April 21th, 2010: Change Media interview for Le Monde

Change Media executive producer, Carl Kuddell, was yesterday interviewed by Marie-Morgane Le Moel, a journalist for widely-read french newspaper Le Monde, to comment on the ongoing Change Media collaboration with the Ngarrindjeri nation. She especially was interested in the production of  Nukkan.Kungun.Yunnan – Ngarrindjeri’s Being Heard, the environmental issues in the Coorong and the potential of the Change Media training program for the communities to take control of their stories and record traditional culture and knowledge. Find the link to the article here.

Change Media meets iStreet Lab, March 2010

CHALLENGE: The Change Media Team worked for 2 days with Mervin Jarman from the iStreetLab and the Container Project, to compare our art and community capacity building practice in Australia and Jamaica. The workshop was the first stop  of Mervin’s Australia tour over the coming weeks. The workshop was broadcast live via iStreet Radio, with listeners in New Jersey participating live thoughout all sessions.

PARTNERS: Australia Council for the Arts Creative Community Partnership Initiative; Indigenous Cultural Support through DEWHA; Arts SA Partnerships for Healthy Communities; dLux Sydney; Darwin Community Arts; ICE Sydney, The Edge Brisbane; Tallstoreez Productionz; Apple Australia

Concept: ArtGate – a Xcolonial collaboration

OUTCOMES: During the workshop we developed a long term project for 2010-2012, to create an international community arts exchange workshop program and interactive hard/software interface, a social archive and reference video manuals for marginalized communities worldwide, to enhance cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect. Project officers Wallace McKitrick and Davina Egege, from the Indigenous Coordination Centre SA [DEWHA], took part in the discussion on the second day, to provide feedback and add to the feasibility of the project, in terms of relevance for Indigenous communities in SA. Francesca Da Rimini offered her vast experience in international collaborative new media work as observer/adviser. Rohan Webb, iStreet Lab educator,  youth mentor and educational researcher, logged in as a participant remotely  from New Jersey, USA – he was there for all of both broadcasts…regardless of time zone difference!

SCREENINGS & AWARDS: Please watch this space for updates.

IMPACT & FEEDBACK: It was very refreshing to compare notes about both our projects with Mervin, and start immediately to collaborate on a new venture, that will combine Change Media methodology with iStreet Lab work in Jamaica and join up with Canadian artists Camiile Turner and Mike Steventon for the Canadian part of the triangle.

The following text is from Mervin’s blog at istreetlab.ning.com:

Tallstoreez/Change Media was host to discussions on the feasibility of developing a relevant and sustainable architecture for cross-cultural exchange. Carl and Jen of Change Media have been especially engaging in our examination of the broad scope of possibilities, potential challenges, risks, and social benefits. The discussions have been charged with high expectations, enthusiasm, and a profound sense of purpose. The context of the dialogue is based on the need to forge forward in demonstrating the relevance of our working art practices and the implications for community development. The central idea of how to make meaningful changes for both our communities is an enduring theme.
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Find the full ABC story and radio interviews from Friday March 26th, 2010, here:

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/03/24/2854810.htm?site=northandwest

Ngarrindjeri documentary to screen at New York film festival

By Petria Ladgrove (North and West morning show producer)

A documentary about the Ngarrindjeri community’s struggle with dropping water levels in the Lower Lakes system will be screened at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2010.

Listen to Edie Carter’s ABC Radio interview here.

Edie is the Ngarrindjeri media officer at the Ngarrindjeri Land & Progress Association.

Listen to Carl Kuddell’s ABC Radio interview here.

On the ABC News website today, March 26th 2010, as part of our interview with ABC Radio earlier this week:

Indigenous struggle gains US screening

A film documenting the cultural struggles for Indigenous groups due to a shortage of water in the lower lakes and Coorong of South Australia will screen at an international film festival in New York.

The film Nukkan.Kungun.Yunnan explains some of the difficulties faced by the Ngarrindjeri people, including a shortage of reeds for their traditional basket weaving.

Meningie youth worker Edie Carter worked with young people to make the 22-minute film and says it has a role in efforts to retain local culture.

“Because of what’s happening with the drought we need to document our cultural history for our next generation so … our young people can see what we’ve got now and what we had back in the past,” she said.

“What my mum and dad done with me, I can’t do that with my children and it’s very sad.
“So I’m crossing my fingers and if we can make other states aware of what is happening in the lower lakes, especially around Meningie, you know, just hoping and praying that we get that flow back.”

