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    SCENE IS SET: Natimuk’s Cody Haustorfer’s passion for storytelling and capturing ‘real emotion’ in video has prompted him to start a project to create a 1940s-style feature-length film. Natimuk and district will be used as a primary backdrop for the film, drawing on elements such as broadacre cropping fields and Mount Arapiles. Picture: PAUL CARRACER

Cody Haustorfer’s passion sets the scene

BY DYLAN DE JONG 

What started out as a fascination with film and television has spiralled into a more serious venture for Natimuk’s Cody Haustorfer. 

Cody’s passion for storytelling and capturing ‘real emotion’ in video has prompted him to start a project to create a 1940s-style feature-length film. 

The young multi-skilled film-maker will act, film and edit the movie with help from his cameraman, Horsham’s Michael Collins. 



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The film will transition through a series of themes and storylines, with the main focus on the Second World War. 

Cody, 18, said Natimuk and district would be used as a primary backdrop for the film, drawing on elements such as broadacre cropping fields and Mount Arapiles. 

“I’m also going to have to rely on visual effects – I will film around Natimuk, but I will choose separate locations for the opening and closing of the film so it doesn’t look familiar,” he said. 

“The start of the film is pre-war and the end of the film will be post-war.”

Cody said as part of the film, he would seek talent from the Wimmera to play supporting roles. 

“The cast at the moment is me as the lead character and I haven’t got extras or any other characters sorted out just yet – but I’m always looking for people who are keen to take part,” he said. 

Cody said his love for film and editing started in his early teens, when he saved all his money from working at The Nati Pub for his first piece of filming equipment.  

“The first piece of equipment I bought was a Canon Powershot – that’s a nice little entry level camera, perfect for amateur film-makers,” he said. 

“I started making videos on YouTube, then I stepped up to the next camera – I saved up more money just to buy more equipment.” 

Cody said while film-making equipment could be expensive, he was always determined to make the most of whatever he could afford at the time. 

“I learnt along the way that it doesn’t matter if it’s the crappiest camera, as long as you can create something with it,” he said. 

“From there, you can build on that and learn and upgrade your equipment as you evolve as a film-maker.”  

He also admitted most of his best ideas for films came to him while he worked his day job. 

“I now work as a labourer during the day, that keeps me occupied,” he said. 

“I find that working here is where I get some of my best ideas, because I have that time to think while working and I can go home and write those ideas down and make a start on a film.”  

Cody said he drew a great deal of inspiration from the likes of American film director, screenwriter, producer and actor Quentin Tarantino, and British-American film director, producer, and screenwriter Christopher Nolan. 

“There are many other directors who have inspired me, but those are the big ones,” he said. 

Cody said the most important aspect of creating content was telling a story that evoked an emotional response from the audience.   

“When you tell a story that makes the audience feel something – you’ve done your job,” he said. 

“Whether you love it or hate it, if you feel something towards it, then it’s a success.” 

The entire March 3, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!