About Darcy
Director Darcy Prendergast (b. circa 1985) has always had imagination.
After starting his artistic career on the living room walls, his parents supplied his chubby, yet surprisingly dextrous fingers with a wide gamut of art supplies, as well as a steady stream of paper. At the age of 4 he wanted to be a zookeeper and play with Tigers like his dad. At age 5 he wanted to be Indiana Jones, who was a cooler version of Dad. At 6 he wanted to be a paleontologist like Sam Neil in Jurassic Park – who was cooler than Indy because he outsmarted a T-Rex. Then at the ripe ol’ age of 7, he decided that his constantly shifting career paths were undoubtedly due to a poor understanding of the skillsets that he was endowed with. He opted to allow himself some time for his interests to percolate, manifest and remain… before placing all his eggs in the one basket. With a keen sense for the absurd and a taste for the tactile, he moved into the alluring world of film making at age 17, where he still lives to this day…
Darcy would still like to outsmart a T-rex.
Darcy’s website: www.ohyeahwow.com
• One thing that’s always worth getting out of bed for
The world of possibility. The unknown. Each day brings its own energy, its own opportunities and its own 24 hours. Everyone has that, it just comes down to how we use them.
• One thing about myself that often obstructs me
Health. I love what I do and work 16-18 hours a day. I often forget to eat, sleep and leave the studio. Mum always says ‘Good director – hopeless at life’. The day to day things that are automatic for most, are foreign or laborious to me. I just get on these amazing creative rolls, where the last thing I want to do is go to bed… Of course, this happens most nights, so I find myself sleep deprived and sick, most days.
• One thing I’ve learned the hard way
Business is tough. I rented a large warehouse space 4 years ago, with no idea how to pay for it week to week. When my back was against the wall and all hope was lost, somehow I bounced back, time and time again. I’ve learned a lot about business, leadership, and management in general, but it’s only been through some serious mistakes. However, the business lives on, and I still have the studio… which is something I’m equal parts thankful for and proud of.
• One thing that gets under my skin
People who hate their job. Quit, find what you’re passionate about and stop complaining to me.
• One thing I’d love to change
Australian culture – from a sports-crazy nation to an arts-loving nation. I’d settle for more arts funding, even just 10% of what sport is allocated. It’d make an amazing change to the lives of people who are doing some amazing things.
• One thing I hope for
A legacy.
Darcy’s latest film, Rippled, for All India Radio