Two awards for Nukkan.Kungun.Yunnan at the MyHero International Film Festival 2009

On Nov 16th, Ngarrindjeri elder and community leader Tom Trevorrow was awarded the Special MyHero Award at the International MyHero Film Festival in LA, as part of the Nukkan.Kungun.Yunnan documentary.  The film he appears in was produced during a workshop with the newly formed Ngarrindjeri Youth Media Team.

Nukkan.Kungun.Yunnan, won 2nd place in the International MyHero Film Festival’s community film category, selected from hundreds of entries from around the world.

Since then the film has been invited to screen at the International Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York;

it screened during the Key Note opening speech at the Australian Community Broadcasters Conference;

OXFAM Australia has used excerpts of the film to promote their climate change campaign.

MyHero International Film Festival 2009

Click here to watch their film

Hallett Cove SA, February 2009

CHALLENGE: Hallett Cove R-12 School and the Cove Youth Service asked the Hero Project team to work with their students to produce a documentary about their experiences coming to Australia, to support new arrivals from Britain.

PARTNERS: Australia Council for the Arts Creative Community Partnership Initiative; Arts SA Partnerships for Healthy Communities; Cove Youth Service Inc; Marion City Council; Hallett Cove R-12 School; Tallstoreez Productionz; Apple Australia

Film: Pom Fiction

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There are many challenges for young British migrants when they first arrive in Australia. A group of teenagers from Hallett Cove have set out to demystify those first impressions: from flies, thongs, spiders, sharks, sunburn to football… Australia is different – but you are not alone!

OUTCOMES: The participants, who had only recently migrated from the UK, had a very clear idea how they wanted to proceed: create a tongue-in-cheek, humorous take on boring edu-videos. The adult supporters had a different vision about how educational material should look. The Hero Project brokered a viable compromise. This peer-produced documentary is full of heart-warming tips and tricks, to support new arrivals from Britain. It also keeps an upbeat and fun tone, no need to bore the students who watch this resource in school!

SCREENINGS & AWARDS:

Cove Youth Service and Hallett Cove School ordered 20 copies, to pass on to other schools and to show to the State Education Department.
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Pinnaroo, Mallee region SA, June 2007 to May 2008

CHALLENGE: Kade Richardson and Sam Long were finalists at the 2007 Document Your World competition, hosted by the Australian International Documentary Conference. They were 1 of 5 Australian youth teams who pitched their film ideas in front of a large audience, to a panel of broadcasters. ABC were on the panel and commissioned this mini-series for JTV. Over the following 6 months the Hero Project team conducted a series of master classes with the ‘Oo in Pinnaroo’ team to produce 10 kooky episodes about life in Pinnaroo.

Pinnaroo Surfer
‘I don’t reckon you can see Pinnaroo in one day, unless you’re driving through.’ Kade shares his wisdom about bush life, local landmarks and stuff.

Buy the complete Pinnaroo Surfer series on DVD here.

PARTNERS: Arts SA Health Promotion through the Arts; Country Arts SA Regional Arts Fund; Tallstoreez Productionz; ABC TV; Mallee Health Service Inc; Australian International Documentary Conference; Australian Childrens Television Foundation; Apple Australia

SCREENINGS & AWARDS:
2010 Lahore International Children’s Festival, Pakistan

2009 ABC TV broadcast Pinnaroo Surfer series (Jan – Feb)

2008 Little Big Shot Film Festival for Young People, extensive Australian tour and world-wide

2008 Art At The Heart Regional Arts Australia conference, Alice Springs

2007 MyHero International Film Festival Los Angeles USA – 3rd Prize, High School Category

2007 Come Out Youth Film Festival at the Mercury Cinema in Adelaide

2006 Pinnaroo Surfer forms part of the award winning Directing the Hero Within DVD resource

10-part ABC TV series: Pinnaroo Surfer

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1. My Watering Hole Watch
Kade grabs his swag and heads to The Woolshed, the best country pub in town. It’s super real, like a giant scrapbook full of Pinnaroo landmarks, bush nostalgia and a mechanical bull.

2. High Noon Watch
‘This town ain’t big enough for the two of us.’ Or is it? In the name of Country and Western, Kade and Tommie settle a score, Pinnaroo style.

