In late 2013, Roger Alsop approached me about the Let Me Count the Ways project. I am a documentary filmmaker who had just completed a Masters in Film & TV at the VCA. What transpired was a terrific six session workshop over six months, with a group of visual artists from and around Yinnnar in South Gippsland. 

 

This intrepid group of emerging filmmakers met with me and fellow filmmaker Arpad Mihaly, on the second Saturday of every month over the winter and Spring of 2014. The group arrived with a variety of  ideas, that needed technical know how to realise in the documentary story telling form. Workshops covered interview techniques, shooting techniques, and documentary approaches. 

 

From Session Two we were viewing material that various group members had shot. The emphasis was on the use of pre-existing technologies to shoot and edit. Artists used their smart phones, iPads and home movie cameras to shoot, and then a range of low end editing software platforms to edit, utilising their own lap tops.

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What was most illuminating for me as a filmmaker was the power of these simple filmmaking tools in the hands of talented and passionate story tellers. What resulted was a range of heart felt documentaries covering a wide range of styles and topics. Collectively the works provide the audience with a wonderful window into the Yinnar and the greater South Gippsland area.