Reilly Archer-Whelan is the writer and director of the short comedy film ‘Stranded’. She grew up in Brisbane and attended QACI (Queensland Academy Creative Industries). ‘Stranded’ was shot in Far North Queensland and screens as part of Flickerfest.
What do you do?
I'm a screen director and producer.
Why do you do it?
I have always been creative, with a passion for visual arts, performing, storytelling and adventure. I found that filmmaking allowed me to combine these passions. Now I get to collaborate with artists, performers, writers, cinematographers and many more creative minds on a daily basis. Filmmaking also has a way of taking me to unique locations that I would have never been to otherwise and meet people that I wouldn't usually interact with. For example, we recently collaborated with a zoologist on our short film ‘Stranded’, who ensured our set was safe, that our filmmaking didn't have a negative impact on the local wildlife and that our actors wouldn't get eaten by crocodiles.
What do you love about the city you live in?
I live in Sydney currently. I don't like it that much actually. It's loud, overcrowded, dirty, too much traffic. But the weather is great, the beaches are beautiful, and there's an amazing energy of lively creatives in the inner west which is absolutely contagious.
Where did you go for your last holiday?
Santiago and Valparaiso in Chile!
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid?
‘The Simpsons’ of course! ‘Malcolm In The Middle’ is also a strong contender.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook for us?
I'd buy a bunch of take-away from a local restaurant, dish it into a pan and tell you I cooked it myself – I'm a terrible cook!
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
That opportunities don't land in your lap, you need to make your own.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows...
My uncle had me convinced that leprechauns are real and he had some in his backyard. When I first visited his house in Ireland at the age of 13, I checked his yard just to make sure.
Are you happy with your work/ life balance?
I've finally found an incredible job as a video producer with Qantas, which allows me to work in advertisement while balancing my passion for narrative filmmaking. Being able to visit beautiful parts of the world is a bonus! But my dream job would be directing feature films full time.
How do you define success?
Waking up in the morning and looking forward to the day ahead. Not feeling like I'm doing something just for the money.
What's your spirit animal?
Blobfish.
