Australian writer Hazel Edward‘s picture-book There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake was 30 years old last year and is a must-read classic for all young Australians. The book has recently been made into a short film by Pocket Bonfire Productions, which premiered at the St Kilda Film Festival in Victoria, Australia at the end of May – here’s a photo of Hazel with writer/director Jaime Snyder and producer Joel Sharpe:

The film is due to be screened during the upcoming Edinburgh Film Festival as part of a program devoted to Family Shorts on 26 June (see here for details). Take look at the rather whimsical trailer to the film – and tell me if it doesn’t make you laugh out loud at the end!

Tantalising, isn’t it? Especially for those of us who are going to have to wait for the chance to see it… Meanwhile, we’re delighted to welcome Hazel back to PaperTigers with an article that ponders her reaction to her book being made into a film…

‘How Do You Feel About a Film Being Made from Your Picture Book There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake?

I’ve been asked that question a few times this week, especially as the world premiere is this Saturday night at the St Kilda Film Festival. And then it goes onto the international showing at the Edinburgh Film festival.

My short answer is, ‘Thrilled that my story has gone into another creative dimension.’

…Long answer:

A book is a bit like a child. At some stage you have to let it go out on its own.

For me, as an author, the greatest creative satisfaction is the moment of capturing the abstract idea in words, just before it goes onto the page or screen. The second satisfaction is when a reader takes those word clues and uses their own imagination to re-create an approximation of the idea I was playing with. Then it becomes their story, not mine.

The third satisfaction is when a ‘fan’ contacts me to share that something special has happened as a result of my book.

And that’s what happened with the making of this film. Pocket Bonfire film-makers Jaime Snyder and Joel Sharpe contacted me, as a result of reading their favourite book as children, and being inspired to make a film.

To me that is the greatest compliment, to offer to take my book-baby into a medium in which they are skilled, but I am not.

More than three years ago they contacted me, seeking permission. But they were student film-makers then, finishing their course at Swinburne, and I wanted any film of my book to be mainstream with no legal complications about who owned what. So we waited until they could make it as independent film-makers. And they had to negotiate with Penguin publishers too and convince rights manager Peg Mc Coll that they had the persistence and skill to finish the project and that somehow they would raise support. Most film options are never made.

One of the characteristics of our relationship has been the courtesy with which they have consulted or kept me informed. Jaime is especially good at following up details and in the creative world that is rare.

One of my most thrilling moments was to be invited one Wednesday morning to the workshop of Creatures Technology to see the hippo which had been created by their people as in-kind support for the project. A massive warehouse, with gigantic models of dinosaur creatures, roof high, and a buzz of creative enjoyment in the quality of the problem they were solving in hippo parts design. I tried on the feet and needed help to get out of them. I marvelled at the mouth. And the hippo backside. And felt the skin texture. But I also felt the communal creativity of imaginative problem solving, in another dimension. Animator Leo Baker came with me, and this year he was part of Shaun Tan’s Lost Thing team who won the Oscar. Proof that those who follow their dreams and do the best work possible, do succeed artistically. I place the Pocket Bonfire team in the same category.

I was always consulted on the numerous script drafts, but really Pocket Bonfire must take the credit for all phases of the project. They inspired others skilled in the technical aspects of camera, audio, music and editing as well as utilising social media to attract funding and publicity. Their attention to detail meant organisations were more inclined to support these youthful film-makers whose procedures reassured that this film might get made. Having a well loved book was helpful and that’s why the title was important.

I saw extracts, learnt to negotiate YouTube and other online promos and helped with autographed copies for fund-raisers. Sometimes I felt ‘the oldest’’in years (turning up at the night club fund raiser) but the same age in enthusiasm.

I heard about setbacks like Portia Bradley, the girl actress, having her leg in plaster, but they filmed around that. The choice of well-known actors like Angus Sampson and Bridie Carter has attracted many followers in addition to their skills being evident in the character relationships.

Seeing the completed film was poignant for me. It was almost as if I were outside myself, watching how an author is supposed to react to their film. I think Pocket Bonfire were concerned that I would be pedantic about keeping to the book, but I was just intrigued by how they had developed the story, still keeping to the essence of the original. The girl is older and there’s implied tension between the parents but the need for an imaginary friend is still there. At first I felt the hippo was a little scary, but later versions were emotionally and symbolically more balanced.

My daughter came with me to the mainly twenty-something crew/cast showing late last year, and the ‘ownership’ and pride of the participants at all levels was a thrilling experience. There was something special about being involved in the production. It had so much in-kind support, even to the neighbour’s ladder up to the roof for the hippo on the film set. ‘Did you see that ladder?’ I was asked at the showing. ‘That’s mine! Great film.’

I would echo his comment. Thank you, Jaimie and Joel, for giving me and the audience the gift of the imagination in taking my book into the film world.

That’s my long answer.

Hazel Edwards

Posted by: Marjorie | This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at 1:56 am and is filed under Australia, Eventful World, Picture Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Tags: Edinburgh film festival, guest post, Hazel Edwards, Jaime Snyder, Joel Sharpe, Pocket Bonfire Productions, St Kilda film festival, There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake