The Bully

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The Bully, based on the short story by Jason Starr, is being made into a short film by Australian production company, Smoking Gun Productions. Adapted by director, Shane McNeil, and to be produced by Kristian Moliere (Boxing Day) The Bully is a suburban noir about an overweight 14 year-old boy who is the victim of schoolyard bullying. When he turns to his father for advice, things go from bad to worse...

"What initially attracted us to The Bully was that it had a lean, spare narrative, was tightly plotted with moments of real suspense and shock and that it centred upon a complex and complicated protagonist--all of which I felt would form a strong foundation for cinematic adaptation, " said Shane McNeil.

The Bully was recently selected for production funding by the South Australian Film Corporation under their Short Film Production initiative. The film will be shot in late 2008 for release in early 2009. Rising Sun Pictures (who have done VFX for Harry Potter, Batman Begins, Superman Returns, Lord of the Rings, etc) have co-partnered with Smoking Gun Productions on post production.

Smoking Gun Productions have also optioned Jason Starr's first novel, Cold Caller, which Jason is currently adapting. Kristian said, "We are very excited to be continuing our collaboration with Jason and look forward to taking our first step into production with The Bully."

Were you ever bullied as a kid? This story will send you back to those days in a flash. If the principal can't do anything to protect you, and your parents won't, then you are totally at the mercy of the bully. But maybe you're better off without any help. Some people's help just makes matters worse.

Great story, Jason! Really enjoyed it!