Pop Series - Making Shorts that Speak Out

Pop Series is an intensive film making training program for culturally diverse young people between the ages of 16-25 that live, work or study in Western Sydney.

The program runs for ten weeks and currently has 19 young people gaining skills in a variety of areas including script writing for film, camera operation, managing productions, acting on screen, producing, directing and editing for tv.

Pop Series has pulled together a creative and skilled team of trainers and project managers including AFTRS graduate and award winning film director Amin Palangi who is sharing his insights and training the young people in script development.

The project has also engaged Craig Anderson, a Tropfest winner and director/ actor of ABC TV series “Double The Fist”. Craig is mentoring and training the participants in a variety of elements including acting on screen, film production management, editing and post-production using ICE’s cutting-edge facility Switch Multimedia and Digital Arts Access Centre.

The Pop Series project participants are developing their stories and learning how to present them on screen whilst receiving support, guidance and access to much needed facilities and information from industry experts.

“So far, the participants have developed four short stories and are currently producing them. They are working closely together with the trainers, collaborating on ideas, and sharing their newly gained skills and techniques. It’s great to see their stories coming to life on screen”, says Youth Digital Cultures Project Coordinator, Maria Tran.

The participants are exploring a range of issues including racism, sexuality, and public safety. One of the participants Sally Mc Govern, a newbie filmmaker has just completed her film which raises issues on digital technology and public safety.

“This program has taught me valuable skills and knowledge and allowed me to meet and network with a variety of people in the industry as well as like minded youth within my own community” says Sally Mc Govern.

The course is in mid way and films are all currently under production.

More info, please contact Maria Tran on 9897 5744 or email maria.tran@ice.org.au

[Article posted 20 November 2008]