The Loop
Co-directors/ co-writers: Lorcan Hopper and Johanis Lyons-Reid [see full credits below]
Production company: Tallstoreez Productionz Pty Ltd
Original Broadcaster: SBS Special Broadcasting Service Australia - broadcast launch Sep 13 2019
Country: Australia
Short Synopsis: The Loop is an absurd journey into disability, authorship and representation. Two directors, one living with Down Syndrome, explore representations of normality by creating a hybrid documentary following the process of making their own soap opera. Heartfelt, hilarious and always unexpected, The Loop is a soap opera like no other.
Long Synopsis: In the world of soap operas, life is a glowing fantasy land where normal people lead extraordinary lives. But what happens when a genre that excludes difference is suddenly faced with reality? The Loop
is a hybrid documentary that mixes behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and scripted drama to reveal the process behind first-time director and auteur Lorcan Hopper’s semi-autobiographical soap opera, The Loop, and his collaboration with documentary maker Johanis Lyons-Reid and his team. A subversive twist on the classic American soaps, Lorcan’s story centres on a young couple coming to grips with a pregnancy and the news that their unborn child has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Like any good soap, The Loop combines fashionistas, fights, and faraway looks, creating an absurd mix of homage and satire. But will Lorcan’s debut effort live up to his own perfectionist expectations? Will the stress of a bustling set prove too much, and can the cast and crew match Lorcan’s expectations to fulfil his vision? With so many lived experiences on set, The Loop is certain to rock the assumptions we make about normality. One thing is for certain, this is no ordinary soap opera.
Updates:
The Loop has been selected for the prestigious 2023 Equality International Film Festival in Hollywood, California. Congratulations to all involved!.
The Loop has been selected to screen at Brazil’s Disability Film Festival Assim Vivemos 2021 and Belgium’s The Extraordinary Film Festival TEFF 2021.
The Loop has been selected as a Finalist at the inaugural AIDC Awards 2021 (Australian International Documentary Conference) and received a Special Mention from the jury, they 'wanted to recognise The Loop as a film with heart, tenacity and humor.'
The Loop has been selected as a finalist in the Representation of Disability - Non-Scripted category at the fourth edition of the MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards, winners to be announced at the MIPCOM conference in Paris October 13th 2020.
As part of their Official Selection, The Loop has been invited to screen across Russia through KinoFest’s Breaking Down Barriers.
The Loop will also screen at the Sit Down Shut Up and Watch Film Festival, as part of their showcase during the Adelaide Film Festival at the Palace Cinema, October 25th, 10.30am. Book your tickets now, seats will be limited.
The Athens Short Film Festival has selected The Loop as a finalist in the Short Documentary category. Winners to be announced in November.
The Loop has been selected as finalist for the ATOM Awards 2020 for the Best Short Documentary category. Winners to be announced in November 2020.
The Loop has won Best Short Documentary at the Oxford Film Festival, Mississippi, USA, March 18-22, 2020. From the jury - Doc shorts: winner, THE LOOP: “Documentary filmmaking is in some ways a form of journalism, and this inspiring true story is like nothing I’ve seen before.” John Beifuss, Film Critic. www.oxfordfilmfest.com.
The Loop also has been selected for Sproutflix and its touring and disability education program in the US and Canada.
In December 2019, The Loop screened at the International Day of People with Disability in Adelaide, through Tutti Arts’s www.sitdownshutupandwatch.com.
The Loop launched on SBS OnDemand as part of the SBS Short Film Festival on September 13th 2019. SBS Commissioning Editor Susie Jones said she had not seen a film like The Loop. It defies categories, expectations of normalcy and notions of ability. It is an experiment in collaborating across boundaries of privilege and access, to challenge the creators and audiences to transform what it means to live with disability.
Developed during a series of disability rights awareness and digital media workshops in 2018-19 as part of the SAFC’s Full Tilt initiative, the Loop is a result from a collaboration with Change Media, Arts Access, Johanis Lyons-Reid, Lorcan Hopper and his family, an amazing crew and actors from Company AT and several cultural and educational institutions in SA. Developed and financed with the assistance of the South Australian Film Corporation and SBS, with additional support from the Australia Council for the Arts and Arts SA.
Find below the Open Caption version of The Loop:
A big thanks to all the participating artists, our community supporters and funders for making the Loop happen.
A Change Media Production
Crew:
Co-Writers / Co-Directors - Lorcan Hopper and Johanis Lyons-Reid
Producers - Jen Lyons-Reid and Carl Kuddell
Associate Producers - Piri Eddy and Sandra Hopper
Director of Photography - David Tang
Camera Operators - Mira Soulio and Tim Carlier
Grip - Tim Carlier
Sound Recordist - Mylene Ludgate
Set and Costume Design - Meg Wilson
Hair and Make Up - Anita Rutter
Editor - Johanis Lyons-Reid
Colourist - David Tang
Composer and Sound Mix - Justin Pounsett
Stills Photographer – Piri Eddy
Cast:
Kaila Pole - as herself/ Caroline
Keava Hopper - as herself/ Megan
Sam Bateman – as himself/ James
Thanks to:
Star Theatre - Luke Bartholomew
Flinders University Drama Centre - Richard Back and Cameron Mackness
Michael Tessari - additional gear support
Australian Dance Theatre - Loop teaser venue
Arts Access Victoria - Gaelle Mellis, Kath Duncan, Veronica Pardo
Bonnie Paku - Loop teaser Camera Assistant
South Australian Film Corporation - Gaelle Mellis and Beth Neate
Consultant Producers - Julie Byrne and Kristian Moliere
Developed with support from the Australia Council for the Arts Community Arts funding, as part of Change Media’s What Privilege initiative 2018-2019.
Produced and filmed in South Australia.
Developed and financed with the assistance of the South Australian Film Corporation and SBS
©2019 Change Media, Lorcan Hopper and Johanis Lyons-Reid