Brisbane’s new comedy series, Run Club
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Receiving funding from Screen Queensland to produce the web series Run Club with my production company, Motley Content, has been one of the most rewarding milestones in my career as a director/writer/producer. As an Australian female filmmaker, it’s both humbling and exciting to contribute to the vibrant Brisbane film industry, and boy, did I seize it! As an Australian female filmmaker, it’s both humbling and exciting to get an opportunity to contribute to the vibrant Brisbane film industry, and boy did I seize it!
Brisbane producer Grace Julia on set of Screen Queensland supported series, Run Club
THE PRODUCTION
Run Club is a darkly comedic web series with a twist: a group of runners unknowingly becomes the target of a mysterious killer. Designed for Instagram Reels, this project has been a labour of love, and filming in Brisbane’s picturesque suburbs of Newstead and Hamilton this October brought the story to life in the uniquely ‘Instagrammable’ way I had imagined. Designed for Instagram Reels, this project has been a labour of love, and filming in Brisbane’s picturesque suburbs of Newstead and Hamilton this October brought the story in the uniquely ‘Instagrammable’ way I had imagined. These locations, with their mix of gentrifier urban concrete apartments and stunning riverside scenery, provided the perfect sunrise backdrop to juxtapose the wicked humour of our series.
I must admit, the shoot was not without its challenges. In classic Brisbane fashion, the October weather was Motley (excuse the pun). From scorching heat to sudden thunderstorms, it’s nothing short of a miracle that we got it in the bag. As any filmmaker knows, weather can be one of the most unpredictable aspects of a shoot, and no amount of advanced weather forecasts, schedule adjustments and late night panics could have prepared us for what Mother Nature had in store. But, with a fiercely dedicated team, some creative problem-solving and collective sense of humour, we powered through, and thankfully no actors were swept away in the process.
The series stars Natyse Chan, represented by Ruby Blue Artists, as Nat, and Emily Kristopher, the redhead from Crackermilk, as Tash. Their performances brought depth to these characters, and the pair’s comedic timing made for a truly relatable and entertaining watch, and their tenacity and dedication to the project made what was a very challenging shoot, an experience full of belly laughs. In fact, one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been seeing the enthusiasm and passion of everyone involved. From the cast who brought the quirky and complex characters of Run Club to life, to the crew who sweated it out on set, every individual’s contribution was invaluable. There was a sense of camaraderie on set even during the most challenging moments, probably part in thanks to our steady stream of caffiene from our sponsors Death Before Decafs. The real MVPs of the Brisbane film industry.
My talented director of photography, Kevin Khang deserves special mention for his incredible work. His team’s ability to adapt to the changing conditions while maintaining the visual integrity of the series was nothing short of extraordinary. Kevin’s cinematography captures the essence of Run Club, balancing its dark humour with a curated aesthetic that keeps social media viewers engaged.
I also had the privilege of co-writing and producing this project with long term collaborator Nikki Brown. It’s empowering as a female filmmaker to know you have another strong woman alongside you who always has your back every step of the way. Since relocating to Brisbane from Sydney, our working relationship could have dwindled, but instead our bond grew stronger. We wrote scripts via Google meets, had hours-long phone calls at 6am for months in the lead up, and during the shoot, Nikki’s presence on set was the glue that held it all together. As Australian female filmmakers, we’re passionate about telling stories female-centred that entertain and bring laughter, which is why we launched our own production company, Laughlines. Run Club is just the beginning of what I will be many more comedies produced under the Laughlines banner.
Producing Run Club reinforced my love for Brisbane and the local film industry. Brisbane’s creative community is thriving, and it’s inspiring to see so many talented individuals, from emerging filmmakers to experienced practitioners, come together to support each other and get sh*t done! I’m incredibly grateful to Screen Queensland for believing in this project and supporting us every step (and stumble) of the way. The Screen Queensland funding not only enabled us to bring Run Club to screen, but also highlighted the organisation’s dedication to fostering homegrown talent in the new digital landscape. As one of ten funding recipients, seeing their support for Australian female filmmakers is especially important, as it’s furthering the careers of women in the Brisbane film industry, and promotes more gender diversity in the Australian content that reaches online audiences.
Gold Coast actor and influencer Natyse Chan on set for Motley Content
HEADING INTO POST
As we take a break over the silly season, I’m aching to see the pieces coming together. We move into post-production in January, and I will working closely with Nikki and our post-production team to ensure that the final product reflects the vision we’ve worked so hard to achieve. Without sounding too corny, Run Club will be more than just a hilariously funny viral web series; to me, it’s also a testament to the resilience, creativity, and passion of everyone involved. I can’t wait to share work as a comedy director/writer/producer with the world, and I’m eager to see how audiences connect with it.
For Run Club updates head to the Motley Content Instagram. In the meantime, you can check out some of Kevin' Khang’s glorious screen grabs on our portfolio.
