Press Kit

An Afterlife
Written & Produced Directed
By By
Jeremy Rigby Ryan Neil Butler

FILM INFORMATION
PRODUCTION COUNTRY: AUSTRALIA
COMPLETION DATE: January, 2017
RUNNING TIME: 11:58 min
LANGUAGE: English
PICTURE: Colour
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
SHOOTING FORMAT: 25fps 1080p
MOVIE SOUND: Stereo
BUDGET: A$1500
MEDIA: Jeremy Rigby
SOCIAL MEDIA:
www.anafterlife.com
www.facebook.com/anafterlife
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3879092/

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ABOUT AN AFTERLIFE
TAG LINE
Will your next dream be your last?
LOG LINE
Walking the thin line between dream and reality a desperate man tries to figure
out what is an afterlife.
SYNOPSIS
Is there life after death?
Everyone has asked this question, but JASON, a young adult believes he knows
the answer. He isn’t a holy man, a psychic or even religious. He’s a prisoner in
his own mind in the midst of being put to death by lethal injection.
Before his execution, he questions the afterlife. Is there a heaven? Hell? Or a
promised land? His questions lead to one conclusion. When we die that’s it,
with one exception, the last few minutes of life. The brain knows it’s dying and
in one final burst of mortality allows a person to experience a dreamscape that
can seem to take a week, months or even an eternity. The brain becomes the
place known as the afterlife and Jason believes it’s how all religions can co-exist.
In Jason’s world, MARY, Jason’s mother, wants him to join her at church even
though he’s an atheist. SUE, his sister, appears to be a gym junky. And Jason’s
father, JOHN, represents various aspects of Jason’s life; from the MAN he
appears to kill blaming him for his predicament, to a PRIEST, a JUDGE and even
the jury. Jason’s afterlife seems to be set in stone and it leads down one path.
Jason will rot in hell.
Jason succumbs to the lethal injection. The final moments of his brief visit on
earth become a brain-generated afterlife and then it’s over. Or is it? Because in
an afterlife controlled by your dreams nothing is ever what it seems!

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 Director: Ryan Neil Butler
I've always enjoyed stories, telling them, hearing them,
just being a part of them is some way. So after studying
acting and being a part of them I decided I wanted to tell
them. So changing from and acting diploma to a media
degree I got to work getting involved with the
independent film industry in Queensland.

At first I just helped out on independent film sets as a

lighting Gaffer taking apart of short films, music videos,
feature films and web series'.

After a while however it started to feel a little stale until a hunch from a director friend of mine.
He had seen I wasn't feeling it anymore so right before we were about to shoot the first scene of
a web episode he asked me to direct. I loved it, being responsible for shaping how a story could
be interpreted. From the characters representation to the style of the camera work. That was it
then, I would direct anything I could in and outside of uni. I even got involved with and getting to
help cast the leads for the award winning independent feature film 500 Miles.

Once uni was done however I then took time off film to work as a news video editor for a major
Australian television network. After a 2 year break from film I returned to reignite my passion.
The break gave me perspective in my abilities, I realised what I could be doing better and how
much harder I should be working. So with my new found perspective I was ready to hit the
ground running and start growing again as a director.

DIRECTORS NOTES
An Afterlife is my first film that will showcase my abilities. It's complex, arty and nothing like I'd
done before. Challenges that were presented, which would have once been met with trepidation,
were met with a stronger “bring it on” attitude. I am proud of the vision I have created for this film,
despite its opposing view to the writer’s vision. I feel I have captured my view of the afterlife as
presented in the script and I look forward to hearing audiences own interpretations. If people leave
If people leave the cinema arguing the "what ifs" of what happens when we die I'll have done my
job.

Ryan Butler (left) and Director of Photography Matt Elliot.

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The Cast & Crew
Joss McWilliam

Joss plays John the father of Jason. Joss is one of Australia's most
highly regarded performing artists with 30 years’ experience behind him
in TV, Film and Theatre. His list of credits are many and varied, and they
include: H20 - Just Add Water, The Coolangatta Gold, Pacific Drive, The
New Adventures of Skippy, Water Rats, Home and Away and Blue
Heelers to name but a few. Currently Australian feature film Suicide
Theory which stars Joss is taking the World by storm.

Andrew Groundwater

Andrew plays our lead role of Jason. Andrew has recently completed
The Actors Intensive in Los Angeles with the Australian Institute of the
Performing Arts, and was invited to then stay for the highly regarded
Professional Actors Masterclass that followed. Prior to that, Andrew
spent a year with the Queensland Theatre Company Youth Ensemble,
performing in their production "Orbit" in 2013 and has a Certificate 3 in
Performing Arts from TAFE. He is currently working toward a Diploma in
Stage and Screen Acting at the Actors Conservatory (Brisbane)
Brisbane. In film, Andrew has worked on numerous short films in minor
and lead roles, and has done extras work on film and television.

