Surrogate (film)

Surrogate is a 2021 supernatural horror film directed by David Willing in his feature debut film from the screenplay written by David Willing and Beth King. It stars Kestie Morassi, Jane Badler, Louise Siversen, Darcy Kent, Taysha Furiggia, Matthew Crosby, Ellie Stewart, Ellie Tevelis and Kate Cole.
It follows Natalie Paxton (Morassi), a single mother and nurse who falls mysteriously ill and struggles to stop her family from being destroyed.
Cast
* Kestie Morassi as Natalie Paxton
* Jane Badler as Lauren Balmer
* Taysha Farrugia as Rose Paxton
* Darcy Kent as William Paxton
* Louise Siversen as Anna Paxton
* Ellie Stewart as Ava Akard
* Matthew Crosby as Malcolm Akard
* Kate Cole as Janet Bayer
* Ellie Tevelis as Lisa Bayer
* Brett Cousins as Dr Romero
* Olivia Solomons as Maria Argento
Development
In 2016, David Willing approached Beth King a writing colleague and friend with the idea of writing a horror film. They met twice a week for two months brainstorming ideas for feature films, coming up with several potential stories. The committed to the what would become 'Surrogate' and commenced a treatment for it. The story took shape over six months in between King writing for TV and Willing directing short films and documentaries. Though happy with the hook of the story and many aspects of the treatment, they were unhappy with set up of the story so they delayed writing the screenplay and returned to plotting the first act. Ultimately they came up with an entirely new opening that would contrast the climax of the story. Three drafts were written over the next 18 months before it was circulated amongst some writing colleagues. The subsequent feedback lead to the fourth draft which was submitted to screenplay competitions where it was a finalist in several. King and Willing would write three more drafts over the subsequent two years as finance was sought and leading right up to production to get the tightest possible version of the story.
In June 2019, Vikki Blinks was hired as a producer and first assistant director. That month, Willing also met with Konfir Kabo of Black Spade Productions. The two hit it off with their shared enthusiasm for paranormal horror films and Kabo requested to read the script. He read it that night and contacted Willing to organise another meeting to discuss the project. After a few months of discussions Kabo agreed to come on board as the Executive Producer.
Production
Surrogate was shot over a month-long period in November 2020 in various locations around Melbourne, Australia.
Post-production
Post-production commenced in January 2021 and is slated for completion early-November 2021

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