Australian
Screen

Teacher’s notes

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This clip shows three young travellers stopping for fuel at an outback roadhouse at Emu Creek, seemingly unaware of the menace that is subtly conveyed by the use of a range of film techniques. As Ben (Nathan Phillips) fills the petrol tank Kristy (Kestie Morassi) looks over a fence at a forlorn rubbish dump and Liz (Cassandra Magrath) freshens up in a dark dirty bathroom. Ben shoots a video log in the style of Star Trek's Captain Kirk, capturing the local station attendant Graham on film. Ben and Kristy discuss Ben’s feelings for Liz.

Educational value points

• The clip introduces three of the main characters in Wolf Creek and includes some of the filmic elements that director Greg McLean claims are central to classic horror films – a strong narrative structure, few characters and an isolated setting. While the friends are portrayed through their various activities at the roadhouse and their relationships are revealed, the use of high-definition (HD) digital cameras and the minimal soundtrack create a sense of malevolence and isolation.

• The distortion of physical reality in the clip’s establishing shot privileges the viewer over the protagonists by suggesting that the situation is not as benign as it seems. The use of a high and tilted wide-angled perspective unnaturally elongates the roadhouse, the Emu Creek sign and the horizon and diminishes the travellers’ car. In contrast, the naturalism of the script and the performances suggests that the protagonists are unaware of the portents around them.

• The stark soundtrack with its clear sound effects evokes a sense of isolation. The complete absence of music on the soundtrack coupled with the heightened sound effects, evidenced in clearly heard sounds such as Ben’s unlocking of the car boot and fuel cap, the buzzing fly in the bathroom and the bird’s cry as Ben and Kristy are talking, focuses attention on the sense of emptiness in this place.

• The uneasy and ominous undercurrent that is suggested in the clip is apparent in the scene showing Liz in the bathroom. The claustrophobic, grimy and dimly lit interior contrasts with the expansive bleached-out exterior shots. The shifting hand-held camera hovers close behind Liz as an unseen observer while the noticeable sound of the buzzing fly and Liz’s constant agitated movements as she washes and dries her face intensify the oppressive atmosphere.

• The naturalism of the performances and the easy dialogue in the scene between Ben and Kristy establish the characters as accessible and credible. However, Kristy’s mock threat, ‘I’m going to have to kill you’, hints at the events to come. Similarly, Ben’s light-hearted video log, in which he mimics Captain Kirk of Star Trek, suggests that these travellers have indeed landed on another planet and are at the mercy of locals such as the friendly but unnerving Graham.

• The clip demonstrates how HD cameras can effectively capture a large depth of field in natural or minimal light, making the action going on beyond the foreground accessible to the viewer. Depth of field is the area in front of and behind the subject that appears in focus, allowing for greater detail or action within a frame. Here the filmmakers achieve a depth of focus that results in the characters appearing isolated within the vastness of the remote location.

This clip starts approximately 15 minutes into the feature.

A station wagon pulls into a service station at Emu Creek.
Ben Well, well, well.
Ben, Kristy and Liz get out of the car, stretching and yawning.
Ben Hey, um, can I have the keys? It’s OK, you two. I’ve got it. Thanks. No problems, guys.

Liz freshens up in the bathroom, Kristy smokes a cigarette outside. Back at the car, Ben starts filming.
Ben Date one, captain’s log. So far no sign of intelligent life forms. Starting to doubt…
A man comes up from behind.
Ben Hey.
Graham Howdy.
Ben Um…do you want to say hello?
Graham Hi.
Ben Well done. What’s your name?
Graham Graham.
Ben Graham. Nice to meet you, Graham. I’m Ben.
Graham This one too?
Ben Yeah, mate.
Graham fills the petrol tank.

Kristy I think someone’s got a crush on you.
Ben Yeah, the attendant? I thought so.
Kristy No.
Ben Graham.
Kristy Uh-uh.
Ben Uh-uh.
Kristy I’m getting the feeling it’s mutual. Am I wrong? You know it’s true! You do. I think it’s absolutely fabulous. Don’t go dicking her around, alright, 'cause she’s totally brilliant. If you hurt her, I’m going to have to kill you. So my advice is that we all have an awesome time together, you sort out whatever it is that’s going on between you and this so-called girlfriend you’ve allegedly got. By the time we get to Cairns we’ll find some freakishly hot… man for me, and we’ll all, you know, go crazy together, alright?
Ben Alright.