Linda Millar

Linda plays Mary the mother of Jason. Linda is a Scottish born Australian
actress who after an absence from acting due to the busy life of a
mother, has been making some huge inroads into her craft since
returning in 2010. Linda has had multiple feature and short film roles
including “Rise” (2014) and “Yardstick” (2014) as well TV roles on the
ABC's “Parers War” and Channel Ten's "Secrets and Lies”. Linda is also
a gifted writer, and is the brains behind the award winning trailer to the
soon to produced feature film Long Shadows.

Kiki Townley

Kiki has been acting since a child. At age 15, she was selected to play
a/the supporting role in the upcoming feature film, Rarity (2015). Later
during schooling years she was a featured extra in projects, such as;
'Beyond redemption II(2015)' - a sci-fi feature, 'Why all Properties
group?' - a TV commercial, 'Camp' - the USA television series -
episodes 1 to 3, 'Infamous Cocktail Show' - with a speaking role, as well
as the voice overs in episodes 1 - 6. After this, she was chosen to be a
leading lady (Elle) in the “TINDA Diaries” by SKNPRODUCTIONS. Since
graduating Kiki has appeared in a number of films as an extra and now
in 2015 taken on the lead role of Sue in “An Afterlife”.

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Writer and Producer: Jeremy Rigby
Jeremy is a produced and award winning screenwriter. His produced works include, “The
Infamous Cocktail Show” 2013 (Season 1, Episodes 1 – 6) where he was the Writer and Producer.
He also has several projects in pre-production which include, “The Infamous Cocktail Show”
(Season 2, Episodes 1 – 6), “SOLITUDE” (Short Film – 2015). In addition, Jeremy has a feature
film “The Heart of a Spy” under option with Galloping Films Australia, a second feature film
screenplay “An Australian Memoir” under consideration and a reality show under option with
Spoon Entertainment. In 2015, his feature film Genetic Warrior was a grand finalist for best foreign
screenplay in the prestigious Fresh Voices International screenplay competition.

Director of Photography: Matt Elliot Taylor

Some might say that film is Matthew’s ‘native’ language. Exposed to a wide range of cinema from
a very early age, Matthew continues to be fascinated by its unique ability to transcend culture and
transform storytelling into a journey of discovery. Starting as a grip/gaffer on a variety of shorts
and home-grown features, while co-majoring in Theatre and Film Studies at QUT, Matthew has
been consistently active in independent filmmaking since 2005. After being introduced to Terrance
Young and joining Mad Anth’m Productions in 2010, he quickly stepped up to the role of
cinematographer at last-minute notice and hasn’t looked back since. Matthew is an advocate for
experimental technique and gung-ho gumption in filmic narrative. Matthew most recent work
includes; “500 Miles (2014)”, an award-winning independent Australian film, working as the
Cinematographer. During which, he collaboratively worked alongside Terrance Young (Writer &
Producer) and Ashlee Jensen (Director) and will soon join them as Creative Producer, assisting in
Camera and Editing departments, on the upcoming film, “Project Eden”, with principal filming to
begin early in the United States.

Film Composer: Caleb Jacobs

Caleb Jacobs is a Sydney based film composer and music producer. After graduating from the
Australian Institute of Music majoring in guitar, Caleb spent the next few years writing and
recording songs for various projects, honing his craft whilst touring both locally and abroad. As
Caleb dug deeper into the world of sonics he found himself increasingly interested in electronic
music and the way it could influence image. This led him to study a Graduate Diploma of Music for
Screen at the prestigious AFTRS in 2015. That same year he worked as assistant to composer
Piers Burbrook de Vere on the critically acclaimed feature film Down Under (2016), directed by
Abe Forsythe. In 2016 Caleb worked on several short films and released music under the alias
‘Plum’. Caleb was drawn to the surreal world created in An Afterlife. With complete creative control
he was encouraged to explore a pallet of textures, eventually settling on a pulsating synthesised
score with ethereal guitars and ominous drum machines, inspired by Jason’s heartbeat. The result
is an otherworldly, emotional soundtrack which he is extremely proud of.

Editor: Richard Lawton

Richard is an upcoming editor have recently graduated from QUT Media School. From a young
age he has been fascinated with all aspects of film production and the business behind. He has an
impeccable eye for detail and a truly artistic flare second to none. Richard has worked on many
different films as an editor, sound recordist and camera operator.
Richard has recently opened Action Works Media which is proving to be a very successful venture
attracting clients from near and far.

