About the Production
Craig Silvey's critically acclaimed novel Runt, leaps from the pages to the silver screen, brought to life by a celebrated all-Australian cast including Jai Courtney, Celeste Barber, Deborah Mailman, and Australian screen legend Jack Thompson. Matt Day gives an iconic performance as the villainous Fergus Fink. The film introduces two new stars: ten-year-old Lily LaTorre as the story's protagonist, Annie Shearer, and Squid - a rescue dog - in the title role of Runt. Lily’s real-life brother Jack LaTorre stars as Max, her on-screen brother.
The adaptation comes directly from the novel's author, Craig Silvey. The film was released by the studio behind the Paddington movies, produced by Jamie Hilton and Australian production company See Pictures, and directed by John Sheedy.
The novel, released in 2022, quickly ascended to bestseller status, charming its way into the homes and hearts of many with its poignant storytelling and richly drawn characters. Its transformation into film marks yet another creative venture for Silvey, who also adapted Jasper Jones for the screen.
Runt came to life over a tightly packed six-week schedule in October and November 2023, shot in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region. The production saw its shoot divided between the historic small regional town of York, the quaint open spaces of Gidgegannup on the outskirts of Perth, the Perth CBD, and Fremantle. Remarkably, Perth served as a stand-in for London in some of the film's pivotal scenes, including those at Krumpets Dog Show, with additional scenes captured in London itself. The skilled visual effects team at Spectrum Films brought the bustling London scenes to life, enhancing this humble Independent Australian film with the polish of a big studio movie.
Iconic Australian musician Paul Kelly saw and loved the movie and was inspired to write an original song for the closing titles. The score also includes iconic tracks from Australian bands The Angels (‘Take a Long Line’), The Divinyls (‘Boys in Town’) and Regurgitator (‘Kong Foo Sing’), as well as a magical original score from Western Australian composer Iain Grandage.
With a main unit of approximately 80 crew, and daily scenes featuring up to 200 extras, Runt represents a significant endeavour in Australian cinema. And then there were the animals! There were 150 creatures on set including donkeys, sheep, peacocks, chickens, turkeys, geese, cows, horses, a bob-tailed lizard, two fat sows, and more than 100 dogs!
The making of Runt was underpinned by a collaborative and enduring spirit, not unlike that of the film’s protagonist Annie Shearer. An intensive production schedule was driven by creative ambition and a shared commitment to the magic of storytelling. This unity in vision and purpose is mirrored in the film's central message of community and resilience.
Author Craig Silvey believes Runt is the movie the world needs right now, with a tapestry of love, support, family, community, and friendship at its core.
“Escaping into a beautiful, heightened, caring world and being led by the magic finger of Annie Shearer into a place of hope is something that we need to experience. I really believe it's a cinematic experience that is going to leave people feeling uplifted and joyful,” says Silvey.
He hopes the movie serves as a poignant reminder that one does not need to shoulder the world's burdens alone – affirming that 'You don't have to carry the weight of the world in your tool belt.’
The Journey from Book to Screen
Runt sees author Craig Silvey dive back into the world of filmmaking after his acclaimed novel Jasper Jones was adapted for the big screen in 2015. The difference this time is that Runt was always intended for the screen.
“Runt began as a film project; I conceived of this as a cinematic vehicle to tell the story. So, I wrote a manuscript, and I wrote a draft of the screenplay. I wrote the two, essentially, at the same time: they were hand in hand. I guess it's helped to accelerate the film itself. Typically, you don't go into production a year after a book has come out,” says Silvey.
Producer Jamie Hilton initially approached Silvey with interest in another of Silvey’s cherished novels. “I’m a huge fan of Craig Silvey,” says Hilton. “I think Honeybee is one of the greatest contemporary novels I've read, certainly the greatest Australian one. I tried to get the rights for Honeybee. They were unavailable, but Craig Silvey sat down and pitched the story of Runt to me that day. I read it immediately, and the rest – as they say – is history. Craig and I have forged a strong bond making this picture and I hope it’s the first of many. He is a remarkable writing talent, and this extends to the big screen.”
