PYROPHYTIC Production Zine

PYROPHYTE

[pie-ro-fite] noun A plant which is resistant to fire, or is stimulated by fire to germinate or regrow.

After being attacked by a great white shark, Brett Connellan was told he may never walk again. This is the story of what it’s like to live life with a second chance.

RIGHT PAGE: THIS PAGE:

MID PADDLE BREAK PHOTO: SAM TOLHURST

1. PARAMDEDICS FIGHT TO STABILISE BRETT ON BOMBO BEACH 2. BRETT, AFTER SNORKELLING WITH SHARKS PHOTOS: SYLVIA LIBER, LIAM MAHONEY

SYNOPSIS_ After having most of his thigh taken by a great white shark while surfing at his home break in 2016, Brett Connellan would have bled to death had it not been for the bravery and quick thinking of one of his closest friends. When he finally awoke after a series of surgeries, he was told he may never walk again.

Through his experience comes the feature documentary, PYROPHYTIC, an intimate portrait of a young man living life with a second chance.

Exceeding expectations from professionals and peers alike, Brett’s tenacity sets an incredible standard for overcoming both physical and mental barriers. PYROPHYTIC details the directional shift in the story of one of Australia’s once most promising surfers.

The result is an inspiring celebration of Brett’s unwavering determination to be better, encouraging viewers to look at their own situation with a fresh perspective.

RIGHT IN THE SPOT PHOTO: SCOTT RUZZENE

PROJECT BACKGROUND_ After initial planning and discussion, Pyrophytic was earmarked as a five minute video portrait to be produced for web. As the narrative and story structure developed, we realised that five minutes wasn’t the right format to tell a story of this depth. In the pursuit of authenticity, Brett maintained there were parts of his story that were not his to tell. By expanding the format of the film, we’re able to introduce the perspectives of those who played a part in saving Brett’s life - helping him walk again and assisting

him in conquering what was considered “the impossible.”

The longer format of the film also provides us the opportunity in following Brett as he trains for, and competes in the Molokai 2 Oahu - a 52km open ocean paddle race between the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Oahu.

As Honest Boys Production’s first feature project, PYROPHYTIC means a lot to us on a lot of levels. We’ve dedicated a lot of time into perfecting it, and we can’t wait to share it.

LEFT: SPEAKING ON “THE CALL NO PARENT WANTS TO RECEIVE” PHOTOS: LIAM MAHONEY

THIS PAGE: MASTER RUZZENE AT WORK PHOTO: SAM TOLHURST

STORY ARC & STRUCTURE_ INTRODUCING BRETT AND RECOUNTING THE ATTACK

We introduce Brett through archival vision and interviews with family and friends. Details of the shark attack are recounted through the perspectives of first responders who played a part in saving Brett’s life. In addition, Brett recalls the attack and minutes/hours that followed.

We explore Brett’s mindset towards the shark that attacked him and his passion for shark conservation.

BRETT’s Recovery

After being told he may never walk or surf again, we recount Brett’s recovery and motivational interventions from his physiotherapist and personal trainer. Having far surpassed the expectations of medical professionals, Brett’s biggest goal was to get barreled again.

Following success on local beach breaks, he decided to surf something bigger and more technical - the film captures Brett riding big barreling left-handers in the South Pacific Ocean.

THE MOLOKAI PADDLE The final arc of the story follows Brett as he trains for and competes in the Molokai paddle, a 52km open ocean prone paddleboard race between the islands of Molokai and Oahu in Hawaii. Completing the race is considered an impressive achievement for any individual, let alone someone missing their entire left lat (the main muscle used for paddling). As the crescendo for the story, the Molokai paddle provides an environment that culminates physical and mental challenges, the unpredictability of the ocean, and the fear element introduced by sharks.

TIMELINE_ APRIL 2016

Brett Connellan is attacked at Bombo Beach, Kiama on the NSW South Coast.

SEPTEMBER 2017

After regaining strength and confidence, Brett surfs the big blue barrels of Cloudbreak, Fiji.

JULY 2020

Having nearly completed the 5 minute video portrait, Brett and Sam agree that the story is better suited to a feature length documentary.

OCTOBER 2021

Official PYROPHYTIC teaser trailer released, signifying the official project launch.

APRIL 2022

Brett and the Pyrophytic crew travel to Fiji to document Brett surfing once again at Cloudbreak.