3. Big Things Watch
Sometimes ‘Big Things’ reflect what a town’s biggest passion can be, but does size matter? Kade travels the Mallee region to size up the local ‘Big Things’.

4. Camping’s the best! Watch
Kade packs his swag, tent and all the survival skills his Dad has taught him and heads into the Pinnaroo scrub. When he forgets the matches he uses his bush ingenuity to save the trip.

5. In Competition Watch
This year Kade wants to win the blue ribbon at Pinnaroo’s most prestigious and oldest Show event, the ‘Best Polished Boot’.

6. Painting a Masterpiece Watch
Art isn’t just for snobs, it’s heaps cool. Kade tries everything to win a prize at the Pinnaroo Show and his ‘Best Decorated Biscuit’ entry is in a class of its own.

7. Heavyweight Champion Watch
‘Move over Rocky Balboa, I’ve got you licked.’ Kade trains to become the champion speed ice-cream eater at the Pinnaroo Show.

8. The Fish Whisperer Watch
‘If you want to catch a fish you need to think like a fish’. Kade enjoys the Zen of fishing and has found the secret Pinnaroo spot everyone is raving about.

9. Thinking Man Watch
‘I like to call myself a thinker, that can think.’ Kade travels through time to a magic billabong to practice the art of deep thought.

10. Football Legend Watch
‘You need to be in the right frame of mind if you want to become a legend, like Ben Cousins.’ Kade is arguably the best player on his team, if not second best.

Pinnaroo Surfer – the original Watch
Kade loves the Beach Boys, surfing’s the best. Pinnaroo might be 300 km from the ocean, but that doesn’t stop him surfing.

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Document Your World at AIDC, Feb 2007


CHALLENGE: The Hero Project team worked with 15 youth finalist from the national Document Your World competition, hosted by the Australian International Documentary Conference in February 2007.
The Hero Project mentored the youth teams to prepare their film proposals as a public pitch. This first ever youth-documentary competition saw entries from across Australia, vying for the change to pitch in front of a panel of commissioning editors from ABC and SBS, IDFA’s Director, the Australian Children’s TV Foundation and executives from the media industry. The events MC was Steve Cannane, from Triple J’s Hack.

PARTNERS: Arts SA Health Promotion for the Arts; Country Arts SA Regional Arts Fund; Australian International Documentary Conference; Australian Children’s Television Foundation; ABC TV; Tallstoreez Productionz; Apple Australia

Film: Document Your World presentations

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Watch - Introduction
Watch - LOL Pitch
Watch - Legends of Quorn Pitch
Watch - In Our Shoes Pitch
Watch - Oo in Pinnaroo Pitch
Watch - Artists Not Aliens Pitch
Watch - Q&A + Thankyou
Watch - Youth Team Podcasts

OUTCOMES: The 5 finalist teams from Whyalla, Quorn, Murray Bridge, Pinnaroo and Adelaide prepared a 5-minute verbal pitch and a 2-minute video trailer for their documentary proposals – in 2 days they prepared, wrote, test-pitched, shot and edited the most amazing public presentations – feedback from the panel and audience was that it was the best presentations at AIDC that year…

The participants delivered very compelling presentations. In front of over 100 experts and a high-caliber panel from ABC, SBS, Tallstoreez and ACTF, they held their own. Stories included: LoL: Cyberbullying, the Oo in Pinnaroo, Life in Quorn, Artists not Aliens and Nunga Media.

The winner was ‘LoL’, a documentary about cyberbullying; the team won a development purse of $5000 from ABC jtv, to develop a half-hour documentary proposal.
The runner-up was ‘Oo in Pinnaroo’; who were approached by ABC to produce a 10-part mini-series, mentored by the Hero Project.

The teams also produced a series of short clips during the conference for AIDC, interviewing documentary makers and broadcasters about film making and key points of the conference. The clips were shown on huge screens on the same day  they were shot. It was fabulous to see the 15 Document Your World heroes mingling with the pro-crowd and gleaning valuable intel.

SCREENINGS & AWARDS:

2007 Australian International Documentary Conference, Document Your World event

2008 Every Drop Counts, (Quorn team) screened at the Flinders Film Festival.

2008 Artists not Aliens, (Whyalla team) 2nd prize in the national ReelLife Film Festival, Sydney.

2009 Pinnaroo Surfer series (Oo in Pinnaroo team) screened on ABC TV
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