# I've got a special power #

# That I'm not afraid to use #

# So come on, this is my adventure #

# This is my fantasy #

# It's all about living in the ocean #

# Being wild and free #

# 'Cause I'm no ordinary girl #

# I'm from the deep blue underworld #

# Land or sea #

# I've got the power if I just believe #

# 'Cause I'm no ordinary girl #

# I'm from the deep blue underworld #

# Land or sea, the world's my oyster #

# I'm the pearl #

# No ordinary girl #

(spaghetti western music)

(all laugh)

-Big Boots to Fill, by Lewis McCartney.

The winning entry from last year's Junior Filmmaker's Competition.

If we're gonna win, we have to be aware of the rules.

Forget the rules. It's a short film contest.

We make a short film. How hard can it be?

Last year they rejected an entry

because it was seven seconds over three minutes.

OK, filmmakers,

this year's theme is "heroes."

And, courtesy of Zane's father,

the very generous and wealthy Dr. Harrison Bennett,

this year's prize money has doubled.

Oh, awesome.

Sounds good.

And Dr. Bennett himself is on the judging panel.

Good luck.

(joyful music)

So, your dad's judging and sponsoring.

I wonder who's gonna win?

If you're implying that you're an automatic loser, I'll second that.

Why does Zane's dad get to judge?

Probably because he's putting in all the money.

But... Maybe cos he's a genuine hero too.

Look.

That's the windsurfer Harrison Bennett rode to Mako Island,

all the way around and back in record time. Right, Zane?

Yeah, whatever. Old news.

The record stood for 20 years.

Yeah, my dad, big hero, blah, blah, blah, blah.

I had no idea your dad was a hero.

You must've been a tremendous disappointment to him.

So, if we're working together, we're gonna need to research.

Done. I've rented all the movies we need.

Cleo, those movies aren't right. You want to research?

These are classics. Tracy and Hepburn.

Bogart and Bacall.

We'll never win the prize money doing romance.

It's not about the money. It's about the art.

What about these?

At least Cleo's choices had stories.

I will die if I have to watch a North Korean family

eat breakfast for an hour in real time.

Can't you read subtitles, Rikki?

These are "real" films, with poetry and mood.

Jaws doesn't need the subtitles.

A shark is a shark in any language.

So who goes first? We can't watch them all tonight.

Let's just be civilized about this.

Best of three. Scissors, paper, rock.

So, reschedule Mrs. Bates for six

and we'll squeeze in Mrs. Henman's tummy tuck at two.

-OK, Pauline? -Hey, Dad. I got you something.

-No, Mrs. Goldstein is just a Botox treatment, in and out.

Hey, that's me.

I've gotta go, Pauline.

-I tracked down some old photos and articles.

Wasn't easy getting copies of all these.

-You know, to break that record, I dodged stingrays, sharks

and total exhaustion.

I broke it by 35 minutes.

-I got the newspaper articles from the library archives.

-Took me hours. -Can't beat natural grace.

This is great.

You know, my record will still be standing in another 20 years.

-Somebody might break it. -No way.

Mako Island's a shark breeding ground these days.

Nobody will ever break my record.

I'd kiss the feet of any man who could pull off what I did then.

and keep all of his limbs intact.

I should get this on a loop for my waiting room.

(funny music)

(relaxing music)

What are you doing this year, Lewis?

I have no idea.

We've only got a few days,

so I think we should go with the most developed idea.

Which is mine. You have an idea already?

Cleo, this is Emma we're talking about.

I think the film should be called My Mother.

Sounds riveting. A thriller?

Heroes aren't always pumped-up superfreaks

who wear lycra and fly through the air.

And what's more,

real heroes like my mom aren't always seen on the screen.

And there's a reason for that.

Don't you think three minutes on your mum might be...

What?

Weak?

No... Self-indulgent?

No... Boring?

No. Trust me, it'll be gold.

I've already got an entry form. I'm ready to go.

Time for a juice. Three?

What'll it be, Rikki?

Ah, can I please get three juices of the day

and can you slip me another entry form?

Thanks.

(intriguing music)

And, um, so what drives you?

Drives me?

I'm not really sure what you mean.

What are the primary forces that propel you through life?

Well, really, I guess it's...

wanting the best for my children, you and Elliot.

I don't really think that much about myself.

Ahh... Em, do you want me to keep recording this?

Like, is this an important bit?

It's all important, Rikki.

