Walking Alone

A lonely widower who loses his surviving furry companion finds himself on a new path when he meets a fellow dog walker at the lake.

Christopher Daw only began his narrative directorial journey late last year with his first short film, Madre. Prior to that he has worked for several years as a creative director for commercial and corporate content.

Antonio Barea

Tony Barea is an Illawarra-based writer and actor. Born and raised in the region to Spanish migrant parents, he has undertaken extensive training in both writing and acting. He has several writing credits to his name with an ever-expanding slate. Tony is a represented actor and has appeared in film, TV, theatre, commercials, and corporate videos. He has also worked in production roles, most recently as Script Supervisor on the AACTA award-winning short film Finding Addison.

Tony is most passionate about expanding his reach as a storyteller. He is doing this by drawing upon his mental health journey, his rich and diverse working life and his multicultural roots to create powerful Australian stories that will invoke positive change and healing. When not creating he volunteers as a Lived Experience Speaker with the Black Dog

Myles Davies AKA Moonlander Media has over 20 years’ of experience working within the TV and digital media sphere. Working for many years as a promo and short-form content creative for The History Channel, bio, A&E and SBS he wrote, and directed several internationally award-winning TVCs, promos, and short-form documentaries. Some of these were shown on cinema screens around the country and some appear as Special Features on the Blu-ray remastered edition of Peter Weir’s classic “Gallipoli”.

He entered the digital media world editing TVCs and short-form spots for the Australian Marriage Equality, Secret Sounds, and then as the Editor/Lead Video Journalist for the video department of Network 10’s short-lived online news site, 10 Daily.

Also during this time, he co-founded the online comedy group, Bullet Pudding, writing, co-producing, and directing numerous short comedy films. Some enjoying success online and others success at film festivals such as Over The Fence and Creative Creatures.

In 2020 he founded his own video production company, Moonlander Media and has never been busier.

Myles Davies

Along the shores of Lake Illawarra, a lonely widower finds a new path in life when he connects with a fellow dog walker. After the passing of Banjo, a dog whose entrance to the family was owed to John's late wife, John's hopelessness and isolation are on high until Anna, a kind and empathetic woman with whom John shares the lakeside shore every morning, stops to ask about his absent companion. Together, they discover that the end of one journey is always the beginning of another.

Background: John is a man who has faced the vicissitudes of life with a stoic resilience. Married to Claire, his life was a testament to the adage that happiness is a journey, not a destination. They shared a dream of parenthood, a dream that remained unfulfilled, leading them down a path of shared sorrow. In an attempt to fill the void, they welcomed Banjo, a St. Bernard, into their lives. Despite his initial reluctance, John grew to love Banjo, finding solace in the joy the dog brought to Claire.

Personality: John is a complex character, marked by a deep-seated sense of responsibility and an innate ability to love deeply. His outward complaints about Banjo masked an affectionate bond that grew over time. He is pragmatic, focusing on career success and future plans, yet this practicality belies an underlying current of regret for not living more in the present.

Current Circumstances: Tragedy struck when Claire’s sudden illness led to her untimely death, leaving John to grapple with grief and a profound sense of loss. The home they built together became a mausoleum of memories he could no longer bear. In his mourning, he sought refuge in a new life by Lake Illawarra with Banjo, his loyal companion through the ensuing isolation of a global pandemic.

Evolution: John’s journey is one of quiet endurance. The daily walks with Banjo around the lake became a ritual, a moment of peace in the chaos of loss. However, the pandemic’s enforced solitude became a shield, allowing John to maintain a distance from the world, using social distancing as a metaphorical and literal barrier.

Conflict: The recent loss of Banjo to cancer has thrust John into a new phase of loneliness. His morning walks, once a shared ritual, are now solitary treks. The absence of Banjo is palpable, not just to John but to the familiar strangers who have become fixtures in his routine.

Resolution: As John sits alone on the bench that marks the culmination of his daily pilgrimage, he is approached by Anna, a fellow dog walker. Though they are strangers, their paths have intersected for years. In this moment, there is potential for John’s story to take a new direction, for connections to be made, and perhaps for healing to begin.

Conclusion: John’s character is a poignant reflection of human resilience and the capacity for renewal. His story is one of love, loss, and the possibility of finding joy in unexpected places.

Conflict: The conflict in Anna’s brief narrative arises from her internal struggle between respecting John’s privacy and her desire to offer solace. She grapples with the appropriate way to address his pain, balancing her instinct to help with the understanding that grief is a deeply personal journey.

Resolution: Anna’s story finds resolution in her gentle approach to John’s grief. By simply being present and offering a listening ear, she provides a space for John to express his emotions without pressure. Her actions lead to a new chapter in both their lives, as they begin to walk together, symbolizing a step forward from sorrow to companionship.

Conclusion: Anna represents the quiet strength of human connection. Her character demonstrates that sometimes, the simplest gestures of kindness can be the most profound. Through her, we see the power of empathy and the hope that new beginnings are possible, even in the wake of loss.

Background: Anna is a compassionate and observant individual who has been a silent presence in John’s life for years. Her routine walks with her dog have made her a familiar face around Lake Illawarra, where she has often crossed paths with John and Banjo. Despite their lack of personal interaction, she has formed a distant admiration for John, whom she considers the “silver fox” of the walking path.

Personality: She is empathetic and intuitive, able to sense the sorrow in John’s demeanour without needing words. Anna’s caring nature is evident in her approach to John during his time of grief. She respects boundaries, offers company without intrusion, and is willing to provide support through her presence alone.

Current Circumstances: Anna’s life intersects with John’s at a pivotal moment. Her usual encounters, marked by a simple nod or a hello, take on new significance as she witnesses the absence of Banjo and feels the weight of John’s loss. Her concern for John’s well-being grows as his consistent presence on their shared path falters.

Evolution: Anna’s character evolves from a peripheral figure in John’s life to someone who offers a potential connection and comfort. Her willingness to reach out to John, despite their limited interaction, showcases her kind-heartedness and her ability to empathize with those around her.