Ashburton Digital Storytelling Project
We are inviting senior members of our local community to participate in the Ashburton Digital Storytelling Project.
In this special project, we will capture, document and celebrate the life stories of our senior members. These short films will provide a very special body of work - a legacy - to be shared and celebrated for many years to come.
The series of short films will be screened at the 2022 Ashburton Film Festival (October, date TBA).
In this special project, we will capture, document and celebrate the life stories of our senior members. These short films will provide a very special body of work - a legacy - to be shared and celebrated for many years to come.
The series of short films will be screened at the 2022 Ashburton Film Festival (October, date TBA).
Project Overview
The project will engage up to 26 seniors from the greater Ashburton community in digital storytelling. We will capture and document their life stories. Seniors from various backgrounds, including culturally and linguistically diverse, are encouraged to participate.
Seniors will be paired with students, who have a genuine interest in people’s life stories and a desire to acquire new digital filmmaking skills. Students will be trained in video and digital production and gradually construct a short film that tells the story of their senior partner.
Participants will work in pairs (student & senior). Together, they will acquire new skills in interviewing, storytelling, developing a narrative, video editing, selection of music and still photography as well as advanced use of ‘smart’ technology.
Seniors’ life stories will be focused on underlining the key themes of hope and overcoming adversity.
The key objective of the project is to help strengthen our community by developing empathy, breaking down stereotypes and establishing new social and intergenerational connections through the filmmaking process. Storytelling can be a powerful way to create connections between people, and convey stories of culture, history, and values that unite us.
The project will conclude with the inaugural Ashburton Short Film Festival, where friends, family and community members will be invited to watch and celebrate the stories of our community’s senior citizens.
This historical body of work will be archived and remain an important part of Ashburton's history.
There are two ways to get involved - as a Senior Storyteller or a Volunteer Film Maker. Please see below to learn more about the roles.
Seniors will be paired with students, who have a genuine interest in people’s life stories and a desire to acquire new digital filmmaking skills. Students will be trained in video and digital production and gradually construct a short film that tells the story of their senior partner.
Participants will work in pairs (student & senior). Together, they will acquire new skills in interviewing, storytelling, developing a narrative, video editing, selection of music and still photography as well as advanced use of ‘smart’ technology.
Seniors’ life stories will be focused on underlining the key themes of hope and overcoming adversity.
The key objective of the project is to help strengthen our community by developing empathy, breaking down stereotypes and establishing new social and intergenerational connections through the filmmaking process. Storytelling can be a powerful way to create connections between people, and convey stories of culture, history, and values that unite us.
The project will conclude with the inaugural Ashburton Short Film Festival, where friends, family and community members will be invited to watch and celebrate the stories of our community’s senior citizens.
This historical body of work will be archived and remain an important part of Ashburton's history.
There are two ways to get involved - as a Senior Storyteller or a Volunteer Film Maker. Please see below to learn more about the roles.
Senior Storytellers
We are looking to engage up to 26 local senior members who are willing to share their life story.
Retelling one’s life story can be therapeutic for seniors and has been reported to improve cognition and lessen stress and anxiety.
Seniors will often feel empowered when they realise they have an immense amount of experience and wisdom to share. Vulnerability can often transform into strength. This can improve self-esteem and enhance a sense of wellbeing.
Collectively, sharing life stories can be very powerful - we can all teach, inspire and influence one another though storytelling.
Storytellers will be invited to attend an information session (and morning tea!) before being paired with a tertiary student filmmaker. Filming will occur during the months of July to September. Seniors will be assisted in the creation of a narrative and finding meaningful memorabilia, such as music and photographs, that will be used - in their very own short film!
Retelling one’s life story can be therapeutic for seniors and has been reported to improve cognition and lessen stress and anxiety.
Seniors will often feel empowered when they realise they have an immense amount of experience and wisdom to share. Vulnerability can often transform into strength. This can improve self-esteem and enhance a sense of wellbeing.
Collectively, sharing life stories can be very powerful - we can all teach, inspire and influence one another though storytelling.
Storytellers will be invited to attend an information session (and morning tea!) before being paired with a tertiary student filmmaker. Filming will occur during the months of July to September. Seniors will be assisted in the creation of a narrative and finding meaningful memorabilia, such as music and photographs, that will be used - in their very own short film!
Film Makers
We require up to 26 people who have a genuine interest in learning the skills of filmmaking and hearing people's life stories (priority will be given to people under 25 years, creating an overall intergenerational practice)..
Filmmakers will be provided with training in video and digital film production. You will be taught to produce an engaging and powerful short film.
You will attend a 12-hour workshop across two days. Workshop One (6hrs) will focus on camera techniques, while Workshop Two (6hrs) will focus on video editing and online publishing.
A four-week break between the workshops will allow budding filmmakers to spend time with their subject and practice what they have learnt.
Workshops will be fully catered for and take place at the Craig Family Centre.
Workshops will take place during July and August. They will be facilitated by First Ladies Productions, an award-winning production company experienced in teaching and producing powerful short films.
Filmmakers will be provided with training in video and digital film production. You will be taught to produce an engaging and powerful short film.
You will attend a 12-hour workshop across two days. Workshop One (6hrs) will focus on camera techniques, while Workshop Two (6hrs) will focus on video editing and online publishing.
A four-week break between the workshops will allow budding filmmakers to spend time with their subject and practice what they have learnt.
Workshops will be fully catered for and take place at the Craig Family Centre.
Workshops will take place during July and August. They will be facilitated by First Ladies Productions, an award-winning production company experienced in teaching and producing powerful short films.
We would like to acknowledge the Rotary Club of Balwyn and City of Boroondara for supporting this special community project. We are able to offer this project to all participants at no charge, as a result of their generous support.
For more information please contact:
Mary Heath
Community Development Manager
[email protected]
Ph: (03) 9885 7789
