The Doctor’s Wife - Feature-length Documentary Film - 2012

Project Overview :
The Doctor’s Wife is my debut feature-length documentary, filmed over two years as I followed my (then) partner through Queensland’s Rural Generalist medical pathway. Initially unsure how a rural community would react to a gay couple in 2009, I brought a camera to document the experience. What emerged in post was a heartfelt narrative about a small town that embraced us, and the unexpected mutual bond that formed. With no prior filmmaking training, I shaped two years of raw DV footage into a cohesive, character-driven documentary about identity, community, and the realities of rural life.

Recognition :
The film earned extensive festival recognition, including official selections at Hollywood Fringe, Bent Fest Canberra, Perth Pride Film Festival, Queer Screen Sydney, Reykjavík International Film Festival, Tropical Alternatives Film Festival (world premiere), and many others. It won the Award of Excellence at the 2012 Canada International Film Festival and was acquired for international DVD and streaming release by Guest House Films. The project launched my filmmaking career and led to further professional opportunities.

My Contribution:

• Directed, produced, filmed, and edited the entire feature independently.

• Self-taught Final Cut Pro 7, Motion, Compressor, and Logic Pro specifically for this project.

• Shaped a narrative arc from two years of unscripted material, identifying themes and emotional beats through extensive logging and restructuring.

• Recorded and composed much of the soundtrack using Logic Pro loops and samples.

• Managed all colour correction, graphics, titling, media management, and compression.

• Delivered the film on a microbudget, with no outsourced elements.

• Developed a cohesive documentary tone blending vérité footage with personal commentary and humour.

• Completed final mastering just two weeks before the world premiere.

Creative / Technical Notes:

• Shot entirely on DV cameras, requiring extensive post-production cleanup and consistency work.

• Developed a professional workflow without formal training, relying on manuals, textbooks and early YouTube resources.

• Two years of vérité footage shaped into a narrative through thematic structuring and emotional pacing.

• Soundtrack built from original compositions using Logic loops and minimal equipment.

• Early-career project demonstrating adaptability, self-teaching, and long-form storytelling ability.