Hilton says Runt is a dog movie for the ages and could well be the next Australian classic. “We showed the movie to many families during the editing process, and the reaction was that it’s a movie for young people and for the whole family to enjoy together – most especially dog lovers. I really hope audiences turn out in September.”
Director John Sheedy acknowledges the intricate task of transforming a beloved novel into a film, pointing out that not every aspect of a rich novel can make it to the screen. To stay as true to the book as possible, he concentrated on maintaining its core – the essence, wit, and pivotal scenes that fans hold dear. Sheedy credits Craig Silvey's regular presence on set during shooting as an invaluable touchstone for maintaining the book’s authenticity.
“With a novel like Runt, that is so loved and is a smash hit, of course there's a huge responsibility and a lot of pressure to be authentic to the novel. And we've done that. And what's really wonderful is that Craig has been a part of that and has been here on set. And so, working together with him, we can grab hold of that authenticity. We've kept the heart of the story, we've kept all the important beats, we've kept the humour.”
Seeing Runt come to life with a star-studded cast is a thrill for Silvey. From screen legend Jack Thompson speaking the words of Earl Robert-Barren, to the pitch-perfect casting of the Shearer family he now couldn’t imagine any other way. “It's hard to pinpoint what it's like, to see a story be reimagined and reinterpreted and brought to life with the considerable talents of so many people. It's an honour and it's a privilege, and it's an extraordinary thing to be a part of,” says Silvey.
The Themes of Runt
“This is really a story that believes in humanity; it believes in our in our common goodness,” says Craig Silvey.
Destined to be a dog-movie classic, Runt champions the power to uplift those around us. Thematically, it pulls at the heartstrings with universal themes of friendship, authenticity, and community support. Silvey elaborates that the story is a testament to the kind, resilient nature of its characters, particularly young Annie Shearer, who remains unapologetically herself despite the pressures around her.
Runt intertwines personal growth with the importance of communal harmony, offering audiences both young and old a reminder of the power of staying true to oneself and the strength to be found in togetherness.
“I have great affection for the Shearer family, for the extent to which they make sacrifices for each other. And so, I think that's the beating heart of our story. It's love and support, family, community, and friendship,” says Silvey.
For Silvey, the crux of the profound theme of friendship centres on the deep connection between Annie Shearer and her devoted companion, Runt. Annie, the consummate 'fixer' (always wearing her toolbelt) may stand on the fringe, but exudes warmth, tenacity, and a spirit of generosity. Her unapologetic individuality and sense of self, regarded as unconventional in Upson Downs, are her strengths, not shortcomings. The concept of Annie’s ‘magic finger’ is a visual representation of the unspoken bond between Annie and Runt.
“Runt will follow Annie’s finger and he almost knows where she wants him to go before she's even thought of it. It’s something of a conductive stick, or a wand that she uses to guide Runt, that tethers and connects the two of them without a leash; because Runt will always follow Annie, and Annie will always lead Runt. They adore each other,” explains Silvey.
The film navigates the delicate concept of 'kind lies' – the subtle untruths we employ as temporary salves to life's uncontrollable elements. Just by being who she is, Annie encourages others to embrace their truths, emerging from their shells. As these veils are peeled away, the characters find themselves liberated, with Annie as the catalyst for this collective awakening. Her innate inspiration draws people in, binding them in shared authenticity.
With this film, Silvey pays homage to his own experiences growing up in a small rural town. Runt is his love letter to country towns and the unique way they navigate the complexities of regional living. The film showcases the spirit and challenges of rural communities: the impact of environmental issues, the strength of local camaraderie, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of adversity.
Squid, the Hero Dog
Squid – the dog who plays Runt – is also a dog of indeterminable breed and buckets of charm. Like Runt, Squid is a rescue, the production’s animal department cast and rescued her. Silvey says Squid’s journey is extraordinary.
“Our amazing animal department searched far and wide and sourced the incredible Squid, who was in need of rescue. They swept her up and gave her a home, and now she’s going to be the most famous dog in Australia,” said Silvey.
Being a rescue dog, her path to stardom wasn't a walk in the park. Her trainers describe the twist of fate that brought Squid into the limelight as though it was written in the stars. Squid had been through three homes before they discovered the little dog who was perfect in looks and personality for the role of Runt.
