A self-proclaimed horror film buff, New York Film Academy Australia, Gold Coast alumnus Zach-McCoy Davies’ latest short film “Mannequin” recently won an award at the Reel Horror Film Festival held at Movie World on the Gold Coast. The Reel Horror Film Festival is a part of Warner Bros. Movie World Theme Park’s Fright Nights, which is held during the Halloween season.
“Mannequin” has also screened at the Princeton Student Film Festival, as well as Willoughby Shorts and Screen It Film Fest in Australia.
His short horror film focuses on a lonely costume designer working within a dark theatre who begins hearing bumps in the night upon the arrival of a bubble-wrapped mannequin.
“NYFA prepared me for the reality of the business. It is hard work, you will be pushed aside more often than not but it’s how you bounce back that shows whether you can make it in the industry,”said Davies on his experience as a student at NYFA Australia.
Overall, Davies says he enjoyed the atmosphere of being on the backlot and seeing other films being produced. “The lecturers also made the classes engaging, and being able to direct/write/edit your own short film with cinema grade equipment was a massive plus,” added Davies.
https://youtu.be/jVqPhDNJWFI
His advice to aspiring filmmakers is that “no matter what the circumstance, the struggle will always pay off in the end…if you keep pushing forward.”
Davies has recently started his own video production company servicing small businesses and clients on the Gold Coast, from weddings to corporate videos. Keep an eye out for his next short horror film, which is currently in the works.