Novastream Issue 17

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Q & A WITH

GREG MCLEAN

DIRECTOR OF WOLF CREEK & CHILLING MIFF THRILLER

There are two things Director Greg McLean is really good at. First is creating the character Mick from Wolf Creek. The second is being able to create a character alongside every actor in every scene without you even realising, yet it plays the most powerful role out of all, the scenery. McLean’s latest film, Jungle, most certainly has brought the scenery to the forefront.

In 2017 alone there have been a number of true stories based one’s individual adventures, horrors and tales of one’s lives. Tom Cruise in American Made, Dame Judi Dench in Victoria and Abdul and Mark Wahlberg in Patriots Day just to name a few. So with so many options to pick from what was it that pulled McLean to Direct Jungle?

Jungle is the true story of Yossi Ghinsberg, played

by Daniel Radcliffe, an Israeli adventurer who now resides in Australia. His story goes back to 1981 when at 21 he decides to travel to South America and discover the Amazon Jungle. Making friends, Kevin an American Photographer and Marcus a Swiss teacher, the three set on an adventure tour through the Amazon. Leading the hike is Karl an Austrian Geologist who had found Yossi wondering through the streets and with his wonderful stories convinced him to take the trio into the jungle.

“I was just incredibly moved by it. It made me cry and still makes me cry in the final moments of the film. Yossi’s persistence and refusal to give up and his friend Kevin’s incredible refusal to believe that his friend was dead, it’s such a powerful message about following your heart and believing in yourself and the real magic that can come from that”, McLean said.

For the most part movies based on the lives of actual people are usually made after they have passed.

Yossi Ghinsberg is very much still alive and played a large part in the telling of his story. This gave not The story takes a turn when Marcus steps into some only McLean the guidance to tell the story accurately trouble with his feet and has to go back. As Marcus but also give substance to all the little pieces of and Karl head back Yossi and Kevin decide to sail information surrounding the story. back to complete their adventure. Things turn bad when they miss their stopping point on the river and McLean remembers meeting with Ghinsberg before their raft breaks into pieces. Separated, Kevin finally he come onto the film and how amazing it was to hear finds his way back to safety with Yossi wandering in the story first hand. But being able to have him on set, circles suffering from everything the jungle could the two were able to work very closely together and throw at him. Kevin’s search for Yossi didn’t stop tell the story accurately. until he finally finds him withered away on a beach far from where anyone would have thought he’d be.

“Once we started pre-production he came down to Colombia and he and I sat in a room for a week or so “Yossi used fantasy and his imagination to stave off just going through the screenplay as I wanted to be the horror’s and fear he was experiencing during his sure we were telling the story as it happened, as much ordeal. This simple idea to me spoke to how we as as was humanely possible”, said McLean. human beings use our imagination to cope with life’s difficulties. Imagination is our ultimate survival tool Not only was McLean able to use Ghinsberg as a source and this story explores that amazing idea”, explains to give the characters, places and situations substance McLean. as “truth is always more amazing than fiction” he

The jungle welcomed these travellers with open arms offering everything it has to offer. It was enough reason for Yossi and his friends to be convinced to journey into the unknown. But the change this particular character goes through is a thing of beauty. It becomes dramatic and harsh “As an actor I think it was really useful to have him and shows only its darker side even with the sun there, just as it was for the other actors to mine him shining. for information about their characters”, McLean With major Hollywood blockbusters the film is said. often run past an audience to gauge reactions. Based There is a notable clarity to the characters in the on the audience feedback films can sometimes film whereby they each have their own very detailed undergo a great deal of changes, sometimes costly background. And while the film’s focus is mostly on ones at that. Take for example Titanic where Yossi, it’s easy to see how much depth there is to the the nearly 4 hour final cut from Director James other characters. The Actors brought an entire level Cameron had a fight scene between Leonardo to their performances that would have never had Dicaprio’s character Jack and the bodyguard of Kate Winslet’s character’s husband. Audiences not existed without the guidance of Ghinsberg. only felt it slowed the final descent of the story but There is one character within the story that stands also that the fight was unrealistic based on what out above the actors and their stellar performances was actually happening at the time. Such a big change was thankfully not the case with McLean’s and that’s the South American Jungle.

Jungle.

“With Jungle the landscape goes from a place of wonder and magic to a place of fear and dread. So Jungle was premiered at the Melbourne that journey was something I was interested to International Film Festival kicking off their try and communicate as powerfully as possible, opening night and received with great reviews.

McLean managed to attend a number of screenings cinematically”, McLean said. as part of the festival watching the final product McLean has always had a unique ability to bring and witnessing the audience reactions. something normally un-noticeable as the scenery to life. “To me the landscape has a personality and each “I saw it again at MIFF and felt very proud of the movie, was amazed by the acting, photography, landscape does have a character” he explains. score, sound and design. It was a big one to pull When you look at his most famous work, Wolf Creek off as a Director and I think we did a bloody good you are transported to central Australia. Its harsh, job! And most importantly, honoured Yossi and unforgiving and relentless nature adds to the horror Kevin’s amazing story”, Mclean said. and hopelessness of the story.

McLean was once told, “films are never completed, Growing up in the country and having a connection they’re abandoned”, which he agrees with. “I would to the outdoors McLean explains as a kid he loved still be going on the film but there’s a point the exploring the forests around where he lived and how producers say, “you have to stop now”. much he adored camping.

Jungle is a wonderful story of discovery and “Some of that love of nature must have filtered adventure brought to the big screen in a powerful into my work, and having gone to Art School and and spectacular visual journey. Throw in some being trained to be a painter for some years before stellar performances from some amazing actors, moving into film, I was always in love with landscape most of which are Australian, McLean has painters of all eras. So that also has had a big impact managed to bring a real life story and show it to the upon my visual style and approach to photographing world as accurately as possible. In the end you have landscape and also showing characters within a fantastic real life story and a once in a lifetime film that everyone should see. landscape”, McLean explains passionately. than fiction” he said. The Actors also had a great advantage to bring their characters to life using Ghinsberg to answer anything they wanted to know about their characters, in particular Daniel Radcliffe who portrays him in the film.

Jay Cook on Stephen King’s iconic work, still supplying scares a generation later.