Unless you'd like a break? Oh, can I? Thank you.

Um, I'll tell you what. While you're sorting out your stuff,

I'll go do some camera tests.

Some different light. Some different backgrounds.

It's a good idea. Lewis?

Hmm? Thank you.

I still don't understand why you need me.

It's simple.

(intriguing music)

This.

You wanna shoot underwater?

Yep. North side of Mako Island.

Rikki, have you any idea how many sharks are out there?

That's the idea. Sharks are a winning formula on film.

You wanna film them?

Heroes of the deep, that's my idea.

Think about it. I can get footage that no one else can get,

it'll be great.

Come on, face it.

We're never gonna win the competition with Emma's idea.

Just think of it as a back-up plan.

No.

No? No.

(soft music)

No.

(relaxing music)

(peaceful music)

I need an entry form for the competition.

I've just had the best idea for a film.

-Sorry, Zane, but you're not eligible.

-What?

-Your father's on the judging panel. It'll be a conflict of interest.

-You can't possibly think it would help me that he's on the panel?

-Look, I'm sorry.

But rules are rules.

(tragic music)

-Oi!

-Hey, Lewis.

Hey, what?

I know we haven't always seen things eye to eye in the past.

Whatever you want, the answer's no.

Let me break it down for you.

I take my dad's original windsurfer.

I re-enact his trip around Mako Island.

I break his record. And you film the whole thing.

A re-enactment? So it's not even original?

It's a tribute,

like Hilary's son climbing Everest.

You'll be capturing a moment in history,

especially if I beat his record.

Me doing you a favor?

One problem. I don't like you.

(funny music)

You finish the film,

my camera is yours.

Oh.

Zane, Zane, my very, very close friend, now we're talking.

Lights. Camera. Action.

So, Mom, I'd like to talk about your time as a junior lifesaver.

Really?

Yes. I hear you were very good.

Well... (laughs)

The funny thing is, I completed the course

but I never actually collected my certificate.

Really?

That's priceless.

It's a pity Lewis is missing this.

Hmm, pity.

(funny music)

(intriguing music)

All right, now, I've made some slight modifications.

This waterproof mini-cam

is gonna send images directly back to me in the boat.

I'll get the wide shot.

Good.

I don't want filming to slow me down.

Yep.

Put this on so we can stay in contact, in case...

(tragic music)

In case what?

Ah, just in case anything goes wrong.

Nothing's gonna go wrong.

I'm pumped.

Let's do it.

(soft music)

(beeps)

Come on, Lewis, move it!

Have you seen Cleo?

Um, no. I think she's just running a bit late.

OK.

Roll camera.

I was thinking maybe we could talk about what type of clothes

you wore in the seventies or what type of food you ate...

Um, here's a thought.

Maybe I should save tape

while you figure out exactly what you wanna talk about.

Good thinking.

And, while you do that, I could do a few more tests?

That's a really good idea, Rikki, yep.

Yeah?

OK, so,

were you in the Brownies or...

I was in the GFS, which was called the Girls Friendly Society.

(intense music)

How am I doing for time?

I hate to say it, but keep this speed up,

you'll probably beat your dad's record.

Woo-hoo!

(engine sputters)

Oh, great.

(sputters)

(tragic music)

Come on, come on.

Zane, are you OK? I think I've flooded the engine.

Thanks, Mom.

So when you were a junior lifesaver, you were obviously a good swimmer.

Did you ever save anyone?

Oh...

What?

No. It's nothing. Forget it.

You did?

Well, yes, but no.

Mom, tell me about it. No, I can't.

Please?

(sighs)

I was 12.

And I saved a boy from the surf. He would've drowned.

Mom, that's a wonderful story. Did... Did you get a name?

Is there any way we could contact him and follow up?

That would be a really great moment in the film.

Mom?

I'm sure he has forgotten all about it.

And he's a fairly important person now

and I don't think he'd like it made public.

Please? Just a name?

Harrison Bennett.

(funny music)

He was young, he got into difficulties,

and I dragged him out, that's all there is to it.

The funny thing though,

I was pretty keen on Harrison back then,

and after I saved him he kind of avoided me.

I think he was a bit embarrassed.

What I do remember very clearly though was how scared I was,

I was petrified. What if I didn't save him?

That's a lot of pressure for a 12-year-old.

(melancholic music)

(waves)

(intense music)

Lewis, once I get around this point, it should be plain sailing.