OCTOBER 2022

Post production on PYROPHYTIC concludes, and the film is ready for premiere, cinematic release and distribution.

SEPTEMBER 2016

Brett surfs for the first time after the attack.

JUNE 2020

After being offered (and declining) to sell his story, Brett reaches out to Sam Tolhurst, to work on a 5 minute video portrait.

MARCH 2021

Production on PYROPHYTIC begins, starting with interviews shot with Brett’s parents and first responders to the scene of the attack.

DECEMBER 2021

Brett begins race preparation for the Molokai to Oahu paddle, alongside former event winner Cameron Coghlan.

JULY 2022

Brett and the Pyrophytic crew make the trip to Hawaii to document Brett’s participation in the Molokai to Oahu race.

A WORD FROM BRETT_ I’ve always been aware of the power of my story and the interest that a shark attack brings. Although I’ve previously had offers to “sell my story”, it never felt right for me, as it had always been through the approach of sensationalising the shark attack, not highlighting the parts of my story that mean the most to me.

I’ve always firmly believed that when we experience setbacks in life that the emphasis shouldn’t be on what happened to you, but what you did after it.

BRETT PHOTO: SAM TOLHURST

Those actions are how you’ll be remembered later in life and were a major focus of mine in overcoming the largest obstacle I’d faced at that point in time.

As I placed an emphasis on being able to tell the story the way I wanted it “the seemed emphasis natural to shouldn’t take on be on what the role of director happened which has to you, given me but what control of the you did n a r ra t i v e after it. ” along with providing its own interesting challenges along the way. Everything from plotting the storyline, to interviewing the key characters, to training for the Molokai paddle has been a steep learning curve that I have enjoyed thoroughly.

of shooting surfing.

Surfing should the thing that comes the easiest to me out of this whole experience. It’s something I’ve done my whole life, but we’ve set a high bar for what we think is quality enough to make it into the movie, and I’ve found myself feeling the pressure to perform. We’re really at the mercy of mother nature and hoping our crew’s schedules will align to capture the “movie worthy” days.

I know we will persevere and deliver a finish product that we’re all proud of, as that’s an ethos of my story that I want to bring to the production team.

I can’t wait to show everyone what we can do by the time film is ready for release.

One thing that I’m still coming to terms with is the difficulty PRE-SURF DISCUSSION PHOTO: RYAN UNWIN

TAIL HIGH AND HAPPY PHOTO: SAM TOLHURST

GOLDEN HOUR IN FAMILIAR WATERS PHOTO: ZACH “BIG Z” BOWDEN

A WORD FROM SAM_ Having worked with an assortment of agencies, magazines, brands and businesses over the last ten years I’ve developed a portfolio of work that I’m really proud of.

Always in the pursuit of furthering myself personally and professionally, I’ve long thought about developing

“We’ve worked really hard to develop a polished product THAT’S cinematic, emotive and engaging in it’s approach.”

and shooting a documentary project.

feature

I’ve known Brett for around seven years now, and at the time of the attack I was close to reaching out to him to help share his story, but was weary of my approach given that I didn’t want to make a personal gain from his misfortune.

I followed Brett’s recovery quite closely, and as our friendship has developed so has my professional ability.

When Brett mentioned the idea of shooting a portrait detailing his story it felt both natural and the right time to start working on this project together.

While there’s a lot to like about working on self guided project, one of the things I’ve most enjoyed has been engaging peers who I’ve shared great relationships with, but never the platform to collaborate and build something together.

The result is something greater than the sum of our parts, and that’s extremely rewarding. I’m grateful for all the help we’ve had thus far, and can’t wait to share the results of our hard work.

I’m constantly taken aback by everyone’s willingness to help and be involved in the project, I think that’s a testament to Brett’s nature and the relationships so many are lucky to share with him, either closely or from afar.

We’ve worked really hard to develop a polished product that’s cinematic, emotive and engaging in it’s approach.

1. THE BOARD 2. PRE SHARK DIVE PHOTOS: LIAM MAHONEY

DEEP BLUE PHOTO: SAM TOLHURST

GET IN TOUCH_ @pyrophyticfilm

Sam Tolhurst

p. 0435 648 364 e. hello@honestboysproductions.com.au

BRETT CONNELLAN

p. 0466 426 288 e. hello@honestboysproductions.com.au