King of the Mountain
The story so far...
March 2007
24 hours to go!
Sam Genocchio came to me over two years ago with a great idea that he and a motor racing enthusiast Mike Henry had conceived, to be shot against the backdrop of Bathurst, the Mecca of motor racing in Australia.
While Sam developed the script through a number of drafts I began the process of bringing development money and personnel to the project. First stop was Peter Brock. The true King of the Mountain, he had won at Bathurst nine times and been racing there since the early 1970's. After reading the script Brocky immediately loved the idea, especially the opportunity to play himself in the movie.
Peter also loved the concept of - something that has never been done in the Australian Film Industry - creating a drama feature film by 'blending' pre-existing licensed action footage with our own filmed drama, all morphed together using the best of today's Computer Graphic Imaging (CGI) expertise. The boundaries between the visual experiences of movies and computer games, especially in the field of car racing are blurring and it is becoming easier to make a film using these techniques.
Our lead character goes by the name of Pace McDermott, considered one of the finest young drivers in the Bathurst area. He is a country boy with the world against him, not to mention his dream of racing having almost disintegrated. But he gets the chance of a lifetime, to race in the local lions team for the 24 Hour Mt. Panorama race.
The leading lady, Samantha, is the second member of Pace's marathon racing team. She's a tutor of Automotive design at the University in Bathurst on exchange from Indianapolis USA. She's sexy, smart and loves to race cars. Every man in town is in love with her, but she's more interested in racing even though there is a certain amount of action around her.
The film also boasts a number of strong supporting roles to be filled by the cream of Australian acting such as the role of Jack Brown. Legendary race team manager and former champion, he will mould the local team into a formidable triplet of racing car drivers, the role is perfect for Jack Thompson, playing a sort of Guus Hiddink father figure with the young team. Jack has thrown his support wholeheartedly behind the piece and everyone is looking forward to working with the undisputed legend of Australian acting.
Things went a out of whack in September 2006. Peter Brock's death was a blow to the nation, to his family, friends and motoring enthusiasts everywhere.
Sam the film director and the Head of Business Development from Bathurst Council Paul Heath.
It was also a blow to our little circle of filmmakers planning to go into preproduction at the end of 2006. As the press release below indicates we have chosen to go forward and make this film a tribute to the man who was the real King of the Mountain as Peter would've have wanted us to keep following our dreams.
When we were in Bathurst for the Easter BIMF (Bathurst International Motoring Festival), we met James Brock, Peter Brock's son. He races utes and at that time was racing with Garry Rogers. We decided to get James in the movie, playing the boss of the pit crew. There's so much tinkering to be done, building up and tearing down a multitude of cars, so James Brock and his crew will be an incredible asset to the film. And it will be fantastic to have James helping to carry on the legacy of his dad.
Two very cool dudes - Sam and James Brock the new Pit crew boss for the film.
The Co-Producer Bill Leimbach checks out the motor museum for a location in the film.
The National Motor Museum in Bathurst will form a key part of the film as our local girl Nancy, a character played by Krew Boylan, works there. Krew is the niece of motor racing Legend Peter Boylan. She's a hot up and coming talented actor who brings beauty and brains to the film as she tries to win the affection and love of our central character, Pace McDermott.
Sam Genocchio is now on his 14th draft of the film. He has worked closely with script editor David Roach and with Producer Martin Brown. No stone has been left unturned and the end result is a tight drama with fully rounded characters the audience can't help but empathise with.
Exciting Race Shots, Dirty Framing. Selective Focus. Underexposed. Angles. Long/Wide Lens.
Sam is also directing the film and will shoot the film using High Definition (HD) video. The look will be like a combination of motor racing video game and motor racing rock clip - gritty, yet super real.
Using High Definition Video gives us a lot more speed at which to operate, a slate of up to 15 set-ups a day is easily achievable. 'Green screens' will be used for digital FX work and Steadicam will be employed almost exclusively which will cut down daily set-up times. With such an abundant amount of existing racing footage to work with, the filming will be more than adequately covered during the five weeks of production.
Music will be an integral part of the product. The final film score will consist of exciting existing tracks combined with scored elements to enhance drama and romance. Compositions will have begun during the shoot with the composer adding local sounds from various BATHURST RACES. All music will be recorded and ready in eight weeks after the first assembly. 'Marriage' with a major music company will also ensure the final film has a number of 'hits' within it. An 'album' will be marketed with the Film and DVD.
Sam with Peter and his agent/manager Colleen Adamson. We all went to a café for a fat lunch. Peter went off for an exercise ride. He was a very fit man for 61 years of age and watching him biking around Hurstbridge his hometown you would have felt he would live forever.
While in Bathurst we had a tour around the new Mt Panorama hotel being built right on the track. Peter was the face of this incredible five star resort like hotel which we will use as a location, and what a location it is! Right on Conrod Straight looking across to the pits, it even has a Hard Rock Café style bar with a motorsport theme, the perfect place for petrol heads to wind down after a tar on the track.
This is to be a high concept movie with a low budget investment. Where the big 'WOW' factor will come through intelligent design of CGI shots and the drama will be so tight and enticing that the audience will not be able to turn away. Negotiations with some of the top animation studios are underway.
The end result will be an innovative digital action hybrid product for the international marketplace.
Mark Tesoriero, one of our Executive Producers says, 'It's a very exciting project that can help redefine action film marketing. King of the Mountain will open up endless possibilities to reach the marketplace that even the majors have trouble achieving'.
If you are interested in hearing more about that part of the project, we would love to hear from you. If not, you'll have to wait to see the film on the big screen or on DVD or the soon to be announced Television network.
Thank you and keep coming back to watch the film grow.
Best wishes,
Bill Leimbach
Co-Producer