Adapted from Stephen King’s 1986 novel, IT is a film that has a great deal more to it than meets the eye. Sure there is the scary clown torturing children in a small town. But there is this whole unfair story about a group of friends that are forced into becoming adults by facing this demon, all the time without the support and lack of love from their parents.

you’ll know his Dad, Stellan from the Thor films as Eric Selvig. While he is building his repertoire he’s been in Allegiant and the final TV Movie installment Ascendant and the latest Charlize Theron film Atomic Blonde.

The biggest notable absence from Director Andy Muschietti’s IT is the jump factor. For a horror film there’s an expectation of moments the will make you jump because you weren’t expecting something. Rather you have one or two jump moments and a whole lot of gore and freak. Whether it was a conscious decision or something that just didn’t execute on the big screen isn’t clear. That isn’t to say with the lack of jumping it isn’t as scary. IT is creepy and freaky and a down right nightmare come to life. If you didn’t already have a fear of clowns you probably will after watching this. And nothing is held back, you get to watch it in all its gore and glory.

For those that have read the book by Stephen King or watched the original will remember there is more to the story than the children confronting Pennywise.

So while Chapter One closes we wait for Chapter Two when the Losers Club comes back as adults and battle the demon once again.

Skargard’s portrayal of Pennywise gave a powerful performance in the creepiest of ways. He managed to not only play this demented clown with a giant mouth Set in the late 1980s in the small town of Derry USA, we filled with rows and rows of sharp teeth, but also bring meet George and his brother Bill Denbrough. George with it a level of humanity as well. There was this deep goes missing after his paper boat floats down a drain. hatred towards children that would come through as he Bill tries his hardest to find him again. George is soon dropped the clown act. As he started to realise he was followed by a number of other children missing in the outnumbered, he also showed a vulnerable side at the town. What the audience knows are these mysterious same time as being the thing of nightmares. Being able missing children aren’t mysterious; they are at the to dribble and yell and laugh like that of a nightmare he handy work of a creepy clown known as Pennywise. Bill managed to flicker in these human emotions that give has been trying to figure it out for a number of years it an even creepier demeanor. what exactly happened.

On a whole other level you have this coming of age With his band of misfits Richie, Eddie, Stanley, Ben and story that only ever seems to happen in an American Beverly, otherwise known as “The Losers Club”, they summer. One thing you may not notice is how little start seeing their worst nightmares come true. Stanley you see an Adult and how little they have a part in this sees a freaky woman from a picture hung on the wall film. Despite it being the 1980’s and children had a little of his Dads office and Eddie sees a person with leprosy more freedom to roam the streets, there is a great lack though they look more like a zombie. But these are just of supervision. However when an Adult does come into manifestations of their worst nightmares all in from the scene they are filled with hatred and seem to be on a shape shifting clown Pennywise. As such the losers club weird power trip to prove a point. The children have decide to take matters into their own hands. more ambition and drive than the adults do.

Overall IT is once again the thing of nightmares. For those that haven’t seen the original and since had a hatred towards clowns, be prepared. This adaptation is one step freakier, creepier and a whole lot crazier than the original film from the 90s. It takes you on a journey not only about dealing with a killer clown every 27 years but also about growing up with a troubled home Bill Skarsgard takes on the creepy shape-shifting clown, life and having to step up to be able to save yourself and Pennywise. While it’s not a name you might recognise your friends.

There was always a limit to how far Warner Bros could push this. It seems franchise kickstarter #3 is one too many. Article by MC Dunn.

The second spin-off in the LEGO movie franchise and the first based off an actual line of LEGO toys, the LEGO Ninjago movie was a hit with the kids at its Melbourne Screening.

However, as singular block in the developing Masterbuilt franchise, it isn’t anything new. An unnecessary and somewhat dumb jaunt through a cherry-picked heroes journey that doesn’t earn the punchy soundtrack it’s given, but will undoubtedly ratchet up the LEGO sales in the coming months following its release. It’s almost LEGO movie shtick at this point, and it has been rather enjoyably handled in the past.

The explicit parody of tropes that the LEGO movies are known to exploit don’t always land in this movie, but no doubt a lot of the difficulties this movie faces is that sales pressure that comes from it having been a toy line first with a movie built around that. It leaves the finished product feeling inauthentic.

The appeal of any film that is made for kids is immeasurably heightened when it is also appealing to the adults who have to attend and then watch it repeatedly for the rest of time when its comes out on DVD. Unfortunately, the LEGO Ninjago movie left some of its audience wading in and out of a story that seemed to forget to throw them a bone every so often, but also wouldn’t allow them to doze off for even a minute.

Patching the holes in this movie are lots of colour, action, dumb gags and emotional stakes that aren’t quite heartfelt enough to bring the movie down or hit the mark, or light enough to pass off as a weird joke. The emotional resonance of this movie is zero. It is no Toy Story; it isn’t even the LEGO Batman.

Despite this though, no one should doubt that this movie will get kids in cinemas. It has ninjas.

(And designer mech, and elemental magics, and Jackie Chan.)

The next project is “The Lego Movie Sequel” which has been delayed til 2019.

Isabelle Aswad looks at the incredible true story of the unlikeliest of friendships.

There’s not much I can say about Judi Dench that her long and illustrious career doesn’t say for itself. She is simply one of the most remarkable and exquisite story tellers of our time. Without fail and in every project she undertakes, she crafts her performances with an air of authority and resplendence unique to only a select class of powerhouse women, like Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep. And Dench’s performance in Victoria & Abdul cements her status as a reigning monarch within the film industry.

Munshi status as he begins teaching her Urdu and lessons from the Quran. And it is here where the household staff become outraged at the Queen’s lack of decency in associating with a savage heathen. This staff ensemble, led by Tim Pigott-Smith and Olivia Williams, attempt to break them apart and seek help from the Queen’s own son, Bertie (Eddie Izzard).

The film is based loosely on real events adapted from Shrabani Basu’s novel and has been brought to life by Director Stephen Frears (The Queen, The film begins in the bustling streets of Agra in Philomena) and Screenwriter Lee Hall (Billy India 1887, where Abdul (Ali Fazal) is making his Elliot, War Horse). Together, they have created way to work. Upon arriving he is commanded by a beautiful film, carried by immensely talented the British officer in charge to travel to England actors, delivering spot on dialogue that is funny, and present Her Majesty with a ceremonial coin brutal and at times is so satisfying one can barely in celebration of her Golden Jubilee. contain an involuntary fist-pump (but we can thank Judi Dench for all of that).

