The Maker is set in a fantasy world where a strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.
Director Christopher Kezelos says “The Maker explores the preciousness of our moments on earth, the short time we have with loved ones and the enjoyment of one’s life’s work and purpose. In their fleeting existence, our characters experience joy, love, hard work, purpose, loss and loneliness. As the tagline suggests, ‘life is what you make it’ and we are all makers in this world”.
The project was an international collaboration bringing together the same Australian production crew from Zero, with the addition of puppet designer Amanda Louise Spayd from Ohio, USA and post-production facility Monkey Hut from London, UK. Producer Christine Kezelos says “We used the Internet to pull together a team of people we really wanted to work with. As filmmaker’s, we’re no longer constrained by budgets and borders, only by how resourceful we can be”.
The Maker was inspired by one of Australia’s most popular and innovative composers of classical music, Paul Halley. Blending elements of traditional classical styles with a distinctive modern edge, his beautifully infectious composition Winter, serves as the soundtrack for the entire film.
The Maker has screened at over 70 festivals and won 22 awards, including top honors at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival and SICAF 2012.
“The short film manages to enthrall its viewers from start to finish with its life affirming message and charming characters, The Maker presents us with a story guaranteed to tug at the heart strings, all of which is intensified further by the enchanting music; Winter by the classical Australian composer Paul Halley.”
—Tribe Magazine