Would you dare to sip from the magical toilet water just like Harold the plumber did in my latest short film?

Welcome to the revealing behind-the-scenes saga of Harold the Plumber, where I delve into the making of this whimsical cinematic creation. Harold the Plumber is an award-winning short comedy drama film that I created and produced for the film festival market during 2022 to 2023.

It's always so exciting to finally get to that point where an audience can watch the film that you spent so long working on.

When I wrote the story of Harold the Plumber, I was very much inspired by Henry, The Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jefferies. I heard the sound and voice of Harold as a character that he would need to be. The voice was talking to me a like a kid's picture book.

Harold discovers magic toilet water, which makes him super smart. He is suddenly a brilliant, intelligent person, which is what he was lacking.

I noticed with the people that are closest around me that they might compliment me on something that I don't see. And likewise, I compliment them on personality strengths which they don't see in themselves.

Harold is a metaphor for the need to look at ourselves and realise our self-worth, our actualisation and what we bring to the party because every single human on this planet brings stuff to the table. And it's important to always acknowledge that.

I'm not a huge fan of voiceover, but this film in the way that it came to me and the and the way the character developed, I felt like it had to have a voiceover. It had to have a classic narrative voiceover. Someone speaking through the story; the way the narrator’s voice sounds in a classic kid’s picture book.

The world in the film is like children picture books, is quite outlandish. The world that Harold lives in is not quite the same world that we live in. I was inspired by Wes Anderson's films and Napoleon Dynamite. Just that idea of a world that's a little bit abstract to our own world.

Colour plays a crucial role in Harold the Plumber, and it's intentionally emphasised throughout. Keep a keen eye on it, and you'll observe that each character is associated with a specific colour theme. This deliberate choice was part of my initial vision, as these colour themes symbolise and convey the underlying emotions or attributes associated with the characters. I wanted colour to emphasise that meaning that to the audience

The makeup was just done so beautifully that way by artists, both Tracy Watts and Katie Brown, who just did such a great job.

I needed Harold to look average, his age, and worn down at the start of the film. As he drinks the water, he magically becomes smarter, so it needed the makeup to accentuate this where he is a happier, brighter person. Then when the water starts to negatively affect his health - Harold needed to look sicker and sicker. I was extreamely happy with how the makeup progressed throughout the story.

It was an ensemble cast. I was really privileged to source so many great actors locally in Mandurah (where I'm currently based), and from Perth, Western Australia.

Every single actor brought something to this film, and I loved that. 

When an actor auditions for a role, and I see them embody the character's mannerisms and essence so effectively, it's truly remarkable. What's even more brilliant is when they can bring an additional layer to the character, infusing the scene with an extra dimension. That's when the creative synergy with Director and actors truly flourishes.

In this film, every single actor, regardless of the size of their role, contributed something unique. They all enriched the diverse blend I envisioned for the film. It's something I feel as a director, when I work with actors, I want them to have the opportunity to bring something creatively to the film shoot.   I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of the actors; you were all exceptionally brilliant. Thank you for your outstanding contributions.

Cast

Harold – Alan Malcolm

Narrator – Graham Holmes 

Lenny – Gino Cataldo

Renny - Jestin Kariyanattu

Benny - Ron Morley

Customer 1 - Leschelle Leonhardt

Customer 2 - Clare Alason

News Reader - Imogen Di Giulio

Road Rage Driver  - Evi Ruz

Doctor - Amanda Alderson

Loan Shark - Scott Cathery

Shoot – Day 1.

The initial shoot day for Harold the Plumber took place on the main stage at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, The shoot was an outstanding success, with a fantastic crew. This day marked a fantasy sequence in Harold's journey, and I couldn't have been happier with the stellar performance by Alan Malcolm, who portrays Harold. The seamless teamwork of the crew truly shone on day one.

Shoot – Day 2.

Day Two of shooting didn't start as smoothly as I had hoped. We faced a double booking at the venue which would cause sound issues. It was an enjoyable day, and we captured many fantastic performances.

Shoot – Day 3.

As we embarked on the final day of our three-day shoot, the air was charged with creative energy. We shot at a rented Airbnb location that served as the backdrop for Harold's journey. I was pleased with how smoothly everything went, and we even experimented with some unique shots to capture the essence of the story.

The real challenge came when we had to film the iconic moment of Harold facing the magical toilet water spray in a tiny bathroom. We had to get creative, and the collaboration between the cinematographer and our special effects designer, Jenny, was instrumental in making it work.

Our cast was exceptional. Alan, who portrayed Harold, was a true professional and brought the character to life brilliantly. The performances of Lenny, Rennie, and Benny, played by Gino, Justin, and Ron, were outstanding. Their experience and dedication shone through in every scene. 

We gathered around the table for some pivotal moments, and the actors delivered both emotionally and physically.

The crew were all instrumental in making this shoot a success. At the end of the shoot I was excited about the footage and eager to bring this project to life on the big screen. It's a mix of serious moments and comedy that I believe will resonate with the audience.

As a director, I couldn't be happier with how everything has unfolded. 

That's a wrap for Harold the Plumber.

Post-Production

As I sit alone in the edit suite, I immerse myself in reviewing all the raw footage captured. 

My approach involves meticulous cataloguing and labelling of each rush. I keep an Excel document open as I go through the footage, cross-referencing it with my initial shot list. It's a chance to ensure that our scenes and shots align with the original plan, while also accounting for any adjustments made on set due to unforeseen circumstances.

While watching the rushes, I jot down comments and impressions. Did the actors deliver their lines as expected? Did we capture the essential moments?

I have found some truly magical moments in the footage—those unforgettable "money shots" that filmmakers cherish.

The sound files, recorded separately, undergo a similar organisation process to match the film files. I can discard anything that didn't meet my expectations and keep the juicy collaboration bits from actors and crew.

While cataloguing may not be my primary expertise, it's a system that works for me. It allows me to easily reference my notes and construct the essential storyline envisioned in the script. The next step is to dive into the exhilarating task of creating that narrative in the edit suite.

Over the next two weeks I edited and added the finishing touches, including special effects, sound design, music, and colour grading.

Private premiere screening

Harold the Plumber received an exclusive private premiere screening, attended by the cast and crew. We celebrated this momentous occasion with a special red-carpet event, where I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the film.

The evening was a blend of shared memories, excitement and laughter as the film played, the distribution of DVD copies of the film, and an abundance of champagne.

As we watched the film together, the room was filled with both laughter and tears, and smiles radiated throughout the post-screening gathering.

To my delightful surprise, Jenny, our AD, presented me with the prestigious Golden Plunger Award. I was genuinely thrilled and overflowing with happiness to receive this honour.

The film then embarked on an 18-month film festival journey where it has achieved remarkable global success. It has travelled around the world, garnering numerous accolades, festival selections, awards, and even special screenings. The film has received enthusiastic feedback from professionals in the film industry, solidifying its positive reception on an international scale.

The film made its public debut on Sunday, August 13, 2023, on my YouTube channel.

Don't forget to subscribe to my channel to ensure you catch this film and stay updated on all my upcoming projects.

Come drink the toilet water with Harold.

I would not recommend it. But you know, Harold does, and he becomes super smart. So maybe there's something in the water.