Hey Doll! (2021/2024)

a Saara Lamberg film

A new and exciting venture for Ovenden Lodge during 2020 has been the production of a short film – Hey Doll! – directed by Saara Lamberg. This 12-minute film was shot on location around Gawler in November 2020. The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic added some incredible challenges to the shoot!

Intense infection-control protocols, including temperature-testing, hand-washing and mask-wearing, added to the challenge.

Another of the restrictions was that only 10 people could be on set at any one time. This resulted in some very complex scheduling of who could be on site at any one time. It also meant that equipment operators frequently found themselves without assistants – and key tasks (such as continuity and make-up) became the responsibility off anyone who had a free moment and was currently on set.

Despite all this – and a snap lockdown that nearly scuppered the entire project, Hey Doll was made. The film follows Margaret as she nervously introduces her new boy friend at a family Sunday dinner. She is shocked to discover that her mother has apparently disappeared and her father also has someone he wants her to meet – his own new girl friend, Kitty.

The trailer for Hey Doll! can be viewed on Vimeo

More information about Hey Doll! can be found on IMDb. The film has also been released to festivals with sub-titles in Italian (Ehi Bambola) and in French (Hey Poupée).

CAST (In order of appearance)

  • Margaret: Sophie Power
  • Granny: Chris O’donoghue
  • Svetlana: Saara Lamberg
  • Daddy: John Couper-Smartt
  • Michael: Ben Todd
  • Window Dresser: Jayd Burns

CREW

Director: Saara Lamberg

Cinematography: André Donadio

  • Assistant Director & Drone photographer: David Thorley
  • Sound Recordists: Effie Pashidis & Luke Prior
  • Second Camera: Lisa Thorley and Tim Delraux
  • Art Design: Stewart Marsh
  • Make-up Artists & Runners: Yvonne Foenander & Tegan Nottle
  • Catering: Lina Couper-Smartt
  • Stunt Co-ordinator: Chris O’donaghue.
  • Music design and composition: Chris McPhee
  • Written & Produced by John Couper-Smartt for Ovenden Lodge
  • Subtitle Translation (Italian): Lina Gagliardi

FESTIVALS…

Awards and Selections

Once a film has been shot the real work begins! Post-production includes the design of the film as well as the editing, colouring and grading. The Audio track also has to be edited and linked to the video, with any additional “Foley” sounds. The music was then supplied by Chris McPhee who composed the additional score, used on the 1911 song “I want a girl”, and recorded it on an electronic theatre organ. Then the real fun begins as the film is submitted to festivals for sharing with others who share our commitment to indie film making.