LENS

A Short Film

by

Adam Pascale

Synopsis

Calvin is an old, lonely homeless man with only two things keeping him company: his ukulele, and his loyal dog, Monty. After realising he doesn’t have long to live, Calvin fears being forgotten by the world around him.

Therese is a wide-eyed, talented, young photographer struggling to learn the true essence of art and beauty. One day, Therese encounters Calvin and, overwhelmed with emotions, she captures photographs of him from afar.

As Calvin reaches closer to death, the only memories of him rest in Therese and her camera.

Through the lens of a young photographer, a lonely homeless man, nearing the end of his life, fears for the legacy he leaves behind.

Adam Pascale

WRITER/DIRECTOR
Adam is an aspiring writer and director.
As a student completing a Bachelor of Media Arts and Production, Bachelor of Laws, Adam is driven by conveying the unwritten rules that govern human emotions, rationality, and psyche through a film medium.
Beyond ‘Lens’, Adam hopes to continue bringing his visions to life, from page to screen, and aspires to connect with audiences through his films.
Frank Aloisio

LEAD ACTOR - Calvin
Born in Poggioreale, Sicily shortly after the Second World War, Frank grew up in scarcity amongst the dire lands depicted in many films during the Neorealist Movement in post-war Italy.
Coming to Australia in his early teens, Frank spent his life working as a carpenter for over 50 years.
Being an admirer of film and storytelling throughout his life, Frank makes his acting debut in Lens, alongside two o his grandchildren, Adam (Writer/Director) and Julia (Lead Actress).
Julia Pascale

LEAD ACTRESS
Growing up, Julia had a strong passion for drama and the arts. Acting in many on-stage productions in her youth, Lens will be the first short film production Julia has worked on.
She currently works as a Partnerships Manager and recently graduated from a Bachelor of Laws. Despite her inexperience, Julia hopes to bring a level of authenticity to the role of Therese.

Directors Statement

A contemporary interpretation of neorealism. Lens is a story about the power of photography to capture emotions beyond our eyes. The film follows the intersecting lives of two strangers, revealing how their interactions shape one another's existence. Through the use of non-actors and on-location shooting, aimed to craft a genuine and empathetic narrative that resonates with audiences

In striving for authenticity, particular care was taken in portraying the character of Calvin, a homeless individual. To ensure a faithful representation, I immersed myself in the community by volunteering at the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation and engaging with the disadvantaged. I was fortunate enough to have a story consultation with Rev. Bill Crews, who has worked with disadvantaged people for over 50 years. During this conversation, two ideas for the character of Calvin stood out to me most: sincere compassion and sorrow. Whilst all disadvantaged people are different and experience varying emotions, these ideas formulate the backbone of the character of Calvin and the heart of my story.

Meet the Team

Ben Sardelic - Producer

Ben is a current student at UTS studying a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Media Arts and Production, and a Bachelor of Laws. Based in Sydney, Ben has experience in cinematography, producing and editing, as well as short form content and graphic for social media. The short film Production of ‘Lens’ (2024) was Ben’s first work as a producer. The role consisted of organising the production, completing necessary documentation, and assisting Adam on set.
Teresa Morabito - Director of Photography

Teresa is currently studying a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Media Arts and Production at UTS. She has always had a passion for all things creative, particularly art and filmmaking. Throughout the past few years, Teresa has gained valuable experience in cinematography, and some experience in directing and editing. Teresa’s role in the production ‘Lens' was her first opportunity to implement the skills she has learnt as a cinematographer.
Sophie Dart - Production Designer

Sophie is a third-year Communications student majoring in Media Arts and Production. Having worked on various short films throughout her time at university, she has a keen interest in production design, particularly props and set design. She hopes to continue this role in future work to create visual elements that amplify the story, enriching emotional impact. This production allowed her to explore the depths of production design and collaborate closely with the director and team.
Adam Stavros - Editor

Adam is currently completing his Bachelor Degree at UTS in Media Arts and Production and Strategic Communications. He has experience in editing, colouring and cinematography. In Lens, Adam’s role was vast and versatile and aided the team in all phases of production.He loves all things filmmaking — from watching films, to making films, to watching videos about filmmaking. Adam is still wanting to grow and better his skills in both production and post-production.
Thomas Miller - Sound Designer

Tom is a current student at UNSW studying a Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production). Tom has experience in cinematography, gaffing, sound design and composing. The short film Production of ‘Lens’ (2024) was Tom's second role as a composer and sound designer, although it was his biggest as previous works were shorter. The role consisted of recording sound on set, editing it in post and composing the score of the film.