The director shouts "action" and a team of young footy players is put through its paces.
A huge boom mic hovers overhead and a video camera captures the players' scripted dialogue from the sidelines.
This isn't a big budget movie set, but the rich green backdrop of Far North Queensland offers a beautiful setting that movie moguls travel far and wide to find.
Two Girls, A Guy and a Gun is a labour of love for local Indigenous filmmaker Garth Edwards, built on blood, sweat and tears – or rather, fake blood and more laughter than tears.
It's a story about two teachers whose lives spiral when they decide to rob a bookie.
"The story idea came to me a few years ago to create a drama with a couple of teachers, a bookie and some money and film it all in a motel room," Edwards said.
"I recently decided to rewrite the script and reached out to friends in the local filmmaking community saying I wanted to make a feature film and one person got on board, then another and another."
Not only did he co-write the drama-turned-comedy with friend and teacher Dennis McIntosh, but Edwards is also the producer, director and even acts in it.
"We don't have giant studio budgets, but we have the North Queensland community coming together and we have so much local talent here," Edwards said.
"We don't have to go down south to find anyone. We've got awesome people here ready to go from local actors in front of the camera to those behind the camera like directors, make-up, lighting, gaff and everything else."
Throw in some star power like comedian and entertainer Sean Choolburra and Edwards believes his first feature film will draw in audiences.
"Sean is known right around the world, he's so deadly and he really takes his character to the next level, so I'm thrilled he's in the movie," Edwards said.
A region of untapped talent
The film has also unearthed stars in the making, with Woree State High School drama students landing their debut professional gig.
Thirteen-year-old Ellijah Cook scored a small speaking role and learned what it takes to become an actor.
"It's been fun doing the movie but quite different to what I thought it would be. There's a lot of waiting around," he said.
Edwards remembers being in their shoes, so he's keen to pass on his industry knowledge.
"When I was younger, my school drama class got to be on set of a film being made in the region called Sniper, with actors Tom Berenger and Billy Zane, and it had a huge impact on my life," he said.
"After that, I wanted to get into acting and be a storyteller and I can only imagine that it's the same for many of these students and I want to be able to give them opportunities."
Supporting 'new and diverse' stories
Queensland is cashing in on the local and international film scene and Screen Queensland wants to spread the love across the state.
"People want new and diverse stories and what comes out of the regions is so unique and different, and there's a huge appetite for content globally," Screen Queensland acting chief executive Belinda Burns said.
The government-owned agency offers financial incentives to production companies to film in the regions and it also funds industry development through its North Queensland Regional Program.
A $12.6-million Screen Queensland Studio hub due to open in Cairns in 2024 promises to attract more big budget films to the north and the job opportunities that follow.
"It's really exciting for the region," Dr Burns said.
The secret is already out among filmmakers, with productions like TV series Irreverent filmed at Mission Beach, Black Snow at Proserpine, Wizards! at Daintree, Port Douglas and Cairns and Hollywood blockbuster Ticket to Paradise in the idyllic Whitsundays.
Edwards, who acted in Irreverent, is using his low-budget film to show off his beloved home town.
"This is my region, my home and I don't want to leave here if I don't have to," he said.
"I want to make movies here and show how deadly we are."
