 (picture by Samuel Vayro) 1. Let’s start with a simple question, who exactly is Izac Brodrick? How would you introduce yourself to the world? "That's tough. I'm figuring it out as I go. This is one of my first interviews ever, so right now Izac Brodrick is an aspiring young writer/director, and he's doing his best to answer these questions honestly, but also in a way that doesn't make him sound pretentious or idiotic. He also doesn't usually talk in the third person." 2. Do you remember what was your first job in the entertainment industry? Could you tell us a little about that? "My first job in the industry was as an intern on the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. I was a broadcast technical assistant. During that job I also became friends with Jackson Kanaris and Noah Gerometta, who are two fifths of our production company, Calligram Pictures. So I'm super thankful for getting the opportunity to work on such a huge event so early on in my career, but I'm also very grateful that it allowed me to meet Noah and Jackson. They introduced me to Taylor Glockner and Jack T Murphy, who are also two fifths of Calligram Pictures. They're all amazing." 3. If you could, what would be the one advice you would want to give to your younger self? "I'd tell him to be as honest as possible, and to be as kind as possible. I'd also tell him that those fluorescent green high-top shoes he's wearing are going to be out of fashion very very soon, if they aren't already." 4. So far, what would you say it is your biggest accomplishment? "My biggest accomplishment so far in my film career is probably winning Best Short Film for my directorial debut, 'Flesh & Ivory', at 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival in Indonesia. I grew up in Indonesia, and it was important to me that the film went there first on our international festival run. So learning that not only was it seen by the audiences over there, but that it also took home the top prize, was a really cool full circle moment for me." 5. I recently saw your new short film, 'Flesh & Ivory'. And let me tell you, I loved every bit of it. Is there anything you can disclose about the film without spoiling it too much for the people who haven’t seen it yet? "Thank you, that's lovely of you to say. 'Flesh & Ivory' is a story about a high school student named Will Benjamin, who starts following the advice of a self-help book written by his estranged father. The more he obsesses over the hyper-idealistic philosophies in his father's book, the more disconnected he becomes from his mother and girlfriend. Will begins to imagine conversations with his father as well as other things. The story develops from there."  (picture by Samuel Vayro) 6. What is the most important lesson you think people should learn from watching this film? "I don't think it's for me to say what the most important lesson or idea is to take from the film. I think the most important thing for viewers to take away would be whatever they feel is most personal to them. But also maybe "stay in school". That's not a bad lesson to take away." 7. How was the casting process, could you please describe that to us? "My producer (Jackson Kanaris) and I were very lucky in our casting process. We held lots of auditions, but fairly early on in the process we found the cast for the mother character (Angela Dennis), the father (Vyvyan Black), and the girlfriend (Skye Fellman). Jackson and I got a bit nervous though when we hadn't found an actor to play our central character, Will Benjamin, after quite some time. But when Joel Drabble walked in the door for his audition, Jackson and I knew almost immediately he was perfect and well worth the wait." 8. Have you ever applied the concept of law of attraction in your life? Is that an important thing to you? "I have. I read a book about it when I was a lot younger and naturally I thought I'd give the law of attraction a go. I respect that there is validity in the idea that focusing on something you strive to achieve, or receive, will help you get there. Having focus is key in working towards a goal. However, it's not a matter of imagining something you want and having it pop into existence, which is (very naively) a little closer to how I saw the law of attraction initially." 9. How was it working with Joel Drabble for this film? "It was great. Joel really understands what it means to be present in a scene rather than having to "act". He listens. Which is all I could ever hope for as a director. He's focused, he's super talented, and he's very considerate of the people around him. He wants to make the best film possible and he wants to make everyone's life easier on set in the process. I'm working on another short film at the moment starring Joel Drabble and Skye Fellman called 'Co-Stars', and the process, once again, has been excellent. Skye brought the first draft of 'Co-Stars' to Calligram Pictures and we developed the script together. We're shooting early November."  (picture by Samuel Vayro)
10. Was it hard filming with Covid 19 being still around? Did it change the vibe around set? "Jackson and I had an amazing cast and crew for 'Flesh & Ivory'. Everyone completely understood the obvious importance of hygiene and following procedures so they could take care of themselves and others on the set. So the vibes were good. Just another day at work." 11. What is the release date for 'Flesh & Ivory' and where would people be able to watch the film? "'Flesh & Ivory' had its world premiere at 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival recently, so it's technically been released. However, it's still actively traveling the international film festival circuit, so if you want to see it, keep an eye on our Instagram page @calligram.pictures because it could be coming to a festival near you. As for our local Australian audience, we plan to hit the Aussie film festival circuit around the middle of next year (2023)." 12. In the end, is there anything you would like to say to the people who support you? "I'd honestly just say "thank you". There's a lot of beautiful films out there. Truly great films. I'm just a guy who likes to make films because they help me figure things out, and because they can connect with people. I do this as best as I can. So if something that I've made connects with you, whatever way that may be, then that's all I've ever wanted and I couldn't be more happy that it made you feel something."
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