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Hi Carolyn!
What inspired you to pursue this career/pathway in film?
I’ve been writing and creating all my adult life, but I only got drawn to screen in the late 1990s when I needed to share visions and ideas beyond the theatre. At Flinders Uni, where I worked as a researcher, I wrote scripts to use in projects with young people, but I needed to hire filmmakers to make these stories portable.
Tell us about one of your early films.
I shot a POV lived experience story about a young man involved in unplanned teenage pregnancy titled “If I were Ben”, which was used in schools in SA and has been replicated with an Irish cast in Belfast and Dublin. Certainly a proud moment for me.
When did you decide to take it to the next level?
It was only in 2012 that I had an epiphany, driving down Hutt Street actually, that I wanted to get creative again and that meant screen. My son Maxx had a wonderful and fruitful time at MAPS film school 6 or 7 years previously and I thought, why not me! So I applied and from 2014-15 made films non-stop and friendships that I carry forward to this day. I concentrated on production, direction and camera and ever since I’ve worked closely with Rebecca Duncker and sometimes Maxx on visual storytelling.
What is your history when it comes to creative arts?
I began by writing and directing musical documentary dramas, within a community school environment. This involved researching and taking oral histories and then converting all this into a script. I wrote song lyrics too, which was fun! I’ve found this experience wonderful more recently when it came to making film documentaries. But first, after MAPS, I imagined and created seven short film dramas and then after discovering interesting local histories, moved on to feature length ‘period piece’ documentaries, including The Magic of Auchendarroch and What are We Fighting For, the personal experiences of those South Australians who protested against conscription and the Vietnam war.
What are you currently working on?
I’m on my third documentary now, working with Maxx and Bonnie Paku, and Sam Matthews involved in the edit. Its early days, but I love having a project to work on and bring to life on the screen. The film is about a former dancer and now wood sculptor, risen from poverty in Paris, who is a magnetic character and we continue to collect his stories, current and archival, to build an artistic and creative biopic. The title will probably be “Let it Dance”.
I understand you direct more than just films?
Yes, I’m also the director of the Fleurieu Film Festival, which is fun, because I like managing events and encouraging early career filmmakers. We always get lots of entries, but it’s always a bit of a financial struggle putting it all together!
What has been your biggest success so far?
I’ve had some proud moments and getting my first selection in the Fleurieu Film Festival back in 2016 was a huge thrill. I also had SASA nominations for “The Silent Song” and “Future Harvest”, and now a feature doco, “What are We Fighting For”, (co-created with Christine Belford), is about to screen at the Adelaide Film Festival. That’s certainly a peak moment in my filming life so far!
It takes a lot of time and energy pulling a production together, yet you still enjoy the process?
Yes, what I love about working in the industry (I’m an SA Indie…) is the group collaboration that makes it happen. Out on the location or set, with a team of people is the best! Gathering people together to make those carefully chosen locations work, whether up a steep hill, at night in the rain or in a small carefully dressed room, is challenging but satisfying. It brings to life all those envisioned dreamt about stories going through in my head, in my shot list and on my story board.
What’s the best part of the film making process?
I have enjoyed building a cast and crew and I believe that creating a cohesive group and avoiding potential frictions are major keys to making a successful film, as well as feeding people well and knowing when to call wrap for the day.
Any regrets along the way?
If I could wind back the clock, I’d love to have been able to go to AFTRS and also be physically strong enough to wield a camera, but no, I have no regrets as I have done lots of other things! We came to Australia with three small children when I was 40 and over here I’m having a great second life!
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