Whoa!

(over radio) What was that?

I can't see a thing.

(disturbing music)

(grunts)

(yells)

(gasps)

(dark music)

Help! Shark!

(over radio) Help! Help!

(over radio) Help! Help me! Shark!

(engine starts)

I'm coming, Zane!

(disturbing music)

Help! Save me!

Ah! Please, somebody help me!

(gasps)

Help me! Shark!

(dark music)

(breathes heavily)

(bubbling)

(soft music)

(rhythmic music)

There were sharks everywhere. I thought I was a goner.

Are you OK?

I don't see anything.

Just get me out of here.

(disturbing music)

(engine whines)

Help! Help! Shark!

Argh! Please! Somebody help me!

Help! Shark!

Amazing.

Not exactly the word I'd use.

-Help! Save me!

-I've been at the juice bar hosing Wilfred down for two hours.

He was about to go to the police.

-It's your windsurfer, not his.

OK, maybe we should have asked.

But this footage is fantastic. It'll make a great film.

-You can't do that. -I sponsor that competition.

You think I want my son on public view looking like... that?

-Help me!

There was a 20-foot shark out there, Dad.

-There were heaps of them. -Did you see anything?

Well... I didn't think so.

Zane created this charade

because he knew he couldn't really break my record.

Now get rid of that. No, no, no, no.

I shot this footage, that disc belongs to me.

It's mine.

(door opens)

Hi, Mom.

Emma, where have you been? I thought you wanted to do more...

(soft music)

I got this for you.

That's my...

That's my junior lifesaving graduation certificate.

I tracked it down at the club.

They still had it on file and I got it framed.

Thank you, sweetheart.

Can we hang it on the wall?

-(door closes) -Yep.

Hi, guys.

We're ready to film when you are.

Actually, I've decided to call it off.

Emma, it's OK.

We've talked about it.

And we're going to help you no matter what we think personally.

Well, that's OK.

I think that real heroes

don't need their stories turned into big productions.

Sometimes it's better just to know the truth.

Lewis. Hmm?

I need a favor.

I have fantastic shark footage

and I have no idea how to cut it into a film.

It's great stuff. So close you could almost touch them.

So you're the expert. What do I do?

How are you going to explain how you shot it?

What?

Well, if it's better than the professionals,

how are you going to explain that without arousing suspicions?

Well, I was gonna...

I mean, I could....

Uh...

I can't show it, can I?

(tragic music)

(Zane on video) Help!

-(crowd laughs)

-Help! Shark.

-(crowd laughs)

-Help me. Shark!

-(all laugh)

Do you think that's funny?

I think the audience is the best judge, Rikki.

Agh!

I was there, Lewis.

Who do you think scared away the sharks that were about to eat him?

Zane isn't acting.

Help, someone save me!

(applause)

-So, congratulations to you all for a fantastic effort,

but it's time to announce our winners.

And the winner is...

for the second year in a row,

a wonderful comedy by Lewis McCartney, Scared of the Water.

(applause)

(soft music)

(sad music)

(applause)

And winner of the Gold Starfish for Best Actor,

even with his father abstaining from the vote,

Zane Bennett!

(applause)

-Can I say...

I'd like to donate the prize money to this establishment.

To compensate for any trouble I caused...

and...

thanks for this award, but what can I say...

the Bennetts are winners.

Right, Dad?

(soft music)

(applause)

(melancholic music)

You were good.

Acting, you mean?

No. The whole thing about windsurfing around Mako.

And everything else.

It took guts.

You're the only one who thinks so.

(soft music)

# We've got to stick together #

# 'Cause the best things come in three #

# Want it to last forever #

# All the magic and fun at sea #

# So come on, this is our adventure #

# There's no telling where we'll go #

# But all I want Is just to live amongst the H2O #

# 'Cause I'm no ordinary girl I'm from the deep blue underworld #

# Land or sea #

# I've got the power if I just believe #

# 'Cause I'm no ordinary girl I'm from the deep blue underworld #

# Land or sea #

# The world's my oyster #

# I'm the pearl #

# No ordinary girl #

# Come along, it just gets better #

# So much to do and just so little time #

# 'Cause it all depends on whether #

# You wanna leave the land above behind #

# 'Cause I'm no ordinary girl #

# I'm from the deep blue underworld #

# Land or sea #

# The world's my oyster #

# I'm the pearl #

# No ordinary girl #