Ursula Dabrowsky Rising

Independent film festivals open doors for filmmakers hoping to get into the business of making movies, and we can see that through the journey of Australian horror filmmaker Ursula Dabrowsky.

Introduction: In this paper I will discuss Australian film as well as the influence Hollywood has over this venue. I will show how an independent Australian filmmaker has succeeded in her productions and compare the pros and cons of independent film versus Hollywood productions. I will show how Hollywood’s legacy influences the passions and goals of one particular independent filmmaker, Ursula Dabrowsky and her responses to staying true to her projects.

When the politics of Hollywood don’t cloud the creative natures of writers, directors, and producers, film can be so much more than we see today. Australian Film kind of jumps out at you when seen. Everyone has heard of movies like Mad Max, which was released in 1979 starring Mel Gibson. It was directed by Australian director George Miller. The Australian director I want to focus on is Ursula Dabrowsky.She is an independent Australian filmmaker who has a passion for horror. Her first movie was, Family Demons in 2009.

Independent film has its “pros” and “cons.” So many directors want their works supported by Hollywood simply for the budget and the clout it holds having such a project under one’s belt. Is the art lost in the hidden agendas of Hollywood? Is a perfectly good movie ruined by big name sponsors that want their own agendas or products advertised on the BIG Screen? This is where the money comes from for major productions.

Obstacles: Independent films often have trouble getting funding for production costs. Many films that do find funding are limited to a low budget and the quality of film is shunned by possible venues that might show it. Even publicity seems to be limited to film festivals if they are selected at all for the opportunity. So beyond the budgets, there are licensing issues, contracts and legal propaganda just to begin the production. As a primary resource I was able to contact a dear friend who is in the Australian film making business. She is currently touring and promoting her second film and made time to answer a few questions for this paper. In a brief interview I had with Ursula Dabrowsky I asked, “What kind of politics or obstacles, if any, have you faced as an independent film producer/writer/director?” Her response was, “The main obstacles that I have faced are a lack of financial and emotional support: My budgets have been very low and have forced me to take on several roles and this has led to burn out. For my next film, I want to focus on writing and directing and leave the producing side of things to someone else.”

According to a case study written by Jordi McKenzie and W. David Walls in 2013, Australian movies had issues in the box office of their own country. These films are not considered “independent” films, but are the equivalent of our Hollywood in Australia. The paper covers interesting facts about how the qualities of the stories in the films being produced don’t live up to their historical counterparts, like Mad Max, which in 1979 brought in an estimated $5,625,000. This in itself is an obstacle due to the lack of creativity one might point out. Its 2015 sequel, starring Tom Hardy as Max, (replacing Mel Gibson), grossed an estimated $153,629,485.

Within the independent Australian film domain however, we see lower budgets. Ursula Dabrowsky released her first production, Family Demons with an estimated production budget of $275,000. This is considered a “low budget” film and due to the limitations causes many film critics to overlook the film’s true qualities. The storyline is presented well and in such a way that a suspenseful film should be portrayed. Many “low budget” films are underrated. This film set the foundation and stepping stone for Ursula’s journey.

Change in tides: The Australian box office seems to be booming as of late with the release of the newest Mad Max film. As far as Australian horror films go, there are film festivals such as Indie Horror Fest where independent horror films can be shared to get their chance at stardom. Film fests such as this one provide opportunities for independent filmmakers like Ursula Dabrowsky to show off their talents as filmmakers and possibly get their films shown at theaters. Films such as Out of the Basement by Benjamin Dewhurst are given these opportunities to build a reputation in the film industry and open doors to possible bigger productions.

As with many actors, Ursula Dabrowsky is a pseudo name or stage-name taken by writer/producer Sue Brown, who used this name as many writers do to hide her identity from the public. As a celebrity, Sue Brown might have to face negative feedback and ridicule from those who do not like her films and possibly attract too many fans as well that might make her life difficult in public. Ursula Dabrowsky, a horror and suspense thriller mastermind, now promotes her second project, Inner Demon. Horror is in demand and we see tons of horror films that just don’t live up to our expectations in the states. Politics of the movie realm seem to keep some movies out of the headlines.

Social media such as Facebook, (https://www.facebook.com/ursula.dabrowsky?ref=ts&fref=ts) and twitter, (https://twitter.com/UrsulaDabrowsky), help circulate information. With the followers Ursula Dabrowsky has amassed, she may turn the tides eventually. GoFundMe is a site where fundraisers can take place and many independent film productions are supported this way. Crowd funding has played a role in the productions of films such as Veronica Mars, which cost an estimated $6,000,000 to produce and flopped hard grossing just over half of their production costs. With independent films it’s “hit and miss.”

Conclusion: Ursula Dabrowsky has worked hard to get to where she is today and is proud of her accomplishments in the Australian film industry. Though it has not been an easy road, she has goals of getting her films known in the states as well as one working in Hollywood. We know what kind of clout that gives you when you have Hollywood on your resume. Even though this is a dream for many filmmakers, Ursula Dabrowsky makes a valid point about independent film versus Hollywood when she says, ““I have no idea as I have never worked within the Hollywood system. All I can say is what I’ve read and what I’ve seen. Hollywood makes a lot of films and its hit and miss. But the same can be said for independent films. Regardless of budget or the system that you are working with, making films is difficult and making a successful film is even more difficult.”

Just because it is made in Hollywood doesn’t mean the movie will be successful. Hollywood is known for having producers with a lot of money which means a high budget for film production if they are willing to produce the movie. Along with the money comes a contract full of stipulations that may make or break the film’s success and possibly ruin the original concept of the film. Independent film has its limitations, but it also seems to have a lot more strengths. Ursula Dabrowsky is only one name in the independent horror film industry, but she is making progress and making movies.

Citations: Davison, Kevin C. "Interview with Ursula Dabrowsky." :: Writing Portfolio of Kevin C. Davison. 2 Nov. 2015. Web. 2 Nov. 2015.

McKenzie, Jordi, and W. David Walls. "Australian Films at the Australian Box Office: Performance, Distribution, and Subsidies." ProQuest. ProQuest.com, 1 May 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.

"The Indie Horror Film Festival." The Indie Horror Film Festival. Web. 2 Nov. 2015. http://indiehorrorfest.com/2015/01/21/out-of-the-basement-2015-official-selection-world-premier/

"Veronica Mars." IMDb. IMDb.com. Web. 2 Nov. 2015.