Cut to, Her Majesty Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) as she is pulled from her bed by a host of ladies- It seems to me that Dench was born to play Queen in-waiting ready to dress and prepare her for her Victoria, and this film is a nice progression from long day of royal engagements. her earlier work in Mrs Brown. She is simply spectacular. And this movie is worth watching This introduction reveals the true essence of just for her. Of particular note, the dining room these characters with clarity and simplicity. He is scene and also her brilliant speech where she full of life, and she can’t wait for life to leave her puts her son and all her staff in their place (cue alone. Since the death of her husband Albert and fist-pump). confidant John Brown she has become hollow and depressed.

My only qualm with this movie is that it fails, rather miserably, to address the relationship But it is when Victoria and Abdul meet each between India and Britain at the time. At one other that things begin to change. Through the point, the Queen herself doesn’t know what’s mere gesture of forbidden eye contact, and a kiss going on there, and I think that’s a bit of a cop bestowed upon thy royal shoe, the most unlikely out. I know the movie isn’t about that particular of friendships begins to blossom. A friendship element of history, but to ignore it is maybe a founded in mutual respect, and genuine affection touch insensitive. (platonic of course), where for the first time in a long time, it seems that someone sincerely cares Even so, I think this movie is sweet and funny. about Victoria with no thought for personal It brings to light a part of Victoria’s life that was gain. completely hidden from the world and does so with care and tact. If you like witty old ladies, As the film progresses Victoria makes Abdul her quick one liners and mangos, this is a movie for primary manservant and then elevates him to you.

One of the best rising stars of Hollywood teams with a veteran going through his best stretch in years.

Words by Jay Cook.

American Assassin had all the great potential of a book-to-film adaptation, but completely missed its mark. While this feels like it’s a case of the book is better than the film, American Assassin is still a good watch, even if it is about blowing hot air up the USA’s behind.

Having said that, there are many great things about this film that outweighs the poor story line. That statement is in itself ironic since it started with a book. The performances were stunning, lead by the completely underrated Dylan O’Brien. It also has the delicate undertone about the future of war and the necessity to work together to combat it and not use it for personal gain.

A number of directors have been attached to the film in its pre-production. There were also a number of writers having a go to adapt the book to film. Michael Cuesta finally was locked in in 2016 to direct. While Cuesta’s background is mostly in television series with the likes of Dexter, Billions, Homeland and Six Feet Under he manages to do one thing really well with the film and that is get up and close with the actors so you can feel the emotion. Something of which is usually felt in television. But where Cuesta fails is in his inability to connect the story together to give it substance and emotion rather than banking on the actors to fill the gaps.

Meet Mitch Rapp played by Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner, Teen Wolf, Deepwater Horizon) a young man in his early 20s in love and proposing to his girlfriend on a Spanish beach. As he Rapp goes to get some strong but not too strong cocktails to celebrate, a group of Muslim terrorists open fire upon the unsuspecting victims along the beach. Rapp’s now Fiancé is one of them.

There were some fantastic action scenes, mostly in the form of fight scenes with O’Brien.

They are tightly choreographed hand-tohand combat scenes that seem overly brutal even for a training scenario. While the film lacks any major stand out scenes there the final crescendo in the form of an underwater explosion is mostly well done. It’s hard to say it could be better as this isn’t something that’s really ever been witnessed.

We jump ahead to find Rapp bearded and buff as he trains for his meeting with Al-Munsur’s cell and take them down from the inside.

Unbeknownst to Rapp, he’s being followed by the CIA and leads them right to the cell. While Rapp didn’t get his chance to kill the leader himself the CIA took care of the cell. Rapp is in a great deal of trouble but manages to capture the eye of the CIA Deputy Director and is given an ultimatum, work with them or get locked up. He takes the better option and is sent off for training in the middle of nowhere. Rapp and a small group of other trainees learn how to fight and then fight each other in what is basically the backyard of an old Navy Seal, Stan Hurly played by Michael Keaton (Batman, Birdman, Spider-Man).

Despite his excellent skill and determination Rapp struggles to follow through with orders, yet he’s sent on a mission, which ends up getting himself and his team in a world of trouble.

Not only does an old recruit with a vengeance for Hurly turn up but his local counterpart, Annika, ends up being a traitor. All in all Rapp saves the day and gets a pat on the back. Pretty good for a self trained brat.

The standout performance easily goes to the lead man Dylan O’Brien who despite this being his first film back since his horrible onset accident in The Maze Runner outshines everyone in a scene with him.

There are a number of scenes where you are completely compelled by O’Brien. The major stand out is when he is sitting on the couch watching the live feed of a terrorist. His local CIA counterpart starts to tell him she understands how she feels as she too has lost family. O’Brien’s face is filled with such, hate, confusion, loss and love that you can’t help but feel under his spell.

To put it simply, it had all the right pieces, but had nothing to pull them together. The good thing is there are a number of books to adapt so it still has time to figure all that out. Think of this as a young and not as intense Jason Bourne film. It’s an interesting take of the theme where the new CIA recruit scores off the charts. It is however enjoyable watching, but if you are looking for good cinema or a great story, this isn’t it. That’s not to say the next one won’t deliver.

Chris Evans does feel-good Words by Isabelle Aswad Gifted follows the story of Mary (Mckenna Grace) a seven-year-old girl under the care of her uncle Frank (Chris Evans) after the death of her mother six years ago. On her first day of school, which she attends begrudgingly, Mary’s teacher Miss Stevenson (Jenny Slate) learns that Mary is not only a precocious little girl, but a math prodigy. When Mary’s grandmother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) finds out Mary is as brilliant as her daughter, she launches a battle against Frank for custody.

Director Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) has brought together a cast with exemplary skill at conveying the nuances of family, whilst ensuring that the chemistry of their interactions is as believable and true to life as possible.

beautifully, and with a depth and humility that is spot on.

Their sassy neighbour Roberta (Octavia Spencer) rounds out the family unit with an overwhelming capacity for love and kindness which she exudes in spades. Her relationship with Mary is heartwarming, and it’s obvious to the audience that she is there for not only the girl, but also for her guardian.

Jenny Slate is perfectly cast as well, as the sweet teacher with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of her students. Her role as friend and support system to Frank also works nicely throughout the film.

