By Duane Ranger
Cast Me A Shadow Productions has today (Wednesday, May 24) released its first feature film (see video below).
The 68-minute movie – ‘Who’s Who?’ follows a successful ‘break-out year’ for the Brisbane-based Cast Me A Shadow (CMAS) Production Company in 2022, where it gained international ‘Short Film’ recognition with nominations and awards against many other countries throughout the world.
The Company’s Managing Director, Wendy Spencer, said that her version of ‘Lady Penelope and Parker’ had been, and still is, so successful overseas, it had overwhelmed her. In fact, winning three categories at the Los Angeles-based MAGMA International Film Awards in November, prompted her to make a movie about the London-based (but really Brisbane) duo.
‘Best Comedy’; ‘Best Original Concept’; and ‘Best New Cult’ were three prized awards. Others are listed in this story.
“It’s hard to believe that a concept that was born in 2020 has now developed into something that has gained international recognition. We have even caught the attention of ‘Screen Queensland’, which for me is a dream come true.
“We have been making these short skits weekly for nearly four years now, and people have been asking where they were while the movie has been in production. It took a lot of work, time and editing, but we got there,” Wendy said.
“I think people in the United States, Germany, Canada, England, Spain, Hawaii, and New Zealand know Lady Penelope and Parker more than what Australians do. We want to change that. That’s one reason why we made the movie,” she added.
Even though praise, certificates, and trophies were rewarding, Wendy said it wasn’t as heartening as being able to incorporate people with disabilities and ailments in her skits and movies. People she said, who wouldn’t usually get the chance to perform in a hall, let alone a movie.
Cast Me A Shadow Productions is basically Wendy Spencer, who is a counsellor with a twist.
“Most people see me as either an actor or producer, but in fact, I’m a counsellor and provide diversion therapy through acting. My sister, for example, is intellectually and physically disabled and she features twice in ‘Who’s Who?’ Then there’s other people who just may feel down in the dumps, stroke victims, amputees, or anyone inflicted with diseases like cancer – or in fact anyone who thinks they just don’t fit in. We welcome everyone!” she said.
The Movie release comes as CMAS Productions awaits results from Film Freeway where skits like ‘Sand Witch’; ‘A Ticket to The Moon’; ‘Jump In The Lake’; and ‘Top Of The Pecking Order’ have become semi-finalists then finalists at numerous International Awards.
Meanwhile the Californian-based Lead Film Critic & Festival Director for MAGMA Awards, Sebastian Llinares, paid CMAS Productions the following tribute:
“I wanted to email you directly, just me, to congratulate you as the MAGMA winner for ‘Sand Witch’ in Best Cult, Best Comedy or Musical, and Best Original Concept. It’s just outstanding! I am so glad you decided to compete, our jury adored your work, Wendy! We’re truly inspired by you and your outstanding achievement! Well done!”
Similar tributes for ‘Sand Witch’ also flowed in from Germany via Jasper Lorenz the Director of Submissions at Film Haus and Adrian Perez the CEO and Chief Film Critic for Lonely Wolf International Films in London.
Then there was Jimmy Pratz, the Film Fest co-ordinator for Planet Cinema in the USA. He said:
“We’re following all the action and MAGMA Awards on Twitter and ‘Sand Witch’ seriously stood out to us! Well done, it looks so good! And you landed so many nominations, wow! We are looking forward to working with you.”
Wendy was blown away with the correspondence, and wondered what skits she should enter next.
“Now that the movie has been completed, the plan is for Lady Penelope and Parker to produce more skits for both film awards and social media. Ideally, we would love to increase our profile, because everything we film is done by a cell phone – which reminds me ‘Sand Witch’ also won an award for ‘Best Mobile Short Film’.
Wendy then explained that Lady Penelope and Parker was based loosely on the 1960s TV hit show, Thunderbirds. Australian – Wendy plays Lady Penelope and Alice, while Kiwi – Duane Ranger is ‘Nosey Parker’ (François, Weginald, and Paddy… thus far).
“Lady Penelope and Parker cater for all ages, cultures, needs, idiocy, and humour levels. Most of our guests are usually in and away within an hour after shooting two to three scenes. Ten days later they are amazed and lifted by the final production. Our goal is to put a smile on your face!”
‘Who’s Who?’ is a poverty-versus-wealth story, and how Aloysius (‘Nosey’) Parker met up with Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward. The rest can be viewed in the movie link below.
If you would like to star in your own skit, then contact Wendy at CMAS Productions, via her email:
Castmeashadow@gmail.com – ‘Counsellor With A Twist’ website: …https://castmeashadow.wixsite.com/productions
CMAS Production’s Lady Penelope & Parker website with skits including the award-winning ‘Sand Witch’.
…https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZZ9aZ6ixzy9RLxg5JJ6kxA
‘Cast Me A Shadow (CMAS) Production’s’ first feature film – ‘Who’s Who?’ can be viewed here…
What a great group of skits ,cleverly edited by Wendy the whole movie filmed on the apple phone you have great talent.Well done Duane you are a rare talent very talented and very funny you deserve to have great success with this film Regards Ted
Your words mean a lot Ted. Just a journalist who likes to escape a sad world.
Thank you so much Ted it’s so nice to get some feedback it’s very much appreciated,
What a truly talented lady. Australia needs to take more notice of the little home grown gems we have. And not to mention all the other talented people who have taken part, it really is quite a unique and diverse bunch. Great storytelling as well, should be posted on all Social Media sights. Well done to all.
Thank you Rhonda we are really having so much fun creating and helping people along the way.