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 AN AFTERLIFE

CAST
Andrew Groundwater (Jason)
Joss McWilliam (John)
Linda Millar (Mary)
Kiki Townley (Sue)

CREW
Ryan Neil Butler – Director
Jeremy Rigby – Producer & Writer
Matt Elliot – Director of Photography
Richard Lawton – Editor
Caleb Jacobs - Composer
Dayna Yates - Assistant Director
Harley Mentiplay - 2nd AD (day 1)
Geordie Lillis - Assistant Camera
Henry Ruan - Sound Recorder
Chapman Chan - Sound Designer
Lita Cathcart – Gaffer (day 1)
Jacqueline Lacey - Gaffer (day2)
Genevieve Larin - Continuity (day 1)
Miranda Garvey - Runner / Boom Operator (day 2)
Charlotte Garvey - Runner / Continuity (day 2)
Joshua Litherland - Continuity & Clapper-Loader (day 3)
Alexandra Andrews – Hair & Make up
Natasha Cook - Assistant make up
Jacob Pohl - Visual Effects Artist
Warren Eagles – Colorist
Anna Yum - Graphic Design
Josh Clarke - Still photography

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Q & A with the Director.
1. Describe yourself as a Director.
I think since I'm only starting out, and still learning “what makes a director”, I believe that for
now my talent lies with being able to connect with my cast and crew. I feel a fun relaxed set is
an efficient one. People who feel like they can share an opinion are always going to want to do
their best work for you. Which is especially important when it comes to independent films as
people are even paid very little or nothing at all. You need to give them a reason to want to
give up their time for you.
2. Who are your influences?
Christopher Nolan: He was the first director I ever had to analyse while I was studying. I saw
for the first time the style a director can have, the vision that they translate into all their work.
Jon Favreau: He was a director I knew nothing about and thought he was just another actor
who only played secondary roles. Then I discover he had this score of writing and directing
credits to his name. Really good strong fun films. A fact I realised after seeing Iron Man. He's a
man I, through my ignorance deemed “just another actor” but he has this ability to take on
strong stories and tell them so well. He inspires me because for now I am “just another” but he
reminds me that one day I can make a film like Cowboys and Aliens or Chef.
3. What university did you attend?
I studied a Bachelor of Applied Media at the University of Southern Queensland which looked
at Film, TV and Radio production.
4. What two films could be used to describe An Afterlife?
It is Memento meets Shutter Island. It is a multi-layered story that will test the limits of the
viewer’s comprehension. For some, it will be seen as a thought provoking open ended
question, for others it will be a radical idea that demands discussion, and for some, perhaps,
even a bold concept which will herald a changed perception of An Afterlife.
5. Where do you see the future of Australia filmmaking?
Well I use to believe it wasn't going anywhere, but now due to films like Unbroken, Pirates of
the Caribbean and San Andreas it seems to me like things are looking up. I'm a firm believer in
Queensland being the perfect place for films to be made. It just needs to be showcased more.
You have the Daintree rainforests up north, the Gold Coast beaches, outback towns and the
city of Brisbane.

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Q & A with the Writer and Producer.
1. How long have you been writing and what inspired you to start?
I have been writing for about fifteen years. Since being able to walk I remember loving
television and loving movies. From a young age I began street entertaining. Whilst living and
performing in Japan I was always meeting other performers who would always be sitting in
change rooms writing. Over time I realized they were all writing film screenplays. Being
creative I thought well I could do that too and I could, at the very least write better stories than
some of the films I had seen. I haven’t stopped since.
2. From pen to paper how long did the completed film take?
Amazingly it took some fifteen years! This was actually my first screenplay I ever wrote. After
writing the screenplay, he and a friend who had a Handycam, went to a local cemetery to film
the then opening scenes - and that’s about how far it went. I began writing other projects and it
wasn’t until 2014 that I decided the best way to kick start my career was to actually produce my
own work. I met some likeminded people through Facebook groups, rewrote some integral
moments, and the rest is history.
3. What was the inspiration behind the story?
The story was inspired by the sudden passing of the writer's Mother. She was a devote catholic
who lived her life so that she would be accepted into heaven. His Japanese wife was raised
practicing the Japanese religion Shinto which worships many different Gods. If Christianity only
has one God whilst other religions have multiple Gods which is right and or how can different
religions co-exist?
4. How was prominent Australian A-list film and television actor, Joss McWilliams secured as
a lead actor?
The saying “you never know if you never ask”, rings true in this case. I sent a message on
facebook outlining the character and story inviting him to read the screenplay. He replied
saying that he did wish to read the screenplay and that he was impressed by the complexity
and originality of the screenplay. Within such a short space to play multiple roles was a
challenge that connected with him. He also mentioned the importance of helping independent
productions as they are ultimately the filmmakers of tomorrow.

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Gallery

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 The End

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