Lookin'

Narrative Short Film
Directed by Cooper Dalbo

From kissing his crush, Tyler, in the school bathroom to seeing him kiss a girl a moment later, Lachie’s desire for love leads him to respond to an anonymous profile on a popular gay hook-up app.

 

Texting late into the night, Lachie schedules an in-person ‘date’ with a profile named ‘Lookin’. Will the date with this stranger finally give Lachie what he has always wanted or will he leave still searching.

Director's
Statement

For a debut short film, I personally struggled to figure out what type of stories I wanted to tell. After many years of working within the industry and seeing the narratives that come from it, my eyes were open to the possibility of writing what I know best – my own experience. From watching a wide range of queer short films, it was brought to my attention that I am not alone with my occurrences, that a revealing story of young passion and naivety can be made and shown to audiences. ‘LOOKIN’ serves as a chapter to the slice of life narratives that are born from real people with real drama, and we are so lucky as to get a sneak peek into their world and watch.

 

As a new director, I was able to collaborate with the likes of Martine Wolff, who’s unique visuals and personal style as the Director of Photography enriched the final film, alongside the talents of Melbourne’s new up-and-comer, Liam Trumble. Resulting in a short film that can participate in the wider issues faced within the community and sit with the many previous works that detail a similar incident. Capturing the vulnerability and intensity of a life lived as a young queer person, employing a sensitive and intentive purpose to release this project, bringing a memory to life for audiences to see and relate with.

Cooper Dalbo
Director

Cooper is a emerging filmmaker based in Melbourne, Australia. Recently graduated with a bachelor’s in film and television, Dalbo is hitting the ground running with his written and directorial debut short film, ‘LOOKIN’. 

Mark Day
Producer

Mark is a writer, director, editor and composer based in Melbourne. He moved from Brisbane to study at the Victorian College of the Art and since then has written, directed and co-produced a short film, 2 web series, a feature film and much more. 

 

Cast

Lachie: Liam Trumble
Tyler: Gabriel Cali
Lookin’: Rhys Carter
Charlotte: Ruby Curran
Mum: Anna Green 
Dan: David Margetts
Marie: Lily Squires
Jean: Harry Quinlan

Crew

Writer Director: Cooper Dalbo
Producer: Mark Day
Co-producer: Lawrence Phelan
Cinematographer: Martine Wolff
Production Designer: Angela Lopez
1st AC: Leigh Schilling
2nd AC: Maddison Adams
Sound Recordist: Conor Whitty
Gaffer: Thomas Snowden
Best Person: Brodie McMullen-Jones
Best Person: Aidan D’Arcy
Costume: Dion Annett
BTS Photographer : Leo Cherry
Prod Assistant: Cecilia Karlovic
Steadicam: Lisa Cushing
Steadicam Assistant: Dan Puodziunas
ditor: Shannon Michaelas
Colorist: Tim Morton
Sound Design/Mix: Michael De Lange
Composer: Daniel McCulloch
VFX: Chris Dwyer
Poster Design: BREAD
Production Company: Recliner