The script is clever and further highlights that there is no bad guy in this story, but rather a whole lot of The driving force of this film is Mckenna Grace. people who think they are doing what’s best for one She is a fantastic young actress that I have no doubt special little girl. I think it is this element that also will be gracing our screens for years to come. She establishes the humanity of the piece. carries herself with a maturity that is beyond her years and matches the skill level the adults around The heart to heart moments that litter the film her have brought to their own performances. And between Evans and Grace are some of the standout she’s equally wonderful in the childlike moments moments, where we, as the audience, see these throughout the film. people for what they are, and what they mean to each other. It’s beautiful.

Chris Evans is such a talented actor, you forget about the architype hero he has become accustomed Like a lot of drama movies, the plot is a little to playing. He is genuine in his affection for Mary predictable. But that does not mean that it’s not a and the warmth and emotion he brings to Frank good movie. I think it’s one that will stand out from is refreshing and honest. Evans delivers this the crowd and for all the right reasons.

RENT OR BUY THE NEWEST HITS MOVIES: The House (4th October) It Comes At Night (4th October) Don’t Tell (4th October) AUSSIE Churchill (4th October) JOEL EDGERTON Neruda (4th October) DOES HORROR Chicken People (11th October) Detour (11th October) My Cousin Rachel (11th October) Spider-Man: Homecoming (18th October) The Beguiled (25th October) TOM HOLLAND Monsieur Chocolat (25th October) & RDJ BRING Una (25th October) SPIDEY HOME TO MARVEL

TV: Fear The Walking Dead Season 3 (17th October) Mr Robot Season 3 (From 13th October) REMI MALEK’S CRITICAL HIT

MAX BROWN THE RISING AUSSIE STAR TALKS TO MARK HALYDAY ABOUT JOINING ABC/NETFLIX’S AACTA & LOGIE AWARD WINNING SUPERNATURAL SERIES ‘GLITCH’

Mark: Every episode of season two is on iView now You’re actually right but there’s more pressure on and will drop on Netflix on November 28 globally. myself because I love the show so much, not because It’s unusual for ABC to drop all the episodes at once. it was successful but because I was a fan. A lot of the time when you go for an audition for a new show that Max: Yeah so now it’s a Netflix co-production whereas hasn’t been made you’ve got no pre-conception of what the first season was purely Australian with Matchbox it will be like - but you hope that you get it but you Pictures and the ABC. Netflix spearheaded that culture don’t have a personal investment - but I really wanted with House of Cards and all their original content so to get Glitch. it’s in that tradition.

And I didn’t think I got it either. I left feeling like I Well they’ve been in Australia a couple of years now. missed my chance so I was a bit bummed.

Time to start spending some money here!

Any horror stories from it or just not feeling it?

Yeah exactly! Time to put some money into our economy (laughs). So after Netflix picked up season Not a horror story really, just general actor’s neurosis one of Glitch it got a really strong response in the kicking in. I mean the audition was fine and the casting American audience and they were sort of comparing director Alison Telford is amazing, she’s fantastic to it to - and it’s not like it at all - but Stranger Things and work with and very professional, but just actor’s doubts picked up the same kind of audience. So I think that’s every so often. Then I got the phone call that said I got why Netflix came on board and said ‘I’d love to help it and I was over the moon. season two’ Before Glitch you did Neighbours. I hear it’s a Because Australia doesn’t really do a lot of madhouse and it’s constantly pushing out content supernatural stuff. That’s what stood out about every week. Was that your experience?

Glitch.

Both Neighbours and Home and Away are like that We don’t tend to do a lot of genre stuff full stop. I think because they’re such long running shows with five the closest we get is crime procedurals and police episodes each a week. I wouldn’t call a madhouse but shows but we’ve starting branching out with Glitch and definitely under the pump. We’re shooting bits and Cleverman as well. It turns out we do a pretty good job! pieces from however many different episodes all in one day, and it’s not in order either, so you might do a scene What appealed to you about Glitch and why did you from your first episode in the morning and your third get involved? episode in the afternoon.

Well the funny thing is I watched the first season It’s interesting to try and get your head around it but when it came out two years ago and I was already a the great thing about Neighbours and Home and massive fan. I love all that stuff as well like zombies Away is it teaches you to be professional. You don’t and shows like The Returned and Les Revenants which have similar concepts but one being American and the other French. I love the supernatural genre but I was just looking for good Aussie TV. It’s what it comes down to at the end of the day. The storylines are tight, the acting is amazing, so much mystery going on.

And I’d already worked with one of the directors from Glitch, Emma Freeman, on a previous show called Secret City but I still had to audition like everyone else and get picked for the role.

Was there more pressure because the first season was so successful?

have time to muck around. You need to get in there and nail your scenes and your lines. It’s a really good training way in that way that you don’t have the luxuries you may have on other shows.

That was a really full on shoot actually. Josh Reed is the director, previously directed an Aussie film Primal and does a lot of work for the ABC like The Chaser, and he came up with this concept that’s almost a Rapunzel-type story where someone is held captive in Then you went and starred in a music video for a this drug den, this house in Sydney run by this drug Triple J Unearthed band ADKOB. Looked like a manufacturer. lot of fun with all the paint flying and the colours around.

And the concept behind is that it’s almost all improvised. Josh wrote a skeleton script with plot ADKOB are a great Sydney based band and I’d worked points and beats and things and really detailed with the director before on a promo/commercial in descriptions of the characters, and then he cast all of us Melbourne and he remembered me from that. So he actors and got us to live it out. He hired out the house phoned me up and offered me the role. I love music for a few weeks and a few of us actors ended up living videos. I grew up recording them off the TV as a weird in the house and more or less stayed in character. And hobby and keeping compilations so I’ve always loved then he would get there and we’d play out the scenes that combination between music and visuals. So it’s with a bit of direction. great to be on set and be a part of that. And the great thing about ADKOB too is they have such an artistic That must be so much fun as an actor. vision. It was a kind of contemporary art with colours and paint to express emotion, how that comes through Yeah it’s a mix of things. It’s fun but it’s also kind of and the relationship with the characters. scary because you realise all of a sudden that you’re used to a script being a safety net. You know where the scene begins, the middle and the end, and you know roughly where you need to believe all that. But the thing about impro is you pretty much only know the beginning. There’s this vague idea of where you think you’ll end up to lead onto the next scene but it can go anywhere.

So I think it’s a bit intimidating at first but then exactly what you said - it’s about as pure acting as you can get because you can really live in the circumstance and really work off each other to create something.

