This was the first film I ever made. In places, this shows. But like your first anything it’s very close to my heart – the perfections and the imperfections, I love them all.

Everyone worked so hard, and the shortcomings you see are mine not theirs. Particular thanks must go to our wonderful producer Sandra Bridgewater. I hope behind the sometimes choppy editing and quirky dialogue you see the heart of this film, because it’s a heart I think we can all empathise with.

Mesmerised was shot over four days, with a fifth day for pickups. After months of post production it was premièred at the Valhalla Cinema in Sydney, and subsequently bought by Qantas for their in-flight entertainment programme.

I hope you enjoy it.
Rich

PS It’s best enjoyed with headphones on (thanks to the amazing mix by Luke Baker).

A few years ago I worked with a bunch of very talented people on the short film Trapped.

Trapped played at a number of film festivals throughout the world, including the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival and Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. I got to go to both with one of the producers, which was really quite cool!

Whilst I was in LA, I even managed to meet up with another Richard Shepherd, who turned out to be the producer behind the wonderful film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. We had waffles at Factors Deli in Beverly Hills, and I listened for an hour as he told stories of Hollywood in the 60s and 70s. Amazing stuff. It still gives me goosebumps when I think about that meeting.

Anyway, here it is. The third film I directed, and the most well received. I give you, Trapped.

Two degrees. That’s all it takes.

This weekend I unearthed a bunch of short films and commericals I directed a couple of years ago, and thought they’d make a nice addition to the new site. They were part of a campaign to ‘Change the World in Five Minutes’, which I worked on with Film Australia and Australian broadcaster SBS.

So here’s the first – it’s called ‘Two Degrees’.