In appearance, Squid was the perfect match to play Silvey’s scruffy larrikin lead. During auditions, she proved that – at just 18 months old – she had all the hallmarks of a star: resilient, very confident, and flexible with a natural agility and nimbleness.
But it was Squid’s appetite that scored her the role of Runt, with everyone confident in the casting once they learned she had the stomach of a Great Dane! Her love for treats meant she wanted to keep on earning them on set.
Squid’s young spirit and love for toys was just as important, because for her it was all a game. The trainers worked to continually make it fun, which helped bring a sense of genuine interaction to every take. And Squid’s intelligence was useful on set, as she began to learn the pattern of repeated takes.
Squid completed months of training before the shoot which involved getting her accustomed to noises and wearing props to prepare for the chaotic environment of a film set. The trainers introduced new things in incremental steps to sharpen her focus from beating pots and pans, or using headbands to simulate the blinders she wears in the film.
To capture the perfect moments on camera, the training team mastered an array of sounds and gestures, often sacrificing their inhibitions to provoke an inquisitive tilt of the head or a particular look from Squid. Squeaky toys and an arsenal of mouth-generated noises created a bizarre concert of sounds behind the scenes. Some very creative and humorous visual cues were used to achieve a particular look or emotion from Squid – even the Robot Dance was used!
Ten-year-old Lily LaTorre and her canine co-star quickly formed a genuine connection on and off screen, with both young stars combining a playful energy with a maturity that belies their years.
“Me and Squid became really good friends while we were filming, we've bonded, and when we would do a scene, she would sometimes forget about her trainers, but just sat there watching me, which is was quite funny,” describes Lilly.
Silvey thinks that audiences – especially dog lovers – will be moved by Runt, driven by the bond between the two young stars of the film.
The World of Dog Agility
“We had a lot of dogs on this movie!” says producer Jamie Hilton, recounting the scenes between three dog agility competitions, competing dogs and background dogs. “There's around 100 dogs that we featured, and of course, we auditioned a lot more.”
“There is a lot of preparation in the logistics required for dogs, but the agility community are very resourceful,” the producer explained. Bringing the canine stars to the set was no small feat, involving a dedicated and considered movement plan to ensure the comfort and safety of the dogs and their handlers. The hero dog teams (including Squid) took a five-day drive across the Nullarbor in air-conditioned campervans to arrive on set in Western Australia.
Daytime shooting during summer in Western Australia drained the dogs’ stamina and energy, so they didn’t stay on set for long periods. Air-conditioned vehicles equipped with crates and canopies were brought in and positioned close to the set. The dogs would rehearse and then rest in their ‘dressing rooms’ until the crew was ready to call them onto set.
Dressing rooms stepped up a notch filming the Krumpets Dog Show scenes at the RAC Arena in Perth city, with Chariot, the Squid doubles and various dog show competitors all receiving their own dressing rooms. Squid/Runt had the biggest dressing room; it was reportedly bigger than the dressing room of his human co-star, Jai Courtney!
When shooting in York and regionally, a snake catcher was bought in every morning to check and clear the location, then again at lunchtime to ensure the dogs and humans were safe. Hilton elaborates: “Jyden – our local York-based snake catcher – would come in twice a day and make lots of noise, hitting our filming area and surrounds with a big stick to clear and scare away any dangerous pests. He didn't catch any snakes, but he did identify a local star,” he laughs. Look out for the iconic West Australian cameo of a native Bob Tail lizard alongside co-star Genevieve Lemon, who plays Dolly.
Director of Photography, Brad Shield, wanted Runt to be the Formula One of dog agility in capturing the canines on camera. “One of the things that was really apparent to us visiting the dog agility competitions is how fast these dogs run. It's incredible!” he reveals.
Shield’s solution was an electric Polaris camera – which travels as fast as the agility dogs – modified with the addition of a crane arm that goes over the dog. The side crane allowed the Polaris to traverse alongside a dog as it ran without obstruction, capturing the dynamic, in a safer manner than shooting from the front. Being electric, the Polaris made no noise during filming. The team also experimented with different filming techniques, such as shooting off-speed at 48 frames per second, enhancing the excitement in each scene.