It’s trial and error too. Sometimes it didn’t work and sometimes it did.

Next year you have a film lined up that has a very in-your-face title. What’s it called? (laughs) We’re Not Here to Fuck Spiders.

It’s brilliant.

Yeah I was in LA just recently talking to an agent and they brought that up almost straight away. He was like ‘What does this mean? What is this interesting title?’.

I wasn’t aware of it but it’s an old Aussie colloquialism which as far as I understand means we’re not hear to muck around or we’re hre to get down to business.

And just wrap it up with one easy one and one hard one. Easy one first: if you act opposite one Australian actor who would it be?

I’ve already managed to act opposite the cast of Glitch. They would have been high on my list. Wow, um, I don’t think I can nail it down to one.

Top 3 then?

Joel Edgerton is definitely in my top 3, I can rewatch his work endlessly. He’s just got such an effortless presence on screen. Plus he’s from Western Sydney like me (westies represent!). Rose Byrne looks like a lot of fun and she’s so talented. And Remy Hii, because it would be nice to see a scene with two Asian Australian male actors in the same scene. It’s pretty rare I’m not sure I’ve seen it before apart from Neighbours.

Well that leads into my next question pretty well.

If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be?

One thing? You’ve gotta cut down your list from the hundred things to just one thing I want changed.

Better food on set?

(Laughs) The food on set is fantastic but I don’t eat, I just drink coffee all the time. So I miss out on all the benefits. I’m ridiculous!

But if we want to go down that road I suppose I would defiantly say diversity is one of the things. And not just diversity in ethnic actors which is something I’m very interested in being half-Asian-Australian male actor, but also diversity all around. I think better roles for all genders, on the queer spectrum, ableism, just more diversity in stories.

And more diversity in the diversity, if that makes sense. So not just having ethnic faces and so forth on TV, but not presenting stereotypical roles for those people. Really breaking the boundaries and showing wider variety of characters. Not all Middle Eastern characters are a particular way and not all Asian characters are a particular way. Really showing a broad range in those groups.

Definitely. Thanks for chatting with us.

The second season Glitch, winner of AACTA Best Television Drama and Logie for Most Outstanding Drama, is available on ABC iView now. The first season is available on Netflix now and the second season will be available globally on November 28.

The stellar Aussie success story goes in for round two. Words by Alaisdair Leith.

After the wildly successful first season the ABC teamed up with Netflix to create and distribute a second season after a group of people from different time periods rose from their graves unexpectedly and while we can’t use the Z word, the undead didn’t run around looking for brains to eat, instead searching for answers as to how they died and seeking answers as to why they rose. It is an intriguing concept and a particularly different one that took the world by storm and after a 2 year wait, season 2 is finally here (currently on ABC Iview and coming to Netflix later this year) Season 2 starts with the revelation that the town’s doctor Elisha Mc Keller (Genevieve O’Reilly) who, after the big reveal at the end of season 1 that she is also part of the undead and has been looking for her own answers. Local cop James Hayes (Patrick Brammall) has been assisting Elisha in trying to uncover answers, is also dealing with the fact that his ex wife Kate (Emma Booth) is back after she lost her life to cancer and he has moved onto with a new wife and baby. It is the kind of complicated web that works with a talented actor like Brammall who can carry these scenes.

Other characters like Paddy (Ned Dennehy) is struggling to deal with the modern world and is still fighting to regain control of his family’s estate and deals with a family history that has been forgotten through time. It is a beautiful and entertaining story line that realistically deals with the “what if this actually happened” situtation. It is incredibly well written and Dennehy delivers the role perfectly.

War hero Charlie gets a lot more screen time this season as we delve into

flashbacks and after finding out just how he died on the battlefield, we get to see the events leading up to his death and the legacy that his battalion left. It is a touching and wonderful arc that is one of the highlights of the season.

Setting the story in the town on Yoorana, just helps this story feel grounded and while the supernatural element still hangs around, it feels like a real Aussie rural town and how the locals react to this situation as the events unfold feels like a true representation which also helps the show feel grounded and real.

A lot is packed into the 6 episodes of the second season (it could easily be stretched out into more and we hope for the third season has at least 10 episodes) that being said we are left with more questions than answers, the end of the last season had us scratching our heads and this season does the same thing. A huge majority of unanswered questions from season 1 are still left unanswered and while new mysteries present themselves they also go unanswered which hopefully will lead to a lot of answers in season three.

Season two of Glitch continues the hit show with a well rounded and extremely talented cast, combined with a spectacular location that feels like a real place. While this season did present us with more questions than answers, the flashbacks and character development is strong and ensured a strong story this season. Outstanding performances, particularly from Brammall who holds the show together as the star performer.

More particularly the writing is on point this season delivering a solid season of scifi undead action that progresses the story. Glitch is the best Australian tv show right now and you can catch it all on ABC Iview.

Words by Alaisdair Leith Bojack Horseman was one of the first Netflix original shows that introduced me to the joy of binging. It was a brand new adult animated show (definitely not for children, You have been warned!) apart from being incredibly funny and entertaining, the show also dared to deal with some heavy topics like celebrity, depression, alcholism, sex addition and family. It’s been now four years since the streaming service introduced Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s wacky world in which anthropomorphic animals and humans co-exist in Hollywoo (a hilarious version of Hollywood with a delightful backstory as to why the D is missing). The executive at Netflix responsible for saying yes to this series needs a permanent position in their procurement team.

The show starts off considerably slower than previous seasons, with Bojack missing after confessing his love for Diane as well as dealing with the guilt of the late Sarah Lyn. So the season starts with a focus on other characters, Mr Peanut Butter who is running for governor for California challenges the current governor Woodchuck Couldhuck-Berkowitz to a ski race and when the media start runing with it he is forced to take it seriously. The mirror to our real world at the moment is entertaining to watch and it would be interesting to find out when this was written.

Princess Carolyn is facing a career crisis in a hilarious episode titled “Thoughts & Prayers which explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how it affects the opening weekend of one of her actresses latest films echoing the lines “thoughts and prayers” resulting in a hilarious and again mirror to our society and how we deal

with events like this. This isn’t the only foray for Carolyn this season, she is still with her boyfriend Ralph and after deciding to try and get pregnant this particular story arc delves deep into celebrity and women juggling work and resposibilities.

In true Bojack fashion it is a hard and dark look at the topic and it really helps flesh out Princess Carolyn as a character.

