by FilmInk staff
What got you initially interested in the topic of your documentary?
“We were invited to OC Connections to make a few internal films about people living with disabilities. What started out as 5 minute films became a feature documentary. We had no idea how big the project would become. The more we hung out with the residents, the staff and the families, documenting their lives and getting to know them, the bigger the story became.”
What was the biggest challenge you faced while making your documentary?
“In terms of the filming process, we worked out that doing sit-down interviews with residents would be challenging or unnatural for them, so we changed our technique to suit their needs, adapting to their style of communicating. The residents’ emotions, ideas, expressions came through when they were active and doing things. So instead of interviewing residents with a list of questions, their interviews happened naturally in the moment while on the move, doing a new activity, seeing the plans for the first time, seeing the build for the first time etc. Through their special way of communicating, they would tell us how they felt, what they were thinking, if they were happy or sad, and often they summed up a thousand words in a gesture or a comment with a profoundness beyond anything that we could have achieved in a long drawn-out interview. This meant a lot of handheld camerawork for myself, so that was a big challenge and quite exhausting, but it was the only way to capture those special moments. As an audience member you feel part of the furniture which is what we intended.”
What was an important story or scene or interview you had to leave out of your documentary and why?
“Not necessarily things we had to leave out, but there were moments when we decided not to film to respect people’s privacy. Because we were going behind closed doors to film people in their homes, we realised that could be quite an invasive thing if not done appropriately. Both the producer and I understood that we had a great responsibility to the residents to capture their lives respectfully whilst still getting the full story. So, it’s not always an easy balance and can be quite challenging, which is why we respected that there would be some ethical questions around it. In the end, it came down to the openness and the transparency of the staff and families at OC Connections. They made it happen and let us in because, even though the building was old, the ethos of the organisation is amazing and so there was no need to be worry. We just followed their lead.”
How has the reaction towards your documentary been so far?
“We’re very pleased with how Leaving Allen Street has been received. The film was picked up by ABC and will screen on ABC TV Plus on Wednesday Feb 10th at 8:45pm and on ABC Australia (International) on Sunday, 31 January at 5pm. The film was selected as part of the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2020 and we were very fortunate to win the ‘Audience Choice Award’.”
What are you most proud of about your documentary?
“Receiving our first broadcast deal with ABC and ABC International is a big achievement and a career highlight.”
What aspect are you unhappy about your documentary and why?
“Unfortunately, some of the residents and family members have passed away since the making of the film, so that makes us sad.”
What is next for your documentary?
“Hopefully more broadcast and cinema screening opportunities. People can see the film on Sunday 7th Feb at 5pm at Cinema Nova in Carlton and then on ABC TV Plus on Wednesday 10th Feb at 8:45pm.”
What is the next project you are working on?
“Speak of Country, a Virtual Reality documentary project created in collaboration with Yuin Nation storytellers along the NSW coastline.”
