It’s something many only dream of – to combine your passions and love and turn them into a reality.
Big wave surfer, Brett Burcher has managed to do just that, mixing his love of film-making and writing with a his respect for the ocean.
Hailing from Mollymook, on the State’s South Coast, Brett is living in Forster and undertaking his practical in teaching at Holy Name Primary School.
Along with his reputation as one of the country’s best known big wave riders, Brett also contributes to the surfers’ Bible Tracks Magazine.
This Saturday, June 2 Brett will showcase his latest film project, Engrained, featuring voice overs from local identity, Phil Guiney
Documented over 18 months, Engrained is the brainchild and passion project of both Brett and cinematographer Darcy Ward
Artistically captured, the 23-minute film is a visual feast tied together with underlying narration, taking the viewer on a journey to each picturesque landscape as they slowly return to familiar waters.
The concept for Engrained evolved off the back of Eye Sea, a short film created together in 2015, Brett said.
“Darcy and I have been good mates and worked closely together for about five years now and what began as just a simple back and forth of ideas, eventually grew into something we set our minds too,” he said.
“Ultimately, we began filming and let the ideas, narrative and locations naturally evolve and come together as we simultaneously chased the waves and experiences we wanted to pursue.”
The event also will offer fellow, local film makers an opportunity to share their surfing movies, while the audience will be invited to reflect on their relationship, or deeper understanding about the ocean, a particular location or anything they are passionate about.
Engrained will be shown at 2428 Gym, Kularoo Drive Forster with doors opening at 5pm. BYO chairs.
Tickets are available at Jungle Surf, Tuncurry.
“Our main objective was to combine and portray our passions of film-making and writing through our love for the ocean and all things that are engrained into it,” Brett said.
“Writing the text for the voice-overs instilled an emotional connection and doubled as a representation of the underlying beauty and appreciation we have for the locations and experiences attached to each trip.
“It’s said a lot these days and the idea is certainly nothing out of the ordinary, but surfing clips are perhaps lacking the depth of perspective and attention to emotional detail that the art of surfing deserves.
“We understand that surfing performances alone are not always what makes a film, especially so with Engrained – it was more about taking the viewer on a symbolic journey and combining our favourite locations with our favourite surfers and bringing attention to the hidden depth that lies beyond the visuals.”