But meanwhile, where is Bojack? He ends up driving aimlessly and arriving at Beatrice’s mothers house finding it completely trashed.

Deciding to take a few days out the memories of Beatrice and her horrible childhood are played out providing context for how this character (voiced

by Wendy Mallick) ended up being as horrible as she did. Beatrice’s mother has problems getting over the loss of her son and as a result her husband suggests a labotomy. It is just one of the extremely dark moments of this season and after doing some research I found that this was actually a practise.

Bojack decides to fix up the house with the help of his mosquito neighbour Eddy before heading back to Hollywoo to face the music.

To make things complicated a young foal arrives at Bojack’s house by the name of Hollyhock who claims to be his daughter. After several mishaps Bojack finds himself having to care for his mother Beatrice as well as Hollyhock all in the same house. An extensive backstory into Beatrice and Bojack’s history as Bojack was growing up provides some of the darkest scenes of this season and also helps to explain why their relationship has reached this point. It is a welcome contrast to the lightness of Mr Peanut Butter’s storyline and whatever they were trying to do with Todd being a-sexual. Adding Hollyhock into this mix creates an interesting family dynamic, and later on when its revealed that Beatrice is sneaking weight loss pills into Hollyhock’s morning shakes, things reach boiling point and this show delivers the season finest moment.

Another interesting part of this season is the voice of Bojack inside his brain that is constantly putting him down and talking through his thought process. Anyone who has ever struggled with depression will identify with the internal struggle that this voice eminates. It is such a well explained set of scenes it is really hard to put into words how impacting this moment is.

Through all of this pain and all of this darkness all of the characters reach the end of the season with hope and it ends on a surprisingly positive note, something that previous seasons have not done. It is a welcome change and after many moments this season in which it didn’t seem like there was any positive way forward for any of these characters, it finishes with a beacon of hope for them all. It is a difficult thing to craft and weave an engaging story while dealing with such dark subject matter and still be able to make people laugh, and not just a little now and then it was consistent laughter.

Bojack Horseman has continued to improve with each season, and season 4 is the crown jewel in the journey so far. It is hard to describe just how incredible this show is and what this season accomplishes. If you have Netflix definitely add it to your queue, and if you have never seen the show before I thoroughly recommend binging from season 1.

Stephen King has written many books and has become royalty amongst authors. Many of his stories have gone on to become time stopping tales on the big screen, like IT, and even a Netflix series called The Mist.

Having already been adapted into a movie, The Mist came with the promise of something great.

However, it does not

Brittany Howarth on the other Stephen King adaptation this month.

When the mist rolls in, Jay finds himself safe in the local shopping centre with a crowd of people. This includes Alex. Having been falsely accused, Jay thinks it would be a grand idea to corner Alex and demand she hold his hand to prove he is harmless. What’s more, I could swear A town facing an isolated epidemic or event the creators were trying to portray this scene as has been known to work in previous series romantic. and other entertainment. Having a small town allows for limited characters and, in some Whether or not Jay was guilty, Alex had gone cases, an odd civilisation that can be almost through a traumatic experience. She was terrified unaffected by the outside world. We see this and still healing, and someone thought it would in Stranger Things, Wynonna Earp, or even be romantic for him to proclaim his innocence the comic book title: Revival. The Mist utilises by cornering her? The intention of romanticism this small town setting and fills the predictable created what would potentially be the creepiest roles of Police Man, Quarter Back, Hero, and scene I have ever watched.

Edgy Woman. But none of these characters Connor Heisel is the town sheriff who finds have been developed in a relatable way. himself drawn into another’s newfound religion.

The most interesting character in the mix is Supernatural events like a fear inducing mist Mia Lambert. Her character fits into the role of would certainly raise questions of religion, but Edgy Woman due to her addiction and anger my goodness did The Mist slap its audience across issues, and her battle with detoxing definitely the face with it. For the majority of the season, made for something different. However, it Connor waits out the mist in the town church. reached the point where it seemed her character There are few other people, and they include was screaming in agony every second episode the priest and Nathalie, the newfound religious when focussing on her withdrawal from drugs. extremist. The story between these two does lead to an interesting point of tension, but what Kevin Copeland is the Hero of the series. The follows is an intense amount of commitment golden dad, the loving husband, he is the from Connor to Nathalia. man that the audience should want to follow through these tremendous trials. But the The story that unfolds, and a lot of what came character was subpar, with his transition from before the point of tension, has very little pacifist to aggressor being too predictable. thought. And it does get tiring when the church His was the story that The Walking Dead have becomes the villain with very trivial reasons. chipped at for several seasons, one that had Rick Grimes pushing the lines his morality And that’s the truest fault of the series: a lot of to the point where the audience is on the creative choices are made trivially. They have emotional journey with him. You want your little substance, and give the reader nothing to audience to look back and think ‘how did this consider. Each choice or action these characters Hero end up here?’ while agreeing with every make are easily agreeable or completely stupid. choice the hero makes along the way. Kevin’s With a situation such as the mist, where questions journey holds none of this which leaves the of religion, drug addiction, and rape are raised, audience rolling their eyes as he destroys one there should be so much more layers of thought. of his town’s safe havens.

The Mist does end with the possibility of a second The Quarter Back character for this series is Jay season, but I have little hope for its future. On Heisel who in the pilot episode is accused of paper, a town battling its fears and forced into raping Kevin’s daughter, Alex. Now, it’s set up a Lord of the Flies situation should make for from the get go that Jay was framed. However, something intriguing. However, Netlix’s The this doesn’t diminish how wrong one of the Mist falls short on too many notions for a second season to be warranted. earlier scenes between him and Alex are.

Netflix’s The Mist follows the inhabitants of a small town as a mysterious, thick fog rolls in.

The town addresses it with curiosity until it starts producing their greatest fears. This soon leads to the death of many town folk.

Words by Jay Cook It’s always awkward when you laugh at someone’s disability, even when it’s innocent and there’s just no holding back. Atypical helps break down the stigma that surrounds the Autism Spectrum with a wonderful humility that leaves you giggling along the way.

Atypical is one of the many series exclusive to Netflix in Australia, perfect for binging on. It follows the life of 18-year-old Sam Gardner, played by Keir Gilchrist, who is on the Autism Spectrum. Sam has decided he wants a girlfriend and so goes his quest to learn not only about dating and women but also figure out how to navigate the world as an adult without the supervision of his overpowering mother.

