I am a Rocket - Dfaces Whyalla SA

HYPER program workshop 2009 June - Whyalla SA

 D’Faces of Youth Arts Whyalla requested a professional development session to support them set up their youth media centre. They were also keen to produce a documentary about Port Lowly, but due to a last minute change in program, our team tailored a workshop with a group of young people from D’Faces and its HYPER Program to make a series of short films based on the theme, ‘What gets in your way?’.

One of the four co-created films, I Am A Rocket, was selected for the prestiguous Children’s FIlm Festival in Mumbai, India.

Through a series of brainstorming and hands-on sessions the teams produced 4 hilarious films: Abby follows her family tradition sky-high in I am a Rocket, soon-to-be hairdressers face it off in World War 3, two jaded rock stars mop up their success in Josh Burns, and a bunch of understated super heroes are in search for their necessary nemesis…meet the Failtaculars…
The message: Don’t let anyone get in your way to do what you want with your life!

Community art often has a mandate to voice overtly political and/or sensitive issues, which can impact on sponsorship deals along the arts funding pipelines. One strategy discussed was to request clear guidelines from funding bodies about how to deal with art content that potentially could upset corporate sponsors. It is important to identify how these funding relationships may impact on job positions and funding decisions.

The 3-day workshop was re-designed for 10 young people at risk from the Hyper Program, D’faces, with the challenge: ‘How do you see yourself in the future?’ The spontaneous answers: super heroes, rock-stars, a rocket and hairdressers! After a quick story boarding and scripting session, the teams interviewed each other to get the main voice-over for their films. Then on location at Middleback Theatre, TAFE hair and beauty facilities and a Deli.  In the hardware store Rocket Girl had the most weird and wonderful encounters. The TAFE youth worker was so impressed that he now wants to engage the young people to document local events..

Partners

Apple

Arts SA Partnerships for Healthy Communities

Australia Council for the Arts

D’faces of Youth Arts Whyalla and its HYPER program through the Attorney General’s Office SA

Middleback Theatre

SA Youth Arts Board