedfellows), the Melbourne producer says it was pivotal this film was made in the country, with this regional location as the saviour.
“Technically we could have done it on a stage but we knew the film needed that authenticity. We needed somewhere far enough away from Melbourne that it was country, but also not too far away that it made it logistically difficult to make,” Redman explains.
“We ended up finding a couple of fantastic locations where we shot the entire film, such as the Emerald Bank Woolshed which is just outside of Shepparton.”
The film is set over 24 hours of mayhem, heightening the need to have production limited to a central location for the movie to look, sound and feel as realistic as possible. Achieving a seemingly impossible feat, the film took just four weeks to film, with Redman stating it was by far the quickest film of its scale, penning its success down to his co-producer Marc Gracie, the experienced crew, the young Australian cast perfectly suited to the role, and just good luck.
“Sometimes films have an aura. Some films are just hard, but this one just felt that the stars are aligning. It had a very positive energy around it, Shepparton council and locals were beyond supportive all the way through (with some even lending their utes), and we had really great weather. As I say, sometimes it just feels like it’s meant to be, and this feels like one of those.
“The biggest challenge we actually had was trying to do a big, fun comedic, exciting, emotional film and make it in four weeks.”
The Sony film follows a relationship between two long-time friends, Billy (played by Twilight heart throb Xavier Samuel) and Lucy (Sydney beauty Morgan Griffin), who are both in denial over their desire for each other. Within the classic rom-com, they must confront their feelings amidst the backdrop of their town’s Ute Muster and B&S, or go their separate ways.
“This year something happens and they kind of realise that maybe there’s a bit more than just friendship. But things are going crazy, and everything goes entirely the way they might not have wanted it to. They really have to work out if they want to be together, or they might lose each other forever.
“Perhaps Billy and Lucy do find their way to love at the end. But how they do it is unique to them.”
In a film that follows love, friendship, anticipation and growing up, the story is one that will resonate with any audience, not just those from a regional setting.
“There’s definitely some things in the story, characters and the settings that are unique to people in the regions and country towns on multiple levels, such as the Ute Muster and young people considering moving out of the town for work, but I actually think the characters and the way their relationships are developing is something that resonates with everyone.”
In saying that, Redman has no doubt the scenes and events within the film will conjure up a few fond memories from regional communities.
“Because they [B&S balls, Ute Musters] are perhaps not as widespread as they once were, it’s a kind of homage to that world. Our characters are kind of staging their own, and that’s come across. I think that been able to show both young and old versions of the culture is what we are really excited about.
Amongst the unique culture represented, the film includes authentic ute action, including footage from the Deni Ute Muster, as well as featuring all Australian tracks from the likes of Thirsty Merc, Evermore and Geelong’s own Taylor Henderson.
“I think it’s very funny. It’s probably more emotional and heartfelt than a lot of people thought going in. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will be touched by it.”
The movie comes out today on almost 200 screens around the country.
Written by Talia Rinaldo