Each episode Sam learns something new about dating and what women want. This is all in the build up to winning over who he thinks is someone he could have as a girlfriend, also happens to be his therapist Julia. But before Sam commits to Julie he decides on a practice girlfriend, Paige played by Jenna Boyd. Also on the spectrum Paige helps Sam navigate the crazy world of women and sharing his belongings. That’s until he locks her in his cupboard for touching his things.

Actor Keir Gilchrist isn’t new to stepping out of his comfort zone for a role. His first major series was playing the gay son of Toni Collette in The United States of Tara. Gilchrist plays this character with perfection. He is awkward and confronting but manages to give Sam a warm feeling. The kind you can feel when you know someone is genuine but misunderstood.

His attention to the role is detailed right from his mannerisms and specific looks related to situations.

You then have his ever-supportive sister, Casey played by Brigette Lundy-Paine,who is his support when they are at school. She’s dealing with a possible school change and a new boyfriend that not too many people like. Casey has always taken second place to Sam and struggles to adjust to this when finally Sam is relying on someone else.

Lundy-Paine who you’ll know from her roles in Woody Allan’s Irrational Man and The Glass Castle alongside Woody Harrelson. This role seemed to be a natural fit for Lundy-Pane, playing the tom boy independent woman. But she manages to have a number of layers to her which she slowly reveals as her character grows in the series. You can witness this transformation in each episode from her quiet aggressive protector of Sam to the completely smitten vulnerable side.

Sam’s mother Elsa, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, isn’t coping too well with her children growing up and not needing her as much. She makes a poor decision and ends up having an affair with a bartender Nick who finds he’s getting in a little too deep.

and Dr Dolittle 2. Rapaport manages to capture that fatherly figure that doesn’t quite know what to do but seems to pull it together. He navigates a rather complicated character from a cheating wife, a daughter now dating a boy and an autistic son he doesn’t know how to connect with. But he seems to weave the drama and hold his cool, just like a father holding his family together would.

Robia Rashid, the mastermind behind the creation of Atypical, has worked on How I Met Your Mother, Will and Grace, The Goldbergs and The Loop. And in an interview with Vulture Rashid explains she is very close to someone with Autism but wanted to keep their identity private. And to maintain respect and accuracy for her “someone”, Rashid had to do a lot of research and also brought a specialist into the process for accuracy and respect to those on the Autism Spectrum.

Rashid worked with Professor Michelle Dean in the creation and also had her on set to help the lead Actor Keir Gilchrist maintain an element of authenticity.

It also helped maintain respect for those on the Autism Spectrum. In the same Vulture Q&A Rashid tells a story when the actor playing Sam reacts the If there is one thing that brings this show to a point wrong way so Dean steps in to correct the situation. where you are no longer interested and start to feel disconnected, it’s because of Jennifer Jason Leigh “For example, she watched a cut once and there was (The Hateful Eight, Twin Peaks and The Machinist). a moment where Sam’s friend Zahid (Nik Dodani) In possibly the worst performance of the series Leigh makes some crude joke at work, and Keir, the actor, manages to make a mockery of what is otherwise looked around a tiny bit in one take. She said, “He a brilliant show. There is no depth to her character wouldn’t look around like he wasn’t embarrassed and there is nothing to connect to. The role however because he wouldn’t be.” So we just changed the is a believable one, so blame can only be passed to take where he wasn’t looking around. We were that the actress for not understanding what it is this conscious about it, right down to the eye movement”. show is trying to deliver and how she can fit into it. But if you look past the terrible plastic surgery And you can see the accuracy and detail Rashid and bad performance it’s only a slight hiccup for the has maintained throughout the show has given it otherwise wonderful series. a whole meaningful depth. It isn’t about mocking those on the Autism Spectrum, but breaking down Doug, played by Michael Rapaport, is Sam’s Father that stigma and letting you laugh at the situations, and has always had a tough time connecting with not the person. his son. He’s also been a little embarrassed telling people about the challenges he’s facing in his home Overall this is a wonderful real look at an 18-yearlife. But things change when Sam turns from old wanting to break out, find his independence and relying on his mother to needing his fathers help live a life like his family and peers. But getting there specifically to learn about dating girls. Doug steps is all part of the journey, just twice as hard. It will up to the fatherly figure he’s always wanted but was make you laugh, make you cry and most certainly never able to be. open your mind to Autism and the judgement that goes with it. There can’t be judgement passed when Rapaport has a stellar career working in Television you laugh out loud because he got a hand job in an and Cinema such as Friends, Hitch, Prison Break igloo.

WIN

TICKETS TO THE PREMIERE OF SCARY NEW FLICK

ERE H E CK CLI MOR FOR

Words by Buddy Watson

Following up from 2013’s critically mixed reception of Remember Me, Dontnod Entertainment developed the sleeper hit of 2015 and arguably one of the best story driven adventure games of this generation, Life is Strange. Although the sophomore hit uses an episodic structure similar to that of Telltale Games such as The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us, Life is Strange was an original story that didn’t rely on the power of licensed properties, allowing it to establish its own world and characters without limitations. Its success was built off a combination of brilliant story telling that

empowered player agency through irreversible narrative choices, pop culture references, a killer indie soundtrack and doing away with traditional adventure game point and click mechanics. With superb voice acting, story and characters that I resonated with, Dontnod’s Life is Strange made a case for beating Telltale at their own game.

When a sequel to one of your favourite games gets announced it’s hard to contain the excitement. Finding out that the sequel will feature a new location and cast of

characters makes sense based on the outcomes of the first game but there is still a feeling of disappointment that you won’t revisit the same characters and world you have come to love and cherish. One month after that announcement, publisher Square Enix announced that a threepart episodic prequel to Life is Strange will also be released. So now not only do we get Life is Strange 2, but we also get Life is Strange: Before the Storm (Yes there was a storm in one, clearly). This sums up the emotional roller-coaster that Life is Strange hurls you through.

The change in voice actress was noticeable and slightly off putting at the start but I got used to it as DeVries was able to nail Chloe’s cadence and vocal mannerisms. The younger softer voice makes sense as Chloe is vulnerable and still in the midst of finding her identity. I found myself making decisions based on my relationships or experiences with the characters I had in the future game, despite their current role.

