AFTRS

 

Mentoring Under the Stars is a two way learning experience between a homeland community and graduates of AFTRS.

Macquarie Bank has supported AFTRS in the last few years with an Indigenous Scholarship and later with outreaching mentoring programs in remote regions.

The funds are utilised through the provision of mentoring programs and projects in remote communities.

Mentors are cinematography graduates of AFTRS.

 

June 7 -11, 2010
Mentoring Under the Stars - Bawaka Workshop

Following on from the workshop in Yilparra, 'Mentoring Under the Stars' two cinematography graduates, Ross Giardina and Tania Lambert headed back into Arnhem land for a cinematography mentorship in Bawaka.

They worked with community members to develop cinematography skills through shooting a series of music clips in the homelands.

The Mulka Media Project is situated in Yirrkala and since the last mentoring under the stars in 2009, two of the trainees have been working for Mulka Media.

Their work during the mentorship last year showed their increasing interest in the art of filmmaking. During this workshop they spent more time exploring lighting through undertaking night shoots.

NUMBERS:  9 Participants

Cinematography trainees:Dhamarrarr Munungurr, Ishamel Marika, Burrkili Munungurr, Vanessa Gambley, Buwata Munungurr, Batali Yunupingu, Wukun Wanambi, Araluen Maymuru and Rrawan Maymuru

Mentors:  Tania Lambert and Ross Giardiana

 

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November 29 - December 6, 2009
Mentoring Under the Stars - Yilpurra Workshop

Mentoring Under the Stars is a two way learning experience between a homeland community and AFTRS graduates. Ross Giadiano and James Brown (Cinematography students of 2009), visited the Yirrkala community and Yilpurra homelands to do a mentoring with the community who were shooting three video clips, one documentary and archival footage.

The community combined this four day shoot with the opportunity for the cinematography students to be a part of a mentoring process with four people interested in Cinematography.

In the end the community shot three clips, one interview with an elder for record keeping of history, archive footage for the Mulka Media Centre, a behind the scenes documentary, and a band album cover.

 

 

Excerpts from a report written by James Brown - Mentor

"On November 29 2009, Rosco Giardina and I embarked on a cultural and creative journey to Yilpara, an indigenous homeland of just over 100 people, situated on the coast of north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

Yilpara: a community where family, tradition and storytelling are ever present. We were treated to traditional ceremonies, journeyed to sacred places and observed a culture constantly inspired by traditional story teachings, the knowledge of the earth and a respect for Elders and history.

Our brief was to mentor a group of indigenous youth to film a series of music clips for local rock group - The Maralingi Band.   However, it was obvious from the outset that mentoring would translate into a momentous two-way learning process, collectively exchanging skills and knowledge, experiences and stories.

The crew, seven young people ranging from 17-25 years, surrounded the cameras and were always keen for the next creative challenge, initiating coverage ideas, lighting and storyline opinions.  Their drive to support the band was so inspiring and the willingness to grab the camera at any moment always raised a cheeky grin.  Under our weeklong tutelage they compiled three music clips and a half hour documentary about their homeland.

From crocodile ridden floodplains to unspoiled beaches, our locations were unlike any other.  Hunting fresh mudcrabs, ceremonial dancing at sunset, and sitting down under rattling fans having a laugh combined to make 'Mentoring Under the Stars' a unique and life changing experience."

Words from Rob Lane, from Mulka Project

"R&J provided the community with a creative partnership - providing technical support, directorial encouragement, cinematography training and a range of video-related skills.

From the outset R&J formed strong partnerships with the crew and performers. A practical and supportive working relationship was established through an openness and flexible approach to community life, Yolngu culture and the project.

R&J's approach to the community workshop received full support on the ground - each day crew and performers were ready to roll at sunrise and happy to work through the evening. This commitment to a demanding project (3 music videos in 4 days) was in part due the hard work and dedication exhibited by R&J. They provided an energy and enthusiasm that was infectious in hot and rugged conditions. The training model used by R&J was inclusive - it catered to male, female, illiterate, disabled and inexperienced participants. By providing a partnership to create and work together, R&J were able to provide the community with rich outcomes whilst maintaining powerful learning situations for the crew.

The participants are very excited about their achievements and openly acknowledge the invaluable contribution of R&J. The longer term goal of the community is that Yilpara becomes a training hub for nearby smaller communities within the region. The Mulka Project looks forward to supporting Yilpara's vision and believes the training provided in partnership with AFTRS provides a valuable model to the community"

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Image: Photographs of AFTRS student mentors with participants of the Yilpurra Workshop