Being a bitch to a future bully or trying to massage and make things easier for Chloe now knowing some of the decisions you make in the original. This was the part of the game that truly impressed me and make me sit back and think. Are my actions creating that Cool Boarders alumni Deck Nine take the reins of bully? Am I transforming characters into the roles development in one of 2 major changes for the series. they ultimately become in the original? Although The other is Rhianna DeVries taking on the voice that is impossible Deck Nine makes you feel that this acting role of returning protagonist, Chloe Price, due complex time paradox exists. to original voice actress Ashley Burch being restricted by the current SAG-AFTRA video game voice actor Although the episode started slow and rehashed a strike. However, her restrictions did not stop her from lot from Life is Strange, it ended fantastically and left attaching herself to the project as a writing consultant. me wanting more. We finally get to learn more about Firstly, the game acts as a love letter to those that seasons 1s mysterious missing girl Rachel Amber. Her have played the previous instalment. If this is your relationship with Chloe is the cornerstone of Before first experience with the series I implore you to stop the Storm and the reason to keep coming back. Unlike reading and play the first one before experiencing most irrelevant prequels Before the Storm seems to Before the Storm. Nothing will be ruined by playing be answering the questions we all were asking. No this one first but so much will go unappreciated. The one cares how Leatherface came to be, the origins familiarity of Chloe’s house, the Junkyard or speaking of the Scorpion King or the exorcism that happened with other characters who tease the type of people before the Exorcist. We do care about how Chloe they go on to become. became tortured and damaged and her relationship with Rachel Amber and how she ultimately met her Before the Storm takes place three years before the mysterious fate. events of Life is Strange. This time you play as 16 year old Chloe who is dealing with the tragic loss of For the trophy collectors out there it’s another her father and her one and only friend Max (the first straight forward easy and rewarding platinum. games playable protagonist) moving away from the Max’s photograph “collectables” have been replaced fictional Arcadia Bay to Seattle. Chloe’s relationship by Chloe tagging objects with graffiti. Find all the is breaking down with her mother Joyce over her optional graffiti spots for the platinum. The beauty new boyfriend, and her drug use and class skipping of the trophy list is it compels you to explore and is a glimpse into the rebellious Chloe we come to interact with everything, making sure you don’t miss know. She’s just a damaged girl standing in front of anything and gives greater context to the story and the world, asking for someone to give a damn about the world of Arcadia Bay. One trophy was originally her. Once again the game centres on exploration, only attainable to people who had purchased the interacting with objects and people and reading the deluxe edition of the game which comes with an constantly updating Journal, character bios and text extra Max chapter. However this will be rectified by messages in the options menu. The biggest change is the time Episode 2 is released. the lack of supernatural powers. Max’s time travelling mechanic and resulting alternate universes have With signature storytelling, trademark montages, been replaced by Chloe’s backtalk challenge. Whilst I familiar gameplay, characters, locations and a great initially wasn’t a fan, it adds the much needed variety ending that leaves you wanting more, Before the over simple dialogue trees and hasn’t seemed to be Storm Episode 1 is a brilliant love letter to fans of the overused or overstay its welcome just yet. Arguing or series. One scene in particular made my eyes water manipulating a result through her quick witted replies (damn allergies) and I’m intrigued to see how the and attitude also fits perfectly with her character. story of Chloe and Rachel develops.

BRITTANY HOWARTH TALKS TO BRISBANE DEVELOPERS

PRIDEFUL SLOTH ABOUT THEIR HIT GAME

Take a break. Take a step back from loading the next weapon or upgrading your armour, and heed the call for your next adventure. Gemea, a sprawling island paradise, awaits you with its kind locals and intriguing new creatures which you must save from a mysterious darkness.

Brisbane based Prideful Sloth are the tinkerers behind this landscape-diverse, mircro-AAA game. Together, they focus on creating playerdriven narratives with detailed worlds and they do this with fine art and enticing colours.

And there are certainly a lot of things to do in Gamea rather than fight. Aside from clearing the land from the mysterious darkness called Murk, the player can build a rapport with the locals by fishing, crafting, brewing, setting up fireworks, and discovering the many secrets of the wondrous land.

Although Yonder is the first game developed by the Prideful Sloth team, the creators are by no means lacking in experience. Each member has over ten years’ experience in the industry as artists, programmers, or in production and that’s Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, home of just to name a few of their occupations.

Gemea, is Prideful Sloth’s flagship title. Unlike similarly stylised adventures like Wind Waker, But what games got the three creators of Prideful Yonder allows the player to put themselves in the Sloth into gaming? world with an unnamed, customisable avatar.

Cheryl Vance, the co-founder and co-director of “It always felt to me that Gemea, the land where Prideful Sloth, has always been around gaming Yonder is set, is the main character of the game,” and used to play on the Atari 2600 with her our Prideful Sloth representative said when family, as well as arcade and pinball machines. asked about the unnamed character. “It was Her co-founder and co-director Joel Styles something that I never felt was needed, and began his gaming obsession on the classic NES during playtests, I was surprised at how little with games like Battletoads and Zelda. John naming your character was requested.”

Northwood, the final team member and codirector, remembers Wizard of Wor (C64) being Gemea is certainly captivating enough to be the that game that truly got his heart pumping, but main character. As the player approaches the it’s Super Mario World on the SNES that he can island, their ship crashes and they awaken in a still play and enjoy the experience. beach cavern. However, once they step into the light, the player is struck with the intense colours The team even share advice on creators entering of the world spread out in front of them. the industry: “Gemea was a world we wanted the player to feel “Ensure (your) skills are cross compatible with comfortable in. A world that felt like they had other industries. The industry is amazing, but it been there before.” is not always stable, nor are jobs easy to find.”

The team’s extensive world was inspired by idealistic minimalism which portrayed a richness and a vibrancy with as few elegant strokes as possible.

Having released Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles on PlayStation and Steam (Windows), the team are currently considering putting it on other platforms. And it sounds like there’s more to Yonder than this single game.

But with such an adventure driven game, it is unusual to find it has no combat.

“When a team creates a new IP, they should always consider the longevity of the property.

“When we started to talk through the design, This includes tie-ins, sequels and additional ways it was something that just didn’t come up as a to monetise on the property.” necessary element of the game. With the art style, and other mechanics we wanted to include So, take a break and go beyond your typical in Yonder, combat just never seemed to fit, and adventure with Yonder: The Cloud Catcher was at odds with the vision we had.”

Chronicles!